Parallax Mapping explanation non-video request

Hi all,

Sorry to be a pain, but could I possibly have some help with parallax mapping that isn't on a video? I'm hard of hearing and the subtitles generally are...imperfect on YouTube videos.

Is there are tutorial without videos out there? I've tried looking but I just get links to videos!

Thank you so much!

Hello! I'm not sure if this helps since I haven't read it at great length, but I hope it provides some content of value for you.
Link in the spoiler.

I think @Celianna sells a parallax mapping guide on the shop. I don't know if it's any good, but her resources are amazing, and I'd expect an artist to be able to explain parallax mapping. You could give that one a shot ^^

I will point out that my guide is for VX Ace, not MV. So the script portion would not work.

From what I know, parallax mapping in MV is not that different from the ones in the previous engines. From VXA to MV, the only thing I remember that changed in the map editor is the object priority over others that existed in the RMXP. Maybe you can use a RMVXA parallax tutorial to that.

Here is one: https://www.rpgmakercentral.com/topic/12299-getting-started-with-parallax-mapping/

Basically, what you'll need is a couple of things:

- A image editor, so you can create an transparent image and paste the tileset parts you'll be using on it to work as the overlay picture. GIMP is a good one and it's for free;
- A screenshot plugin so you can have a full image of your base map (where there will be only the autotiles - floors and walls, for example). Here's one: https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/orange-mapshot.49711/
- A fix picture plugin so the map picture won't follow your character as he walks through the map, but will fix itself so the parallax can work perfectly. Here: https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/bind-pictures-to-map.46776/

In short, what you need to this is something like this:

- Create a map;
- Fill this map with floors, rivers, roofs, grass, waterfalls, whatever you want; basically, the autotiles (you can use the autotiles as parallax too, but this is a little more complicated);
- Install the Screenshot Plugin and take a screenshot of the map;
- Create a transparent image in your editor with the same proportions as the map screenshot (640x480, for example);
- Paste the map image in that file as reference, and then create a transparent layer.
- Use a grid so that you'll not run into any trouble of the objects not exactly matching the character walking space. Apparently RMMV has a 48x48 grid, but unfortunately I couldn't find a PNG one. Most image editors have a grid configuration, though. Remember to use a grid of the size of your map;
- Open the tileset you'll be using to create the map, and then cut the objects off it and use then as you please; just like in RPG Maker's own tileset editor. Remember to do that in the transparent layer.
- Using the grid, mark where the character can pass and where they can't pass. Put this two configurations in one of the tilesets in the specif map in your game and place the non-passable transparent tile where it does block movement from the actor in your actual overlay;
- Delete the map image (the one with the autotiles) and save only the layer image. Save it and name as your Fix Picture plugin configuration says;
- Put the image in the picture folder (does MV have a picture folder? idk lmao) and install the Fix Picture plugin so it will not walks with the player;
- Determine a Parallel Process to show this picture and then set the event to erase itself;
-

This is mostly hints from someone used to RMVXA. It may differ a little from the RMMV, and is probably confusing without images, but you'll understand by reading the topic I first linked in my post.