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—zero_mission:basic_guides:mage [2024/07/01 17:04] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +<WRaAP center 75% leftalign>
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +======= HOW TO EDIT METROID ZERO MISSION ======= 
 +[[#getting_ready_to_rom_hack|▼ GETTING READY TO ROM HACK]]
  
 +FIXME (INCOMPLETE)\\ 
 +
 +<color orange>This wiki has some limitations. Refresh the page if images stop loading.</color>
 +
 +Note: This guide was made in reference to [[http://labk.org/mage/doc.html | MAGE 1.4.0 Documentation]] **<color orange>and is HEAVILY based on the</color>** [[https://www.metroidconstruction.com/SMMM/ | Super Metroid Mod Manual (SMMM)]] by [[https://begrimed.com/sm/ | begrimed]]. 
 +
 +Quick Links:
 +[[zero_mission:data_maps:clipdata|Metroid Zero Mission - Clipdata List]] 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +====== GETTING READY TO ROM HACK ======    
 +[[#how_to_edit_metroid_zero_mission|▲ Back to TOC]] | [[#part_1mage_s_editors_options|▼ PART 1: MAGE'S EDITORS AND OPTIONS]]
 +</WRAP>
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== Guide Expectations =====
 + This guide expects the reader to be using Microsoft Windows operating system to hack.
 + If you are using Mac or a Linux distro, congrats! It is doable now! Though you may need to perform some workarounds.
 +
 + This guide is written for use with MAGE 1.4.0. At the time of writing MAGE only supports USA ROMs.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== Create a ROM Hacking Folder =====
 + Create a rom hacking folder of some kind. The name and the way it gets organized doesn't matter much.
 + 
 + This ensures you do not misplace any important files, and they all stay in one place.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== Obtain a USA Metroid Zero Mission ROM =====
 + You must either dump your ROM or search online. Check the first footnote to see how to dump your ROMs. **((https://dumping.guide/carts/nintendo/gba#methods \\ https://wiki.no-intro.org/index.php?title=Game_Boy_Advance_Dumping_Guide \\ Note: The download link for GBA Backup Tool is down. Use the following links instead: \\ https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/GBA_Backup_Tool \\ https://kotei.blog.ss-blog.jp/2008-10-26))**
 +
 +<color orange> **Make sure you can see file extensions!**\\
 +</color> On Windows 10, launch File Explorer, click on the ''View'' tab, then tick ''☑ File Name Extensions''. On Windows 11, open File Explorer, and then click ''View > Show > File Name Extensions''. 
 +
 + The ROM should be '' Metroid - Zero Mission (U) [!].gba''. The ''(U)'' is short for USA, and ''[!]'' means verified good dump. ''.gba'' means it's a gameboy advance ROM. 
 +
 +The ROM's sha1 hash should be ''5DE8536AFE1F0078EE6FE1089F890E8C7AA0A6E8''. To verify your ROM, use **[[https://www.quickhash-gui.org/|Quickhash GUI]]**. Go to the ''File'' tab. Drag-and-drop your ROM over the application. Copy the sha1 hash from this wiki page to your clipboard, and paste it into the text box below ''Expected Hash Value''. A message will appear on the screen telling you if it matches. If it does NOT MATCH, you either need to dump the cart again, or you have the wrong ROM.
 +
 + Once you have the correct ROM, you should put it someplace safe, and only edit copies of it. NEVER edit the original. If you follow this practice, you will not have to re-dump or re-download your ROM when you accidentally corrupt or otherwise destroy a copy of it. I personally stick it into a ''Vanilla ROMs'' folder, and NEVER open it with ANY editors. When I need a clean slate, I go into that folder, copy the rom, and then paste it into my ''romhacking'' folder.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== Download a Game Boy Advance (GBA) emulator =====
 + Download [[https://mgba.io/downloads.html | mGBA]]. It loads fast, is cross-platform, and accurate enough. For the easiest experience, download and run the installer.
 +
 + Once installed, set mGBA as the default program to open GBA files.
 +
 +This can be done by right-clicking a GBA rom and selecting ''Open with...''. If mGBA does not appear on the list, Scroll down and select ''More Apps ⬇''. If mGBA is still not there, scroll down and select ''Look for another app on this PC''.
 +
 +If you used the 64-bit installer, Browse to ''C:\Program Files\mGBA'' and select ''mgba.exe''.\\ 
 +If you used the 32-bit installer, Browse to ''C:\Program Files (x86)\mGBA'' and select ''mgba.exe''.\\ 
 +
 +If successful, the thumbnail of gba ROMs should now look like mGBA. mGBA should be able to open and play your ROM.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== Download MAGE and make sure it works =====
 + [[https://metroidconstruction.com/resource.php?id=90 | MAGE can be downloaded here]]. 
