THE SCREENSHOT TOPIC RETURNS

Events that only work with the upper (or was it lower) layer. That layer is already full of everything that I can use...I can't add anymore TO that layer, meaning I can't use the events FOR anything else (because it doesn't work on lower layer (or was it upper layer?? WHICH ONE IS IT THAT THE WALLS AND FLOORS ARE ON!?) stuff at all).


I decided to take screenshots in-game (after placing some NPCs in a couple areas to help illustrate them).




Looking at these in-game, the ONLY one I can say that is even too big is the living room. Kitchen and bathroom both look perfectly fine to me. And the hallway is a hallway for sure.

Of note, I never liked that kitchen from Chrono Trigger at all. Granted, it's from 600 AD/1000 AD (I think the 1000 AD one was actually slightly bigger??), but really...it's kinda blah I think.


EDIT - As a sidenote, I'd do more screenshots like that, but this computer has issues booting 2K3 up (takes like 30 seconds to a minute to load the thing up to the title screen), and if I go into the database to change anything at all, or even go in and out, it takes a good minute or 2 to unfreeze. Hence, why I don't do more like these. It does put things into perspective more, that's for sure.

Lemme guess...something to do with making the rooms smaller or something right? I did Google "Mansion kitchens", and looking at them some are small, but others are quite large as well (and all have a lot of stuff in em).

Honestly, I don't know what I'm NOT listening about. I've taken literally most of what Liberty has given advice on and gotten rid of things, resized some things, etc.. Again, I have feeling the response was to the size. .=.

EDIT - In fact, here...have the resized living room area.



Much better no? Not 30x30 now, but now 25x21.

I've been reading the last few pages and following the Xenomic Saga™ and I thought I'd give my 2c.

First, stop complaining about making things smaller. I am not amazing at mapping, but the best thing I ever learned and applied to my maps was being economical. It is sooo much easier to make a small nice looking map.
Now some more in-depth critique:


Your main problem is not that your maps are big, it's that there are large empty and unused spaces. As an example from me, here's a map I made with function in mind, so it's very simple, but I think I have succeed in breaking up the monotony of what is otherwise like a flat path (which it is):

Keep at it and don't be defensive about criticism (please don't reply to this by saying you're not defensive D:). You have to understand that everyone giving it to you are frustrated when they don't see improvement.

@Binturong: At this point it's not so much complaining about it as constantly saying that it doesn't need to be when...it doesn't need to be. Like with the current kitchen that people keep yelling about making smaller...when it doesn't need to be. I'll give that the living room NEEDED to be smaller, but the kitchen? It doesn't. But people kept arguing that it did. *Shrugs*

Let's see now...

Bathroom: The bath in the center...? *Thinks* ...Ehhhh? If the tub was well...bigger and was fitting between two walls, then I can see that working out aye. But I can't think of any place I've been where the tub's been in the center like that o_O;;

I wouldn't know about vanities since I obviously don't use them :V. But in all seriousness, I suppose I can just replace that vanity with the other mirror I was using or something. *shrugs*

Living Room: Or you know...there's really nothing else to place there. Not every little spot can be filled IMO. Sides, I don't see anything wrong with having spots like that myself. But that's me. I sized it down after doing the screenshots in-game because well...it WAS too big. I feel like that's about the proper size it'll be for a mansion living room anyways...but those "empty spots"...nothing to really put there.

(This is kinda where I wish that it was as simple as taking a tile and just turning it at an angle or clockwise, and it'll fit neatly. If only that were that simple...then map making would be a cinche...)

