SumRndmDde's Character Creator-EX plugin: F.A.Q's
Preserved forum archive. This topic stores the original first post and locally mirrored RPG Maker Web attachments when available. It is posted by the BMMPlay archive account, not by the original creator.
Original Source
- Original title: SumRndmDde's Character Creator-EX plugin: F.A.Q's
- Original author: Rhino
- Original date: December 21, 2017
- Source thread: https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/threads/sumrndmddes-character-creator-ex-plugin-f-a-qs.88746/
- Source forum path: Game Development Engines > RPG Maker Tutorials > RMMV Tutorials
Summary
Disclaimer: I am not the creator of this plugin. I don't understand javascript and I can't help you with complex issues. This is just a list I've put together to answer some commonly asked questions! This plugin is NOT recommended for beginners to the software. Unfortunately I don't have time to answer questions that amount to ‘how to use MV/explain this basic term’, please ask that in the relevant support forum. If your question isn’t here, chances are I don’t know the solution... But you can still ask! However you...
Archived First Post
Disclaimer: I am not the creator of this plugin. I don't understand javascript and I can't help you with complex issues. This is just a list I've put together to answer some commonly asked questions!
This plugin is NOT recommended for beginners to the software. Unfortunately I don't have time to answer questions that amount to ‘how to use MV/explain this basic term’, please ask that in the relevant support forum.
If your question isn’t here, chances are I don’t know the solution... But you can still ask! However you might be better off posting in Sumdrndmdde’s old thread for CC or Javascript/Plugin Support so your question will be more visible to others. You can also try contacting the creator directly via his blog.
You can download the plugin >Here<
NOTE: All links and answers are related to the EX version of this plugin. Make sure that you’re downloading files for this as opposed to the original CC version.
FEATURES
Q) What is this plugin? How do I use it?
Q) How do I open the correct section for the character creator in the SuperTools engine?
Q) How can I make ‘visual equipment’? (Having the character image change depending on what the actor has equipped.)
Q) How can I make a faceset based off of the custom created character? (To change the expression during dialogue.)
Q) How can I use my custom character in cutscenes?
Q) How can I make it so there’s default pieces that appear when the player opens the character creator?
Q) Can I make the colour choices automatic as they are in the generator? E.g. the skin colour should change the nose and mouth colour too?
Q) Why is there no option to change the colour for a certain section?
Q) Does this save the custom character to a .png? Can I import a character from a .png?
Q) Can I make hidden sections that unlock during the game?
Q) Can I make a response based on the pieces the player has chosen? E.g. To find their gender?
RESOURCES
Q) Some of the resources seem to be missing…
Q) Can I add my own resources?
Q) How do I add/organise new resources?
Q) I've heard you made a tutorial and demo about adding in Face Shape Pieces?
TROUBLESHOOTING
Q) I can’t get the character creator to open???!!
Q) My pieces aren’t appearing correctly!
Q) The custom Face/SV Battlers aren't appearing...
Q) It’s not saving my changes when I try to edit a section in SuperTools!
Q) I keep getting the error “ReferenceError: CacheMap”
Q) I keep getting the error "TypeError: Cannot set property '_neededCustomUpdate' of undefined”
Q) I keep getting the error “Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token u”
Q) I’m getting an error when trying to encrypt my game.
Q) I can’t get CCEX to work when I try to export my game to android.
Q) Is this compatible with [X] plugin?
Q) Have any patches been made to fix any issues?
EXTRA
Q) I love this plugin! How can I support the creator?
Q) Where have all these answers come from?
Q) If you didn't write this plugin, why are you getting involved?
This plugin is NOT recommended for beginners to the software. Unfortunately I don't have time to answer questions that amount to ‘how to use MV/explain this basic term’, please ask that in the relevant support forum.
If your question isn’t here, chances are I don’t know the solution... But you can still ask! However you might be better off posting in Sumdrndmdde’s old thread for CC or Javascript/Plugin Support so your question will be more visible to others. You can also try contacting the creator directly via his blog.
You can download the plugin >Here<
NOTE: All links and answers are related to the EX version of this plugin. Make sure that you’re downloading files for this as opposed to the original CC version.
FEATURES
Q) What is this plugin? How do I use it?
I’d recommend that you watch this video. It’ll help you A LOT if you watch this the whole way through instead of skipping. It answers most of the questions that are commonly brought up.