 +
 +
 + MAGE Requires .NET 3.0 to be able to function. If your system does not have it installed, Windows 10 will prompt you to install the ''.NET Framework 3.5 (Includes 2.0 and 3.0)'' feature. Once it is completed, the window will disappear, and you should be able to open MAGE.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== MAGE's files =====
 +^               Name                                            ^                  Description                                                                   ^
 +| mage.exe                                                      | Metroid Advance Game Editor                                                                    |
 +| doc.html                                                      | MAGE Documentation                                                                             |
 +| technical.html                                                | Technical Information about MAGE and the MAGs                                                  |
 +| *.proj files (created next to your ROM)                       | MAGE Project files. Keeps track of content ADDED to your ROM (new rooms, new doors etc)        |
 +| %temp%\test.gba                                               | ROM for test room based on currently opened ROM in mage. Regenerated every time you test room. |
 +| %localappdata%\mage\                                          | Application settings folder                                                                    |
 +| %localappdata%\mage\mage_1.4.0.exe[...]\1.4.0.0\user.config   | Contains paths to recent ROMs, path to emulator for testing rooms, UI settings                 |\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== Set up MAGE for easy room testing =====
 + Use ''File -> Open ROM...'' to find and select your Metroid Zero Mission ROM. Alternatively, drag and drop your ROM over MAGE once it is open.\\
 +If all is well, you should be loaded into the very first room in Brinstar.
 +
 +
 +Move your mouse pointer somewhere in the room and then press the ''T'' key. The very first time you do this, a message will appear:
 +
 +<code>
 +------------------------------------------------------------------
 +GBA emulator path has not been set. Would you like to set it now?
 +------------------------------------------------------------------
 +            +=========+              +========+
 +            |   Yes   |              |   No   |   
 +            +=========+              +========+
 +</code>
 +
 +Select ''Yes'', then look for mGBA.
 +
 +If you installed 64-bit mGBA, it will be located at ''C:\Program Files\mGBA\mGBA.exe''.\\
 +If you installed 32-bit mGBA, it will be located at ''C:\Program Files (x86)\mGBA\mGBA.exe''.
 +
 +If successful, mGBA will launch your test ROM. You can close mGBA.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== THE INSANELY ABSOLUTE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING REGULAR ROM BACK-UPS =====
 +All you have to do is click ''File -> Create Backup''. The filename of the backup is a timestamp, in the format ''YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS.gba''\\
 +Alternatively, you can right-click your ROM and select 'copy'. After that, right-click a second time and select 'paste'. The filename of the backup is in the format ''filename (copy #).gba''\\
 +
 +It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to create regular back-ups of the ROM that you're working on. Make regular and frequent ROM back-ups a habit. Back-ups are your friend, and they will spare you so much pain. There is no reason to not make back-ups.
 +
 +In addition to on your computer, keep back-ups of your hack stored on USB thumb drives, extra hard drives, web servers, email them to yourself, burn them to CDs or DVDs if you need to. You do not want to lose a thousand collective hours of work on a hack because your computer broke and you didn't have a copy of your hacked ROM anywhere else except on your dead computer's hard drive.
 +
 +IF YOU ARE EVER ABOUT TO APPLY A PATCH OR MAKE AN EDIT THAT YOU ARE EVEN SLIGHTLY UNSURE OF, CREATE A BACK-UP FIRST. Preventing catastrophe is just that easy. If hard drive space is an issue, you can create back-up IPS patches of your hack instead (see IPS patch creation).\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== Constant Experimentation, Trial and Error, Broken ROMs and Strange Crashes are Normal. =====
 + Stay calm and don't let it get you down! It is pretty much impossible to avoid experiencing all of these things and more as you journey through creating your own Metroid Zero Mission hack. Constant experimentation especially - you will need to test everything constantly as you're working on it, or you might waste huge amounts of time stepping backwards through your edits to figure out the problem. TEST EVERYTHING, ALWAYS.
 +
 +Sometimes, you may make a mistake. That's OK, happens to the best of us! You can quickly reload your rom by selecting it in ''File -> Recent Files''\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== Are your big ideas actually possible? =====
 +
 +Until you understand the limits of the game you're hacking, your ideas might seem impossible or at least very hard to code. Most people won't want to go through the trouble of coding it for you unless they believe your project has real potential. Learning these limits takes time, but if your ideas are simple or you're willing to use a simplified version of your original idea, it becomes much more feasible. It's helpful to initially assume your ideas might not be possible (while still checking with experienced hackers). As more of your ideas get refined or ruled out, you'll start to see what's realistically achievable. <color orange>You should try using what's already in the game to do the thing you want. It may not be perfect, but will hopefully get the job done.</color>
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== What kind of hack do you want to make? Will it be worth it? Who is your audience? =====
 +
 +You should consider all of this now and spare yourself a LOT of possible wasted time later. Is this hobby really for you? Real talk: overwhelmingly, most of the people who try to hack Metroid have either given up, or they released something they didn't really want to release, and then they gave up. You are probably going to give up. Hacking Metroid is not extremely difficult, but it is also not something that you can do fast. You will probably be at this for years if your goal is to make something lastingly notable and polished. Be ready for the possibility of restarting projects repeatedly, being unable to solve problems for weeks or months until you've learned more, and giving up on dream ideas that are impossible to do.
 +
 +Personal satisfaction is also probably the most important thing there is about this hobby. If you don't like Metroid enough to consider working on it as an unpaid, illegal side-career, then you will probably lose the motivation to keep working on your project after awhile. Knowing your audience is also a big deal, because it allows you to scale your expectations.
