Author Topic: [NeoLemmix] Creating Custom Low & Hi-Resolution Graphics  (Read 12166 times)

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Offline WillLem

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[NeoLemmix] Creating Custom Low & Hi-Resolution Graphics
« on: April 21, 2020, 03:33:17 AM »
Working With Custom Low and Hi-resolution Graphics in NeoLemmix
A guide by WillLem

The current stable version of NeoLemmix allows you to incorporate custom hi-resolution graphics into your levels and, in fact, most of your experience of the NeoLemmix Player.

To all intents and purposes, "hi-resolution" in this context essentially means that the images are exactly twice the size. So, a low-resolution 48 x 16 block will have a 96 x 32 equivalent in hi-resolution:



Of course, these would both appear the same relative size in-game.

What this means is that higher resolution images allow a greater amount of detail and complexity within the image. For instance, here is a low-res and hi-res image of a walking lemming. Note that these have been resized for the purposes of comparison. As you can see, the hi-res image (on the right) has much greater depth and detail, allowing for different shades of colour as well as a more defined shape:



You may wish to explore the possibilities of NeoLemmix's hi-resolution mode, but be unsure of where to start. That's what this post is for!

Here is a list of the elements within NeoLemmix which support both resolutions. Each one links to the relevant post below which shows you how you can customise these elements, both within your copy of the NeoLemmix Player, and for inclusion in your level packs:

Cursor
Helpers
Panel
Objects
Terrain
Lemmings
Backgrounds
« Last Edit: May 24, 2022, 07:20:50 PM by WillLem »

Offline WillLem

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[NeoLemmix] Custom Low and Hi-Resolution Graphics: Cursor
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2020, 03:33:56 AM »
Cursor

The cursor can be modified in both hi-res and low-res. Simply navigate to:

NeoLemmix/gfx/cursor (contains the low-res cursor graphics)
NeoLemmix/gfx/cursor-hr (contains the hi-res cursor graphics)

If you wish to change the colour or appearance of your cursor, simply open the file(s) in a PNG editor and customise them as you wish. Be sure to back up the originals just in case.

It is not currently possible to include customised cursors in your level packs.
« Last Edit: April 21, 2020, 08:32:05 PM by WillLem »

Offline WillLem

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[NeoLemmix] Custom Low and Hi-Resolution Graphics: Helpers
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2020, 03:34:39 AM »
Helpers

The helper graphics (including fall distance ruler, pre-assigned hatch icons, and indicator text for clear physics mode) can be modified in both hi-res and low-res. Simply navigate to:

NeoLemmix/gfx/helpers (contains the low-res helper graphics)
NeoLemmix/gfx/helpers-hr (contains the hi-res helper graphics)

If you wish to change the colour or appearance of your helper graphics, simply open the file(s) in a PNG editor and customise them as you wish. Be sure to back up the originals just in case.

It is not currently possible to include customised helper graphics in your level packs.
« Last Edit: April 21, 2020, 08:32:30 PM by WillLem »

Offline WillLem

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[NeoLemmix] Custom Low and Hi-Resolution Graphics: Panel
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2020, 03:35:27 AM »
Panel

The panel graphics (including skill panels, buttons and icons) can be modified in both hi-res and low-res. Simply navigate to:

NeoLemmix/gfx/panel (contains the low-res panel graphics)
NeoLemmix/gfx/panel-hr (contains the hi-res panel graphics)

If you wish to change the colour or appearance of your panel graphics, simply open the file(s) in a PNG editor and customise them as you wish. Be sure to back up the originals just in case.

To include your customised panel graphics as part of your level pack:

  • Include at least the low-res and, if applicable, also the hi-res versions in the level pack's root folder as loose files (not in a sub-folder)
  • Ensure that the hi-resolution versions are renamed to (name_of_file)-hr - i.e. with a -hr suffix at the end of each filename.

