What makes a good doubles chart? (New simfile maker!)

So, the thread name speaks for itself. I'm in the middle of making my first (proper) simfile, and I am almost done with the singles charts. (Though they probably aren't perfect!)

Any tips appreciated!


Edit: Can someone move this thread to its correct place? I put this under Simfile Requests instead of Discussion...

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I tend to favor a lot of streams with edits I make for doubles to take advantage of the space.
I personally dislike charts that have the player face the screen throughout the entire song. An example of this is Holic D-Expert.

Don't be afraid to use the Left Right Left Right pattern across the two pads as it encourages players to crab walk.
The DDRX D-Standard charts incorporate the pattern at least once to get the player familiar with the techniques.

You have two figure 8 patterns you can work with.
The first pattern has the player walking towards the 8
The second pattern has the player walking away from the 8, if it makes sense.

Hope any of this helps.

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A few general principles I hold:
1) On double charts, there's generally less emphasis on rhythm correctness and more emphasis on movement. I generally simplify rhythms if I want to make complicated patterns.
2) Avoid putting the player on one pad for more than 2 measures (unless there's a long drill or a break).
3) Try not to overuse stretches. Sprinkle them around the chart or put them in one section if you do plan to use them, but don't make 3-panel gaps on every single measure. You generally don't want something that trips and wrecks a player's balance all around
4) If the chart is jumpy, try to place jumps in comfortable positions. Leaping from one arrow to another two arrows is much more difficult and jarring to do on doubles, and at high speeds, they could even hurt.
5) If you're making a chart that has anything harder than just 8th streams at 200 or so BPM, decide beforehand where you'll have a hard part and adjust other parts accordingly. Otherwise, you'll often find yourself making something much harder than you initially intended.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY...
If you're new to writing, stick to basic transitions and other stuff you're comfortable with. It's important to get a feel for how to balance arrows around before you try more technical stuff. Look at stuff you find fun but simple on the editor and analyze how they pattern things out. You want to look at how they make both the hard parts and the easy parts, and what they do to transition from one section to the next.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...
Don't get discouraged when you find it difficult and time-consuming to write a double chart and then it doesn't turn out to be very good. I, too, messed up a LOT (and still do sometimes). It definitely gets easier the more time you put into studying patternwork, balance, etc. and practicing writing something.

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The only advice that I have is pay attention to flow. The DDR community tends to take a "meh" approach to ambiguous step patterns compared to ITG style charts, but when charting doubles, you need to make it obvious which foot to use next. If you don't, it's an awkward mess.

Otherwise, experiment with patterns and see what you like. NewbStepper's advice is good. You can branch out from that once you're seasoned, but try to keep the guidelines in mind initially.

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Thanks for the tips guys.

Another thing that I've learned is that actually making a chart requires time and dedication, since I've been busy with other things and
been putting it off for a while now... (Completed some difficulties, but not others)

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No doubt, it really does. I'll give you a quote I live by: Writing a chart is a lot like writing a paper. The hardest part is to actually get started on writing, and when finished, you certainly want to proofread, adjust and revise parts, not only for errors, but also the structure as a whole to make it conducive and sensible. Paying attention to flow is more than just making sure the chart can be stepped alternately - it's also about thinking through whether the movements work with the dynamic of the song as a whole. Getting it right comes with experience and your strengths with certain genres of music.

It helps to envision the stepchart you want to make before you sit down and get to work. Feeling a chart is as important as thinking it through. That is why I listen to the song I'm going to step at least a few times before I even start, even if I know it well enough already. It's better to step when you feel like you're in the game than to feel the obligation to step something because a deadline you set is coming up, especially if you aren't experienced enough.

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If it makes you feel better, I'm restepping my edit for "Baby Baby Gimme Your Love," on Doubles and it's taken me two years so far and it's still not done.

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