@DATABASE GRAC V2 TUTORIAL @$VER 1.0 (3/6/97) © 1997 Andy Gibson @node main "CONTROLS BUTTON" To create your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub} takes a little bit of practice, as well as explaining. Please do be patient and don't just give up if you don't get it right first time round. My first attempts at a @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub} took about four attempts before I managed to get all my buttons working correctly! Before going any further, please note that before you can start to create your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub}, you must have already set up a @{b}PICTURE@{ub} and some @{b}OBJECTS@{ub} for it. @{" " link "GRAC_Pictures.Guide/main"} @{b}PICTURES@{ub} @{" " link "GRAC_Objects.Guide/main"} @{b}OBJECTS@{ub} For this tutorial, I've included an example panel by Edmund Clay. @{" DISPLAY PANEL" system "GRAC_V2_TUTOR:c/showpic GRAC_V2_SUPPORT:GRAC_GAME_FILES/GT_CONTROLS1.iff >NIL:"} Once you have done this, it's time to proceed. After clicking on the @{b}CONTROLS@{ub} button, you will then be presented with the @{b}EDIT CONTROLS@{ub} Screen. If you have set up the @{b}PICTURES@{ub} and @{b}OBJECTS@{ub} correctly, then you shouldn't have to select any from a list. But don't worry, you can alter them via the @{b}EDIT CONTROLS@{ub} Screen anyway if need be. If you are asked (for the first time) then simply select your control picture from the requestor. The same applies to the @{b}PATH@{ub}. You may be asked to enter a save path the first time you edit the @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub}. Simply type in the path where you want to save the files to. (Our example was GAME:) Before we take a run through of all the buttons shown, I suppose I'd better tell you exactly what to do first! This way, you'll know in which order to use the buttons. :) First of all click on the @{b}POSITIONS@{ub} button. This will let you easily position the screens used for both the @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub} and any @{b}ROOMS@{ub}. Simply drag the screen to your desired position and press your Left Mouse Button (LMB). Do the same for the other screen to. Right, now we have them positioned, it's time to get to work. We need to set up an are on your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub} for any messages to be displayed. Basically this will let you set the point at which the text will be displayed on your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub}. So click on the @{b}MESSAGE@{ub} button now. Next click on the part of your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub} where these messages should appear. (Usually at the top of it.) The messages shown here will be the name of any object under the mouse pointer and of course any verbs. eg. TAKE APPLE, LOOK AT APPLE etc. The next thing we need to set up is the actual inventory part of your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub}. This section will display all the objects you are carrying and any choices of text for the player to select etc. @{" DISPLAY EXAMPLE PIC " system "GRAC_V2_TUTOR:c/showpic GRAC_V2_SUPPORT:HeLp_PiCs/_HeLp_PANeL1a.iff >NIL:"} To set this up very easily by clicking on the @{b}WINDOW@{ub} button. Next, simply drag an area inside your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub} where you wish this text to be shown. Usually this will be a large area. You should see the area you have chosen after you have clicked the LMB. If you are unhappy with the area, simply click on the @{b}WINDOW@{ub} button again and drag out a new area. @{i}Here's a very crude text example of a@{ui} @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub}... _____________________________ Message area --> | | |-----------------------------| | Look At Open | | Verb Buttons --> | Take Use | | <-- Window area | Talk Give | | (Where Inventory ------------------------------- Items are shown) The next thing we need to set up is the @{b}PEN@{ub} and @{b}PAPER@{ub} colours. As if by magic, simply click on the @{b}PEN@{ub} and @{b}PAPER@{ub} buttons to do this and select the appropriate colour from those shown. @{b}PEN@{ub} will obviously be used to show the text on the panel and @{b}PAPER@{ub} will be the colour underneath. (usually black, but it's up to you). The next part involves setting up the actual @{b}VERBS@{ub} for your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub}. This is simply a matter of clicking on the @{b}VERBS@{ub} button as you may have guessed. When you click on the @{b}VERBS@{ub} button, you will then be presented with another set of buttons on the @{b}VERBS@{ub} Screen. Let's take a look at these then... @{" " link "GRAC_Verbs.Guide/main"} @{b}VERBS@{ub} When you finished, click on @{b}SAVE@{ub} then @{b}EXIT@{ub}. Let's now take a look at the @{b}EDIT CONTROLS@{ub} screen's buttons... Most of the top row of buttons are self explanatory, but just in case you need to know more, let's take a look at every button available and I'll give you some usual info too. @{b}EXIT@{ub} This will probably be the last button you choose after completing your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub} set up. @{b}SAVE@{ub} This will simply save the files to your chosen path. @{b}PICTURE@{ub} Just in case you are not happy with the picture you have chosen, simply choose this button to select a different piccy. @{b}PATH@{ub} This will let you alter the save path of the files for the @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub}. Simply choose one from the list or enter a new path instead. @{b}OBJECTS@{ub} If you want to change the objects used by your @{b}CONTROL PANEL@{ub} (the actual buttons), then simply use this button to load a new object bank. @{b}SIZE@{ub} This will allow you to alter the size of the picture. It didn't seem to do anything for me though! But maybe if your picture is the wrong size, this button will allow you to trim it to the correct size! The default is 320 * 170 pixels. @{b}VERBS@{ub} (please read the section on @{b}VERBS@{ub} for more info) @{" " link "GRAC_Verbs.Guide/main"} @{b}VERBS@{ub} @{b}MESSAGE@{ub} This is described above. @{b}WINDOW@{ub} See above. @{b}PEN@{ub} And again! @{b}PAPER@{ub} Doh! @{b}POSITION@{ub} Aaarrgh! Simply position the screen - just what it says :) @endnode