Using graphics

[ra2fan7]

What is the best way to use graphics for a game? I was thinking about making a Zelda-style game. Is there a better way than the .move method?

[chemicalNova]

Zelda is 2D correct? You're obviously using a PictureBox or ImageBox ? If so, those are evil when it comes to game programming. Research the BitBlt API Function.

chem

[Fox]

Using the .move method states you as a total beginner

BitBlt is a goot start then.. next thing to know is that Zelda uses a tile-based 2D engine. Read everything about tile engines on my website http://fox.yhoko.com (see tile-engine tutorial). You can also find BitBlt and other tutorials there..

However, be forewarned - this is more or less hard stuff, especially when it comes to the real game. Just drawing a map and moving a player is one thing - changing the map, managing enemies, animating objects and game events can kill any beginner.

[ra2fan7]

I admit, yes, I am pretty new to VB. However, I don't plan to begin this project immediately. I want to have it finished by the end of this school year (Mayish). I do not actually expect to have a full 8 dungeons or anything, just the basic principles and maybe 2 or 3 dungeons. Thank you for your help however.

[Pino]

Is this Vb 6 or .Net?

[ra2fan7]

Oh, its VB 6. Sorry I forgot to mention that.

[Fox]

Then check out my tile tutorial, read it carefully and when done read the extensions (eg. units and pathfinding) and present the game here when everything is finished

(And just to make you eager: Here's a screenshot from someone that read my tutorials )

[chemicalNova]

Fox: I might actually dive into that and write up an engine for people wanting to do this. I admit, I haven't tried doing something like that in a while, but I'll give it a shot.

Map Editor
Game Engine.
-- Possibly a sample game.

chem

[Pino]

BitBlt is great for small 2d games and actually great for any application using simple graphics, its a nice introduction into api as well. It helped m e make the transition to DX. I've never properly looked at fox's guide (altho it looks very good) but if your after another one theres a very very basic one in my sig, aimed at total begginers (I wrote it years back so not up to my satndards now )

[wossname]

As API calls go its probably the most horrifically complicated to set up and use for a beginner

I'm thinking about writing a replacement for bitblt in assembly language (in a few months when I've advanced in the craft). One better suited to game graphics. Probably compile it into a DLL for use in any language.

[chemicalNova]

As API calls go its probably the most horrifically complicated to set up and use for a beginner

I'm thinking about writing a replacement for bitblt in assembly language (in a few months when I've advanced in the craft). One better suited to game graphics. Probably compile it into a DLL for use in any language.

That would definately be worth the download.

chem

[wossname]

It'd be a good challenge actually, plus brightness selection could be added with hardly any performance loss (judging by D#'s blitter experiment). I'll have to make some notes.

I threw together a very basic image drawing routine in ASM last night, it draws thousands of smiley's all over the screen I love mode 13h graphics

[Pino]

I learnt api through bitblt, maybe I made it hard for myself lol :-/

[wossname]

Yeah most people learn bitblt first, just a bit ironic that its probably one of the hardest to fathom out

Coupled with the fact that it has a fleet of other API's required to support it, GetDC, CreateCompatibleBitmap and so on...

[chemicalNova]

It'd be a good challenge actually, plus brightness selection could be added with hardly any performance loss (judging by D#'s blitter experiment). I'll have to make some notes.

I threw together a very basic image drawing routine in ASM last night, it draws thousands of smiley's all over the screen I love mode 13h graphics

God I hate it

I learnt api through bitblt, maybe I made it hard for myself lol :-/

Join the club

chem

[Jacob Roman]

The BitBlt API is difficult to work with, especially for beginners. And although it is faster and better than pure VB's graphical functions, it's still too slow and limited. The best place any beginner interested in game/graphics programming is DirectX. Now it may look hard at first (like it did for me), but as you start working with it, it all begins to make sense. It is super fast, allows 2D and 3D, works with your hardware, such as input devices, sound card, graphics card, etc., and will make your games look and feel good.

[Kal_Torak]

Ditch bitblt, use DirectX

And download Visual Basic Express 2005. It's free and much better than VB 6.

[Jacob Roman]

That's what I just said

[Pino]

but imo dx is much much harder to get to grips with its a lot more involved sooo

Standard vb then bitblt then dx its the bets way

[wossname]

Mode 13h

ASM pwnz j0000!

[Jacob Roman]

but imo dx is much much harder to get to grips with its a lot more involved sooo

Standard vb then bitblt then dx its the bets way

Much harder to get in grips with? Not exactly, at least with me it wasn't.

[wossname]

You have to slave away for hours in order to plot a triangle in DX but once you've got things working its only a little bit more work to add things to the program.