Quicker way to build levels?

[camelman]

So I finally got a few people wanting to do level design/construction for my game, thing is they all use GameMaker and once I told them they will have to make the levels in MMF they backed off...So..

1. I doubt it, but is there any way to transfer levels made in GM to MMF?

2. For my sake, is there any way to make folders in the frame editor workspace toolbar? This would help tremendously.

3. I read that there is a new drag and drop movement for the frame editor in build 249, is this something I have to install myself? I haven't noticed anything different so.

4. Are there any tutorials to making levels in MMF? I personally don't think I need one but judging by how long it takes to build a level using tiles I assume theres got to be a faster way to do it.

Besides any of that I considered making a level editor app but the thought brought up so many questions in my head I decided I shouldn't bother with it at the moment. Thanks for any help or suggestions!

[Zabooza]

1.I serously doubt it
2.I think so
3.i think it has been there for a while, i might be using it in build 248
4.level making differs for each game.

[Stephen]

1. No
2. Yes. Right-Click in the workspace and choose "New Folder."
3. This movement comes with MMF2. You will not have to install anything.
4. Like Zabooza said, level making differs for each game. In regards to Level Editors, they are not that hard. There are lots of examples floating around the forums. Search and you will find them.

stephen1980

[nivram]

In regards to Level Editors. steven1980,level editors may not be that hard for some forum members, but we should not assume that anything is not that hard for people asking a question.

camelman, I have an example level editor on my website. You may be able to get some ideas from it. It is called World Editor and supports scrolling, saving and loading and character placement.

It is difficult put into writing the process of doing a level editor because as the forum members stated...every project is different.

Marv

[Pkeod]

I would say that level editors are not hard to make for anyone who actually tries to learn the different methods. If anything they take a little time to figure out the tools that are used to build level editors, but it's not hard. If someone says it's hard for them they are likely just being lazy and expecting someone else to build their tools for them. :|

[maVado]

Well a level editor is fine, but using the levels require a engine in place. A engine that loads the level and based on the game and gameplay handles gameplay elements, like enemies, goodies and so on. This will be the hard part.

[RickyRombo]

you could somehow use strings in an ini and not even need to use mmf2 to make levels, couldn't you? and then load it with fastloops? That would work, wouldn't it?

It might not because I'm pretty sure you all would've thought of that That way others could help make levels, the hard part would be visualizing it... you could load it every so often to see how it loads, but that could get longer than just placing tiles...

[mobichan]

If only there was a way to make folders in the list of frame objects that appears attached to the left of the frame editor (not the workspace toolbar).

[Stephen]

If only there was a way to make folders in the list of frame objects that appears attached to the left of the frame editor (not the workspace toolbar).

Your folders will show up in that area and only show what objects you want.

stephen1980

[Shawn]

Well really, if you make your level editor a compiled .exe in MMF2, and have it include all the functions for creating levels, people wouldn't have to mess with MMF2 or Game Maker to build levels, only your level editor you created. Just have it import graphics and they can layout the levels themselves, then your app saves the data into a level file, then just load that into your main game.