 +
 +<color orange>Do you want to make a hack that tons of people will play and enjoy for years? If so, MAKE YOUR HACK EASY, MAKE YOUR HACK PRETTY, MAKE YOUR HACK WELL.</color> That's all there is to it. You are creating a game, not a hack. The difficulty is in the simplicity of actually sticking to those three simple rules above all else, and not becoming tempted by other ideas later that compromise your initial vision. If your hack is extremely easy for you to play through, then that means it should be about average difficulty for somebody who only played and enjoyed Metroid a long time ago, but recently discovered that ROM hacks of it exist.
 +
 +Do you want to make a hack that challenges veteran Metroid players? If so, get rid of any expectations you have about how people will feel about your hack. Almost everyone will simply not like it because it's too difficult, and there is nothing you can do to make them enjoy it or appreciate the amount of time and work you put into it - at the end of the day, you still created something that they do not feel is worth taking their time to play through. This happens because proportionally rewarding the player for accomplishing difficult tasks becomes much harder to do unless you know assembly programming, which means that you just have to hope that the player's personal sense of achievement is enough to keep them interested in your hard game. Almost always, it will not be.
 +
 +It will probably always be a bad decision to try making a fun hard hack as your first project. Hard hacks are only interesting to veteran players of the game, which is a very small number of people. If that is your intended audience, go for it, but don't expect your hard hack to gain much attention. Difficulty is more often just... difficult, and not that fun.
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +===== Please report any MAGE bugs that you discover! =====
 +
 +If you discover a crash or some kind of bug with MAGE itself, click "Help -> About Mage -> https://forum.metroidconstruction.com/index.php/topic,3969.0.html" and write out a clear description of the error that you experienced. Can the bug be done consistently, or did it only happen once? Is it possible to take a screenshot of the error?
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +====== PART 1: MAGE'S EDITORS & OPTIONS    ======    
 +[[#how_to_edit_metroid_zero_mission|▲ Back to TOC]] | [[#part_2creating_a_room|▼ PART 2: CREATING A ROOM]]
 +
 +<color orange>REMINDER: This wiki has some limitations. Refresh the page if images stop loading.</color>
 +
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:mage_tut_diagram.png}}
 +</WRAP>
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Main Window =====
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ==== Menu Bar ====
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 1. File Menu ===
 +^        Name        ^                  Description                                                                                        ^
 +| Open ROM...        | USA Zero Mission / USA Fusion ROMs Only (At the time of writing)                                                    |
 +| Save ROM           | Instantly saves changes made to ROM since it has been opened. This is the ONLY way to permanently save changes.     |
 +| Save ROM as...     | Save ROM, but you specify what to name the ROM and where it is saved.                                               |
 +| Create Backup      | Instantly backs up your rom, saved to the same folder. Filename format YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS.gba                      |
 +| Recent Files       | List of recently opened ROMs. Can be used to reload ROM if undesirable changes are made.                            |
 +Note: Some editors will tell you ''Changes Saved.'' Don't panic! <color lime>The ROM you are editing in MAGE is a temporary copy.</color> MAGE will only save edits to your ROM if you explicitly tell it to.\\ 
 +If you broke your ROM, or made some undesirable change, <color lime> you can reset the internal copy by reopening your ROM in MAGE. </color>
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 2. Edit Menu ===
 +^        Name              ^                  Description                                                                                                                      ^
 +| BG Editing Mode          | Used to edit blocks on background layers and their collision properties (clipdata).                                                               |
 +| Object Editing Mode      | Used to edit objects like enemies, doors, and camera scrolls.                                                                                     |
 +| Use Selected Clipdata    | When selected, blocks placed (or pasted) will use the clipdata value from the drop-down list above the tileset.                                   |
 +| Undo                     | Steps back edits one at a time. MAGE can remember up to 100 edits.                                                                                |
 +| Redo                     | Steps forward edits one at a time. MAGE can remember up to 100 edits.                                                                             |
 +| BG 0                     | Place blocks on Background layer 0. BG0 is a very special layer, but most of the time it's on top.                                                |
 +| BG 1                     | Place blocks on Background layer 1. BG1 is where all the blocks samus and enemies collide with should be.                                         |
 +| BG 2                     | Place blocks on Background layer 2. BG2 is for blocks behind samus and enemies, like plants or rocks for scenery.                                 |
 +| Clip                     | "Clip Data." Set the type of block used at that X/Y position in the room. Clip can be edited with one layer simultaneously. (ex: Edit BG1 & Clip) |
 +Note: You cannot use both BG editing mode and Object editing mode at the same time. You pick one or the other
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 3. View Menu === 
 +^        Name              ^                  Description                                                                                                                 ^
 +| BG 0                     | Toggle viewing Background layer 0. BG0 is a very special layer, but most of the time it's on top.                                            |
 +| BG 1                     | Toggle viewing Background layer 1. BG1 is where all the blocks samus and enemies collide with should be.                                     |
 +| BG 2                     | Toggle viewing Background layer 2. BG2 is for blocks behind samus and enemies, like plants or rocks for scenery.                             |