Kitchen: Oh, the black space? That's due to the map already being 20x15. I COULD center it...I suppose a carpet could go in the center too. Though would they actually have a carpet in the center of a kitchen like that? I don't think I've ever seen a kitchen WITH a carpet at all outside of maybe a door mat for going outside and whatnot. Every Google'd mansion kitchen I looked at had none...x_x;;

To be fair though, and even you have to admit, outdoor areas/caves are a lot easier to map as there's a lot more to be done with the ground/wall tiles too. Most indoor areas or towns don't have the circular like edges that makes making circular curves feasible (which is what I use a lot on my maps to give that...not square/rectangle look. That's not to say that square/rectangular looks aren't good, especially if a game uses them a lot, but if the game doesn't...I dunno. It makes some maps look out of place to me at least). And of course, I'm not saying it's impossible for indoor/towns to look as spiffy as caves/outdoor areas (I'm pretty sure town areas are as easy to do as other outdoor areas. Well...except maybe getting building sizes right, that part always irked me), so don't think I am now!


@Trujin: But...I've taken most of Liberty's advice for the most part as it was with some of the resizing and the fixing of places. How am I not taking advice!? >_<

I was using the shadowed ones moreso due to how the area is supposed to be more darker inside due to lack of lighting. Kinda like how I'm using the darker wall tiles over the lighter ones. Though I could just use the bright ones all-around and then use Tint Screen maybe...I dunno.

Well, it IS a mansion after all. I'd assume they are big lol. Though in all honesty, I wasn't expecting to make a bunch of new rooms like this. Was thinking "Oh, I'll just revamp some of my current rooms and that'll work!". Nope...lots of new rooms happening. Mostly due to well...there's some planned stuff for sidequests and whatnot to happen in this mansion later (if I ever get that far...) so figured having some extra rooms wouldn't hurt. Though now I'm wondering if the top floor should have 5 paths (2 to the left, 2 to the right, and one straight up)...

Looking at some of the screenies in that link, image #1 and #3 seem fine.

On that note, let's have another map for you guys to pull your hair out on eh?

Ballroom:




And why yes, I did google this to see about specific things (such as whether or not there'd be carpet anywhere on the dance floor itself, the pillars kinda, etc.). I put carpet on the second floor so as to make it easier to tell where the crap the second floor is in comparison to the first. If I didn't, then the first and second would blend together. And yes, I realize the right side is not symmetrical to the left. I have to do something about that later...but in all honesty? This room is the ONE room where I honestly don't know about the size. Ballrooms are pretty decently big, I at least know that much. But this? I don't know...and I can't think of what else would even GO in a ballroom (most of the other ones I've seen are...quite empty). So yeah...there's that. >_>

Too large.

Okay, a ballroom is a expanse of space but those tiles are hard to look at without something breaking it up. I did a google search too and noticed chairs at the side of the floor for people who are resting or don't want to dance and stages or pianos off to the side, because you'd have live performers for balls. A lot of antiquated ballrooms have decorated floors, too.
What I'm trying to say is, even in an expanse of space that is designed to BE an expanse isn't entirely barren. For example, if I were mapping a field, I'd break up the grass tiles with darker grass tiles, clusters of flowers, etc.

author=Xenomic
And sure...if the rooms were super huge (like say that ballroom right now), taking them out is fine and all. But when they're small enough as they are like the kitchen, I don't think it's really THAT necessary to do. *Shrugs*

Maybe not, but it does look nicer and cuts down pointless walking time.

Xenomic, think about the purpose of that room. Why is the player going in that space? If it's something that the player is supposed to explore in, then there should be things for the player to explore. Right now there is nothing.

Also, if that is a ballroom (which it honestly doesn't look like to me), then shouldn't there be decorations like mirrors, or a table which the dancers could get food from (doesn't need to be actively in use)? Sofas or long chairs off to the side for the dancers to relax in, or even dining tables off to the side? The core problem, as Binturong pointed out, is that you are utilizing none of the space you are giving yourself with these maps.

That screenshot of Tycoon looks pretty normal, and is about what I'd expect a bedroom in a castle or mansion to look like.

I mean, that's almost exactly what my bedroom looks like, if you just add a closet and cover every inch of the floor with dirty laundry. But if I were royalty someone would pick up the laundry for me! Also I have electric lights and drywall walls, but y'know.

You're makin' us all look bad.

Is this the house that's at the top of a giant tree?