Linux - SoftwareThis forum is for Software issues.
Having a problem installing a new program? Want to know which application is best for the job? Post your question in this forum.
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
I have been using Linux for about a year now, I have dual booted with Windows XP the entire time because I felt there were tools I needed that I only had on Windows. However, now I am thinking about taking the dive into Linux alone.
However, there is one last thing I'd really need of Linux. I am working witha friend to make a 2D tile-based engine in C++ and SDL. It is basically just a learning experiance to get started with graphics programming. We wanted to use Visual Basic to easily(or rather, quickly) make a simple map editor.
Now, the more I use Linux to more I'd like to stick with it and try to develop this project on it. However, the only thing I need is some sort of way to develop the interface for the map editor in Linux. I know VB is a Windows-only thing, however I would think there shoudl be some type of tool that is along the same lines as VB. I know we could just develop it in C++, but that would lead to to map editor taking almost as long as the engine itself to develop. So, we would prefer to be able to use a simpler tool, if it is possible.
Any suggests would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
edit: Ehhh, I just realized that I posted this in the Software forum, when I probably should have been put into the Programming forum. I had two broswer windows opened and used the wrong one. Sorry about that.
Well we haven't actuall planned anything out with the map editor yet. However, I've done some thinking and to begin with it was pretty much going to be a point and click type thing with a save, load, and new option.
Essentially, it will load the tile set from a file. Then you click the tile and then click where to place that tile on the blank map. Then save it when your done. Nothing too incredibly difficult. I'll probably add a few other things such as teleporters and stuff, but we want ot keep the editor fairly simple.
I will check out that vb4linux thing. I've actually never programmed in Java at all before, but I suppose that is a possible way to go if it isn't to difficult ot do what we are looking to do. Thanks for the reply.
I see, something like RPG-Maker editor? Wow, that's going to be really cool . Pygame is a wrapper for SDL. It makes life really easier. Maybe you could code the game in C++ and SDL and make a simple, fast editor with Pygame (or maybe the hole game, pygame is really sweet). You program pygame using Python language, which is quite simple and very powerful . Take a look at pygame, download some examples (Gamelets) and see if it could be what you seek!
Hehe, I forgot about RPG-Maker, but yes, the map editor will probably be like that, just simpler. pygame is a good idea. I remember reading about that a while back, and I learned a little Python when I first got into programming.
Does Python compile code into executable files or does it just interpret the code as it goes? I think I remember it not created executable files, but rather you compile the code and it runs right then and there. Since I am fairly certain you do not create exectuable files with Python code, to distribute the map editor, I would just supply the source code, and whoever was to use it would then put it through the python compiler on there machine, correct?
I will read up on Python again tommarrow and take a look at pygame as well. Also, I was doing some research of my own and I came across QT Developer. Would this be something like what I am looking for as well? It looks like it has an interface similar to VB, however I have not tried using it yet, so I am not sure if it is actually as simple as VB is to use or not.
Thanks for the replies so far. I am still open to more ideas if anyone has any. I'll look them all up tommarrow after school and figure out which to go with.
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.