 +| BG 3                     | Toggle viewing Background layer 3. BG3 is the farthest back there is. It's usually an image.                                                 |
 +| Clipdata -> Collision    | Toggle outlines around structures of blocks with solid collision. Usually red outlines, but Some blocks like door caps use a different color.|
 +| Clipdata -> Breakable    | Toggle revealing breakable blocks. It's like using a Power Bomb.                                                                             |
 +| Clipdata -> Values       | Toggle view of clipdata ID numbers shown for every block in a room, like the Super Metroid Integrated Level Editor (SMILE).                  |
 +| Sprites                  | Toggle viewing objects on screen such as enemies, chozo, save stations, major items.                                                         |
 +| Sprite Outlines          | Toggle solid green squares used to show the true position of objects in the room.                                                            |
 +| Doors                    | Toggle solid blue outlines for doors in the room. Useful to move, edit, resize or delete them.                                               |
 +| Scrolls                  | Toggles viewing scrolls if there are any, used to keep the player camera within their bounds.                                                |
 +| Screen Outlines          | Toggles a white outline of each screen in a room, plus change. Helps for aligning scrolls, doors, tiles, objects, you name it.               |
 +| Animated Palette         | Toggles viewing animated palette, if there is one. You won't see the animation, just the first palette, but it'll show you that one exists.  |
 +| Mother Ship Hatches      | Toggles replacing brown Zebes hatches with purple Mothership hatches.                                                                        |
 +| Clipboard                | Opens a window that updates to show what you have copied to MAGE's clipboard.                                                                |
 +| Zoom                     | Pick between 100%, 200%, 400% and 800% Zoom.                                                                                                 |
 +Notes: Only one of the special clipdata views can be used at a time.\\ 
 +Viewing Mothership hatches will not set the room to use them; it will just show them that way in the editor.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 4. Editors Menu === 
 +^        Name       ^                  Description                                                                                                                    ^
 +| Header Editor     | Specify a room's tileset, music, location on the map, transparency, room effect, what spriteset(s) it will use, and so on.                      |
 +| Tileset Editor    | Pointers for graphics, tilemaps, palettes, animations etc.                                                                                      |
 +| Graphics Editor   | Used for viewing, exporting and importing graphics.                                                                                |
 +| Palette Editor    | Used to edit, export, and import palettes, with shortcuts for known tileset and object palettes.                                                |
 +| Tile Table Editor | Used to edit the tile maps of tilesets, title screen, user interface, etc. Tilemaps say how to arrange the graphics and what palettes to use.   |
 +| Animation Editor  | Adjust the properties of animated tiles and palettes, from assigned "animated tileset" to graphics, direction, speed, dimensions, etc.          |
 +| Sprite Editor     | Use to tweak pointers, HP, damage, weaknesses, and drop probability of primary and secondary sprite objects.                                    |
 +| Spriteset Editor  | Because of VRAM limitations, there are limits to variety of objects in a room. Spritesets are used to specify which objects and in what order.  |
 +| Minimap Editor    | Edit the map of each area with options for secrets, heat rooms, what players will first see, and what they will reveal at a map station.        |
 +| Connection Editor | Used to link door objects together, use events to lock or connect to a secondary destination, even show location names as a text message.       |
 +| Text Editor       | Edit most text in the game i.e. in game messages, descriptions, story, location names, and stuff on the file screen.                            |
 +| Demo Editor       | Edit the demos you see when you wait at the title screen long enough. Much easier with VBA-RR emulator and this lua script.                     |
 +| Physics Editor    | Use to tweak how Samus feels, from her speed to how high she jumps, how she accelerates, when speed booster kicks in etc.                       |
 +| Weapon Editor     | Change weapon stats like damage, firerate, timers for bombs, projectile velocity, limit how many shots can be on screen, etc.                   |
 +Notes:
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 5. Tools Menu === 
 +^        Name                                  ^ Description                                                                                                                                                        ^
 +| Room Options...                              | Used to quickly erase BG 0, 1, 2, and Clipdata layers. Also lets you resize the current room.                                                                      |
 +| Test Room...                                 | Launches a test copy of your ROM in an emulator at the specified X/Y coordinates, with a debug menu on or off.                                                     |
 +| <color orange> Clipdata Shortcuts </color>   | <color orange> INCREDIBLY HANDY way to quickly select common clipdata types. Just click to set the clipdata you want to place.                        </color>     |
 +| Import -> Tileset...                         | Import a MAGE Tileset (.mgt) file. You get to choose what it replaces. If importing from metroid fusion, tick the box "Use current game's generic tiles".          |
 +| Import -> RLE Background...                  | Import RLE compressed background layer (BG 0, 1, 2, Clipdata) from .rlebg file. Can be used to duplicate a room for event shenanigans.                             |
 +| Import -> LZ77 Background...                 | Imports a BG 0 or BG 3 tilemap basically. The graphics don't change. Not recommended but you may have a happy accident if you're bored.                            |
 +| Import -> Room...                            | Import a MAGE Room (.mgr) file. You choose what to import and what room to replace. If importing from Metroid Fusion, Do NOT import sprites or doors!              |
