Java Mini's and Maps for RPGers

General Discussions
#1

Hey all.
I’m new. Spank me.

Anyways, I’m also a virgin to Java, but as I see it I think it might be the best viable option for what I’m looking to create.

Myself and a Database Coder, that’s been kind enough to help, are near a year mark for a project that we’ve been working on to create a system for table-top RPG’s to be played over the internet with full on support.
I’m not going to really get into that system here too much because it’s not really relivent.

Anyways, one of the goals for this project is to create a Java interface for the players to make Maps with icons that can be moved and libraries of items to chose from to place on the map.
The grid lines would also be adjustable.

Basically, A map where the players can stick a symbol and say “I’m here”, and another symbol that looks like a couch and say “the couch is here”. And so on into more complex mixtures that arrise in battle situation in RPG’s.

The thing is. I know that this is all possible with Java.
What I don’t know is…what aspects of Java do I need to grill into my head and learn to be able to write something like that?

Thanks a million for any help
-Stumps

#2

It’s not the same, but take a look at “Mappy” which is designed to assist in making maps, and has a java version under-development. You might get some useful ideas or leads from looking at the mappy sites and google for stuff that references it.

For your specific problem, you should start by decribing in detail (as much as possible) what it is you want to do. Your description so far is so ambiguous it leaves lots of room for misinterpretation by readers.

Finatlly…you should have posted in newles cluebies (different topic) but I don’t believe you can move it now :(.

#3

I apologize for the wrong placement of the Thread.
I thought the General area was best suited for such a topic, but I thought wrong it seems.

To further my description as you requested.

Components Needed:
-A blank area similar to that of a blank drawing program.
-A toll bar which consists of the following:
----An icon tool that houses a library of the following icons:
--------A series of circles, squares, x’s, triangles, and other such shapes.
--------A series of series of pre-made icons such as furniture, doorways, etc…
----A ruler system that allows sqaure grids to be adjusted to sizes determined by the user via a “ruler” style interface much like those found in drawing programs so that the appropriate size of grid can be applied for their map.
----A scale tool so that the user can relay information to other users as to what one square equals in size and/or length. (12 feet, 2 meters, etc…)
----A pencil tool for drawing
----A fill tool
----An erase tool
----A layering funtion so that objects that are drawn can be moved or deleted at ease by the user.
----A select object tool
----A move object tool
----A color tool for the objects
----A color tool for the pencil and fill tools
----A text tool that creates text as a layered object

I think that’s about all for now, but I’m sure more will come up later.

#4

Go to http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/index.html and read up The Swing Tutorial. That will get you going in the right direction. After that some of your questions will probably be answered and you may have more specific questions.

note: Swing may not be the best choice, but it has the most comprehensive tutorial. Plus once you learn it, you can switch to others like SWT more easily.

#5

Thanks.