You can also read a written help file by viewing the plugin in the plugin manager (inside MV.)
You can also read a written help file by viewing the plugin in the plugin manager (inside MV.)
Q) How do I open the correct section for the character creator in the SuperTools engine?
You open SuperTools by pressing F12. Click on Database Ex, then find Custom Editors in the top bar and you’ll see the Character Creator Editor.
Q) How can I make ‘visual equipment’? (Having the character image change depending on what the actor has equipped.)
You’re going to need the dynamic actors extension plugin. Watch the video on the blog for an explanation of how to use it.
Q) How can I make a faceset based off of the custom created character? (To change the expression during dialogue.)
You need the message faces extension plugin. Watch the video on the blog for an explanation of how to use it.
Q) How can I use my custom character in cutscenes?
You should really have watched this video.
But to go straight to the point;
You can show your custom character’s dead sprite by using the plugin command
This will work for followers.
If you want an event to have the same image as your custom character use the notetag
You can also make an event show the character’s dead sprite by using.
But to go straight to the point;
You can show your custom character’s dead sprite by using the plugin command
Code:
SetDeadCustomCharacter (actorI) (true/false)If you want an event to have the same image as your custom character use the notetag
Code:
<CustomCharacter: [actorId]>
Code:
<CustomDeadCharacter: [actorId]>Q) How can I make it so there’s default pieces that appear when the player opens the character creator?
Firstly open the plugin parameters and change “Print to Console” to be true. Then playtest your game and SAVE your character. Open up the console log (F8), and copy the text that appears in there. (Yes, the whole thing.)
Then paste that into your event using a script call command. (Above the plugin command opening CCEX.) In your script, edit the beginning part var id = 0 to have the Actor ID that you want to use. (It should be the same number that you’ve used in the plugin command.)
Then paste that into your event using a script call command. (Above the plugin command opening CCEX.) In your script, edit the beginning part var id = 0 to have the Actor ID that you want to use. (It should be the same number that you’ve used in the plugin command.)
Q) Can I make the colour choices automatic as they are in the generator? E.g. the skin colour should change the nose and mouth colour too?
It sucks but there’s no way to do this as far as I know. You’d need to know how to edit the javascript or figure out a workaround that works for you. (For example, having a normal choice list before CCEX and using the print to console method to load in the skintones. See Q above if you don’t understand how to do that.)
Q) Why is there no option to change the colour for a certain section?
In order to have the Hue Window selection, you need to make sure you have some custom colours set up first. This is all done via the SuperTools engine. You can copy over colours from another piece to get you started. To set up your own colours, read the plugin help file for an explanation.
If you’re having trouble getting your changes to register in the supertools engine, please see the ‘troubleshooting’ section below.
If you’re having trouble getting your changes to register in the supertools engine, please see the ‘troubleshooting’ section below.
Q) Does this save the custom character to a .png? Can I import a character from a .png?
Nope, it’s not that kind of generator.
Q) Can I make hidden sections that unlock during the game?
You can create conditions that will show or hide sections by using javascript EVALs. You do this in SuperTools under the part where it says ‘condition’. Default is true.
A simple example:
Sets the section to appear when Switch 1 is turned ON. You can also set it to variable values and lots of other things using EVALs, but I'm not the one to ask about how to write those.
A simple example:
Code:
$gameSwitches.value(1) == trueQ) Can I make a response based on the pieces the player has chosen? E.g. To find their gender?
Taking gender as the example, here's what to do. This tutorial assumes that you've got the default set up where "Body (1)" is female, and "Body (2)" is male. I.e. Don't use this along with my Face Shape piece tutorial! If you are, check the spoiler at the end instead!
After you've called the character creator, use a conditional branch: script and write
The Actor ID needs to be the same one that you've used in the plugin command, e.g.
$gameCharacterCreations.getInfo(1).Body.file == 'Body (1)'. This is going to return true for the character being female, so you can add an else branch for male. From there, you can use your switch/variable or whatever else you want to register the gender for easier access later.
To be safe, you can use the code
to make sure the actor actually has a custom character.
You can also use this solution by patternBlue to find colours,
After you've called the character creator, use a conditional branch: script and write
Code:
$gameCharacterCreations.getInfo(ActorId).Body.file == 'Body (1)'The Actor ID needs to be the same one that you've used in the plugin command, e.g.
