Using RPG Maker
Where do I download RMXP/VX?
RMXP:
You can download the free trial from the following sites. It will expire in 30 days, in which case you will need to buy the legal version.
RMVX:
Information and download
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"RGSS102e.dll not found", how do I solve this?
The English version of RMXP can be downloaded at download.com. It's a free trial for 30 days, after which you have to buy it.
If you got this error by playing a game someone else sent you you will need to download this file from someone. Anyone with RMXP will have it.
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How do I move between maps?
Use the Transfer Player event command. For outdoor maps, the usual practice is to map the terrain in such a way as to only have one or two tiles for teleport events (e.g. making cliffs block the rest of the side of the screen). If you would rather not artifically make such narrow paths, you either have to use multiple teleport events (may cause lag) or event scripting.
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How can I make the hero walk through a door?
First, make an event. Set the graphic of the event to a closed door character, and make the trigger Action Key. In the event commands, input this code:
Play SE: '[i]Open Door SE[/i]' 80, 100
Set Move Route: This event
     : $>Turn Left
     : $>Wait: 4 frames(s)
     : $>Turn Right
     : $>Wait: 4 frames(s)
Wait: 10 frame(s)
Set Move Route: Player
     : $>Through ON
     : $>Move Up
     : $>Through OFF
Transfer Player: [i]New Map[/i], X, Y
Extra optional steps include giving the player some opacity or closing the door after the player before transfer. These are up to you.
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How do I set graphic transparencies (see-through areas)?
Select Tools | Resource Manager from the main menu. You can also access the Materialbase by the icon between the Script Editor and the Database. This will open the Resource Manager window. Specify the type of resource you will be importing by selecting the corresponding folder name in the left column. Click the Import button and navigate to the resource you will be setting the transparency for. After double clicking on it, a window will pop-up with the graphic displayed. Notice at the bottom there are two buttons. One is labeled "Transparent Color (Set w/ L-click)" and the other is labled "Translucent Color (Set w/ R-click)." Translucency is when the color is partially transparent, meaning it will appear see-through but visible. Go ahead and set the transparency and translucency by left and right clicking on the colors you wish respectively. Click Okay and you're done.
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How many frames are there in a second?
By default there are
up to 40 frames per second. This varies per computer, and is changeable with the following script snippet:
Graphics.framerate = x
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How do I permanently erase an event?
- After executing an event, turn a self-switch on.
- Create a new page in the event editor, leave it blank, and set its Condition to the previously designated self-switch.
This will set the event blank after it is finished.
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How can I make a treasure chest?
First, make an event. Set the graphic to one of the closed treasure chest sprites. Under the Options, click the checkbox next to Lock Facing. In the Event Commands, play the Chest sound effect. Next, make a Move Event, and have this event Turn Left, Wait, Turn Right, Wait, Turn Up. Play a sound effect, if desired, and display a Message stating you received an item or money. Do a Change Items/Armor/Weapons, and add one of the things the player should get. Now turn a Self-Switch ON.
Click on New Page, and click the checkbox next to Self Switch in the Conditions. It will be A by default. Put in the graphic of the open chest, and click Direction Fix. Put a message saying "It's Empty" in the event commands, if desired.
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How can my friends play my game without RMXP/VX installed?
a) Your friends must download the RTP.
b) See
Brewmeister's tutorial on distributing a game without RTP.
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Is it legal to sell my game?
It is legal to sell your game with either RMXP or RMVX, with any of the default material provided, as long as you own a full license (i.e. you paid the $60 fee).
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Are there built-in limitations on how large my game can be?
Most things are limited to 999.
For example, 999 characters, 999 enemies, 999 maps.
There are rumours that the largest filesize you can have is 128mb. This can be countered somewhat by taking out all music while exporting your game file, and then adding it in once the program's done it's business.
Switches and variables have much higher limitations.
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What is the game screen size and how can I change this?
The default size for RMXP is 640x480 (pixels). This is 20x15 (tiles).
This can be changed using a script; I advise searching the script forums for "resolution."
