Help
Posted 13 April 2007 - 12:38 AM
By: Alert Games
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->As an addition to Particle Designer 1.2, version 2 has a huge amount of updates to it. This program allows you to create 3 particles at once with all of the functions available in GM6+, but it also allows you to create emitters, attractors, changers, deflectors, and destroyers as well. With its easy interface and random generating particles, you will be able to create particle effects and particle systems much much easier than you can by reading the code! You can export the entire system to GML to use in your game, or take screenshots and animated GIFs. This program doesn't need to be used just for game maker, you can create nice looking effects for anything!
->Major features:
--All functions for a particle type for a single particle
--Great user interface
--All functions for the emitter, attractor, changer, deflector, and destroyer.
--Generate random particle settings
--Lock settings so they aren\'t affected by random option
--Very functional codebox for changing values while testing.
--Import a GML file
--Export the particles, a tab, or the particle system to GML
--Export the above to the clipboard
--Save and open PDSF files, which include codebox gml
--Full capability to use external sprites(not saved however)
--Take screenshots of the particle, and even save GIF animations
--Shortcut keys
--Preferences for testing and exporting particles
--Fullscreen capabilities(stretches window)
--Detailed help files to help with using the program, and putting particles into your game
Why should I download version 2.5?
O--Option to click the mouse to emit particles
O--Widened the viewing area a small bit
O--Added a Loading Sprite dialog with centering feature
O--New menu system to resolve errors
O--Added Background alpha feature as an effect
O--Added "Move all this Type" option
O--Added a comment to indicate where the particle code starts
-->Fixed emitter particle numbers in the tab
-->Fixed filename problem when using sprites
-->Fixed an error when exporting particle to clipboard
-->Now exports commented background color and alpha to load in the program
-->Changed the crash prevention to allow lower room speed than it
-->Attractor force values in multiple tabs bug fixed
-->Fixed incorrect Xmax and Ymax for the destroyer
-->Fixed bug when copying a destroyer
-->Fixed the Lock/Unlock all button
-->Fixed some dialog messages and added more help tips
-->Fixed emitter still streaming a particle if emitter is deleted
O--Added a semicolon after each function in the export
O--Help files improved
O--Added langauge support
2.5.1:
X--Removed color code tabs option
O--Added a "Destroy Off-Screen Particles" option
-->Fixed a display glitch switching to tabs in advanced mode.
->VERSION 2 SCREENSHOTS:
See all screenshots here
->For more information, screenshots, etc. visit these links
*OFFICIAL PD2 PAGE* - INCLUDES: updates list, FAQ, extra particles, etc.
*Particle Effect Database Site*
->DOWNLOADS (2.5.1):
(~3 MB) Windows 7 Compatible!
>Please extract the files before using to avoid any errors or saving issues<
(Downloads include some particle examples that you can load.)
>> Host-a.net
>> Box.net
DOWNLOAD THE LANGUAGE FILE(english is default on the program):
Download English (or here)
If you translate the file, and would like me to host that langauge and feature it here, please send me a PM (Personal Message).
Download Dutch
Instant Play(V2.3)
download the chm file (compiled help. outdated)
You may need to extract the files before running!
Credit: Credit is not required for anything generated, but you may put credit as "Alert Games" if you want to.
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->Known Issues/Suggestions:
-Improve import function to avoid issues with variables and not throw errors
-Improve codebox with clickable, easier functions/variables to add
-Change the PSDF file format for extended compatability, security, and reliability
-Leftover tabs when loading a new file
-Values to the third place value are not exported properly
-Buttons to easily set direction and speed with the mouse
-Allow the dimensions on the screen to be changed for Screenshots (including GIF)
-Fullscreen does not keep some settings, including room speed
-Not able to have FPS over 60?
-probably more...
->Having Trouble?
Before posting it here please check the included help files first. There is also an online FAQ, which is found HERE
->Common problems:
When I export the particle and put it in my game, it gives me an error!
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Be sure that you have everything necessary for the particle to work. The particle system creation code is not exported on default. You can change this in the preferences, or just add "Sname = part_system_create();" before the particle is made. The reason for this is so unnecessary extra particle systems are created.
My particles lag a lot when i put it into a new game
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be sure to check that the particles and particle system is only created once. They only need to be called in the create event, and they can be used with multiple objects. Once you are done with the particle, you can delete the system if you need to. To stream the particles with an emitter, it only needs to be called once. But you can change the region in other events.
If there are any bugs, suggestions, comments, post them here!
This post has been edited by Alert Games: 08 July 2010 - 12:31 AM
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