Lemoncreme

Is there any way to count how  many files there are in a folder/directory?

I absolutely need something that allows me to do this. Please.
 
It's the only way I can make my game work!

I am using GM8.1 Pro

Is there a blend mode that makes all transparency in a sprite or surface 1?

Ok, so I already knew that surfaces don't really work with transparency. I also know a few ways around it, such as drawing a black thing behind the surface.

 

Unfortunately that causes too much lag in my game; going through and drawing black squares.

 

Is there a faster way around this? Can I set it to a certain blend mode that makes it black and opaque so I can draw the surface again behind?

 

 

 

If you need more specific information, just ask. If it's not possible, just tell me.

My game currently uses ~450 surfaces of 1024x1024 size each and works fine. How far can I increase this number before it's too many?