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general:guides:tile_molester_graphics_guide [2017/05/11 05:38] felixwrightgeneral:guides:tile_molester_graphics_guide [2023/06/05 21:26] (current) – Mention of XmlNotepad for rearranging bookmarks felixwright
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-======Tile Molester Graphics Guide v1.2.2====== +======Tile Molester Graphics Guide======
-Update format: ''10 Major Updates or OP''/''10 Minor Updates or 1 Major Update''/''Minor Update'' +
 ''By FelixWright'' ''By FelixWright''
  
 Hello, and welcome to our current graphics guide for Tile Molester. Hello, and welcome to our current graphics guide for Tile Molester.
  
-The main goal of this guide is to teach newbies how to use this cross-compatible graphics editor for their own nefarious purposes.+The main goal of this guide is to teach newbies how to use this java-based cross-platform graphics editor for their own nefarious purposes.
  
 Let's get started. Let's get started.
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +---- 
-=====1. What is Tile Molester?=====+=====What is Tile Molester?===== 
 +Tile Molester is a cross-platform graphics editor for video game ROMs such as .SMC, .NDS, and .GBA. It was created in 2005 by SnowBro.
  
-Tile Molester is a cross-platform graphics viewer for video game files such as SMC's, NDS's, and GBA's. It was created in 2005 by SnowBro.+---- 
 +=====Downloading Tile Molester=====
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +====Requirements==== 
-=====2Downloading Tile Molester=====+Java runtime environmentSomething like the [[https://adoptium.net/temurin/releases/|Eclipse Adoptium JRE]] will suffice. Download and Install as follows if you are on Windows x64:\\ 
 +{{:general:guides:adoptium_howto.png}} 
 +====Download links==== 
 +Tile Molester Mod 0.19 can be [[https://www.romhacking.net/utilities/991/|Downloaded from RHDN.]] This fixes many, but not all of 0.16's issues, making it the recommended version to use.
  
-Tile Molester can be found and downloaded [[http://www.romhacking.net/utilities/109/|here.]]+If you would prefer, Tile Molester 0.16 can be [[http://www.romhacking.net/utilities/109/|downloaded from RHDN.]]
  
-By default, Tile Molester can open *.gfx files but does not correctly support Tile Layer Pro palette files. (*.tpl) [[https://www.mediafire.com/?3j8509c52y84cvh|If you replace tmspec.xml with this XML]] you will have a choice between CF00 *.tpl files (GBA Accurate) and CF01 *.tpl files(Super Nintendo Accurate)+This tutorial covers Tile Molester 0.16, and may not cover features that exist in the alternatemod branches of TM.
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +If you wish to improve upon Tile Molester 0.16, the source can be found [[https://www.romhacking.net/documents/431/|Here on RHDN.]]
-=====3. Tile Molester Not Working?=====+
  
-That would be Java's fault. If Tile Molester gives errors, Try running it as an Administrator. If that still doesn't work, Make a batch file containing ''java -jar tm.jar'' and save it as ''runtm.bat'' in the tile molester folder.+---- 
 +=====Known Issues with TM===== 
 +You should learn these limitations now, before discovering them the hard way. 
 +====Errors/Not Working==== 
 +That would be Java's fault. If Tile Molester gives errors, Try running it as an Administrator. If that still doesn't work, Make a batch file (.bat file) containing ''java -jar tm.jar'' and save it in the tile molester folder.
  
-If Tile Molester doesn't start at all, you might need to install or update Java first.+If Tile Molester doesn't start at all, you might need to install or update your JRE (java runtime environment) first.
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +====Palettes==== 
-=====4. Shortcuts=====+If you use a palette that has the same color in multiple slots, the graphics will get messed up. For best results, only use palettes with unique colors in every slot.
  
-Before we get into the nitty-gritty you should probably learn more about how to actually use this program. For general purposeshere's what you will need to know:+If you mess with palettes in TM, don't swap to other palettes. Probably due to the issue above, it messes things up catastrophically. For best resultsedit palettes in an external program and either reload the ROM to use them, or load them in as an external file.
  
