Post #1 · Posted at 2010-12-12 02:24:26pm 13.4 years ago
 skye712 | |
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The only graphics I've ever created were inidividual song banners when it comes to StepMania. Hypothetically speaking, if I wanted to start building my own theme, for which version of StepMania should I start creating graphics? I currently use StepMania 3.9a simply because it was the first one I found. It has also come to my attention that there have since been numerous other versions of StepMania floating around including StepMania 4.0 and StepMania SSC. Which of all of the current available versions do you find to work best? What are the the main benefits and drawbacks of each? Which shows potential of becoming the next stable release?
Post #2 · Posted at 2010-12-12 06:06:21pm 13.4 years ago
| AeronPeryton | |
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3.9 final & 3.9a is the most official, most wide-spread version of StepMania.
3.95, ITGAC & OpenITG is best if you want your theme used in an arcade or for tournaments.
4.0, SMSSC & that other MAX one offers the most flexibility when making a theme, giving you more options and more control.
... but whatever you don't explicitly code for will require a port and depending on which one porting can be more effort than making a new theme from scratch.
Good luck!
3.95, ITGAC & OpenITG is best if you want your theme used in an arcade or for tournaments.
4.0, SMSSC & that other MAX one offers the most flexibility when making a theme, giving you more options and more control.
... but whatever you don't explicitly code for will require a port and depending on which one porting can be more effort than making a new theme from scratch.
Good luck!
Post #3 · Posted at 2010-12-12 08:22:02pm 13.4 years ago
| KcLKcL | |
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I recommend using sm-ssc as it's currently the most powerful version for theming. The features of sm-ssc is eventually ported to the main branch of StepMania 5 (The official one, alpha) so when SM5 is ready, you can use it in the SM5 or maybe port it.
Post #4 · Posted at 2010-12-13 02:40:16am 13.4 years ago
| skye712 | |
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So what you're saying is that depending on for which version of StepMania I choose to create a theme, there may or may not be more complications when applying the theme to different versions. Is that correct? Additionally, StepMania SSC is considered the most versatile of the bunch? What exactly is meant by "porting?" How exactly is it done between different versions of StepMania? Is it best to model my theme around the default (in terms of scripting)? I have pictures in my head of what I want my theme to look like, though I'm completely clueless when it comes to editing metrics and background animations. I want to take elements from popular existing themes here and there. Is there a FAQ page somewhere that lists what each script does when activated?
Post #5 · Posted at 2010-12-13 12:54:29pm 13.4 years ago
| AeronPeryton | |
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Yeah, pick a branch of the StepMania code (Because there are too many running around right now) and theme for it. The theme *might* work with other builds, but stuff will break. Or the theme will just up and crash the StepManias it was not coded for.
SM-SSC will give you more cool stuff to do with your theme. The catch is that it won't work for any other version of StepMania and fewer people using SSC than other versions (right now).
Porting means changing the code of an existing theme so that it will work for a different StepMania. Sometimes this is easy, sometimes this is hard, and sometimes it's just not worth it. Porting is done completely by hand and by trial and error. You just have to play the theme until you're sure it won't crash or bug anymore. Some themes would have to be altered to work with another StepMania because the one the theme is being ported to simply will not do some things that the original StepMania could do (special effects, specific screens, mods, etc.)
There are FAQs everywhere. Go to bemanistyle.com, stepmania.com, the SM-SSC website if you want to code for that one, or just ask people that are making themes for tips. I don't make themes so anything I told you would be in theory or from my digging around in existing themes. But there are lots of people who will be glad to help you.
Sadly though, there is no definitive guide to coding for any version of StepMania. There's a lot of undocumented stuff so even if you don't see information for a certain effect, it might still be possible to do if you use logical deduction and play around with commands for a while.
SM-SSC will give you more cool stuff to do with your theme. The catch is that it won't work for any other version of StepMania and fewer people using SSC than other versions (right now).
Porting means changing the code of an existing theme so that it will work for a different StepMania. Sometimes this is easy, sometimes this is hard, and sometimes it's just not worth it. Porting is done completely by hand and by trial and error. You just have to play the theme until you're sure it won't crash or bug anymore. Some themes would have to be altered to work with another StepMania because the one the theme is being ported to simply will not do some things that the original StepMania could do (special effects, specific screens, mods, etc.)
There are FAQs everywhere. Go to bemanistyle.com, stepmania.com, the SM-SSC website if you want to code for that one, or just ask people that are making themes for tips. I don't make themes so anything I told you would be in theory or from my digging around in existing themes. But there are lots of people who will be glad to help you.
Sadly though, there is no definitive guide to coding for any version of StepMania. There's a lot of undocumented stuff so even if you don't see information for a certain effect, it might still be possible to do if you use logical deduction and play around with commands for a while.