In game level editor

Target Platforms Mobile
1

Hi,

I’m not sure if anyone has done it before or is it completely stupid idea, but I’m wondering if it is possible to create in game 3D level editor for the iPhone/iPad:

  • Terrain is a simple plain with a grid lines.

  • User can select different sprites (grass, road, water etc.) and by touching one of the grid squares sprite is applied to that square.

  • User can also add some super low level 3D objects like trees, rocks etc.

Game is turn based so frame rate is not a big concern.

Would love to know if there would be any difficulties before I start coding.

Thanks in advance!

2

Yes, it is possible.

However, it’s going to require a lot of work :slight_smile:

3

thanks mate! Which part you think could be most difficult?

I’m thinking grid lines could be done with Vectrocity.

Grass/road sprites could be optimized with Sprite Manager 2.

Instantiating and placing 3D objects in Unity I think is simple stuff?

Of course have to save everything into xml or similar, but this is simple stuff.

4

the heavy stuff will be making it user friendly enough to make sense and intuitive enough cause they won’t read pages of docs to use it and they won’t accept any “developer class” editor :wink:

5

See here for a simple level editor. It’s true that most work goes to making it user-friendly…the easier it is to use, the harder it is to program.

–Eric

6

thanks guys!

I understand what you are saying, hopefully in my case it will be simple, as there will only be couple of sprites / 3D objects to choose from.

The way I see it in my head, I will have sprite images listed on some panel, you touch desired one then keep touching on the grid, very similar how Tiled program works. Then pinch zoom in.out, 2 finger swipe scroll etc.

Only thing I’m not sure how big the map can be? Even with batching abilities of SM2, can I have a 100x100 grid of 32x32 sprites on the iPhone?

Eric, thanks for the link, will check it out when I get back home.

7

100x100 grid = 40,000 vertices = not such a great idea. At least not for the whole thing; it should be split up into sections so you don’t have too many polys for one object.

–Eric