Welcome to the new Lunar Magic suggestions/discussion thread (for historical reference, you can find the previous thread here). Before posting, make sure to take a quick look over this post and the list of topics/suggestions that have already been discussed. This thread isn't normally used for basic general help... for that, check LM's help file, browse through the many tutorials in the tutorial forum or ask in the general forum.
For bug reports: If you think you've found a problem in LM itself, first make sure you're using the latest version. When possible, describe exactly how to replicate it. If it's a problem with a ROM, try to make sure it isn't being caused by either a RAM or ROM conflict with or between third party patches or utilities, as this is usually the most common issue. The site's SMW RAM Map, ROM Map, and most especially the Hijack Map can aid in resolving these. Often a good way to test for this is to use LM to move the level or overworld to a new ROM that hasn't been modified by any other tool to see if the problem persists.
Note that the hijack map tends to just covers LM's code hijacks, not empty space in the original 512 KB ROM, but it's usually best to avoid that empty space anyway as it could be used in a newer version of LM without warning. Use free space in the expanded portion of the ROM instead whenever possible when creating patches.
And remember, making changes of your own to LM's ASM modifications is not supported! If you apply a third party patch that does this and it breaks (which may not happen until LM is upgraded and needs to update/reinstall some of its own ASM), then it's going to be entirely your own problem to deal with. So don't apply such patches unless you're willing to accept the risks.
To volunteer for doing a translation: Helping to create a language pack for Lunar Magic doesn't require any coding experience, but it does require an eye for detail and being able to run programs on Windows XP or higher (WINE and its derivatives are not considered to be adequate for this, as they are often not accurate for font and DPI testing).
Don't volunteer if you don't know both english and the target language and just intend to do a machine translation. Those tend to be low quality.
As for how much work it is, there's around 4000 text strings to translate (250 KB), plus UI text from about 100 dialog windows that should be tested in 2 DPI settings, and optionally the help file (630 KB without the changelog, 800 KB with). You may want to check around first to see if you can find a couple others to translate it with you unless you feel fairly confident doing it all yourself.
So if you're interested, just get in touch with me to get the files. It actually gets compiled into a DLL, but I handle that part myself... the files just need to be translated then sent to me to be compiled. Though you'll also be testing the dialogs at a couple DPI settings, as you have full control over resizing/moving/editing the controls in them using an editing program.
Languages already spoken for:
Finnish - JP32, Romanian - Rykon-V73, Spanish - Ayami / Fortaleza Reznor, French - kiki79250, Japanese - Gamer_HS, Chinese - Mario.
For suggestions/requests: To save time read over the list below to see if it's already been discussed or rejected before. Keep in mind that since this is a personal hobby project done in my spare time, all suggestions/requests are accepted or rejected at my own discretion. Which means not all suggestions will be implemented, and not all may even be responded to. While I do often take feedback into consideration and even request it at times, it is not always the deciding factor. So don't take it personally if your suggestion isn't accepted, and above all do not make demands, pester, engage in personal attacks, question personal motives, etc.
Rejected for now or just no plans for currently
(some of these might be revisited in the future, but there's usually no reason to bring up again unless there's a change in circumstances)
-Custom objects - topic is off limits for now
-Save overworld, backgrounds, ExAnimations to separate files
-title screen moves recorded into SRAM
-changes to color picker
-alternate color gradients
-BPS patching support
-headerless ROMs
Rejected
-General purpose plugins
-Ports to another OS
-LM source code - topic is off limits
For bug reports: If you think you've found a problem in LM itself, first make sure you're using the latest version. When possible, describe exactly how to replicate it. If it's a problem with a ROM, try to make sure it isn't being caused by either a RAM or ROM conflict with or between third party patches or utilities, as this is usually the most common issue. The site's SMW RAM Map, ROM Map, and most especially the Hijack Map can aid in resolving these. Often a good way to test for this is to use LM to move the level or overworld to a new ROM that hasn't been modified by any other tool to see if the problem persists.
Note that the hijack map tends to just covers LM's code hijacks, not empty space in the original 512 KB ROM, but it's usually best to avoid that empty space anyway as it could be used in a newer version of LM without warning. Use free space in the expanded portion of the ROM instead whenever possible when creating patches.
And remember, making changes of your own to LM's ASM modifications is not supported! If you apply a third party patch that does this and it breaks (which may not happen until LM is upgraded and needs to update/reinstall some of its own ASM), then it's going to be entirely your own problem to deal with. So don't apply such patches unless you're willing to accept the risks.
To volunteer for doing a translation: Helping to create a language pack for Lunar Magic doesn't require any coding experience, but it does require an eye for detail and being able to run programs on Windows XP or higher (WINE and its derivatives are not considered to be adequate for this, as they are often not accurate for font and DPI testing).
Don't volunteer if you don't know both english and the target language and just intend to do a machine translation. Those tend to be low quality.
As for how much work it is, there's around 4000 text strings to translate (250 KB), plus UI text from about 100 dialog windows that should be tested in 2 DPI settings, and optionally the help file (630 KB without the changelog, 800 KB with). You may want to check around first to see if you can find a couple others to translate it with you unless you feel fairly confident doing it all yourself.
So if you're interested, just get in touch with me to get the files. It actually gets compiled into a DLL, but I handle that part myself... the files just need to be translated then sent to me to be compiled. Though you'll also be testing the dialogs at a couple DPI settings, as you have full control over resizing/moving/editing the controls in them using an editing program.
Languages already spoken for:
Finnish - JP32, Romanian - Rykon-V73, Spanish - Ayami / Fortaleza Reznor, French - kiki79250, Japanese - Gamer_HS, Chinese - Mario.
For suggestions/requests: To save time read over the list below to see if it's already been discussed or rejected before. Keep in mind that since this is a personal hobby project done in my spare time, all suggestions/requests are accepted or rejected at my own discretion. Which means not all suggestions will be implemented, and not all may even be responded to. While I do often take feedback into consideration and even request it at times, it is not always the deciding factor. So don't take it personally if your suggestion isn't accepted, and above all do not make demands, pester, engage in personal attacks, question personal motives, etc.
Rejected for now or just no plans for currently
(some of these might be revisited in the future, but there's usually no reason to bring up again unless there's a change in circumstances)
-Custom objects - topic is off limits for now
-Save overworld, backgrounds, ExAnimations to separate files
-title screen moves recorded into SRAM
-changes to color picker
-alternate color gradients
-BPS patching support
-headerless ROMs
Rejected
-General purpose plugins
-Ports to another OS
-LM source code - topic is off limits