$gameCharacterCreations.getInfo(1).Body.file == 'Body (1)'. This is going to return true for the character being female, so you can add an else branch for male. From there, you can use your switch/variable or whatever else you want to register the gender for easier access later.
To be safe, you can use the code
Code:
$gameCharacterCreations.hasInfo(actorId)You can also use this solution by patternBlue to find colours,
Following the Face Shape video tutorial, your body piece is now split into "Body Part 1" and "Body Part 2". Javascript is not very fond of having empty spaces in file names, so we need to make some quick edits to them!
Go into your image folders and rename the folders to remove the spaces, then also update the names in the layers of the plugin parameters. i.e. You want them all to be named "BodyPartX".
That done, you can follow the tutorial above, Just update the conditional branch part where it says "Body.file" and change it to "BodyPart1.file". (Doesn't matter if it's part 1 or part 2.)
Go into your image folders and rename the folders to remove the spaces, then also update the names in the layers of the plugin parameters. i.e. You want them all to be named "BodyPartX".
That done, you can follow the tutorial above, Just update the conditional branch part where it says "Body.file" and change it to "BodyPart1.file". (Doesn't matter if it's part 1 or part 2.)
RESOURCES
Q) Some of the resources seem to be missing…
The pack you download from SRD’s site doesn’t have all of the images from the default generator. You can find them (and more) on my thread. Please make sure to read everything on there to aid you with setting up the new parameters.
Q) Can I add my own resources?
Yes, you can! You can even adjust the image size in the plugin parameters so you don’t need to stick to the size of the default resources. You do however have to organise them in the same way with equal sizes for each frame.
You can find out more about asset standards here.
For a detailed guide on how to add these resources please see the question below.
You can find out more about asset standards here.
For a detailed guide on how to add these resources please see the question below.
Q) How do I add/organise new resources?
It's not difficult to do, but if you slip up (even just make a typo), you'll start running into errors.
Let's start with the pieces, anything from the default generator/pieces you download from this forum will be organised into folders like this-
We're only interested in the first four folders.
Each piece itself may be two or more layers, however CCEX only uses one image per piece. An example from the Kid: 'Face' folder;
You need to merge the three layers to form a single image. To do this, you'll need an image editor, e.g. GIMP (it's free.) Make sure the image you save is a .png and still has it's transparency.
Pieces from other folders have a colour mask, it'll always be labelled with the suffix _c. You can safety ignore this second image.
Grab the pieces from the face, sv, tv and tvd folders. The name you give the files should match any other files in the folder. We're going to add this to the clothing folder, where all the pieces are aptly also named 'Clothing (x).' X is the number of the piece. Unlike the in-built generator which needs to go from 1>2, CCEX doesn't mind if you're missing a few numbers. (e.g. 1>5) Give all the images for that piece the same number.
This is an easy set-up, now let's try something harder. The wings are split into two folders, and don't have a face piece. However, we can't have any missing pieces, so any images we might be lacking get replaced with a blank picture. This can be any size, it just needs to be completely empty/transparent.
Troubleshooting:
You might encounter an error message like this when trying to run your game;
CCEX checks for images starting from the dead folder, so just because it's come up with this error, doesn't mean it's necessarily where your problem lies, however, it's a good place to start.
If you've followed this correctly, you should manage to fix any errors you've been having. Sometimes you might need to redo the steps in case you've accidentally made another mistake. Keeping a close eye on what the error message says should help you figure out which piece is causing you grief.
Let's start with the pieces, anything from the default generator/pieces you download from this forum will be organised into folders like this-
We're only interested in the first four folders.
You need to merge the three layers to form a single image. To do this, you'll need an image editor, e.g. GIMP (it's free.) Make sure the image you save is a .png and still has it's transparency.
Pieces from other folders have a colour mask, it'll always be labelled with the suffix _c. You can safety ignore this second image.
Grab the pieces from the face, sv, tv and tvd folders. The name you give the files should match any other files in the folder. We're going to add this to the clothing folder, where all the pieces are aptly also named 'Clothing (x).' X is the number of the piece. Unlike the in-built generator which needs to go from 1>2, CCEX doesn't mind if you're missing a few numbers. (e.g. 1>5) Give all the images for that piece the same number.
