Creating vanilla-compatible animated displays

[JadingTsunami]

Here is a method to create vanilla-compatible animated displays, similar to those seen in TRUCK.WAD.

 

Thanks to @SuperCupcakeTactics for introducing me to this effect.

 

Note that if you map with Boom or GZDoom, you really don't need this as they support other methods which will yield superior results.

 

 

Example WAD showing the effect:

   example.zip

 

Warnings

 

Creating vanilla-compatible animated displays is effort-intensive. Make sure you actually want to do this as it will require some investment of time on your part.

 

The width of your display will be the most troublesome part. Narrow displays (≤32px) will be the easiest to work with, but you can create any size within the limits.

 

Instructions

 

https://github.com/JadingTsunami/giffy

You will need Python, pillow and tkinter installed to run the program.

 

1. Choose an animated GIF.
   • No more than 1024 frames.
   • No more than 1024px height per frame (note: >128px height will not work in strict vanilla)
   • Only animations with power-of-2 frames will loop smoothly.
   • These are all arbitrary limitations which I could remove later, but have not done so yet.
2. Run the program, select your animated GIF.
   • The program will generate instructions for you on how to assemble your display. Note these down.
3. Import each generated PNG as a Texture in your WAD (remember to convert them to paletted Doom graphics format) and follow the instructions that were given at the output prompt.

 

EDIT: I have included a script to generate the display in a simple WAD for you. It will generate the following versions of the display which you can copy/paste into your map as desired:

- Flat, 1S linedefs

- Flat, 2S linedefs (good for transparent displays)

- Circular, 2S linedefs

- Half-circle, 2S linedefs

Edited March 24, 2022 by JadingTsunami
New script added

[SuperCupcakeTactics]

Testing and pushing the limits of this. Very promising and exciting to use with more to come!

Edited March 22, 2022 by SuperCupcakeTactics
Fixed my main issue

[Redneckerz]

This is super cool stuff, and the fact it works in Vanilla is even better, along with a script that generates this.

 

@JadingTsunami Can this be turned more standalone, similar to VULD? Ideally, a commandline tool with the mappy generator that converts? I realize this will include using PY2EXE, but it would be great to have as such. I can test if needed.

[JadingTsunami]

20 hours ago, Redneckerz said:

This is super cool stuff, and the fact it works in Vanilla is even better, along with a script that generates this.

 

@JadingTsunami Can this be turned more standalone, similar to VULD? Ideally, a commandline tool with the mappy generator that converts? I realize this will include using PY2EXE, but it would be great to have as such. I can test if needed.

 

Thanks! It's certainly possible. Right now I am focused on removing the size limitations and adding more options in the example map, and making some progress there. (EDIT: Done, and test map generator updated as well)

 

The main issue toward a Windows binary is that I only have limited access to a Windows machine to build and test it. I was able to get some access to release UMAPINFO Designer but won't have access for some time. I will keep it in mind though.

Edited March 23, 2022 by JadingTsunami

[Redneckerz]

18 hours ago, JadingTsunami said:

 

Thanks! It's certainly possible. Right now I am focused on removing the size limitations and adding more options in the example map, and making some progress there. (EDIT: Done, and test map generator updated as well)

Ofcourse you made that change, haha :)

18 hours ago, JadingTsunami said:

The main issue toward a Windows binary is that I only have limited access to a Windows machine to build and test it. I was able to get some access to release UMAPINFO Designer but won't have access for some time. I will keep it in mind though.

Perhaps @Gibbon can be of assistance?

[Ar_e_en]

Very interesting!

Theoretically - how long in terms of seconds can you make an animated display like this?

[JadingTsunami]

1 hour ago, Ar_e_en said:

Very interesting!

Theoretically - how long in terms of seconds can you make an animated display like this?

 

At the moment, about 30 seconds. Larger may be possible but I have not spent time on it.

 

(EDIT: The theoretical max is on the order of ~15.6 minutes, I believe)

 

For longer animations, it may be better to just use a traditional animated wall. Of course the frame rate will be quite low. The advantage of this method is that very smooth animation is possible.

Edited March 24, 2022 by JadingTsunami

[rzh]

On 3/22/2022 at 10:47 AM, SuperCupcakeTactics said:

Testing and pushing the limits of this. Very promising and exciting to use with more to come!

Absolutely amazing. I want it.

[Gibbon]

7 hours ago, Redneckerz said:

Ofcourse you made that change, haha :)

Perhaps @Gibbon can be of assistance?

 

Self-contained Windows executables built with Python 64bit.

giffy-win64.zip

mappy-win64.zip

[Redneckerz]

2 hours ago, Gibbon said:

 

Self-contained Windows executables built with Python 64bit.

giffy-win64.zip

mappy-win64.zip

You are truly a paladin, wut.

[Gibbon]

Just now, Redneckerz said:

You are truly a paladin, wut.

 

No worries.  And yes, a Paladin because I like Hexen 2 (shh, don't tell anyone) :P