[Plugin] Isometric Z ordering based on Y

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   Update: The plugin is ready. You can download the ZSorter.zip file containing the plugin and the sample project test_iso.zip from:

http://sites.google.com/site/jptarqu/downloads

The plugin has one action ("Sort All Objects in Layer By Y") that you can call every tick. The action will sort all the objects of any kind in the layer that the ZSorter object is in. The objects are "Z sorted" by their Y position; if the Y positions is the same, they are sorted by their X position.

The sample project contains a layout with multiple objects being sorted in a layer. There is also a FPS count to determine how much impact the sorting has as the objects grow in number. I did not notice any impact in my system, but your mileage may vary. The sample also illustrates the technique of detecting collision with shadows instead of of the arpites themselves to allow sprites go "behind" a wall.The sample's walls are too small to notice the difference, but with if you are good at drawing you can make better walls and better shadows. 

Please keep in mind that there is more to isometric games than sorting Z positions by Y. You need to take into account shadows (for collision detection), origin points (to allow players to walk behind walls, in the sample the Duck's origin is at the bottom and the wall's is at center) and more. Have fun!!

Thanks

Edited by juantar - 18 Nov 2011 at 11:38pm

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juantar 2,909 Rep 2 3 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote juantar Report Post Quote Reply Topic: [Plugin] Isometric Z ordering based on Y Posted: 17 Nov 2011 at 7:21pm
	Update: The plugin is ready. You can download the ZSorter.zip file containing the plugin and the sample project test_iso.zip from: http://sites.google.com/site/jptarqu/downloads The plugin has one action ("Sort All Objects in Layer By Y") that you can call every tick. The action will sort all the objects of any kind in the layer that the ZSorter object is in. The objects are "Z sorted" by their Y position; if the Y positions is the same, they are sorted by their X position. The sample project contains a layout with multiple objects being sorted in a layer. There is also a FPS count to determine how much impact the sorting has as the objects grow in number. I did not notice any impact in my system, but your mileage may vary. The sample also illustrates the technique of detecting collision with shadows instead of of the arpites themselves to allow sprites go "behind" a wall.The sample's walls are too small to notice the difference, but with if you are good at drawing you can make better walls and better shadows. Please keep in mind that there is more to isometric games than sorting Z positions by Y. You need to take into account shadows (for collision detection), origin points (to allow players to walk behind walls, in the sample the Duck's origin is at the bottom and the wall's is at center) and more. Have fun!! Thanks Edited by juantar - 18 Nov 2011 at 11:38pm

newt 16,476 Rep 13 13 73	Post Options Post Reply Quote newt Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 2011 at 7:31pm
	Nice idea. Was hoping this would be doable in C2 if it ever got "for each ordered", like we have in CC. One thing, even in CC each tick could get bogged down if you had a lot of instances, not sure it would be viable to use it that often in C2.


rexrainbow 10,389 Rep 6 11 50	Post Options Post Reply Quote rexrainbow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 2011 at 11:43pm
	Nice idea + 1 It seems to affect to all instances in a kind of sprite. Maybe it could be a "plugin" better than "behavior", I thought. In this plugin, at start of layout, setup which kind of sprite will be sorted every tick. It could add some filters to select which instances to be sorted. Edited by rexrainbow - 17 Nov 2011 at 11:45pm

juantar 2,909 Rep 2 3 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote juantar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2011 at 11:36pm
	OK, I released the plugin and sample and put the link in the original post. Thanks!

plauk 3,634 Rep 3 3 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote plauk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Nov 2011 at 12:07am
	I'm not an expert, but I think you should change the 'type' to 'object' instead of 'world' in the edittime.js That way it won't show up in the layout as if it were a visible item. Edited by plauk - 19 Nov 2011 at 12:08am
	Oh, look a breakout clone!

rexrainbow 10,389 Rep 6 11 50	Post Options Post Reply Quote rexrainbow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Dec 2011 at 2:44am
	I check this plugin, and finally understand why ZSort is "world" type, not a "object" type. It's because that ZSort need to get the layer parameter. If the plugin is "world" type, it must be put in a layer. So ZSort can sort this layer. On the other word, ZSort can not sort other layers. If you like the ZSort with "object" type. You can try this. It need to indicate the layer number/name. I change the icon and plugin id, too. The author is still juantar(Juan Pablo Tarquino). Edited by rexrainbow - 25 Dec 2011 at 6:28am

juantar 2,909 Rep 2 3 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote juantar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jan 2012 at 11:23pm
	Good job rexrainbow with the "object type" mod! I have not have too much time to work on Construct, but I am glad the community is improving the plugin. Like rexrainbow said, the world object allows you to ZSort only the layer that the ZSort object belongs too. All the other layers will not be touched.

Danijerry 3,635 Rep 2 7 19	Post Options Post Reply Quote Danijerry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Feb 2012 at 4:33am
	This plugin works great for me. I have several objects often swapping positions, this works seamlessly. Thanks for sharing.

rexrainbow 10,389 Rep 6 11 50	Post Options Post Reply Quote rexrainbow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 26 Mar 2012 at 12:29am
	Update: rex_zSorter.7z - add version to 1.0 - add custom sorting (sample) Edited by rexrainbow - 26 Mar 2012 at 12:34am

TELLES0808 9,973 Rep 4 8 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote TELLES0808 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 2012 at 6:29pm
	Great solutions, I would like know if someday it become official, to be used on Arcade. Thanks you for sharing your ideas, folks.