This is an easy set-up, now let's try something harder. The wings are split into two folders, and don't have a face piece. However, we can't have any missing pieces, so any images we might be lacking get replaced with a blank picture. This can be any size, it just needs to be completely empty/transparent.
Troubleshooting:
You might encounter an error message like this when trying to run your game;
CCEX checks for images starting from the dead folder, so just because it's come up with this error, doesn't mean it's necessarily where your problem lies, however, it's a good place to start.
- Check that the image is there- Go into the folder it's specifying, and make sure the piece really exists. If not, copy it over and try again.
- If it is there, check whether the piece exists in all the other folders as well.
- Double check your numbers, make sure that they're all the same for this piece. Then check to see if you've got any numbers following it, e.g. you might accidentally have a copy called Front Hair (16) in one folder, and the game is now confused why it can't find the rest of the images in other folders for "16"
- Make sure that you've spelt everything right- even a double space will cause an error.
- Even if all the names and numbers look right, try retyping them. Rename it with a typo, and then erase and retype the original name.
If you've followed this correctly, you should manage to fix any errors you've been having. Sometimes you might need to redo the steps in case you've accidentally made another mistake. Keeping a close eye on what the error message says should help you figure out which piece is causing you grief.
Q) I've heard you made a tutorial and demo about adding in Face Shape Pieces?
Indeed I have! The demo can be downloaded here, it's got some really useful information that wasn't included in the youtube video. However, the video has a step by step guide and is more useful if you've already got yourself a project/have made edits to CCEX before, so you might like to check that out below!
TROUBLESHOOTING
Q) I can’t get the character creator to open???!!
Let’s start with the basics;
- Have you got CCEX and SuperTools Engine installed in your plugin manager? Are they in the correct order? (STE needs to be ABOVE all other plugins.)
- Are you using the correct plugin command? Does the Actor ID you’re trying to call exist in the party?
- Is your event actually working? Try using a show text to ensure it’s running.
- Have you got the most recent versions of the plugin? I recommend installing SRD-Plugin Updater to make sure you stay up to date.
- Is your PROJECT 1.3.0+? (You can check by going into js>rpg_core and seeing what number shows up on the first line. If not, you need to do the following;
- Visit RPG Maker web, download and install the latest version of the editor.
- Make a backup of your project.
- Create a new project or go to the NewData folder in your RPG Maker MV root (where MV is installed) folder.
- Copy the new js files (RPG*.js and Libs Folder) and replace the one in your -old project.
- DO NOT COPY plugins.js or it will replace your plugin settings.
- Copy index.html files to your current project.
- Try setting everything up in a blank project to ensure that it’s not a plugin conflict.
- Make sure your images are set up correctly. It should be /img/SumRndmDde/character-creator-ex/
Please check that you’ve organised the ‘layers’ parameter correctly. It’s set up so pieces at the start of the list are BELOW the ones next to it.
Q) The custom Face/SV Battlers aren't appearing...
In order for these to show up, you need to have a placeholder image in the database, actors tab. Any character image is fine, as it'll be overwritten once a custom character is made! Likewise, if you're trying to get the custom characters face to appear in the message window using the <CC Face: [id]> notetag, you need to add a placeholder face to your show text command too!
Q) It’s not saving my changes when I try to edit a section in SuperTools!
SuperTools can have issues recognising when new information is added. (E.g. Adding colours to an empty box or trying to change the settings on any new section.) Please make sure you have the most recent version of both plugins and try making your edits again to see if this problem has been fixed.
If not, you’ll need to make some manual edits. Go into your project’s data folder and find the ‘Character Creator.json.’ If it’s a colour edit you just need to copy some data over from an old piece, or if you’re trying to create a new section, copy one of paragraphs from the original pieces and make sure to rename it. Once you’ve saved that, you’ll be able to register any future changes to that section directly through SuperTools.
If not, you’ll need to make some manual edits. Go into your project’s data folder and find the ‘Character Creator.json.’ If it’s a colour edit you just need to copy some data over from an old piece, or if you’re trying to create a new section, copy one of paragraphs from the original pieces and make sure to rename it. Once you’ve saved that, you’ll be able to register any future changes to that section directly through SuperTools.
Q) I keep getting the error “ReferenceError: CacheMap”
Your project files are not 1.3.0+. Please see the first troubleshooting question for how to fix this.