- ________________________________________ +===Loading Palettes from a File=== 
- and - Keys | Shift pixels Left/Right| +Tile Molester does not support Tile Layer Pro palette files with CF00 color format. (*.tpl) It also doesn't support Windows palette files with CF00 or CF01 color format. (*.pal) [[general:guides:tile_molester_graphics_guide:tmspec.xml|If you replace tmspec.xml with this XML file]], you will have a choice between CF00 *.tpl files (GBA Accurate) and CF01 *.tpl files (Super Nintendo Accurate), as well as CF01 *.pal files. (GBA Accurate)
- ________________________________________ +
- Arrow keys   | Shift columns U/D/L/+
- ________________________________________ +
- CTRL + G     | Go To Offset           | +
- ________________________________________ +
- CTRL + M     | Mirror                 | +
- ________________________________________ +
- CTRL + I     | Flip                   | +
- ________________________________________ +
- CTRL + C     | Copy                   | +
- ________________________________________ +
- CTRL + X     | Cut                    | +
- ________________________________________ +
- CTRL + V     | Paste                  | +
- ________________________________________ +
- CTRL + A     | Select All             | +
- ________________________________________ +
- CTRL + Z     | Undo                   | +
- ________________________________________ +
- CTRL + Y     | Redo                   | +
- ________________________________________ +
- DEL          | Clear Selection        | +
- ________________________________________+
  
-And now that you know this let's look at some other features.+If you're loading a palette from __SNES__ TPL: Select ''Palette -> Import From -> Another File...,'' And make sure ''Files of Type'' is set to ''CF01 TLP File (*.tpl)''
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +If you're loading a palette from __GBA__ TPL: Select ''Palette -> Import From -> Another File...,'' And make sure ''Files of Type'' is set to ''CF00 TLP File (*.tpl)''
-=====5Bookmarks=====+
  
-In Tile MolesterBookmarks can be found in the ''Navigate'' tab and are used to quickly jump to a specific offset of Graphical Data. Bookmarks can be very handy when making changes to graphics, and are pretty easy to set. Once you are at a specific offset you want to bookmark, simply select ''Navigate -> Add to Bookmarks...'' and a new window should appear. This window allows you to type a ''description'' for your Bookmark, and assign it to a specific bookmarks folder or locationOnce you give it a ''description'' and assign the new bookmark to a favored location, select ''OK''. Doing this will add your bookmark to the ''Navigate'' tab, and can be accessed at any time once the ROM is loaded.+====Copy/Paste==== 
 +If you undo after pasting graphics, the tile the graphics were pasted over will become blank**This seems to have been fixed with TM Mod 0.19.**
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +====Zoom==== 
-=====6. Palettes=====+If you paste graphics before zooming out, the pasted graphics will be de-selected. **This may also have been fixed in TM Mod 0.19. If you Ctrl Z it should re-select the paste.**
  
-Compared to finding the Graphics Datafinding Palette Data can be a little trickier. Generally palette data is near the graphics dataUse the arrow keys to shift columns until garbage you think is palette data is at the top left corner. Generally if it's nearby graphics data it will be either before or after the graphics data.+====Byte Forward/Back==== 
 +You can Byte Back with the -/_ keybut you cannot Byte Forward with the =/+ keyThat being said, the keypad + and - keys work as expected.
  
-Convert that offset to decimal, select ''Palette -> Import From -> This File...'', and paste it into the offset box and set size to 9999. The format should be ''15bpp BGR (555)'', and the byte order should be ''Intel''. Click OK, and the palette should have changed. If it'not the correct palette data, rinse and repeat until you find the correct one.+====Grids==== 
 +The Block and Pixel grids are not functional.
  
-NOTE: If you're loading palette from SNES TPLSelect ''Palette -> Import From -> Another File...,'' And make sure ''Files of Type'' is set to ''CF01 TLP File (*.tpl)''+====Bookmarks==== 
 +You are unable to organize bookmarks within Tile Molester. However, you can use tool like [[https://microsoft.github.io/XmlNotepad/#install/|XmlNotepad]] as a workaroundIt makes rearranging your bookmarks as easy as dragging and dropping them around. Just remember to close tile molester before doing this.
  
