Map Properties Plugin v1.0.1 for MZ

Hello RPG Makers!

I’m excited to present to you a new plugin by Tyruswoo! The Map Properties plugin allows switches to control the map properties a map uses when a map loads. This allows selecting alternative parallax backgrounds or music.

This plugin will help you:

  • Change what parallax background is used on maps using switches!
  • Change what background music plays on maps using switches!
  • Keep the same parallax scrolling position even when transferring between different maps! This allows for smoother transitions in maps that use the same scrolling parallax background.

Download Map Properties Plugin MZ

Get Map Properties MZ at the Downloads Page

How to Install

  1. Download the file, and unzip it.
  2. Make sure the unzipped file is named Tyruswoo_MapProperties.js and is saved as a .js file.
  3. Open the file folder of your project. Place the file in your project’s “js” folder, within the “plugins” folder.
  4. Open your project in RPG Maker MZ, then go to the Tools menu and select Plugin Manager. Use the Plugin Manager to add and activate the plugin.
  5. I recommend you place this plugin toward the bottom of your plugin list, so it has high priority.

Example 1: Saving and Loading Parallax Positions

This is useful for transferring between maps that (1) use the same parallax background and (2) have the parallax background scroll.

Without this plugin, when the player goes to the next map, the parallax background will jump back to the default position. By saving a loading parallax positions, the parallax background will be in the same position on the new map that it was right before the player left the old map. This makes for smoother transitions between similar maps.

The heroes prepare to ascend the Stairway to the Cosmos!
The heroes prepare to ascend the Stairway to the Cosmos!
Both the Witch's House and the Cosmos maps have the same Parallax Background properties. Both use the Space image, loop both horizontally & vertically, and scroll both horizontally & vertically.
Both the Witch’s House and the Cosmos maps have the same Parallax Background properties. Both use the Space image, loop both horizontally & vertically, and scroll both horizontally & vertically.
An example of how to use the Save Parallax Position and Load Parallax Position plugin commands. With this setup the moving stars in the space background will be in the same position when the heroes leave the Witch's House map and enter into the Cosmos map.
An example of how to use the Save Parallax Position and Load Parallax Position plugin commands. With this setup the moving stars in the space background will be in the same position when the heroes leave the Witch’s House map and enter into the Cosmos map.

Example 2: Change Parallax Background with a Switch

RPG Maker allows changing the Parallax Background with Change Parallax. This is immediate and temporary. When the player leaves and re-enters the map, the background parallax will return to the default set on the Map Properties window. 

The Map Properties plugin allows for changing the Parallax Background based on switches and will remain in effect until the switch is turned off (or permanently if the switch is never turned off). This takes place when the player loads the maps. 

Change Parallax and Map Properties plugin can be used together to instantly change the background and to make sure the change sticks. This is shown in the example below.

The beautiful Land of the Sky.
The beautiful Land of the Sky.
Oh no! Here comes the Storm King!
Oh no! Here comes the Storm King!
To change the Parallax Backgrounds with the Map Properties plugin, we need to remember two things from the Map Properties window. First, the map ID (in this case, 10). Second, the image used in the Parallax Background (in this case, Clouds).
To change the Parallax Backgrounds with the Map Properties plugin, we need to remember two things from the Map Properties window. First, the map ID (in this case, 10). Second, the image used in the Parallax Background (in this case, Clouds).
Next, we need to set up the parameters in the Plugin Settings. Default Parallax should be set to match the Map Properties of affected maps (in this case, Clouds). Switch is whichever switch you want to control the background selection (in this case, 2). Alternate Parallax is whatever you want the background to change to when the switch is active (in this case, DarkClouds). Affected Maps can be set to filter the affected maps, so that only the intended maps are affected (in this case, 7, 10, and 11).
Next, we need to set up the parameters in the Plugin Settings. Default Parallax should be set to match the Map Properties of affected maps (in this case, Clouds). Switch is whichever switch you want to control the background selection (in this case, 2). Alternate Parallax is whatever you want the background to change to when the switch is active (in this case, DarkClouds). Affected Maps can be set to filter the affected maps, so that only the intended maps are affected (in this case, 7, 10, and 11).
Simple event that puts the Parallax Background changes into effect! Control Switches : #0002 Storm = ON will cause the Alternative Parallax named in the plugin parameters (DarkClouds) to load on all the affected maps (7, 10, and 11) instead of the default parallax (Clouds) every time the player enters one of those maps.
Simple event that puts the Parallax Background changes into effect! Control Switches : #0002 Storm = ON will cause the Alternative Parallax named in the plugin parameters (DarkClouds) to load on all the affected maps (7, 10, and 11) instead of the default parallax (Clouds) every time the player enters one of those maps.
Just turning the switch on will not affect the current map until the player reloads it. Since I wanted the current map (10) to be immediately changed, I used Change Parallax: DarkClouds. This is shown in the blue box of the previous picture. Change Parallax is only temporary. Without the Map Properties plugin, the background would revert back to normal if the player reloaded the map.
Just turning the switch on will not affect the current map until the player reloads it. Since I wanted the current map (10) to be immediately changed, I used Change Parallax: DarkClouds. This is shown in the blue box of the previous picture. Change Parallax is only temporary. Without the Map Properties plugin, the background would revert back to normal if the player reloaded the map.
Other maps specified in the Plugin Parameters (7, 10, and 11) were also affected by parallax background change. The new parallax backgrounds will stay in effect forever on the player's game unless the switch is turned off. Perhaps if the villainous Storm King was stopped the Land of the Sky would return to normal…
Other maps specified in the Plugin Parameters (7, 10, and 11) were also affected by parallax background change. The new parallax backgrounds will stay in effect forever on the player’s game unless the switch is turned off. Perhaps if the villainous Storm King was stopped the Land of the Sky would return to normal…

Conclusion

Big thanks to Tyruswoo for making another great plugin!

Lawenia

Tags:
Share this post!
Avatar photo
Lawenia

Website Editor and Lead Playtester for the Tyruswoo Team. Fan of Japanese language, culture, food, and RPGs!

Articles: 12

Leave a Reply