When you download it, I'd suggest you take a look at the sidebar (in advanced mode).
The Sidebar has a empty folders for Sprites, Sounds, Backgrounds, Paths, Scripts, data Files, Time Lines, Objects and Rooms.
I will not go over Scripts and Timelines, which are advacned features.
First of all, GameMaker can create any type of game, including 3D First Person Shooters, but before you start, you need to know what you are making. Too many games fail because of people not planning their games.
What makes a good game, and what things should you consider?
Graphics?
A Nice Story?
What type of game would it be?
What music would you use?
Is this idea cliche'd, and has it been done before?
Think, can I make this game? Don't bother making a game, if you know you can't. Don't kid yourself, you'll only waste your time. I know from experience.
While there is a sprite editor in GM, I'd suggest you use another program. What am I getting at? I'd suggest you gather all your resources before putting them in the game. Gather all your sprites and all your music. You'll need music, SFX, Backgrounds, and sprites.
If you don't want to rip sprites, you can always make 'em with the gm sprite editor
http://www.rocketsoft.gm-school.uni.cc/upl...iteditorimg.PNG
magnifying glass= makes things look bigger
The puzzle peice thing= switches the first colors to the second colors
pencil=default drawing tool
pen=paintbrush
baster=color replacer
paintcan= fill
line=line tool
square= square tool
circle=circle tool
and the Text button
That's your tools to create one subimage.
When you are done, you can use the image, transform, and animation to alter your image/
Sounds:
Sounds are pretty straight foward. You import sounds and music. Pay attenton to the picture beside each music. USUALLY, Wavs can't play with wavs, and midis can't play with midis at the same time, e.t.c.
Backgrounds:
Just import a background
Objects:
Objects are what your whole game is made from. Objects, objects, objects. When you create an object, you can assign a sprite to it. That's what sprites are for. Sprites and Objects co-exist with eachother. However you can make a game without sprites, that's advanced.
Here's the objects window.
I hope that explains.
I'll explain codes later.
paths: This kinda fallss into objects. You assign a route for an object to move with. There's an object action for these too.
Data Files: Extra information or files, like DLLs
rooms: Rooms, place objects in these, you can also code the rooms.
Codes:
Codes are like actions, except slightly more advanced. There's a whole dictionary of codes, some where. I"m not explaning all codes. BUt if you want to know, Pm me, or download examples
Here's an example of a code
CODE
if not(place_free(x,y+1)) then
{
gravity = 0;
}
else
{
gravity = 0.4;
}
gravity_direction = 270;
if (hspeed > 0) then{
hspeed -= 0.1;
}
if (hspeed < 0) then{
hspeed += 0.1;
}
{
gravity = 0;
}
else
{
gravity = 0.4;
}
gravity_direction = 270;
if (hspeed > 0) then{
hspeed -= 0.1;
}
if (hspeed < 0) then{
hspeed += 0.1;
}
It's just a jump code.
Before using codes, I'd suggest you take a look at the actions, Drag And Drop, or OOP as I showed above.
Ok, and the menus:
Start menu
File: everything here is pretty much self explanitory, except for two things you might wanna know
Create Executable- instead of a .gmd file, it changes your file into .exe so everyone can play.
Merge Game- Merge two or more .gmd's together
Prefrences- Work space options, like coding colors and stuff
Edit/Add/Scripts: This is if you are too lazy to use the folders to create your game
Run: Test play your game
Windoow: who cares
Help: This shows legal information, contents, forums, legal info, and registration (that's right, Game Maker isn't free, of course you can always get a cut down version)
I guess, that's it, GameMaker in a Nutshell. Anythinh I should explain.
I typed this up right here in this add reply page, so there might be some spelling errors
