Line endings...be normalized!
This commit is contained in:
Jason Felds
+378
-378
@@ -1,379 +1,379 @@
|
||||
sm-ssc Beginner's Guide
|
||||
Written and edited by the spinal shark collective
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Table of Contents
|
||||
1 Introduction
|
||||
2 StepMania
|
||||
2.1. Terms and Concepts
|
||||
2.1.1 Notable StepMania Versions
|
||||
2.1.2 StepMania Components
|
||||
2.2 StepMania Configuration
|
||||
2.2.1 Frequently Asked Questions that can be
|
||||
Solved by Changing the Configuration
|
||||
2.3. Installing Content
|
||||
2.3.1 Installing Song Files
|
||||
2.3.2 Installing Noteskins/New Gametypes
|
||||
2.3.3 Installing Themes
|
||||
3. sm-ssc
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
Chapter 1: Introduction
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
Welcome to the sm-ssc Beginner's Guide. This guide is primarily meant for people
|
||||
who do not have any previous experience with StepMania, but also includes
|
||||
information on how sm-ssc differs from StepMania. If you already know what
|
||||
StepMania is, and the basics of adding things to an install, you can skip ahead
|
||||
to Chapter 3: sm-ssc. Otherwise, read on.
|
||||
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
Chapter 2: StepMania
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
StepMania is an open-source rhythm game/engine, used by many projects, both
|
||||
commercial and free. It is the software from which sm-ssc is derived, and as
|
||||
a result, must be learned before using sm-ssc if you're not already familiar
|
||||
with how it works.
|
||||
|
||||
Some of the things an average sm-ssc user is expected to know includes the
|
||||
meanings/"proper names" of certain things, as well as how to install content
|
||||
and configure the program to suit your playing style.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.1: Terms and Concepts
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Like many other video games, StepMania has a rich lexicon of words which may
|
||||
confuse others. The most important of the terms has to do with versions of
|
||||
StepMania, as backwards compatibility is pretty much nonexistent between major
|
||||
versions.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.1.1: Notable StepMania Versions
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Knowing the versions of StepMania is helpful, as it will help you deduce what
|
||||
you can and can not install. (Most songs are version-agnostic, though the
|
||||
background animations may not be. Themes, Noteskins, etc. are tied to
|
||||
specific versions.)
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 3.9
|
||||
StepMania 3.9 is currently considered the stable version of StepMania. It dates
|
||||
back to 2005, and is the version for which the bulk of content is produced.
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 3.9 Plus/StepMania 3.9 Plus Redux
|
||||
3.9 Plus/Redux is a fork of StepMania 3.9 that adds features from
|
||||
later StepMania versions (such as rolls), as well as new features.
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 3.95/StepMania Online
|
||||
Generally, when people talk about this version, they refer to a CVS build of
|
||||
StepMania from around June-August 2006. It was not an officially supported
|
||||
build of StepMania.
|
||||
|
||||
* OpenITG
|
||||
OpenITG is a fork of the StepMania CVS code from around the time In The Groove 2
|
||||
was released. OpenITG's goal is to produce a replacement executable for ITG2
|
||||
machines with enhanced features, though it can also be used at home as well.
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 4.0 CVS
|
||||
This term is used to describe versions of StepMania 4 that appeared after "3.95"
|
||||
up until January 2008, when the last build that could be categorized as "CVS"
|
||||
was released.
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 4.0 SVN/alpha
|
||||
The current development version of StepMania. This is the version that sm-ssc
|
||||
is forked off of. If you wish to port something to sm-ssc, it had better work
|
||||
for this version first, unless you like working hard to port the theme past
|
||||
various generations and default theme assumptions.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.1.2: StepMania Components
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Despite the title, this is a bit more broader-reaching, as it covers terms that
|
||||
you may see in StepMania communities and online.
