The Creoctuid

How to create your own blocksets


What you need to be able to make blocks
A few guidelines
How to import or remove a blockset
Troubleshooting
Publishing


What you need to be able to make blocks

First of all, you need a drawing application, usually something like paint is already present, which will do fine. Secondly, to convert these pictures into a sprite file, you will need Spritebuilder.

A few guidelines

Figure 1a
Fig. 1a 8x8 pixel representation
 Figure 1b
Fig. 1b 8x8 pixel representation
 Figure 1c
Fig. 1c 7x7 pixel representation
Figure 2
Fig. 2 A preview icon and the actual block
To be able to be stacked, your block needs 2 pixels on the right bottom - and left side (fig. 1a). Or 2 pixels in the middle (fig. 1b), if the block is an odd number pixels in width, it has to be three pixels (fig. 1c).

To be able to stack other blocks on your block, it will need 2 pixels at the top, anywhere (fig. 1b).

To preview the shape of your block, you will need a preview icon. This has to be a 45 by 45 pixel picture, with a smaller version of your block in the middle. In the sprite file, the icon has to be placed in front of the actual block(fig. 2).

To be able to be coloured, your block has to be a gray tint, the background has to be black.


How to import or remove a blockset

To import a blockset, copy your sprite file to the ..\Docking Station\Images folder, and press the green button the Creoctuid. Enter the name of the sprite file, without extension (if the sprite file is called vbl-stan.c16, enter vbl-stan). Then you are prompt with a box asking how many blocks are in that sprite file. If you have 2 pictures in that sprite file (one preview, and one actual block), you have to enter 1.

To remove a blockset from the Creoctuid, press the red button, and enter the sprite file's name as above.

Troubleshooting

If the Creoctruid dissappears (autokills), it means you have mistyped either the sprite file name, or the number of blocks. Reinject the Creoctuid, and remove the mistyped blockset, and import the blockset again.

If you get an error message, press continue, reinject the Creoctuid, and fix the sprite file (it means the number of pictures in the sprite file is odd). However, this should only occur while developing, otherwise, contact the author of the blockset.

Publishing

You're free to distribute your blocksets, as long as you include a text file with the sprite file name, as entered into the Creoctuid, the amount of blocks, and a link to the Creoctuid itself.