understanding panels vs layers?

[Hyunchris]

Can someone explain to me the difference in function between bglayer/fglayer and panels? I just want to make sure I am doing this right?
I am trying to understand, but it seems bglayer/fglayer stack on top of one another…panels are side by side? The engine will assign each panel a letter, and you order which panel comes first (left to right) by these letters…I am assuming it assigns them a letter which coincides with the order you list it in the txt file? A first, then B, etc
Also, I tried to get my bglayers to work, but I just could not get it done no matter how hard I tried, I guess I could not properly calculate the x position, z position, etc. I just couldn’t get it done, so I gave up and just put everything into one image and made it into a panel…it works right now, but would rather use more layers to enable me to use more colors, since that one panel is 256 colors only.. Does Openborstats make this easier? I tried to use it but couldnt really figure it out and the tutorial videos are unavailable...but if it makes it easier to set layers maybe Ill try to figure it out again?

 

[DCurrent]

Hyunchris,

You more or less have the right idea about panels. You can define 26 panels, and starting from first definition they are ABC...XYZ. Then you define the order they are used however you like. "ABBA" would make a level that uses Panel A, then Panel B back to back, then panel A again. Panels also more less control the stage layout - OpenBOR uses the total panel area to determine the width of playable area.

Layers are just layers. They have no effect on the level other than window dressing. When it comes to bglayers, the first thing to do is stop using them. They are outdated. Use their replacement, fglayers. They do the same thing except you can put them anywhere in the Z order you like (bglayers are first come, first serve, and they're always behind panels).

Now as far as calculating them, I'm honestly not sure what to tell you. It's just math, there's no magic to it. Best advise I could give is open up a module that uses them (He-Man and Avengers both do IIRC). Compare the settings to images and that should give you a working base to build from.

HTH,
DC

 

[Hyunchris]

Thanks Damon,

Yes, I already have both the He-Man and the Avengers mods and were studying them already. I will look into their use of the fglayers and see if I can figure it out. thanks again

 

[Bruce]

Hyunchris,

You more or less have the right idea about panels. You can define 26 panels, and starting from first definition they are ABC...XYZ. Then you define the order they are used however you like. "ABBA" would make a level that uses Panel A, then Panel B back to back, then panel A again. Panels also more less control the stage layout - OpenBOR uses the total panel area to determine the width of playable area.

Layers are just layers. They have no effect on the level other than window dressing. When it comes to bglayers, the first thing to do is stop using them. They are outdated. Use their replacement, fglayers. They do the same thing except you can put them anywhere in the Z order you like (bglayers are first come, first serve, and they're always behind panels).

Now as far as calculating them, I'm honestly not sure what to tell you. It's just math, there's no magic to it. Best advise I could give is open up a module that uses them (He-Man and Avengers both do IIRC). Compare the settings to images and that should give you a working base to build from.

HTH,
DC

I am using the openbor template and in this template I can walk/run all the way from the beginning of the stage until the end of the stage.
In FF LNS, levels divide into sections: move to the next section after all enemies are killed.
How do I set it up like FF LNS? Does it have to do with "wait"?
I've been reading the manual and taking a look at their level files, but I can't figure out how to accomplish it.
Can you please advise?
Thank you so much

Edit:

Nevermind, found it. it is the
wait
at