Getting a grasp...

I have decided to post my own tutorial here...to help liven this forum.

The reason for posting one here is because, when you click on a link, you go to another website. And if you have problems, you come here, ask, then get another link...to another website.....with more problems...I am here to remove the links and hopefully the headache...

Now, we got some really good mentors here, so if you want to ask a specific question, then go ahead. These tutorials will NOT help you make a better game. These tutorials will NOT teach you Ruby(RPG Maker XP). These tutorials WILL help you get a grasp on the program that you are here asking questions about...actually just RPG Maker 2003...being as that is what I have.

On to the 1st Tutorial: Making a Magic Attack!

First, open up the program (assuming you have the program. If not, you can find a link in one of the stickied threads (the yellow ones) when you first enter this forum)

Now, open the Database by clicking on the icon on the toolbar, or press the F8 key. You there? Good

Now click Animations. You should see a screen with a list to the left, a monster about mid-screen, a scrolling set of pictures on the bottom, and a list of frames next to the monster.

Under the list of Pre-made animations, click Array Size. Add 3 to the number and click okay. One for the current lesson and the other 2 for later.

On your first new animation (should be 141) Click up top where it says Animation File. This will bring up a list of names and some pictures. Click on Bolt1 and click OK. If you wish to change the target, click to bring up a list of monsters currently in your database (if you just got the program they will be what people call RTP for run time package, or came with the program)

In the list next to the monster picture, is Frames. Click on the elipses(...) and change the number from 20 to 23. This gives us an even number of frames for our animation. Now Click on the first spark (the third picture in) at the bottom on the window. Now that it is selected, click the monster. Now you have your first frame complete. Click on frame 3, and do the same thing, but with the next picture in. Continue to do this, skipping every other frame, and repeating the 4 pictures. After you are done with your animation, you can click Play in the window to the right. But you aren't finished yet, so don't close the window.

Now to add sound. Click above the monster in the Effect Timing box. A new window will come up. For this simple tutorial, we are only adding a sound effect. Make sure the frame is set for one, and the box next to it will be the sound effect. Go ahead and pick bolt10. Now click OK. Now click Apply in the main Database window, and click Play to see what your animation will look like whilst playing the game.

If you didn't understand any part of this tutorial, just copy and paste the part you don't understand, then what about it you don't understand, and I will try to help you out.

More Tutorials might follow, if people liked this one.

If you already knew this, then don't criticize. This is for the people who got the program, and don't want to search for hours on some confusing mumbo jumbo, as I did....before I found this place...

If you need spriting tutorials (if you don't know what a sprite is, maybe you shouldn't be making games...) maybe we can get our in-house spriter to help there....