Scrolling and Virtual width

[Langol]

Hello!
I'm making a platforming game with a single large level.
Using paralax scrolling I have a layer of fog in front of my level
and I have done this by using a screen sized image that is being wrapped around as I scroll the screen. (640*480)

The problem I'm facing is that with the use of a
frame size of 640*480 and a virtual width of 10000
I can't view/edit the entire level.

Even if I zoom out to 25% I am still only able to see 2/3 of the entire level.
The only way around this is to keep changing the "real" frame width to 10000 while editing and as soon as I need to run the game I need to change back to 640. (And also keep changing the virtual frame width again because it resets every time.)

Is there any other way around this?

[DavidN]

Is there a reason that you're using the virtual width to extend the level sideways, rather than having the frame as 10000x480 and a window size of 640x480? (I haven't looked at the virtual dimensions myself.)

[Langol]

Yes the reason is that I use paralax scrolling and a single active object as an overlay fog on a seperate layer.
And the only way to get the layer content to wrap around the frame correctly is to use the same frame width as the content and a bigger virtual frame width for the level.

I just realised that I could perhaps use a quick backdrop object and let it extend over the entire level, but I will have to try that to see if it does not slow things down.

Even if that works I'm still wanting to get to the bottom of this problem.

[Yves]

Is there any other way around this?

You can increase the margins in the preferences of the frame editor.

[Benicle]

Woah?! You can. Awesome never knew that.

[Bogeyman]

Why not use the background system box. With it youR'e able to set your image transparent and you can "pattern" it.

Edit: Well, it would probably slow things down with a size you'd need.

[Langol]

Thanks Yves!
That's exactly what I needed,
and I don't understand why I didn't figure that out myself.
This will make my day so much easier!