Hello, this is the official FAQ for RPG Maker for Monkey Productions. Do not post in this topic unless you are contributing to this FAQ, in which case I will add your FAQ contributions to the first post and give you the proper credit by displaying your name next to each one. If there is any questions or comments, please PM me and I can see what I can do to help you. Any spam posts will be removed. Proper spelling and capitalization please.
I encourage you to help out and contribute to this topic, it might brighten your day to know that you helped somebody, because we all have to start somewhere. If you have any advanced questions/answers, that would be appreciated too although its not necessary.
I also encourage those that need help to read the help file located here before doing anything.
Basic Knowledge
What's a switch?
This is pretty much covered in the help file, but for those lazy to download it and read it, I'll explain it here. A switch is used for many purposes, most commonly you will be using it to turn event commands on or off. I will provide an example so you can understand. So while you're reading this, you will find that you will get the best results if you are following my instructions step by step in your RPG Maker.
Okay, so the first thing you want to do is create an event. For our example, we will use a treasure chest. Make the event graphic the RTP closed treasure chest and make the event layer "Same Layer As Hero". As for the coding part, make a message that says "You received an X-Potion". Under it, go to the item management option (name differs depending on what version you have). Leave everything as it is except for the actual item itself, choose whatever item you want your player to get from the treasure chest. I put X-Potion as my example. Now click "Ok". You're ready to make a switch now.
Go to the Switch Command in the Event Command menu. Click on those three little dots. Now see all the numbers? Those are all capable of being different switches. For our treasure chest, we will use Switch 0001. Name it on the bottom "Treasure Chest" and click "Ok" once more. As for the options, put it to "Turn On" and then click "Ok" again. You've just created a switch. It's still not complete yet. At the top of your event, click "New Page". Change the Event Graphic to the RTP opened treasure chest now. In the top left, check the Switch command. Click on those three dots again, and choose from the list the switch we created. Now click "Ok" once more. Lastly, make a message that says "...empty..". Congratualations, you just made your first switch. Click "Ok" on the event and test it out. Switches are meant to be toyed with, as they can be used for more advanced purposes as well.
Error Messages
How come everytime I try to import an image, it says "Invalid Image Size"?
These are the image sizes for each resource in RPG Maker 2000 and 2003. If you don't abide by these sizes, then you will get this message.
- Battle Weapon: 192 x 512
- Battle Character Set: 144 x 384
- Chipset: 480 x 256
- Faceset: 192 x 192
- Character Set: 288 x 256
- System: 160 x 80
- System2: 80 x 96
- Battle Animation: 480 x 480
RPG Maker requires each image imported to be only "256 colors". Windows has more than a million colors, so you might need an image program such as "Irfanview" to decrease the color depth subtley. MS Paint will make the transition worse.
How come everytime I try to test my project, it says "Cannot Open File (filename)"?
This definitely means that you have an image that is missing from your game, perhaps you accidentally deleted it. There are two ways to go about this. The easiest way is to just make an image with the specified name and put it in the specified folder, or if you actually have the image then put it in the specified folder.
How come everytime I try to test my project, I keep getting an error saying, "Event Script Referenced an _________ that doesn't exist"?
This happens because you decreased the list size of things in the database, such as items, heroes, or most commonly monsters. An event somewhere is trying to load that something that you removed, meaning the only way to fix this would be to either increase the list size until the error goes away (simple) or try to scavenge your project for the event that is trying to load that particular object (time consuming).
Miscallaneous Info
What are the shortcuts to remember in RPG Maker?
- F1: Brings up the help file
- F4: When running the game, it allows you to toggle between full screen size and a small screen size.
- F5: In the actual editor, it shows the Upper Layer of the map you are currently editing, when running the game it makes the screensize even smaller.
- F6: In the actual editor, it shows the Lower Layer of the map you are currently editing.
- F7: In the actual editor, it shows the Event Layer of the map you are currently editing.
- F9: In the actual editor, it test plays your game. When running the game, it launches the Debug Mode where you can view or change the values of the game's switches and variables.
- F12: When running the game, it returns you to the title screen automatically.
- Shift: When running the game, it allows you to speed up the text when talking to someone.
- Ctrl: When running the game only as a Test Play within the RPG Maker editor, it allows you to pass through anything.
