How to create smooth levels using Inkscape
To be completed when i'll be more motivated to take screenshots...
Contents
Required softwares
- Inkscape (>= 0.43)
- Python (>= 2.4)
- Svg2lvl converter (available in xmoto cvs in /xmoto/tools/svg2lvl/)
Draw the level
Open Inkscape.
Press Shift+Ctrl+D to open file properties and choose the file dimensions. They must be in pixel unit (px).
You're ready to draw your level using Inskcape. See Inskcape howto's from the help menu.
Transform all objects into paths
Inskcape deals with its own shapes like stars, circles, ... so you have to convert them to path of vertex.
Disclaimer: don't put objects properties before transforming them to paths ! Else properties will be lost... Inkscape remove them.
Then, Shift+Ctrl+C (or use the menu)
And you got a path of vertex
Repeat this process for every inskcape shape (rectangle, circle, star, ...)
Level objects properties
Once your level is drawn, you have to put entities, blocks and sprites properties. Select an object, right click on it, then select 'object properties'.
Properties are put inside the 'label' box. They are seperate with a '|'. If no properties are set, then the object is put as a block with default texture. You can also fill the 'id' box, it's useful if you write a lua script for the level, because you got the blocks, zones and entities names to use in your script.
Block properties
- background
- dynamic
- usetexture=texture_name
- For example
- background|usetexture=DarkDirt
Entity properties
- typeid=[PlayerStart|EndOfLevel|Strawberry|Wrecker|ParticleSource|Sprite]
- size=float_number (the entity colision radius)
- param_name=param_value available params name are (there's more of them):
- z (for Sprite)
- name (for Sprite)
- style (for every entity)
- type (for ParticleSource)
- For example
- typeid=ParticleSource|type=Smoke
Zone properties
- typeid=Zone
- For example
- typeid=Zone
Generate level file
Inkscape works with bezier curves, but the converter only use vertex, so you have to smooth objects. Press F2 to select the appropriate tool then select an object. It's not having much vertex. Press Ctrl+A to select every vertex. Then press the '+' button (see screenshot)
Press the '+' button until you got enough vertex for the object to be smooth.
Repeat that for EVERY objects that have to be smooth blocks in the game (no need to do that for objects which'll be entities or zones)
launch the converter
Yes you have to use the command line. To make it easier, put you svg file inside the same directory than your python source files (also put your lua script file if your level have any)
$ python svg2lvl.py level.svg 100 level.lvl [level.lua]
Params are:
- svg file
- level scale (the bigger this value, the bigger the resulting level will be, play with it until you find the right value for your level)
- lvl file
- lua script file (optional)
Then, put your lvl generated file into your xmoto Levels directory, and you can play it:
Files used in this howto
- svg file: Media:sample.svg
- lvl file: Media:sample.lvl