How to create Splash Screens

How to create Splash Screens for Sonic 1

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Edit: Since this isn't any guide you can learn with, I've been reducing it to the very basic things. You have to figure it out yourself.


After reading a lot posts featuring new Splash screens or requests, I finally decided to make a guide for that. This tutorial is for beginners again, since it actually just teaches you how to use the program I'm going to use and how to modify the Retrohack screen code. However, let's get started:


What you need:

• ImaGenisis, the main program for this guide
  
• The Sega Data Compressor or the Sonic Data Compressing tool
  
• The picture you want to put in your hack (Size: 320x224 pixels and NOTHING else). Remember, the Mega Drive only supports only a few colors, so avoid any Anti alaising etc.
  
• The Retrohack screen code (removed)
  
• Probably the file RICHTX32.OCX
  
• A Sonic 1 split disassembly (June 2005 version)
  

I know, these are many programs and files, but if you want to keep it easy you have to use them. Since I may not use a guide where you can simply copy/paste shit etc. you need to figure out yourself how to do it. It's not "that" hard, but it takes some basic knowledge about hacking.


Result:


This picture is an example of a successfully result:





Credits:


- Me (Selbi) for the entire Guide (or what is left of it...)


- Marc (or Cinossu) for the Screen code (still not sure if I may use it or not)


- DalekSam for actually teaching me how to do this (though he said I really shouldn't create such a tutorial, but I did it anyway since I already started with it when I asked him)


- All the people for the programs and files being used


- Anyone I missed

 

So... you're not teaching people how to make their own splash screen, but how to edit Marc's code?


Not only does that teach the user absolutely nothing, but it feels to me like a dick move to Marc as well. What the fuck?

 

I removed the code that Marc let me use for the retrohack screen now anyway. As Hitxasas and co keep telling you all to do, use their code!

 

The picture should have a size of 320x224 or else the bottom will be cut off a little. At least that's the case here.

 

What happened to me telling you not to make a guide

 

On top of that, this guide makes it more complex than it actually is... Who needs mappings anyway. Although it takes more space, you could just select un-optimized, export tiles and pallette and whenever you feel like having your screen pop up, load tiles into VRAM and pallettes into CRAM and display them.

 

Whilst I appreciate your attempts, and I love your enthusiasm and eagerness to contribute, I have to echo Tweaker's sentiments here. These sorts of guides do more harm than good to a community - instead of having 6 people who wanted a splash screen, experimented, persevered, eventually succeeded and can now code a splash screen in their sleep (and countless numbers who tried and failed, and instead developed a different skill and collaborated to get what they want), we have potentially infinite people who will never even bother and consequently never reach that understanding of code - instead they will use a patchwork mish mash of other peoples code, programs, tools and tutorials to bodge one together and come out of the experience non-the-wiser. Theres nothing we can really do about it - people are entitled to do whatever they want with their own work, so all I can do is voice my dismay. I also feel that possibly a motivating factor in this is that you want to prove your own credentials, and portray yourself in a certain way by showing off your knowledge.


Anyway, to summarise, not sure this was a great idea, but I can't fault your continued enthusiastic and helpful nature. I hope you continue to learn and learn.

 

I think he teaches code-editing because he doens't know how to make a screen himself, I guess... No personal harm intended.

 

Damnly reduced to the basic things. I'm sorry to anyone who felt insulted by this.

I don't know if I should laugh or feel miserable...

Fix'd.

Thanks, I guess.

Uhhh.... if I don't know how to make a screen, how could I make a guide? Sure, DalekSam teached me the shit, but... oh, I can't find any good counter-argument for this... I guess you won this time.

 

Marc created the code because he offered to create it, since Hitaxas was using code stolen from Megamix. Unlike the splash code that he used with his other screens he created a new dynamic system, which could use more than one screen using the one code. He did allow it to be public however it *was* kept to RetroHack, nobody really had a problem. However, since the release of *both* systems all it has done is allow shit hacks to advertise the place. I didn't want to make the screen public because of how it would be used, in fact it'd be overused like the spindash.


I've hidden both topics on RetroHack until something is sorted out. It's rather sad as to how this ended but this was expected.

 

I'm in the process of rewriting the code for a "proper" tutorial release. Might as well, and all, as it's free code. Just don't expect me to show you how to create art/mappings. It'll have placeholders only.

 

Don't feel bad, its nothing personal. I don't think anyone is insulted.

 

Nahhh, it needs to step how to create own code.

 

I can restore the full guide at any time, but I think most people don't want me to do it.

 

Anyway I think it would be interesting or necessary to be restored throughout the guide.

 

I can just agreen, I want the complete tutorial, please? If you don't want it released all over the place, PM me

 

You obviously haven't read what happened.


Basically, stuff went like this.


I explained how to do this thing with Selbi, using the then freely available code on the now defunct RetroHack. He then said that he wanted to make a tutorial. I obviously objected to this otherwise a flamewar would arise. However, Selbi proceded to make the tutorial anyway and got a red ear. I then had to tell him off, the code was then made private again, and the tutorial was stripped.


Basically, I guess you can blame me.

 

Lie, it was my fault, blame me!


But yeah, what Sam says is right, I made this guide even without permission. So yeah, even if I want to help you, I can't for two reasons:


1: It's not really any different in any way to use a public guide or a PMed guide.


2: RetroHack's down, the splash screen code is no longer avialable. Sending you a backup of the code I had on my HD would still go into the black area.


Sorry.

 

I'll guess I'll have to figure it out myself *Google Powers: Activate!*

 

Oh god... *facepalm*


I don't think Google will have the answers. But learning ASM first might help you know. =P