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
* Courses
|
||||
Courses exist in many different forms, but in general, they take you through
|
||||
multiple songs without a break in-between. There are multiple types of courses:
|
||||
|
||||
* Nonstop Courses
|
||||
Nonstop courses use the regular lifebar and typically have 4 songs per
|
||||
course, though this isn't always the case. It is the easiest of the
|
||||
course modes.
|
||||
|
||||
* Oni/Challenge Courses
|
||||
The Oni/challenge courses are quite difficult, usually giving you 4 lives
|
||||
over multiple songs. If you get less than a Great, you lose a life. Once
|
||||
you lose all your lives, the game is over.
|
||||
|
||||
* Survival Courses
|
||||
Survival courses go by time. Each step judgment is worth something on the
|
||||
timer, with most of the values being negative by default. If you run out of
|
||||
time before you complete the course, the game is over.
|
||||
|
||||
* Endless Courses
|
||||
Endless courses are like the name suggests. They don't end until you fail or
|
||||
decide to quit. Like Nonstop courses, they have a normal lifebar as well.
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
* Event Mode
|
||||
Typically used during events, this disables the concept of stages and lets you
|
||||
play songs until you decide to stop. It is quite useful in Home Mode, and this
|
||||
guide recommends you enable it.
|
||||
|
||||
* Gametypes
|
||||
Gametypes are the different game modes StepMania can play. They generally
|
||||
change things like number of default receptors, number of judgments, and more.
|
||||
Gametypes are directly related to noteskins and unrelated to the different
|
||||
play modes (Normal, Nonstop, Challenge, and so on).
|
||||
Examples of gametypes include "dance", "pump", "beat", "techno", and so on.
|
||||
|
||||
* NoteSkins
|
||||
NoteSkins are the appearance of the notes. Most noteskins are bound to certain
|
||||
gametypes, though some noteskins are easily adapted for other gametypes.
|
||||
|
||||
* Pack/packs
|
||||
A pack is a group of songs for StepMania. The term originated from the
|
||||
community of StepMania keyboard creators, and can be seen prominently in
|
||||
certain release names, such as Community Keyboard Mega Pack (CKMP).
|
||||
When used as a single word question, e.g. "packs?", it is a request for what
|
||||
packs you have installed.
|
||||
|
||||
* Songs
|
||||
StepMania songs contain a few files, but mainly the steps (.sm, .dwi, .ksf,
|
||||
.bms, among many other formats) and song file itself (.mp3, .ogg, .wav). In
|
||||
order to get the most out of StepMania, you'll need to know all about songs
|
||||
and how to install them.
|
||||
|
||||
* Themes
|
||||
Themes are skins for StepMania. They change the look and feel, and in post-3.9
|
||||
versions, can also change elements of gameplay (scoring, grading) as well.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.2: StepMania Configuration
|
||||
or "How to use the Options Menu"
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Learning how to properly configure StepMania can save you headaches.
|
||||
|
||||
Most themes will have the Options menu in plain sight on the Title Menu.
|
||||
From there, it depends on which version of StepMania you have, as the options
|
||||
menus were re-shuffled around for the StepMania 4 alphas.
|
||||
|
||||
The typical StepMania 3.9 Options Menu:
|
||||
* Appearance Options
|
||||
* Background Options
|
||||
* Bookkeeping
|
||||
* Center Image
|
||||
* Coin Options
|
||||
* Config Key/Joy Mappings
|
||||
* Input Options
|
||||
* Gameplay Options
|
||||
* Graphic Options
|
||||
* Machine Options
|
||||
* Sound Options
|
||||
* Profile Options
|
||||
* Other Options
|
||||
* Reload Songs/Courses
|
||||
* Test Input
|
||||
|
||||
The StepMania 4.0 alpha 4 Options Menu:
|
||||
* Config Key/Joy Mappings
|
||||
* Test Input
|
||||
* Appearance Options
|
||||
* Graphics/Sound Options
|
||||
* Advanced Options
|
||||
* Network Options
|
||||
* Profiles
|
||||
* Reload Songs/Courses
|
||||
|
||||
sm-ssc changes this up again, making the "Options" item on the Title Menu go
|
||||
to System Direction (mostly-used options), leaving the normal options menu to
|
||||
the Scroll Lock key. Blame Midiman. :)
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.2.1: Frequently Asked Questions that can be Solved by Changing the Configuration
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
With that in mind, it's time to answer some questions using this knowledge.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How do I disable the menu timer?
