Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
You can use any tool that allows for you to create PNG files with transparency. Both Photoshop
and Fireworks can do this. As well, other free tools such as Paint.net and Pixen will work for this
purpose. We will give instruction on using GIMP, but please feel free to use you own favorite tool.
1.
Start Up GIMP and create a new image. Make sure to select the advanced options as
seen in Figure 6-2, so you can set the background fill to transparent.
Figure 6-2.
GIMP new image screen
2.
Make sure you set the width of the new image to 256 and the height to 128. This will
accommodate a tile sheet that's eight 32
32 tiles wide by four tiles tall.
3.
After you have created the new image, set the grid properties to be 32
32 spacing in
the Image
➤
Configure Grid menu option. Once that is complete, you should make sure
that Show grid is check marked in the View menu. The image will look like Figure 6-3.