 +| Import -> Tileset from image...              | Must be 32bpp with transparency, 256px width, height divisible by 16. Don't use too many palettes or unique 8x8 tiles, and 8x8 tiles must use less than 16 colors. | 
 +| Import -> LZ77 BG from image...              | Can be BG 0 or BG 3. Must be 256x256, 512x256, or 256x512. Otherwise it's got the same limitations as importing a tileset from image.                              |
 +| Import -> Ending from image                  | Image must be 240x416. MAGE will limit colors while preserving quality. This is slightly random so if you dislike what it churns out, try again until you like it. |
 +| Export -> Tileset...                         | Export a MAGE Tileset (.mgt) file. It can be the current room's tileset or another tileset based on ID.                                                            |
 +| Export -> Background...                      | Export an RLE compressed (.rlebg) or LZ77 compressed (.lzbg) background, to import in another room or ROM. Ideally with the same tileset.                          |
 +| Export -> Room...                            | Export a MAGE Room (.mgr) file.                                                                                                                                    |
 +| Export -> Tileset Image...                   | Export the tileset from the current room as an image. (.png)                                                                                                       |
 +| Export -> BG0 Image...                       | Export BG 0 from the current room as an image. (.png)                                                                                                              |
 +| Export -> BG3 Image...                       | Export BG 3 from the current room as an image. (.png)                                                                                                              |
 +| Export -> Room Image...                      | Export an image of the current room. (.png) Useful for Room of the Month (ROTM) submissions. Any view options enabled in MAGE will be visible.                     |
 +| Compression -> LZ77 Compress File...         | Opens a File Explorer prompt. Any file you select will be LZ77 compressed.                                                                                         |
 +| Compression -> LZ77 Decompress File...       | Opens a File Explorer prompt. Any file you select will be DEcompressed using LZ77 algorithm.                                                                       |
 +| Minimap Tile Builder                         | Tool to create more minimap tiles if the map tile you want to use doesn't exist. Uses an internal copy of vanilla map tiles.                                       |
 +| Add -> Background                            | Add background layers to a room that is missing them. Most often used to add BG 0 to rooms that don't have it.                                                     |
 +| Add -> Room Sprites                          | Add alternate spritesets to a room that doesn't have them.                                                                                                         |
 +| Add -> Room                                  | Add extra rooms to the game. Either blank, or duplicate of an existing one.                                                                                        |
 +| Add -> Tileset                               | Add extra tilesets to the game. Either blank, or duplicate of an existing one.                                                                                     |
 +| Add -> Spriteset                             | Add extra spritesets to the game. Either blank, or duplicate of an existing one.                                                                                   |
 +| Add -> Animation                             | Add extra animations to the game. Either blank, or duplicate of an existing one.                                                                                   |
 +| Patches                                      | Apply some optional patches. None of them add data to the rom, they just modify existing code.                                                                     |
 +Notes: In the header editor, if the property (prop) value of a BG layer is 0x10, it is RLE compressed. If the value has 0x40, it is LZ77 compressed. BG 1 and 2 are always RLE, BG3 is always LZ77, and BG0 can be either.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +For importing tilesets / backgrounds from images, you can game it to generate palettes that are just as uniform as those already in the game. Organize the tileset into sections based on what palette blocks use, and from there keep the top left of each section blank. For each section with a different palette, draw an 8x8 tile with the palette in the order you want it to generate, from left to right top to bottom. The top leftmost pixel should be left as the first color, which acts as blank/transparent. 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 6. Options Menu === 
 +^       Name       ^ Description                                                                                                                                                         ^
 +| Default View     | Set default view settings for MAGE. Only refreshes when you reload a room.                                                                                          |
 +| Number Base      | Switch between using decimal (base 10) and hexadecimal (base 16) as the number base for MAGE. Decimal might cause problems so Hex is recommended most of the time.  |
 +| Disable Tooltips | Hides messages that appear under the mouse cursor when it idles over a point of interest. On Linux they remain as visual artifacts so disabling them is recommended.|    
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 7. Help Menu === 
 +^       Name       ^ Description                                                                                                                                                         ^
 +| View Help        | Opens the MAGE help file. (doc.html) It's nice to have handy.                                                                                                       |
 +| About MAGE       | Information about MAGE, like the version you are using, who made it, where you can report issues, and credit for assets used.                                       |
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ==== Tool Bar ====
 +Quick access to editors and frequently used actions with interactible icons. 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 8. Open / Save ROM === 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 9. Undo / Redo === 
 + Note: Click the small arrow ▼ to undo/redo multiple steps at a time.
