The Beginning: Tiles and/or Objects?

[BNW]

I start off always making tiles. I have heard that some people start some maps with objects though. How do you start?

[Templex]

Uhh. At the same time?

[Spawn of Yanni]

Definitely tiles. Always wondered what'd happen if I started with objects.

[blue_tetris]

Who doesn't start with tiles?

To be fair, I do tiles and objects together while I'm developing a map. I etch out a little section of gameplay, then do the next, and then the next.

[fingersonthefrets]

Uhh. At the same time?

yeah, i do em together as well, but i guess i normally start with a little section of tiles and i few mines or something

[blackson]

Add a sections option to the poll.

[OneSevenNine]

I think putting objects before tiles seems a little like doing a crossword puzzle without seeing any of the black squares. Well, I couldn't, at least...

Anyway, I usually do all of the map at one time, starting with a rough tile layout, adding the general object layout, refining both as it goes along... a bit like shining a rough stone. This unless I decide to make a puzzle or a race which would definitely get made in sections.

[Riobe]

Depends on what I'm doing. If I'm making a race or puzzle, I do both at the same time, but If I'm doing an action map, I always do the tiles first.

[notsteve]

objects first is way more fun :)

[Pikman]

Tiles, although objects first makes for an interesting tile challenge.

[BNW]

I changed it so that there would be a "both" option. It erased the other votes though. Vote again if you want.

[Turtle]

I like doing both, switching off as I progress.

[Pikman]

I experimented with objects first. That approach seems to require a much more sparse tileset. Perhaps tiles first is the preferred way to go because it looks better, and you can use more tiles.

[Condog]

I either start of with most of the tileset and then add objects in stages while refining the tileset, or complete both the tileset and the objects stage by stage as I progress.

[Riobe]

Tiles, although objects first makes for an interesting tile challenge.

*coughtac2cough* =)

[KinGAleX]

I begin with tiles and only put objects in before the tiles are finished if I want to remind myself of specific object ideas for later on. So, both.

[BNW]

Tiles, although objects first makes for an interesting tile challenge.

*coughtac2cough* =)

I see subliminal messaging. You will see soon enough what happened to the TAC2. Just another week or two.

[SkyPanda]

Tiles, always tiles. Although I might try this objects-first method, it sounds most interesting.

[George]

If I have an idea, I'll start off by placing a few objects and tiles to mark specific areas and then build on it. However, if my head's completely blank, I'll create a structure first out of tiles, and maybe a couple of objects.

[a happy song]

Tiles first, mostly.

[Geti]

tiles first. but refining sections. occasionally ill finish the tiles, then put objects, then refine, but usually sections.
always tiles first though.

[epigone]

I almost always design my tilesets before I place objects. Of course, if after I put the objects in the tiles need to be revised, that's fine. It's a very fluid process. But in general, I try to make the objects conform to the tiles.

[Zora_S_Kenneth]

Both at the same time.

[otters]

I do what Dave does.

[blackson]

Both of course.