NOTE: low-res images are upscaled by default in NeoLemmix's hi-res mode, so although it is not always necessary to include a hi-res version of your graphic, it is always necessary to include a low-res version.
« Last Edit: April 22, 2020, 12:50:38 PM by WillLem »

Offline WillLem

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[NeoLemmix] Custom Low and Hi-Resolution Graphics: Objects
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2020, 03:35:57 AM »
Objects

Objects are elements of a style which affect a lemming's state. They include entrance and exit hatches, traps, water, firepits, flame-throwers, teleporters & receivers, buttons and pickup skills. They are usually animated (although not always), and so contain several frames, like this:


The water graphic from the ohno_bubble style set.

Each object has a corresponding .nxmo file which details what type of object it is, the size of its trigger area, its animation, etc.

N.B. .nxmo files must be included in the low-res graphics folder alongside their relevant graphics file. However, there is no need to also include them in the hi-res graphics folder as NeoLemmix will only look for these files in the low-res graphics folder.

Objects are part of a style, along with terrain, lemming sprites (if applicable), and backgrounds. They can be found by navigating to:

NeoLemmix/styles/(name_of_style)/objects (contains the low-res object graphics)
NeoLemmix/styles/(name_of_style)/objects-hr (contains the hi-res object graphics)

Most existing styles are in low-res only. The following instructions apply if you wish to create a hi-res version of an existing object:


Alternatively, you may wish to create an entirely new object that doesn't exist yet, or maybe you're creating your own style pack.


To include your customised object graphics as part of your level pack, you need to include the style folder alongside the pack. This can be done by sending the style to namida and/or Nessy for inclusion in the style downloads manager, or by including it as a download alongside your level pack.

If you have created hi-resolution versions of existing objects, you can either send these to the author of the style pack and they can choose whether or not they wish to include it in the official version (for orig/ohno styles, contact namida or Nessy), or you can include it in a new style titled yourname_special.

NOTE: low-res images are upscaled by default in NeoLemmix's hi-res mode, so although it is not always necessary to include a hi-res version of your graphic, it is always necessary to include a low-res version.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2020, 12:22:41 AM by WillLem »

Offline WillLem

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[NeoLemmix] Custom Low and Hi-Resolution Graphics: Terrain
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2020, 03:36:40 AM »
Terrain

Terrain pieces are elements of a style which lemmings can modify. They include anything solid that the lemming is able to walk upon, dig into, or bump into. Terrain also includes steel.


(Left to right): Bricks from the ohno_brick style set, steps from the orig_marble style set, spike from the orig_fire style set, steel block from the ohno_rock style set.

Terrain pieces are single image files, and can be any shape as long as empty space within the file is set to Alpha 0 (transparent). Lemmings will interact with any part of the terrain that is not transparent.

For steel, you must include an .nxmt file alongside the low-res version of the graphic, with the same name as the steel piece. Open the .nxmt file in a text editor and simply type the word STEEL, and the terrain piece will be recognised by NeoLemmix as steel.

   N.B. .nxmt files do not need to be included with other regular terrain pieces.

   N.B. Be sure to place the .nxmt files in the low-res terrain folder - there is no need to also include it in the hi-res folder as NeoLemmix will only look for these files in the low-res folder.

Terrain pieces are part of a style, along with objects, lemming sprites (if applicable), and backgrounds. They can be found by navigating to:

NeoLemmix/styles/(name_of_style)/terrain (contains the low-res terrain graphics)
NeoLemmix/styles/(name_of_style)/terrain-hr (contains the hi-res terrain graphics)

Most existing styles are in low-res only. The following instructions apply if you wish to create a hi-res version of an existing terrain piece:


Alternatively, you may wish to create an entirely new terrain piece that doesn't exist yet, or maybe you're creating your own style pack.


To include your customised terrain graphics as part of your level pack, you need to include the style folder alongside the pack. This can be done by sending the style to namida and/or Nessy for inclusion in the style downloads manager, or by including it as a download alongside your level pack.