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 10. BG / Object Editing Mode === 
 +Switch between editing blocks (speedbooster) or objects (morphball). <color Orange> You will be using this a LOT. </color>
 +\\ 
 +When a sprite is added in object editor mode, you can quickly change it with [ or ]\\
 +On QWERTZ keyboard, the keys for this are "ß" and "´"
 +\\ 
 +Door Exit Distances:
 +10- Right, no hatch
 +20- Right, hatch
 +E0- Left, hatch
 +F0- Left, no hatch
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 11. View Sprites / Outlines / Doors / Scrolls ===
 +^       Icon       ^ Description                                                                                                                                                         ^
 +| Metroid     | Show/Hide Sprites (enemies and objects with AI, e.g. morph ball item)                                                                               |
 +| Green Box   | Show/Hide Sprite Outlines (actual position of the objects/enemies)                                                                                  |  
 +| Blue Box    | Show/Hide Doors (objects used to link rooms)                                                                                                        |
 +| Yellow Box  | Show/Hide Scrolls (objects used to restrict the player camera)                                                                                      |  
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 12. Header Editor === 
 +[[#header_editor1|▶ More information: Header Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 13. Tileset Editor === 
 +[[#tileset_editor1|▶ More information: Tileset Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 14. Graphics Editor === 
 +[[#graphics_editor1|▶ More information: Graphics Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 15. Palette Editor === 
 +[[#palette_editor1|▶ More information: Palette Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 16. Tile Table Editor === 
 +[[#tile_table_editor1|▶ More information: Tile Table Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 17. Animation Editor === 
 +[[#animation_editor1|▶ More information: Animation Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 18. Sprite Editor === 
 +[[#sprite_editor1|▶ More information: Sprite Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 19. Spriteset Editor === 
 +[[#spriteset_editor1|▶ More information: Spriteset Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 20. Connection Editor === 
 +[[#connection_editor1|▶ More information: Connection Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 21. Minimap Editor === 
 +[[#minimap_editor1|▶ More information: Minimap Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 22. Text Editor === 
 +[[#text_editor1|▶ More information: Text Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 23. Demo Editor === 
 +[[#demo_editor1|▶ More information: Demo Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 24. Physics Editor === 
 +[[#physics_editor1|▶ More information: Physics Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 25. Weapon Editor === 
 +[[#weapon_editor1|▶ More information: Weapon Editor]]
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 26. Room Options === 
 +Used to quickly erase BG 0, 1, 2, and Clipdata layers. Also lets you resize the current room. 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 27. Test Room === 
 +Launches a test copy of your ROM in an emulator at the specified X/Y coordinates, with a debug menu on or off. 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 28. Minimap Tile Builder === 
 +Tool to create more minimap tiles if the map tile you want to use doesn't exist. Uses an internal copy of vanilla map tiles. 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 29. Add === 
 +Catch-all menu for adding new data:\\ 
 +Background layers and alternate Room sprites (when those don't yet exist),\\ 
 +Rooms, Tilesets, Spritesets, and Animations. (Either blank or duplicates of existing ones)
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 30. Patches === 
 +Apply some optional patches. None of them add data to the rom, they just modify existing code. 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Room Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:mage_room_ed_diagram.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 1. Edit Layers === 
 +^        Name              ^                  Description                                                                                                                      ^
 +| BG 0                     | Place blocks on Background layer 0. BG0 is a very special layer, but most of the time it's on top.                                                |
 +| BG 1                     | Place blocks on Background layer 1. BG1 is where all the blocks samus and enemies collide with should be.                                         |
 +| BG 2                     | Place blocks on Background layer 2. BG2 is for blocks behind samus and enemies, like plants or rocks for scenery.                                 |
 +| Clip                     | "Clip Data." Set the type of block used at that X/Y position in the room. Clip can be edited with one layer simultaneously. (ex: Edit BG1 & Clip) |
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 2. View Layers === 
 +^        Name              ^                  Description                                                                                                                 ^
 +| BG 0                     | Toggle viewing Background layer 0. BG0 is a very special layer, but most of the time it's on top.                                            |
 +| BG 1                     | Toggle viewing Background layer 1. BG1 is where all the blocks samus and enemies collide with should be.                                     |
 +| BG 2                     | Toggle viewing Background layer 2. BG2 is for blocks behind samus and enemies, like plants or rocks for scenery.                             |
 +| BG 3                     | Toggle viewing Background layer 3. BG3 is the farthest back there is. It's usually an image.                                                 |
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 3. Location === 
 +^        Name              ^                  Description                                                                                                                 ^
 +| Area                     | Select an area ID in this dropdown menu to switch areas.                                                                                     |
 +| Room                     | Select a room ID in this dropdown menu to switch rooms.                                                                                      |
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 4. Spriteset === 
 +With Object editing mode, you can move and place objects like enemies and interactibles- MAGE calls them sprites.\\ 
 +The type of sprites used in a room are determined by spritesets, which are set in the header for the room.\\
 +If a room uses more than one, you use this drop-down menu to switch spritesets in the room editor.\\ 
 +This allows you to edit the layout of sprites for each spriteset.\\ 
 +Each spriteset has its own unique layout.\\ 
 +
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 5. Clipdata === 
 +Clipdata is the physical properties of a block.\\ 
 +Use this dropdown to select the type of clipdata you want to place.\\ 
 +You must also pick a tile with Tile Select, and make sure that Edit -> Clip is checked ☑ or else you won't be able to place your clipdata.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 6. Tile Select === 
