47 replies to this topic

[Dark Matter]

I've just updated the example!
Now, there's 2 extra effects - and the option to restart everything.
When you press M, the letters get sent to random locations, and then move back towards their original places.
Pressing F will make letters fall out of the string, letter by letter.

I created both these effects in around 5 minutes, which shows just how quick and easy it is to make new effects.
If you want to create your own effects, but can't figure out how, just ask me
Also, if there are any effects you'd like to see, tell me

[TheMagician]

Great idea. Very nice effect. Thanks for your work!

[Dark Matter]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it

[skulldragon]

This example contains the scripts for separating a string, as well as drawing it. It also contains scripts for getting and setting variables for each letter, so creating effects of your own is too difficult.

Shouldn't that say not too difficult?

[Dark Matter]

This example contains the scripts for separating a string, as well as drawing it. It also contains scripts for getting and setting variables for each letter, so creating effects of your own is too difficult.

Shouldn't that say not too difficult?

So it should!
Thanks for finding this, it said the exact opposite of what I was trying to say
It really is not difficult to make your own effects.

[youknowwho]

Oh my gosh this is awsome. I'll have to see it I can fit this into a game of mine. Full credit to you of course

[Dark Matter]

I'm glad you liked it so much
I'm looking forward to seeing games implementing this

[Dark Matter]

If you download this, please leave a comment. I'd love to hear your feedback and I'd be happy to make any improvements you think this example would benefit from. It'd also be great if you came up with some effects of your own and shared them.
Thanks!

[Dark Matter]

Is no-one going to reply? I'm getting downloads, but no replies. If you download this, please leave a reply! Thanks!

[Dark Matter]

I've just added a new version! This includes individual letter colours. I've added an example that makes a rainbow flash through the text - try it out and tell me what you think!
Any other comments, effects you think would be good, or anything you've made with this would be great!

[Dark Matter]

200+ downloads, but only a few replies...
Please leave a comment!!

EDIT: Over 250 downloads and counting...

Edited by Dark Matter, 13 May 2010 - 05:24 PM.

[Dark Matter]

I re-wrote this a while back, using ds_lists instead of arrays. In the tests I did, it was 300% faster than the previous version.
It includes moving letters (like before) and also drawing a path for the letters to follow (a new feature, trying to copy the text on path tool in Adobe Illustrator).
Here's a quick screen shot:

Here's a link if you want to try it out:
String Distortion v2
Controls:
Push around letters: LMB (press 1 to activate)
Draw path for letters: LMB (press 2 to activate)
Change the words: Control-N
Restart the entire game: Control-R
Clear the current path: Control-P

Enjoy!

[skulldragon]

Excellent! The new path feature is great. So is the superior efficiency.

[Nocturne]

This is a great, innovative and pretty unique example. I love this effect and so it's been moved to Staff Pick.

[Dark Matter]

I thought this was just gathering dust as no-one seemed to be noticing it
Glad you think it's cool too. I actually have a later version of this, which is even faster. If anyone wants to see if, I'd be happy to upload it, but I'll wait for more feedback before I do.
Please let me know if you're using this!

[Nocturne]

Please, don't wait for feedback as people here are notorious for not providing any!!! An improved version would be much apreciated as I for one really like this effect...

[TerraFriedSheep]

Yeah this is a cool example, I can see it being used to make text entering a room more interesting- the letters all flying back into place is nice for this!

[Dark Matter]

Okay, so here's my improved version I said I would upload. It's slightly different and doesn't have quite as many features, but it has some rather cool ones.
String Distortion v3

Use the mouse to select a line of text. The line selector will scan the line and read what the line says (which is displayed in the top left). If you hover over a particular letter, it will display how many of those letters are in the current line. Click and drag on the letters to move them. Press space to create a circle of distortion which pushes the letters around. Right click to sort all the letters on the line into a clean, easy to read line. You can easily spell out new sentences in this way. It's pretty clever in my opinion
Press E to make the letters buzz. The further down your mouse is, the more they buzz. Put the mouse on the left to make them buzz with no rotation and on the right to have rotation.
Press F to make each letter fall one by one.
Press R to restart.

Please tell me what you think!

[CoolGamrSms]

I don't see very many uses for this, but it certainly is fun to play around with. It's pretty cool!

[Dark Matter]

I don't see very many uses for this, but it certainly is fun to play around with. It's pretty cool!

Yeah, use is the one thing I'm lacking. It can be used for cool effects for credits or "magic text" in cutscenes and things like that, but not much.
Feel free to offer suggestions!

I've updated the main post, which now contains a gmk and exe containing all 3 versions, which should make it easier to see the different effects each one contains. Each new version is faster than the last. I've also fixed a few glitches in them (such as images not appearing in the first example).

Please comment!