by JSlayerXero » November 11th, 2013, 1:51 pm
>_<
Okay, as a geek that knows how to use triggers, this would be fine for me. However, after looking at it for long enough, I have to say the way this reads feels very user unfriendly. For one, it says what these do yes, but there's no examples using it. Examples of how the triggers work, preferably with images or at least example levels or object to copy/paste would be helpful for visual's sake. In the event you make levels and/or items, references to exact lines in the code of a given trigger would be helpful, as the game does the reader a favor by labeling the functions with numbers. This doesn't really teach the reader how to use a function, even in the most basic way, it just tells them how it works. The description of "Go To" and "Branch If" say what they do, but it doesn't give an example. Some people learn best through different ways, but for people that learn best by doing, this doesn't tells them how to make it. I learn best by doing, it's how I learned these, but if I didn't know already, I would need you to give me an example with instructions on how to make it. Then, after making it once or twice, maybe even making my own variations, I would have learned how to use these two commands and might be able to start using them in bigger, better builds. I gave a step-by-step method to create a springboard but forgot to give an example item in the Tips & Tricks thread. However, with an example item I would be able to reference lines in the code and use it to teach the reader how momentum variables work, using that springboard. As this guide stands, it is a dictionary that doesn't even give examples of use in a sentence. What examples it does give are fairly complex and require a knowledge of both the basics, and some more advanced logic, which this thread doesn't give. This will then confuse the reader even more and could result in preventing the reader from trying ever again. Again, this works as a dictionary, but you'd better off asking somebody who knows how to use these if you actually want to learn how to use triggers.
On the other hand, Suyo's Tutorial gives examples with a vague or nonexistent definition. It gives example items and/or levels, but doesn't explain exactly what they are, but it does give you a general idea. However, he's long since stopped updating his tutorial and it doesn't explain basic trigger logic, which is fundamental to making a boss that isn't an over-sized enemy with more health than pixels. Therefore, his guide is also terrible. Basic trigger logic, some pseudo-RNGs and a few blocks led to me creating a boss that is mildly challenging if only because its easy to dodge attacks are all instant death. This would not help me make that.
I'd do what I could to make a third guide that would try to both explain what does what, and teach the reader how to use them by giving them a few items and giving them step-by-step processes to make their own. However, I have time things to deal with, which is why I'm not in the current L3DC. When I get some time I'll try to remember to make that guide. Alternatively when I get time I'll add one or two bits and slowly add more as I go. Although since there are already one "tutorial" and one "dictionary" I'd need to get momentum and approval from an admin before I attempt this.
tl;dr: This is not intuitive and I would remake it myself but things are in the way of that right now. Also; learn to have an attention span that's longer than ten seconds and then go read the long version.
Last edited by
JSlayerXero on November 11th, 2013, 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I hang out with Jesus.
Even though I prefer to go by Xero, nobody calls me that it seems.