If you have created hi-resolution versions of existing terrain graphics, you can either send these to the author of the style pack and they can choose whether or not they wish to include it in the official version (for orig/ohno styles, contact namida or Nessy), or you can include it in a new style titled yourname_special.

NOTE: low-res images are upscaled by default in NeoLemmix's hi-res mode, so although it is not always necessary to include a hi-res version of your graphic, it is always necessary to include a low-res version.
« Last Edit: June 19, 2020, 02:53:18 AM by WillLem »

Offline WillLem

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[NeoLemmix] Custom Low and Hi-Resolution Graphics: Lemmings
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2020, 03:37:11 AM »
Lemmings

Creating your own Lemmings sprites can be a lot of fun.

However, it also involves a lot of painstaking work and fine pixel editing. Consider that, if you wish to create your own look for the lemmings, unlike terrain pieces and objects which can be single files, you must produce a full sprite animation for each skill/state. Furthermore, each frame of each sprite contains both a left and right-facing lemming which must be edited independently of each other for correct shading, etc.

For example, the Basher sprite contains a whopping 32 frames:



Because of this, it is only worth creating/editing your own lemmings sprites if you want them to be a different shape, or have patterned colourings.

If you simply wish to have the lemmings skin, clothes and/or hair be a different colour, there is a much quicker, easier way to do this:


You may wish to be a bit more adventurous and change the shape of the lemmings, maybe give them different hairstyles or accessories, or patterned clothing. If this is what you're interested in, read on!

Lemming sprites can be any shape as long as empty space within the PNG file is set to Alpha 0 (transparent). The NeoLemmix player will interpret any non-transparent pixels within the file as being part of the lemming sprite for any given skill or state, e.g. Basher / Exiter.

Lemmings sprites are part of a style, along with objects, terrain, and backgrounds. They can be found by navigating to:

NeoLemmix/styles/(name_of_style)/lemmings (contains the low-res lemmings sprites)
NeoLemmix/styles/(name of style)/lemmings-hr (contains the hi-res lemmings sprites)

The default sprites are in styles/default. It is not recommended that you modify these without first backing up the styles/default folder in its entirety.


To include your customised lemmings sprites as part of your level pack, you need to include the style folder alongside the pack. This can be done by sending the style to namida and/or Nessy for inclusion in the style downloads manager, or by including it as a download alongside your level pack.

NOTE: low-res images are upscaled by default in NeoLemmix's hi-res mode, so although it is not always necessary to include a hi-res version of your graphic, it is always necessary to include a low-res version.
« Last Edit: June 08, 2022, 11:57:05 PM by WillLem »

Offline WillLem

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Re: [NeoLemmix] Custom Low and Hi-Resolution Graphics
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2020, 02:19:43 AM »
Backgrounds

A Background is a single graphic layer that sits behind objects and terrain, and has no function other than to provide a visual backdrop for the level. By default, NeoLemmix will tile background images that are too small for the level area, and (as with terrain and objects) upscale those which do not have a -hr counterpart.*

Background images are part of a style, along with objects, lemming sprites (if applicable), and terrain. They can be found by navigating to:

NeoLemmix/styles/(name_of_style)/backgrounds (contains the low-res background graphics)
NeoLemmix/styles/(name_of_style)/backgrounds-hr (contains the hi-res background graphics)*

NOTE: not all styles contain background images, nor do they need to. If you wish to create a background for your style, simply create a "backgrounds" folder and place your desired image into it.

ALSO NOTE: low-res images are upscaled by default in NeoLemmix's hi-res mode, so although it is not always necessary to include a hi-res version of your graphic, it is always necessary to include a low-res version.*

*This has yet to be verified
« Last Edit: May 24, 2022, 07:26:16 PM by WillLem »

Offline WillLem

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Re: [NeoLemmix] Creating Custom Low & Hi-Resolution Graphics
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2022, 07:22:08 PM »
Backgrounds section now added.

At this point, I consider the topic to be complete. Please PM me if you have any questions, or if I have omitted something important from this topic.