On sprite overlapping for objects

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GuilhermeJK
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On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by GuilhermeJK »

Hello there, I'm fiddling around an idea of creating a "fake docktypes" grf in nml, using objects that overlay the standard dock sprites. After initial attempts, I'm confused on which order does OpenTTD draw the sprites. I tried these two combinations:
Two overlap cases
Two overlap cases
doubt_overlay_1.png (65.1 KiB) Viewed 675 times
The two sprites are basically one water tile that servers as the actual placement (marked on the picture by the mouse cursor) with the two green tiles that mark the overlap intent. So on the left picture, the water tile is SW of the dock water tile and on the right one, the water tile in NE of the dock water tile.

My question: look at the trees in front of the base of the docks (ignore the fact the overlay doesn't follow the shore slope). How would be possible to make this sprite in order to "stay behind the tree"? I also put another building in place of the trees and the building also stays behind the green tile (instead of in front of it).
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Re: On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by michael blunck »

"Sprite overlapping" is just an ugly hack and shouldn't be used at all.

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GuilhermeJK
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Re: On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by GuilhermeJK »

I fiddled around more and there was no way of making what I wanted to look nice. So I'm abandoning this idea. The proper way of doing this would be (I think) implementing DockTypes and custom ship depots which I know would require a lot of working fiddling around the game source.

So I'm moving to more simple ideas first, I'm still too much of a rookie :)
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kamnet
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Re: On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by kamnet »

IIRC, the order is from left to right, from the top-down.

If you want to overlap the dock, then your sprite should be to the left of the dock and then offset to the right.
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Re: On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by GarryG »

GuilhermeJK wrote: 22 Apr 2020 22:56 So I'm abandoning this idea.
Don't give up that easy .. have a break and try again.

What I have found with overlaps mostly depends where you place the main tile and how you make the overlap piece. Found them a bit hard to to place them right when slopes are involved.
template_overlap.png
template_overlap.png (6.99 KiB) Viewed 3010 times
This is basically what I use these days. The yellow tile is where the main building goes. The overlap I found works better in either of the green or the red tile section.

If Overlap goes in the pink you can expect glitches.

Anything drawn in the green and red, the game thinks it part of the object in the yellow.

One other thing to look for is this in the code:

Code: Select all

        
        zextent: 16;
    }
The zextent is the height of your object in pixels.

Hope these help.
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Re: On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by GuilhermeJK »

Hmm, interesting stuff, I'll give another try :)
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Re: On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by LaRoso »

GarryG wrote: 24 Apr 2020 02:39 The overlap I found works better in either of the green or the red tile section.
How far can you go with this? How many tiles in NE or NW direction can you overlap?
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kamnet
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Re: On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by kamnet »

LaRoso wrote: 24 Apr 2020 06:03
GarryG wrote: 24 Apr 2020 02:39 The overlap I found works better in either of the green or the red tile section.
How far can you go with this? How many tiles in NE or NW direction can you overlap?
As far as you want. But keep in mind that eventually you're going to run out of space on the map - you put it too close to the map edge and the graphics will show up somewhere off the screen. Also, keep in mind that overlays like this will display occasional glitches, especially if vehicles move through those areas or if the background scenery changes (like trees growing, grass dying, fields changing, buildings changing, etc.).
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Re: On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by LaRoso »

kamnet wrote: 24 Apr 2020 09:21 Also, keep in mind that overlays like this will display occasional glitches, especially if vehicles move through those areas
Does the overlay object overlap vehicles or vice versa?
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Re: On sprite overlapping for objects

Post by planetmaker »

LaRoso wrote: 24 Apr 2020 09:53
kamnet wrote: 24 Apr 2020 09:21 Also, keep in mind that overlays like this will display occasional glitches, especially if vehicles move through those areas
Does the overlay object overlap vehicles or vice versa?
Possibly yes. OpenTTD does only update tiles which need an update. So when you extent your sprite beyond the tile it belongs to to left or right, or beyond the stated z-extent, you will get such glitches pretty sure; it's sometimes a question of likelyness which also depends on conditions of the surroundings. Thus I'd encourage you to simply try and see (but not be too surprised if the result might not be as good as hoped for).

Usually the better answer to the problem you want to solve is actually some changes in OpenTTD's code for the kind of objects you want to modify in order be become more flexible and increased NewGRF control. It doesn't mean necessarily it's an easy answer which will happen quickly though and it might result in many more questions than you are ready to answer at this stage :P
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