Navigation Menu

Skip to content

Level editor

Jump to bottom
Piotr Miller edited this page Oct 17, 2017 · 22 revisions

File system

The level editor allows to redefine each of the 40 levels. You can replace them all or just modify selected levels. Your sets may be exported / imported as .zip files.

All the user-defined data are stored in the /Home/user/.EistReturns hidden folder. Enter levels to see the content:

User folder

If you have not yet defined own levels, you'll only see the editor-data folder here. It'll contain sample data copied from the built-in Level 3. While using the Level editor you don't necessarily need to deal with the .EistReturns folder, however you may want to delete it to bring the game to out-of-the-box state. You should also know the files naming rules in case you want to replace some graphics with your own pictures. Each level must contain pictures as below:

File names

  • amulet.png - artifact animation, 8 frames side-by-side;
  • board.png - the game board bitmap;
  • door_h.png - door bitmap, horizontal;
  • door_v.png - door bitmap, vertical;
  • exit_closed.png - exit bitmap, closed;
  • exit_open.png - exit bitmap, open;
  • key.png - key bitmap;
  • ladder_h.png - ladder bitmap, horizontal;
  • ladder_v.png - ladder bitmap, vertical;
  • ornament.png - ornament animation, 8 frames side-by-side.

Please find example source images here. Draw your own stuff and export to .png format.

You don't have to care about the .dat files. They're all maintained by the editor.

User levels

The Eist returns game has always 40 levels(*). As you open the game, it searches the user folder first. User-defined levels, if found, will override built-in levels. You don't have to define all the 40 levels. If the certain user level was not found, the game opens the default one of the same number.

(*) While building your own version you can change the value in the code. However, if you want the number > 40, remember to add additional levels to /resources/levels.

Editing levels

What you see in the editor, represent the content of the /home/user/.EistReturns/level/editor-data folder.

Level editor

Use game objects icons to displace them on the board. Watch the hint below for object-specific tips.

Use the menu (bottom-right) button to enter testing mode.

Use the upper toolbar to perform file operations or open the Tools window.

  • Import built-in level - copies a selected default level to the Level editor;
  • Save editor state - save the changes you made to the board; this will also be done before testing the level;
  • Open user level - opens a previously saved, user-defined level;
  • Save as user level - saves current editor content as a selected user level;
  • Tools - displays the...

Tools window

Tools window

  • Exit editor - closes the Level editor;
  • Delete user level - deletes a selected user-defined level;
  • Clear user levels - deletes all user-defined levels;
  • Import user levels - imports a set from an external .zip file;
  • Export user levels - exports all user-defined levels to an external .zip file;
  • Name your levels - adds a custom name to your set;
  • Upload a bitmap - imports a .png file to the editor; you must obey the naming rules, or the file will stay invisible to the editor;
  • Close - closes the Tools window.

Note: importing levels and clearing levels, as well here, as in the game, will clear current scores.

Clone this wiki locally