-ALSO NOTE: If you're loading a palette from GBA TPL: Select ''Palette -> Import From -> Another File...,'' And make sure ''Files of Type'' is set to ''CF00 TLP File (*.tpl)''+---- 
 +=====Using Tile Molester=====
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +====Keyboard Shortcuts==== 
-=====7. Finding your Graphics=====+Before we get into graphics editing you should probably learn more about how to actually use this program. For ROMhacking, here is a comprehensive list of Tile Molester's various keyboard shortcuts:
  
-If you're using Tile Molester you probably already know what you're looking for. If you do, either open the extracted graphics using ''File -> Open...''If you can't see the file you want to open in TM, make sure ''Files of Type'' is set to ''all files (*.*)'' in the open menu. Otherwise, use ''CTRL + G'' to find it within ROMA window will open for you to enter an offsetIf you're using hexadecimal, replace ''0x'' with ''00''Otherwise, convert it to decimal, select the decimal option, paste it in and go.+^Key Combination                ^Description                                                                       ^ 
 +|F1                             Open help                                                                        | 
 +|Delete                         | Clear Selection                                                                  | 
 +|PgUp and PgDn keys             |{{:general:guides:tm_page_fwdback.png|}} Page Forward/Back                        | 
 +|Up and Down Arrow keys         |{{:general:guides:rowfwdback.png|}} Row Forward/Back                              | 
 +|Left and Right Arrow keys      |{{:general:guides:tilefwdback.png|}} Tile Forward/Back                            | 
 +|Keypad - and + keys            |{{:general:guides:tm_bytefwdback.png|}} Byte Forward/Back                         | 
 +|Shift + Arrow keys             |{{:general:guides:tm_width_height.png|}} Increase or Decrease Canvas Width/Height | 
 +|CTRL + A                       | Select All                                                                       | 
 +|CTRL + G                       |{{:general:guides:goto.png|}} Go To Offset                                        | 
 +|CTRL + M                       |{{:general:guides:mirror.png|}} Mirror                                            | 
 +|CTRL + I                       |{{:general:guides:flip.png|}} Flip                                                | 
 +|CTRL + C                       |{{:general:guides:copy.png|}} Copy                                                | 
 +|CTRL + X                       |{{:general:guides:cut.png|}} Cut                                                  | 
 +|CTRL + V                       |{{:general:guides:paste.png|}} Paste                                              | 
 +|CTRL + Z                       |{{:general:guides:undo.png|}} Undo                                                | 
 +|CTRL + Y                       |{{:general:guides:redo.png|}} Redo                                                | 
 +|CTRL + N                       |{{:general:guides:new.png|}} Create a new file                                    | 
 +|CTRL + O                       |{{:general:guides:open.png|}} Open a file                                         | 
 +|CTRL + S                       |{{:general:guides:save.png|}} Save a file                                         |
  
-I highly suggest setting the internal window to max size (the ROM window) and increasing gfx width to ''32''. Not only will this make finding the right graphics easier, but you'll be viewing the graphics in the same way nintendo drew/input them. Shift columns as needed until you get it just right with very little garbage. Shift pixels as needed.+And now that you know this let's look at some other features.
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +====Tools==== 
-=====8Codecs===== + 
-NOTE: THIS ONLY APPLIES TO YOU IF YOU ARE LOADING SOMETHING LIKE A .GFX AND SHIT'S ALL JUMBLED UP YO+^Tool                                                         ^Description                                                                                  ^ 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_selection.png}} Selection               |Rectangle select in 8x8 tile increments. LMB + drag to select. RMB to deselect.              | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_zoom.png}} Zoom                         |LMB to zoom in, RMB to zoom out.                                                             | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_dropper.png}} Dropper                   |LMB in canvas to select primary color. RMB for secondary color.                              | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_brush.png}} Brush                       |LMB to draw using primary color. RMB to draw with secondary color.                           | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_line.png}} Line                         |LMB + drag to draw lines using primary color. RMB to use secondary color.                    | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_flood_fill.png}} Flood Fill             |LMB to fill similar colors with primary color. RMB for secondary color.                      | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_color_replacer.png}} Color Replacer     |LMB in canvas to replace all pixels of the same color with primary color. RMB for secondary. | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_mover.png}} Mover                       |LMB/RMB + drag or Arrows to move current selection. RMB opens context menu upon release.     | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_flip_h.png}} Mirror                     |Horizontally flips canvas, or current selection.                                             | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_flip_v.png}} Flip                       |Vertically flips canvas, or current selection.                                               | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_rotate_r.png}} Rotate Right             |Rotates canvas or current selection clockwise, or 90 degrees.                                | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_rotate_l.png}} Rotate Left              |Rotates canvas or current selection counter-clockwise, or -90 degrees.                       | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_shift_l.png}} Shift Left                |Shifts canvas or current selection left one pixel. Loops back around.                        | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_shift_r.png}} Shift Right               |Shifts canvas or current selection right one pixel. Loops back around.                       | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_shift_u.png}} Shift Up                  |Shifts canvas or current selection up one pixel. Loops back around.                          | 
 +|{{:general:guides:tm_shift_d.png}} Shift Down                |Shifts canvas or current selection down one pixel. Loops back around.                        | 
 + 
 +====Bookmarks==== 
 +In Tile Molester, Bookmarks can be found in the ''Navigate'' tab and are used to quickly jump to a specific offset of Graphical DataBookmarks can be very handy when making changes to graphics, and are pretty easy to set. Once you are at a specific offset you want to bookmark, simply select the ''Bookmark Icon'' {{:general:guides:bookmark.png|}} or ''Navigate -> Add to Bookmarks...'' and a new window should appear. This window allows you to type a ''description'' for your Bookmark, and assign it to a specific bookmarks folder or location. Once you give it a ''description'' and assign the new bookmark to a favored location, select ''OK''. Doing this will add your bookmark to the ''Navigate'' tab, and can be accessed at any time once the ROM is loaded. 
 + 
 +====Codecs==== 
 +NOTE: This only applies to you if you are loading raw file types such as .gfx, and loading it creates a jumbled pixelly mess.
  
