Creating games with Backbone - Step by Step for beginners!

[Methuselas]

I created a Sprite Sheet and saved it as a PNG. I then converted it to an uncompressed IFF file with PPaint, and BackBone insists that it is not a valid IFF image.

Make sure to convert it to 8, 16, 32, or 64 colors. 32 and 64 colors only work in 320x200 EHB mode. It won't load properly, if you don't have it matching the proper color settings in Backbone.


Really wish someone would disassemble it, so we could enhance it.

[XDelusion]

I Take it the "Less Colors" option is not what I'm looking for?

Where do I need to go in PPaint to do this?

Thank you!

Make sure to convert it to 8, 16, 32, or 64 colors. 32 and 64 colors only work in 320x200 EHB mode. It won't load properly, if you don't have it matching the proper color settings in Backbone.


Really wish someone would disassemble it, so we could enhance it.

[Methuselas]

I Take it the "Less Colors" option is not what I'm looking for?

Where do I need to go in PPaint to do this?

Thank you!

Project >Image Format. Change the settings to whatever you need, including colors.

Keep in mind that Half Brite modes only half the 16 color you pick, which is the maximum for ECS. In other words, at 32 colors EHB, you'll have 16 half tones and in 64 colors EHB you'll have 48 half tones.

[carvedeye]

Hi guys im wanting to make a game using backbone and think cammys tutorial is great, my question is this i have downloaded a load of sprite sheets in .PNG format and i would like to know how i will add these to backbone, do i just change them from .PNG to Bitmap to add them to back bone?

All help appreciated.

[amiman99]

Hi guys im wanting to make a game using backbone and think cammys tutorial is great, my question is this i have downloaded a load of sprite sheets in .PNG format and i would like to know how i will add these to backbone, do i just change them from .PNG to Bitmap to add them to back bone?

All help appreciated.

On PC side:
1. Make sure your sprites are in 16 colors, you can color reduce if is more.
2. Go to MS Paint and create canvas size 320x256
3. copy your sprites to it, no spaces between sprites.
4. save it in PNG

On Amiga side:
1. Open PPaint
2. Open your sprite file, open it with screen size 320x256 16 colors.
3. It's possible that the Background color is wrong and you need to swap it.
4. In PPaint,  select with left mouse button color 0 and with right mouse button select that background color , then go to colors menu and and select SWAP BKG to Foreground.
5. Adjust your Swapped colors in the Edit colors, I set the first color to 0,0,0 and the other to what ever it was. I write down the settings before I change it to Black 0,0,0.

I hope it helps.

[carvedeye]

Thanks amiman99 i will give that a go

[STeADi]

Is the source for backbone available?

For those asking about the source.  I know Alastair and I'm afraid to tell you he's lost the source code a long time ago.  Sorry!

[amiman99]

Very soon I will upload my first game demo made with Backbone, using some heavy modified textures provided by Cammy.
The details in the game are killing me, so the progress is slow, but I got help from my friend in the gfx department, so some stuff is looking very nice. even my son provided one graphic detail, an axe. Sound effects are made by me using the DSS8 sound sampler and music by Unknown found on Sound Terrific CD.
Stay tuned...

[XDelusion]

Cool, looking forward to seeing it!

[amiman99]

Here is a teaser of my game made with Backbone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQr7YoAd_1Q

[carvedeye]

Here is a teaser of my game made with Backbone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQr7YoAd_1Q

That looks great, look forward to it being finished

[AmigaClassicRule]

That looks great, look forward to it being finished

I still do not understand however about the editor and what limitations to expect.

Can I do the following with it?:

1) Have build in click and play events
2) Be able to have an NPC talk to you and ask for a specific items in order to pass or a door or force field etc?
3) Have different colored doors that are locked requiring keys with the same colored as the door to unlock them (using events)
4) Have teleportation event
5) Be able to combine items to make one item
6) Be able to do different AI for monsters
7) Can I have the character die or lose HP based on the height he fall from?
What if I want to make a level where I need to collect certain NPC to follow me and have to take them safely to the exit while making sure the monsters don't kill them or harm, is this something I can do?

[jj]

Looking good dude.  If any advice would say get rid of or certainley make less loud the sound of the enemies walking.  especially as you can hear them some time befofr they become visible

[jj]

Here is a teaser of my game made with Backbone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQr7YoAd_1Q

Looking good dude. If any advice would say get rid of or certainley make less loud the sound of the enemies walking. especially as you can hear them some time befofr they become visible
 
I like the way you made the dude dance to the music right at the end of the video

[carvedeye]

When ever i try and select a bitmap image i get an error saying "File is Not a Valid IFF Picture". all i did was try and add a bitmap image as described in the tutorial ?
I am using a sprite sheet with mario in different stances.

[XDelusion]

Here is a teaser of my game made with Backbone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQr7YoAd_1Q

It looks like it is coming along VERY well!!! Looking forward to more updates!