Q) I keep getting the error "TypeError: Cannot set property '_neededCustomUpdate' of undefined”
There are two possible reasons for this error.
1- You're loading an old save game. When making changes to plugins/the database, these updates aren't reflected in old saves, so loading them up can cause a number of errors. Try launching from a new game and running the event again.
2-If you are starting from a new game and seeing this error, you need to make sure there's an actor in your party. Check the database>system>starting party and add an actor in, mostly likely you'll want to use the actor id you're trying to make a custom character for.
1- You're loading an old save game. When making changes to plugins/the database, these updates aren't reflected in old saves, so loading them up can cause a number of errors. Try launching from a new game and running the event again.
2-If you are starting from a new game and seeing this error, you need to make sure there's an actor in your party. Check the database>system>starting party and add an actor in, mostly likely you'll want to use the actor id you're trying to make a custom character for.
Q) I keep getting the error “Uncaught SyntaxError: Unexpected token u”
I don’t know what causes this but the apparent solution is to delete all your current superTools data (data>cc-info, CharacterCreator and Data EX) and to copy over files from a new project like you would to update it, but include the plugins.js as well.
Q) I’m getting an error when trying to encrypt my game.
To get the plugin to work with encrypted images, you need to edit it. Find the lines 527 – 528 that state
And change ‘.png’ to ‘.rpgmvp’
Code:
if(!stat.isDirectory() && _.isImageFile(files)) {
const f = files.replace(‘.png’, ”);
and
_.isImageFile = function(filename) {
return !!(filename.match(/\.png/i));Q) I can’t get CCEX to work when I try to export my game to android.
Sorry, I don’t know how to solve this one.
Q) Is this compatible with [X] plugin?
I’m not going to look into this for you, please test it yourself. If you suspect an incompatibility, you need to first try it in a blank project to confirm that you can reproduce the error, and then send your demo to someone who understands javascript.
Q) Have any patches been made to fix any issues?
EXTRA
Q) I love this plugin! How can I support the creator?
Mail him some cookies, subscribe to his youtube channel or become a patreon to help support the upkeep of this plugin and the creation of any more!
Q) Where have all these answers come from?
Although some have come from my experience of messing around with CCEX, a lot of the information on this page was already available from searching around the web. If you can't find the answer here, try looking around for comments on SumRndmDde's blog or youtube videos.
Q) If you didn't write this plugin, why are you getting involved?
When the original Character Creator came out, I noticed there were mistakes with the default image pack on SumRndmDde's blog, so I made a thread to upload the fixes. I continued adding to it with new pieces and with the release of CCEX. Being a popular plugin, I kept receiving questions about how to use it, so I put together this F.A.Q in the hope that it'd help people out and save me or SumRndmDde from having to answer the same thing over and over. Please respect my wish and do read everything thoroughly before asking more questions. Thanks!
Features Mentioned
- Q) What is this plugin? How do I use it?
- Spoiler
- I’d recommend that you watch this video. It’ll help you A LOT if you watch this the whole way through instead of skipping. It answers most of the questions that are commonly brought up.
- You can also read a written help file by viewing the plugin in the plugin manager (inside MV.)
- Q) How do I open the correct section for the character creator in the SuperTools engine?
- You open SuperTools by pressing F12. Click on Database Ex, then find Custom Editors in the top bar and you’ll see the Character Creator Editor.
- Q) How can I make ‘visual equipment’? (Having the character image change depending on what the actor has equipped.)
- You’re going to need the dynamic actors extension plugin. Watch the video on the blog for an explanation of how to use it.
- Q) How can I make a faceset based off of the custom created character? (To change the expression during dialogue.)
- You need the message faces extension plugin. Watch the video on the blog for an explanation of how to use it.
- Q) How can I use my custom character in cutscenes?
- You should really have watched this video.
- But to go straight to the point;
- You can show your custom character’s dead sprite by using the plugin command
Downloads / Referenced Files
Log in to download
Log in, then follow the RPG Maker Developers Group to see these download links.
Log in to downloadCreator Claims / Removal
If you are the original creator and want this listing reassigned, edited, or removed, join BMMPlay and contact the moderators with proof that matches the original RPG Maker Web profile, linked GitHub, itch.io page, or another public creator identity.
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