11-15-2011, 10:44 AM
I want to share with you the tools I'm using to build ZENFORMS.
There are a few options for developers for making iPhone/iOS games and a few really great engines.
While there is options for Windows/PC users, I code ZENFORMS on my macbook using Xcode.
Xcode 4 has a really nice UI. It's very clean. Easy for me to manage the resources and great for spotting errors and warnings in my code.
The code is all Objective-C, a version of the C language. It's an object-orientated language and is really easy to learn if you know ANY other C based language. In fact, I learned objective-c from scratch coming from a basic java background.
I wanted to build an engine that I could use to make development easier.
I started building my engine based on the Cocos2D API/Framework. Cocos2D handles all the drawing of images to the screen. It also handles actions to those images (such as moving, rotating, or flipping).Cocos2D is a free download which can be embedded into your project (and easy to set up future projects using it's templates).
I looked at tools I've used in the past, such as RPG Maker as a basis for what I wanted to add my engine - dubbed the "ZenGarden".
First I coded functions for handling map data. Maps we create as created using Tiled. I coded in functions for moving the map by "Events" or by a DPad controller.
Once that was one. I handled creating people, Z ordering the people (so the person 1 tile above the person below didn't have their legs resting over it's head). Soon I was able to have a character walk around on a map and explore.
Again, using ideas from RPG Maker series, I coded in functions for checking events, displaying message boxes and handling NPC data.
Any ways, the engine came along nicely.
We do use Photoshop and Microsoft Paint for our artwork- including UI, tiles and various sprites. Paint is great for sprite work and photoshop is great for every aspect of the art.
For music, we use the iPad and iPhone versions of iSequence. A lot of cool instruments and soundpacks come with the app with more able to be downloaded for a small in-app cost.
It's easy to create a song then export it right to iTunes.
For story building, we got a great new tool called Articy:Draft. It's still in beta, but I'm sure you can email them to get a beta code- that is what we did. Seriously look this tool up on youtube or something. It's amazing! First - true - tool used for crafting stories in games and media in an elegant way.
That is pretty much it.
If you ever want help in getting into iOS development or using the tools above, please just ask below or PM me. I'll gladly help you get rolling.
Also, remember we posted free code using Cocos2D to move a sprite around on the screen.
Free Code by Calis Projects:
http://www.calisprojects.com/freecode/ (Directory)
http://www.calisprojects.com/freecode/Co...01ByCP.zip (Zip)
There are a few options for developers for making iPhone/iOS games and a few really great engines.
While there is options for Windows/PC users, I code ZENFORMS on my macbook using Xcode.
Xcode 4 has a really nice UI. It's very clean. Easy for me to manage the resources and great for spotting errors and warnings in my code.
The code is all Objective-C, a version of the C language. It's an object-orientated language and is really easy to learn if you know ANY other C based language. In fact, I learned objective-c from scratch coming from a basic java background.
I wanted to build an engine that I could use to make development easier.
I started building my engine based on the Cocos2D API/Framework. Cocos2D handles all the drawing of images to the screen. It also handles actions to those images (such as moving, rotating, or flipping).Cocos2D is a free download which can be embedded into your project (and easy to set up future projects using it's templates).
I looked at tools I've used in the past, such as RPG Maker as a basis for what I wanted to add my engine - dubbed the "ZenGarden".
First I coded functions for handling map data. Maps we create as created using Tiled. I coded in functions for moving the map by "Events" or by a DPad controller.
Once that was one. I handled creating people, Z ordering the people (so the person 1 tile above the person below didn't have their legs resting over it's head). Soon I was able to have a character walk around on a map and explore.
Again, using ideas from RPG Maker series, I coded in functions for checking events, displaying message boxes and handling NPC data.
Any ways, the engine came along nicely.
We do use Photoshop and Microsoft Paint for our artwork- including UI, tiles and various sprites. Paint is great for sprite work and photoshop is great for every aspect of the art.
For music, we use the iPad and iPhone versions of iSequence. A lot of cool instruments and soundpacks come with the app with more able to be downloaded for a small in-app cost.
It's easy to create a song then export it right to iTunes.
For story building, we got a great new tool called Articy:Draft. It's still in beta, but I'm sure you can email them to get a beta code- that is what we did. Seriously look this tool up on youtube or something. It's amazing! First - true - tool used for crafting stories in games and media in an elegant way.
That is pretty much it.
If you ever want help in getting into iOS development or using the tools above, please just ask below or PM me. I'll gladly help you get rolling.
Also, remember we posted free code using Cocos2D to move a sprite around on the screen.
Free Code by Calis Projects:
http://www.calisprojects.com/freecode/ (Directory)
http://www.calisprojects.com/freecode/Co...01ByCP.zip (Zip)
but honestly, from all the goodies I've seen... You won't need a fall back plan. 
It has a lot of stuff and functions in it that makes it easy to create a perfect tile.