Why not write the code to adapt to 45 degree tilted squares? Draw the isometric grid on the screen and assign each diamond square a number. Associate coordinates with that diamond.
Tile mapping will then put transparent isometric grid sprites in each of diamond of the grid. People sprites will then be designed to fit/stand on these diamonds. To show deepth, we have the sprites in the back/at the top drawn first, then draw the ones towards the front/at the bottom last. Then everything overlaps perfectly. The hard part is writing a routine that can update the screen fast enough to do this.
This was just my idea that popped up all of a sudden.
Yes, that's exactely how you should do it!
Anyway, I don't have the time to write that sprite routine for you within the next 5 months with my current planning :( if I'd even be able to write one...
I guess you'd be better off trying to understand the mathematics behind sprite routines, and adapting that yourself. You'll learn much more from that in the process too.
Well, I finally got my hands on a copy of ionf.inc so I've begun looking at it. During break, I'll probably starting reading more than just days 1-4 + 21 in ASMin28.
The only annoying problem is if the character sprite is too tall on the topmost row of diamonds. Then I'll have to cut the sprite in half and re-adjust the height.
I've never played diablo before. Is it live action RPG or what?
JoeP (sic) wrote an isometric tilemapping engine, perhaps when he gets back you could query him about it.
You could either write a sprite routine to draw each bit in its required position or just waste space in the sprite data if you cant afford the speed loss.
"My world is Black & White. But if I blink fast enough, I see it in Grayscale."
Too bad we don't have the old Ikonboard anymore, it was there Joe. P posted his isometric engine (which was originally intended for someone, don't remember who, to use for FF Tactics).
"You're very clever, young man, but it's turtles all the way down!"
Um, why would we modify the directions? You click to move (probably have a mouse controlled by the arrow keys). And you can go 8 directions. And it should be smooth scrolling.
:( if I'd even be able to write one...
It's been a while.
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