 Codecs can be changed by using ''View->Codec''. Codecs can be changed by using ''View->Codec''.
Line 94: Line 122:
  
 However, if you are editing a .GFX file for a Super Nintendo, your codec should be set to ''4bpp planar, composite (2 x 2bpp)'' However, if you are editing a .GFX file for a Super Nintendo, your codec should be set to ''4bpp planar, composite (2 x 2bpp)''
-________________________________________________________________________ 
-=====9. Ripping===== 
  
-So now, you have the correct graphics, and the correct palette. All you need to do is assemble the parts and extract them from the ROM. Use your mouse to select everything you want to extract and press ''CTRL + C'' Or select ''Edit -> Copy''Drag the scrollbar down to the bottom of the ROM, and paste it. You've just pasted your graphics into what spriters call the ''Playground.'' This area should be completely empty. Use your mouse to select and drag tiles together into usable graphics for other stuff+====Finding Palettes==== 
 +Note: This isn't a foolproof methodPalettes can often be in arbitrary locations in the ROM.
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +Compared to finding the Graphics Data, finding Palette Data can be a little trickier. Generally palette data is near the graphics data. Use the arrow keys to shift columns until garbage you think is palette data is at the top left corner. Generally if it's nearby graphics data it will be either before or after the graphics data.
-=====10Extracting=====+
  
-When you're satisfied with your ripmove it all to the top-left corner, and reduce width and height until it is just your  +Convert that offset to decimal, select ''Palette -> Import From -> This File...'', and paste it into the offset box and set size to 9999. The format should be ''15bpp BGR (555)'', and the byte order should be ''Intel''. Click OK, and the palette should have changedIf it'not the correct palette data, rinse and repeat until you find the correct one.
-graphicsNow it'ready to extract. Feel free to change the type of palette format by selecting ''Palette -> Format -> yourchoicehere''.+
  
-Once you have that out of the way it's time you copied it out of the ROMSelect ''Edit -> Copy To...'', name your fileset its destinationand save the image. Well doneyou have ripped your first set of graphics!+====Finding Graphics==== 
 +If you're using Tile Molester you probably already know what you're looking for. If you do, ''Open'' {{:general:guides:open.png|}} the extracted graphics. If you can't see the file you want to open in TM, make sure ''Files of Type'' is set to ''all files (*.*)'' in the open menuOtherwise, ''Goto...'' {{:general:guides:goto.png|}} to find it within ROM. A window will open for you to enter an offset. If you're using hexadecimalreplace ''0x'' with ''00''. Otherwiseconvert it to decimalselect the decimal optionpaste it in and go.
  