 +This displays the current tileset and is used to pick the block(s) you intend to place.\\ 
 +Click to select, Click+drag to select multiple blocks.\\ 
 +Make sure that you have edit checked ☑ for the layer you want to place blocks on, otherwise they either won't place or they will be on the wrong layer.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 7. Current Tile Information === 
 +From left to right:\\ 
 +Coordinates (X / Y) of currently highlighted tile\\
 +Size (W x H) of current selection\\ 
 +Clipdata ID of currently highlighted tile\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 8. Cursor === 
 +Current position of your mouse pointer in the room.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + === 9. Tooltip === 
 +Small box of text that appears if you idle your mouse pointer over a block.\\ 
 +BG0: Current tile placed on BG0 layer of this block\\ 
 +BG1: Current tile placed on BG1 layer of this block\\ 
 +BG2: Current tile placed on BG2 layer of this block\\ 
 +Clip: Current clipdata of this block\\ 
 +
 +Hovering over the tileset in Tile Select will show a tooltip of the current block ID you're hovering over.\\ 
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Header Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:header.png}}
 +
 +BACKGROUND DATA
 +^       Name       ^ Description                                                                                                                                                         ^
 +| Tileset     | Show/Hide Sprites (enemies and objects with AI, e.g. morph ball item)                                                                               |
 +| Transparency   | Show/Hide Sprite Outlines (actual position of the objects/enemies)                                                                                  |  
 +| BG3 Scroll    | Show/Hide Doors (objects used to link rooms)                                                                                                        |
 +| Effect  | Show/Hide Scrolls (objects used to restrict the player camera)                                                                                      |  
 +| Effect Y Pos     | Show/Hide Sprites (enemies and objects with AI, e.g. morph ball item)                                                                               |
 +
 +POINTER
 +| BG0   | Show/Hide Sprite Outlines (actual position of the objects/enemies)                                                                                  |  
 +| BG1    | Show/Hide Doors (objects used to link rooms)                                                                                                        |
 +| BG2  | Show/Hide Scrolls (objects used to restrict the player camera)                                                                                      |  
 +| BG3     | Show/Hide Sprites (enemies and objects with AI, e.g. morph ball item)                                                                               |
 +| CLIP   | Show/Hide Sprite Outlines (actual position of the objects/enemies)                                                                                  |  
 +
 +PROP (BG PROPERTY)
 +| BG0    | Show/Hide Doors (objects used to link rooms)                                                                                                        |
 +| BG1  | Show/Hide Scrolls (objects used to restrict the player camera)                                                                                      |  
 +| BG2     | Show/Hide Sprites (enemies and objects with AI, e.g. morph ball item)                                                                               |
 +| BG3   | Show/Hide Sprite Outlines (actual position of the objects/enemies)                                                                                  |  
 +
 +SPRITESET DATA
 +
 +POINTER
 +| DEFAULT    | Show/Hide Doors (objects used to link rooms)                                                                                                        |
 +| FIRST  | Show/Hide Scrolls (objects used to restrict the player camera)                                                                                      |  
 +| SECOND     | Show/Hide Sprites (enemies and objects with AI, e.g. morph ball item)                                                                               |
 +
 +SET
 +| DEFAULT   | Show/Hide Sprite Outlines (actual position of the objects/enemies)                                                                                  |  
 +| FIRST    | Show/Hide Doors (objects used to link rooms)                                                                                                        |
 +| SECOND  | Show/Hide Scrolls (objects used to restrict the player camera)                                                                                      |  
 +
 +EVENT
 +| FIRST     | Show/Hide Sprites (enemies and objects with AI, e.g. morph ball item)                                                                               |
 +| SECOND   | Show/Hide Sprite Outlines (actual position of the objects/enemies)                                                                                  |  
 +
 +MISCELLANEOUS
 +| MAP X    | Show/Hide Doors (objects used to link rooms)                                                                                                        |
 +| MAP Y  | Show/Hide Scrolls (objects used to restrict the player camera)                                                                                      |  
 +| MUSIC     | Show/Hide Sprites (enemies and objects with AI, e.g. morph ball item)                                                                               |
 +
 +^       Name       ^ Description                                                                                                                                                         ^
 +| AREA   | Show/Hide Sprite Outlines (actual position of the objects/enemies)                                                                                  |  
 +| ROOM    | Show/Hide Doors (objects used to link rooms)                                                                                                        |
 +| OFFSET  | Show/Hide Scrolls (objects used to restrict the player camera)                                                                                      |  
 +| APPLY    | Show/Hide Doors (objects used to link rooms)                                                                                                        |
 +| CLOSE  | Show/Hide Scrolls (objects used to restrict the player camera)                                                                                      |  
 +
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Tileset Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:tileset.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Graphics Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:graphics.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Palette Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:palette.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Tile Table Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:tiletable.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Animation Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:animation.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Sprite Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:sprite.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Spriteset Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:spriteset.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Connection Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:connection.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Minimap Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:minimap.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Text Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:text.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Demo Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:demo.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Physics Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:physics.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 + ===== Weapon Editor ===== 