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What is a switch? What is a variable?
A switch is an object that can be true or false, on or off. Take a light switch, for example: on or off.
A variable is an object that contains a number you can change with events. Imagine a dimmer light switch: it can fluctuate brightness, just like a variable's numbers.
Both are used in eventing for Conditions. For example, when you complete a quest (switch) or open 5 chests (variable), you can use these Conditions to execute another event.
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What are layers and how are they used?
Layers are the multiple levels in which you are to place objects. The first layer is for putting down the ground usually. The second layer is for putting down the rest the objects. What is unique about RPG XP is the third layer, which is basically just the second layer, over the second layer. Then, finally, you have the event layer, where you basically place events.
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How do I set the player's starting position?
Go to the event layer (F8).
Right click on a tile.
Select 'Player's Starting Position' from the drop down menu.
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How do I make an NPC?
Go to the event layer (F8).
Make an event somewhere by either double clicking on a square with the left mouse button, right clicking and selecting New Event... or selecting the square and pressing [Enter]
This will open the event dialog. To the left there is a white field with 'Graphic:' in words just above it.
Double click on this (left mouse button) and select the graphic you want.
When this is done go to the big white field to the right.
Here is all the event commands listed. Select it and insert a new command.
Here you can make the NPC do what you want it to do.
Remember that you can a short pop up message by right-clicking and pressing What's this?
You can also get this by pressing F1. You will get the description on the button you have select.
You can move the selection with the arrow keys.
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How do I make a quest?
There are a bazillion ways to do this. I will try to cook the general concepts down into an example.
If you don't know what a switch is or are unsure of how to use them you should read What is a switch? before continuing.
Phase 1: Activation of the quest
Let's say you talk to this person who gives you the quest. If the quest is given you let the event turn on a switch.
We could use switch 21 - Quest Start and turn it ON. (This could be any switch)
You should make sure that the person does not continue to give the quest. (This is strictly speaking not necessary)
Make a new event page and set as precondition the switch 21 - Quest Start. (Should be the same as the switch you turned ON in the previous page. Remember to set the event graphic)
Here you can set the action for when the Quest is active, but not finished.
Phase 2: Getting the item
Let's say that you could not get the item before.
The event from which you can get the item shall like the event starting the quest have a condition for when the quest start. That is. New page, Precondition set to 21 - Quest Start (2nd page)
Here you should turn another switch to ON. Let it be 22 - Item Gotten. You can make some actions. (Tell the player a story or whatever)
Make a new page (3rd). Set Precondition to 22 - Item Gotten.
Here you can set actions if the player tries to trigger the event again.
Phase 3: Ending the quest
Go back to the event that starts the quest and make a new page (3rd). Set precondition to 22 - Item Gotten.
Here you should tell the player that he or she has completed the quest. Afterwards turn switch 23 - Quest Finished ON. New page (4th). Precondition set to 23 - Quest Finished.
For the item event. New page (4th). Precondition set to 23 - Quest Finished.
Here you can make actions for when the player triggers the events after the quest is completed.
Final notes:
As you might notice a lot of switches are used.
You could actually add an event and then check whether the player has it or not with a Conditional Branch during the quest. This will eliminate the need for the 22 - Item Gotten switch.
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How can I import maps made on another computer?
Copy both projects on 1 computer.
Open both of them.
In the project tree window to the lower left:
Right-click on one of the maps you want to copy and press copy in the dropdown menu.
Now go to the other project and select a map in the tree structure.
Right-click and press paste.
The map will then be copied into the allocated place in the tree structure.
Keep doing this until you have copied all maps over.
Note that the Player's Starting Position is not copied over.
Also note that the map id most probably changes.
This means that you might have to change some events.
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How do I add new resources?
There is an Icon near the little music note, it is the folder with 3 documents (icon). This'll take you to the import/export system.
You can also access the import/export by Tools\Materialbase (F10).
Here you click the
Import... button and find the file you want to import.
Here you left click on the color you want transparent.
You can also right-click for a semi-transparent color.
Click OK and you are done.
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