N-Map Help

[Why Me]

I need some help in creating tasteful tilesets. I can't make a good-looking tileset. If anyone can help me learn how to make fun tilesets for action maps, then please, I need the help.

[Nexx]

I'm in the same boat. Tileset creation is definitely one of my weakest areas.

One method I've played with a bit is "random" tilesets (best for action, maybe jumper/mine jumper as well). You pick a tile type (or a few, I suppose) and just place that tile by dragging the mouse around the screen randomly. Since that always results in closed sections and too many tiles, do the same while holding D. Then see if the random tiles give you any ideas for play. You can develop from there as you like, using whatever tiles you want. If nothing sparks your interest, retry until it does.

Nonetheless, I still run into problems with this method. I'm always so concerned about whether or not the tiles will play well that I turn them into largely smooth surfaces, when I should probably just try not to worry about it and see how it plays later. But this thinking shows exactly what I'm saying: I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to tileset creation. Nonetheless, that method has resulted in several decent maps for me.

Another method that I'm just beginning to toy with involves picking a simple tile theme and repeating it with slight variations (which needn't be real changes - they could be those tiles rotated, for example). I've only tried using this method once, but (IMO) the result turned out quite well, and I'm definitely going to try playing around with it in the future, though I'm afraid it might be a bit limited.

One final method I use now and then is to just try to emulate a theme that someone else used. I could give examples but I don't think it's really necessary. The point here is to take the theme and make your own map from it.

So those are the methods I use to overcome my lack of tileset creation skillz. I would love to hear the methods of others.

[Rikaninja]

This is what I've been told by Blackson; (Not good for very fine detail n-art tilesets)

Just start E-Tiles and make the base of what the tileset first. Later you can add in the other tiles. Keep in large spaces for breathing room. It seemed to work out pretty well. With this advice I made a alright tileset for beethoveN. A few people who could help:

Losttortuga
Blackson
Yungerkid
Riobe
atob

A few of them don't make tilesest but their tileset are still good in their maps.
I'm personally no good at it and I wish to improve aswell. Important subject for me to cling onto.

[George]

You may want to do a little digging around this forum for more information. There have been a couple of similar threads previously addressing the same topic.

[Evil_Sire]

As it stands, tilesets are one of the most difficult parts of creating a map. It's all about your creativity, patience, and how usable it is.

But, one of the only ways to get better is to look at other tilesets, view them in editor and see some of the tricks, then mould your own style from it, be careful not to rip it off completely though.

Also, it's not all about aesthetics, remember that.

PS: I like your tiles.

[NicNac14]

ME! ME! ME! looky looky look! .LOOK..... use and abuse.. order and use... whatever i make them..

[a happy song]

This is cut from another thread, sorry to be so lazy. It offers suggestion on how to produce atmospheric themes with your tilesets.

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With the above map, I wanted to create a forest scene with a 'once upon a time...' feel. I think I got it pretty spot on if you go by Baraba's comment.

The best way I've found to achieve this effect is to first imagine a theme. Spend a while on the tiles alone first, shape something that captures what you're imaging as best as you can. Once you start to place the objects you can mess with the tiles to make room for the gameplay.

Really, the most important part of this is to find inspiration from outside of n. A favourite picture, computer game character, or even something more abstract such as a song or lyric.

It's not really something that can be taught, or achieved as a constant effectively, but rather something you'll stumble upon in the heat of inspiration. The more you aim for it, though, the better.