 +{{zero_mission:basic_guides:weapon.png}}
 +\\ 
 +\\ 
 +----
 +
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +====== PART 2: CREATING A ROOM                 ======
 +[[#how_to_edit_metroid_zero_mission|▲ Back to TOC]] | [[#part_3other_stuff|▼ PART 3: OTHER STUFF]]
 +</WRAP>
 + ===== Basic level editing                     =====
 + ===== Download a hex editor                   =====
 + ===== Hex editor functions                    =====
 + ===== Counting in hexadecimal                 =====
 + ===== Copy/paste the room header              =====
 + ===== MAGE's room list                       =====
 + ===== Room header format                      =====
 + ===== Room pointers                           =====
 + ===== Banks / ROM minimap                     =====
 + ===== Level data                              =====
 + ===== Background pointer                      =====
 + ===== Room size / map position                =====
 + ===== Basic room structure                    =====
 + ===== Doors pointer                           =====
 + ===== Door data                               =====
 + ===== Door BTS                                =====
 + ===== Adding new doors                        =====
 + ===== Room Scrolls pointer                    =====
 + ===== Door ASM pointer                        =====
 + ===== Debug your doors                        =====
 + ===== PLM Set pointer                         =====
 + ===== Scroll PLMs                             =====
 + ===== H-Copy / V-Copy                         =====
 + ===== MAGE's layers                          =====
 + ===== Tile highlighting                       =====
 + ===== Graphic Only / BTS Only                 =====
 + ===== BTS (block types)                       =====
 + ===== Basic room design                       =====
 + ===== Slopes                                  =====
 + ===== Tiling errors                           =====
 + ===== Up Scroll / Down Scroll                 =====
 + ===== Camera snaps                            =====
 + ===== Scroll snaps                            =====
 + ===== Level design tips                       =====
 + ===== LEVEL DESIGN MISTAKES TO AVOID          =====
 + ===== Finished room design                    =====
 + ===== Enemy setup                             =====
 + ===== Multi-piece enemies & possessors        =====
 + ===== Enemy headers                           =====
 + ===== Enemy projectiles                       =====
 + ===== Enemy Palette pointer                   =====
 + ===== Enemy Weaknesses pointer                =====
 + ===== Enemy Drops pointer                     =====
 + ===== Enemy GFX names                         =====
 + ===== Enemy beta names                        =====
 + ===== General enemy info / limitations        =====
 + ===== Enemy header copying                    =====
 + ===== Layer 3 effects ("FX") / FX1            =====
 + ===== Door-specific FX                        =====
 + ===== FX palette blends                       =====
 + ===== Screen shakes                           =====
 + ===== Bug fix: liquid graphics                =====
 + ===== Map editing                             =====
 + ===== Bug fix: map saving/loading             =====
 + ===== Map icons                               =====
 + ===== Room states / events                    =====
 + ===== When to call a room finished?           =====
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +====== PART 3: OTHER STUFF                     ======
 +[[#how_to_edit_metroid_zero_mission|▲ Back to TOC]]
 +</WRAP>
 + ===== Save stations                           =====
 + ===== Elevators                               =====
 + ===== Music selection                         =====
 + ===== Song changes                            =====
 + ===== Sound effects                           =====
 + ===== Color palettes                          =====
 + ===== Tile table editing                      =====
 + ===== Repointing tilesets                     =====
 + ===== Tile sheet (.GFX) editing               =====
 + ===== Tile rotation                           =====
 + ===== Tileset mixing                          =====
 + ===== Reassigning GFX colors                  =====
 + ===== Graphic and palette locations           =====
 + ===== IPS/ASM patch usage and creation        =====
 + ===== Understanding basic ASM                 =====
 + ===== Resources                               =====
 + ===== FAQ                                     =====
 + ===== Glossary                                =====
 + ===== Revision history                        =====
 + ===== Special thanks / contact me             =====
 +
 +====== Main Window ======
 +
 +{{http://i.imgur.com/8iZnWWB.png}}
 +
 +The screen to the left of a visible room in MAGE will look like this.
 +
 +  * Red- View selection (use to view certain layers)
 +
 +  * Orange- Edit selection (use to select a layer to edit and whether or not to edit clipdata)
 +
 +  * Yellow- Spriteset selection
 +
 +  * Green- Clipdata selection (only active if clipdata edit is selected)
 +
 +  * Blue- Tile selection; chosen from available tiles in tile set
 +
 +---------------------------------------------
 +==== File ====
 +FIXME
 +
 +{{https://i.imgur.com/LpN9BmY.png}}
 +
 +Backing up your ROM is as easy as clicking on ''Create Backup.'' The filename of the backup is a timestamp, in the format ''YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS.gba''
 +
 +{{https://i.imgur.com/0muh8I4.png}}
 +
 +Sometimes, you may make a mistake. That's OK, happens to the best of us! You can quickly reload your rom by selecting it in ''Recent Files''
 +
 +{{https://i.imgur.com/OHrxXne.png}}
 +---------------------------------------------
 +==== Edit ====
 +FIXME
 +
 +{{https://i.imgur.com/erpewRW.png}}
 +
 +When ''Use Selected Clipdata'' is activated, tiles placed will use the clipdata value from the drop-down list.
 +
 +{{https://i.imgur.com/ID0HfEs.png}}
 +
 +---------------------------------------------
 +==== View ====
 +FIXME
 +
 +{{https://i.imgur.com/70xgse0.png}}
 +
 +Can be used to view clipdata in 3 different ways:
 +
 +  * ''Collision'' (Outlines)
 +{{https://i.imgur.com/nJzikkW.png}}
 +  * ''Breakable'' (Reveals hidden breakable blocks)
 +{{https://i.imgur.com/lMGjuln.png}}
 +  * ''Values'' (Clipdata value and color)
 +{{https://i.imgur.com/oHItM8P.png}}
 +
 +You can also show or hide ''Sprites'', ''Sprite Outlines'', ''Doors'' and ''Scrolls''.
 +
 +To ensure that a room fits the screen, or to determine its shape in map tiles, you can turn on ''Screen Outlines''.
 +
 +If your room uses space pirate mothership hatches, you can select ''Mother Ship Hatches'' to swap to them.
 +
 +You can also adjust ''Zoom'' level of the room to better see what you are doing.
 +---------------------------------------------
 +==== Options ====
 +FIXME
 +
 +You can ''Disable Tooltips'' if you find them annoying.
 +
 +If you find that the default view of MAGE shows too much or not enough, you can adjust the ''Default View''. This includes visible background layers, outlines, clipdata, objects, scrolls, screen outlines and doors.
 +
 +You also have the option of changing the ''Number Base'' from hexadecimal to decimal.
 +---------------------------------------------
 +
 +</WRAP>
zero_mission/basic_guides/mage.txt · Last modified: 2024/07/01 17:04 by 127.0.0.1