 +I highly suggest setting the internal window to max size (the ROM window) and increasing gfx width to ''32''. Not only will this make finding the right graphics easier, but you'll be viewing the graphics in the same way nintendo drew/input them. Shift columns as needed until you get it just right with very little garbage. Shift pixels as needed.
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +====Editing==== 
-=====11. Editing====+Editing Graphics is a pretty straightforward operation, once you match the palette data to what you're currently editing. 
- +
-Editing Graphics is a pretty straightforward operation, once you match the palette data to what you're currently editing. In Tile Molester, there are five graphics editing tools: the ''dropper'' tool, the ''brush'' tool, the ''line'' tool, the ''flood fill'' tool, and the ''color replacer'' tool. Note that since you will be operating with that is in the current palette, there is no color picker.+
  
 The first color of your palette will always be the background, or ''transparent'', colour. If you want to "erase" something, you swap to that color and brush it in. Every other color in the palette is fair game. You can select these colours by either clicking them in the palette viewer or using the ''dropper'' tool. Once you have your color selected you can do one of three things to edit graphics: You can edit individual pixels with the ''brush'' tool, fill in closed areas with a particular color using the ''flood fill'' tool, or replace one color with another entirely using the ''color replacer'' tool. From there, editing the graphics is as easy as using MS paint to draw. It is still important to remember, however, to edit things in their respective tiles. The first color of your palette will always be the background, or ''transparent'', colour. If you want to "erase" something, you swap to that color and brush it in. Every other color in the palette is fair game. You can select these colours by either clicking them in the palette viewer or using the ''dropper'' tool. Once you have your color selected you can do one of three things to edit graphics: You can edit individual pixels with the ''brush'' tool, fill in closed areas with a particular color using the ''flood fill'' tool, or replace one color with another entirely using the ''color replacer'' tool. From there, editing the graphics is as easy as using MS paint to draw. It is still important to remember, however, to edit things in their respective tiles.
  
-________________________________________________________________________ +====Ripping==== 
-=====12. Saving Graphics to ROM=====+So now, you have the correct graphics, and the correct palette. All you need to do is assemble the parts and extract them from the ROM. Use your mouse to select what you want to extract, and ''Copy'' {{:general:guides:copy.png|}} that selection. Drag the scrollbar down to the bottom of the ROM, and ''Paste'' {{:general:guides:paste.png|}} it. You've just pasted your graphics into what spriters call the ''Playground.'' This area should be completely empty. Use your mouse to select and drag tiles together into usable graphics for other stuff.  
 + 
 +When you're satisfied with your rip, move it all to the top-left corner, and reduce width and height until it is just your  
 +graphics. Now it's ready to extract. Feel free to change the type of palette format by selecting ''Palette -> Format -> yourchoicehere''
 + 
 +Once you have that out of the way it's time you copied it out of the ROM. Select ''Edit -> Copy To...'', name your file, set its destination, and save the image. Well done, you have ripped your first set of graphics!
  
-So you've just finished editing the graphics in your ROM, and want to save them. How can this be done in Tile Molester, you ask? To start, ''close any programs other than Tile Molester'' that may be using it. Otherwise, the graphics will fail to save to memory because it is currently being run. Now you should be able to save graphics correctly. There are four different ways you can save your graphics edits: selecting the ''Blue Floppy Disk'' or ''File->Save'', ''File->Save As...'', and ''File->Save All''. Obviously, ''Save'' simply saves what you have done in Tile Molester to ROM. ''Save As...'' allows you to save a copy to a different directory, name,  or filetype. Finally, ''Save All'' will save all graphical changes from every open Tile Molester window to their respective ROMs. Pick what's right for you, and save your ROM. Now, when it is opened, the graphics should have changed to your new ones!+====Saving to ROM==== 
 +So you've just finished editing the graphics in your ROM, and want to save them. How can this be done in Tile Molester, you ask? To start, ''Close any other Programs that may be Using your ROM''. Otherwise, the graphics will fail to save to memory because it is currently being run. Now you should be able to save graphics correctly. There are a few different ways you can ''Save''{{:general:guides:save.png|}}: Obviously, ''Save'' simply saves what you have done in Tile Molester to ROM. ''Save As...'' allows you to save a copy to a different directory, name,  or filetype. Finally, ''Save All'' will save all graphical changes from every open Tile Molester window to their respective ROMs. Pick what's right for you, and save your ROM. Now, when it is opened, the graphics should have changed to your new ones!
general/guides/tile_molester_graphics_guide.1494481092.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017/05/11 05:38 by felixwright