An idea... - .dif Library
by technostick · in Marble Blast · 02/07/2006 (6:37 am) · 12 replies
As I'm sure many of you are aware, quite a few of us level builders (like Tech Geek and myself) don't have access to or are unable to use Quark. This means that we are unable to create any "interiors" - that is, files which specify the shape, color, texture of the level platforms. We can only use pre-existing interiors, such as those of a pre-existing level, and a few basic interiors, like circle platforms and tubes, that come with the game. This means that either part of our levels will look like another already-made level, or that they will consist solely of circular platforms and tubes.
It would help greatly if over time members with Quark could build a "library" of interiors (files with extension .dif), consisting of various "building blocks" that could be used to build more interesting levels.
Here are two suggestions:
Circular platforms of more colors and sizes. (The only ones included are a huge blue one and a quite big green one)
Square and rectangular platforms of various colors and sizes.
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The only problem is that of practicality; how are people going to get their .dif files to one another?
One solution is to have a thread dedicated to this, and have people posting their email addresses and the interior they want, then the person who made the .dif file can email it to the people.
Please give some suggestions (and .dif files!) so that this can become a reality!
-technostick
It would help greatly if over time members with Quark could build a "library" of interiors (files with extension .dif), consisting of various "building blocks" that could be used to build more interesting levels.
Here are two suggestions:
Circular platforms of more colors and sizes. (The only ones included are a huge blue one and a quite big green one)
Square and rectangular platforms of various colors and sizes.
-----
The only problem is that of practicality; how are people going to get their .dif files to one another?
One solution is to have a thread dedicated to this, and have people posting their email addresses and the interior they want, then the person who made the .dif file can email it to the people.
Please give some suggestions (and .dif files!) so that this can become a reality!
-technostick
About the author
#2
02/07/2006 (6:07 pm)
Damn, I was working on this very same thing a couple years ago.... I really should finish it.... wish I had more time.
#3
I have set up a googlemail.com email address, marbleblastinteriors@googlemail.com, which will be solely devoted to the .dif files that anyone makes. Here's the process:
1. Someone makes an interior, and sends it to marbleblastinteriors@googlemail.com.
2. I will post in this thread the news, and a brief description of the interior.
3. Anyone who wants the interior posts in this thread their email address and the interior they want, so I can send it to them.
I will almost always be able to respond to new interiors or requests for them in less than 24 hours.
Of course, this is just a sketch for how it may work... Please give your comments and suggestions - and interiors!!!
02/08/2006 (8:43 am)
I suggest that we make this a sort of "community" effort...I have set up a googlemail.com email address, marbleblastinteriors@googlemail.com, which will be solely devoted to the .dif files that anyone makes. Here's the process:
1. Someone makes an interior, and sends it to marbleblastinteriors@googlemail.com.
2. I will post in this thread the news, and a brief description of the interior.
3. Anyone who wants the interior posts in this thread their email address and the interior they want, so I can send it to them.
I will almost always be able to respond to new interiors or requests for them in less than 24 hours.
Of course, this is just a sketch for how it may work... Please give your comments and suggestions - and interiors!!!
#5
02/08/2006 (3:52 pm)
Soxred93@yahoo.com! I need to use quark!
#6
Well done, Tech Geek - you are the first one on it!
02/09/2006 (6:09 am)
OK... I am running a sort of "mailing list" that will recieve any levels sent as soon as I get them.Well done, Tech Geek - you are the first one on it!
#7
L-shaped, like half of Learning to Roll;
Tubes with other than 2 or 4 "ends". For example a T-shaped one, or one with a 5-point intersection;
Smaller circle platforms - the only ones included are truly huge... Of course they can be rescaled, but then the grid pattern will get messed up. Also some with different textures (mud, grass, etc.) would be great!
Square platforms - different sizes, colors, textures... There are in fact no square platforms that come with MarbleBlast, so as you can imagine that's pretty limiting for level builders;
Slightly more ambitious, perhaps... Other polygonal platforms, such as triangles, pentagons, hexagons, etc.
Once again, send them to marbleblastinteriors@googlemail.com as soon as you make them! After all, any interior is better than no interior! :-)
02/10/2006 (8:10 am)
Here are a few more specific suggestions for possible interiors:L-shaped, like half of Learning to Roll;
Tubes with other than 2 or 4 "ends". For example a T-shaped one, or one with a 5-point intersection;
Smaller circle platforms - the only ones included are truly huge... Of course they can be rescaled, but then the grid pattern will get messed up. Also some with different textures (mud, grass, etc.) would be great!
Square platforms - different sizes, colors, textures... There are in fact no square platforms that come with MarbleBlast, so as you can imagine that's pretty limiting for level builders;
Slightly more ambitious, perhaps... Other polygonal platforms, such as triangles, pentagons, hexagons, etc.
Once again, send them to marbleblastinteriors@googlemail.com as soon as you make them! After all, any interior is better than no interior! :-)
#8
Can we add our own textures or do you recommend using the marbleBlast default ones? It might be interesting to see some new patterns if someone can design them to look professional.
P.S.: Another good idea would be to design a elbow tube just like the one we have, but in the opposite direction. I can rotate the one we have now in every direction. I think a mirror of the one we have now would solve that problem and level builders can connect tubes every way.
~~~~~~~~~~~
solo.
02/10/2006 (11:07 am)
For a square platform(or close to square) you can use the .dif that is available with the advanced trap door level(the level right after the one with all the cubes. Also, there is a red and green square with marbleman's Christmas tree level. I can make some of the simple designs in QuArK for you in 2 weeks, but may have trouble making tubes. Can we add our own textures or do you recommend using the marbleBlast default ones? It might be interesting to see some new patterns if someone can design them to look professional.
P.S.: Another good idea would be to design a elbow tube just like the one we have, but in the opposite direction. I can rotate the one we have now in every direction. I think a mirror of the one we have now would solve that problem and level builders can connect tubes every way.
~~~~~~~~~~~
solo.
#9
02/10/2006 (4:51 pm)
Back when I was working on my own dif pack (with solo) I made a ton of tubes.... I'm gonna try and find all of my dif's.
#11
Even just a square of a different size, or a mud or grass one would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again!
marbleblastinteriors@googlemail.com
02/12/2006 (11:49 am)
Just remember... What we need are not complicated, intricate interiors; we need basic building blocks. Thanks for letting us know about the square that can be "found" in Trapdoor Madness.Even just a square of a different size, or a mud or grass one would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again!
marbleblastinteriors@googlemail.com
#12
Anyway, I'll use the KISS formula(Keep It Simple Stupid) and make some easy stuff. Can't make promises, but give me a few weeks.
solo
02/12/2006 (8:33 pm)
Ok technostick, I can make some simple interiors. I am competent to do that. At least I used to be. LOL. Bob, knows how to make things too, but I don't know how much time he has. He's been very busy as of late. I'd like to try to apply some mud, grass or space to some things. As far as I know when you apply that texture to an object in QuArK, when you import it to your level, MBG's editor will add the attribute(i.e., space's slippery surface). I still don't know how to make cool stuff like moving platforms, but I think it requires loading MBG on a Window's operating system and then accessing it via a console OR prompt. I use a Mac, so I don't think I can do such. Anyway, I'll use the KISS formula(Keep It Simple Stupid) and make some easy stuff. Can't make promises, but give me a few weeks.
solo
Solo Hans
~~~~~solo.