|
||||
A: Where you go depends on the version of StepMania you use.
|
||||
|
||||
[3.9] Machine Options
|
||||
[4.0 alphas] Advanced Options
|
||||
It will be the first option on each.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How do I play forever, without game overs?
|
||||
A: Turn on Event Mode. Where you go depends on the version of StepMania you use.
|
||||
|
||||
[3.9] Coin Options
|
||||
[4.0 alphas] Advanced Options, a bit down the page.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: What the heck is this thing that says "Toasty" and how do I get rid of it?
|
||||
A: It's a reference to Mortal Kombat 2, where Dan Forden would pop out from
|
||||
the side of the screen randomly after an uppercut.
|
||||
In order to get a Toasty in StepMania, one must get a 250 combo without any
|
||||
Greats. The number 250 is a reference to how many VS games of MK2 you had to
|
||||
play before you could play Pong.
|
||||
|
||||
As for turning it off, turn Easter Eggs off.
|
||||
It appears in different locations between StepMania versions:
|
||||
[3.9] Gameplay Options
|
||||
[4.0 alphas] Advanced Options, a bit down the page.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.3: Installing Content
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
This is the most important section you will read, as all the time that you spend
|
||||
not playing with StepMania will be adding/removing things to it. Well, not
|
||||
completely, as you have other things to do.
|
||||
|
||||
Before we touch on the specifics, there are a few skills you should learn.
|
||||
|
||||
* Mac Users of StepMania 4.0
|
||||
Most of the game content is packaged in a file called StepMania.smzip. This has
|
||||
the pros of not cluttering things up, but the con is that people don't know
|
||||
where to put things.
|
||||
|
||||
Wherever you have StepMania installed, make the following folders:
|
||||
* Songs
|
||||
* Themes
|
||||
* Noteskins
|
||||
(and the various gametype folders, which are optional. You need at least one
|
||||
non-lights gametype in order to play.)
|
||||
* Noteskins/dance
|
||||
* Noteskins/pump
|
||||
* Noteskins/para
|
||||
* Noteskins/techno
|
||||
* Noteskins/beat
|
||||
* Noteskins/popn
|
||||
* Noteskins/ez2
|
||||
* Announcers
|
||||
(but at this point, no SM4 announcers have been released)
|
||||
* Packages
|
||||
(optional, but recommended)
|
||||
|
||||
and then you can follow the rest of this guide.
|
||||
|
||||
* Not on Windows and want to deal with .smzip files?
|
||||
There are multiple ways to deal this.
|
||||
1) Put the SMZip file in the Packages folder.
|
||||
2) Rename the file to have an extension of .zip and extract in the root
|
||||
StepMania folder.
|
||||
3) Pass the smzip's filename to StepMania on the command line/terminal.
|
||||
Dragging and dropping the .smzip may or may not work; we have not tested it.
|
||||
Also, this may or may not exist in your version of StepMania.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.3.1: Installing Song Files
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Song files are distributed in many ways. The concept of packs was explained
|
||||
above, in which multiple songs are included in one archive.
|
||||
|
||||
For .smzip files, the section "Not on Windows and want to deal with .smzip
|
||||
files?" details all possible ways of installing .smzip files, but the most
|
||||
common ways are as follows:
|
||||
|
||||
1) For operating systems with a filetype handler (Windows), you can double
|
||||
click on the .smzip file and the StepMania tools will handle it.
|
||||
2) Putting the .smzip file in the Packages folder, where it will be automatically
|
||||
read by StepMania.
|
||||
|
||||
If it's not a .smzip file, you'll have to do some detective work.
|
||||
Open up the song archive and see how the files are laid out.
|
||||
|
||||
The easiest single song installs will have a folder structure similar to this:
|
||||
Group Name\
|
||||
Song Name\
|
||||
song file.sm
|
||||
song file.ogg/mp3
|
||||
song file-bg.png
|
||||
song file-bn.png
|
||||
|
||||
With a setup like this, you can just extract it to the Songs folder with
|
||||
directory structure intact.
|
||||
|
||||
Sometimes, simfile authors don't package their file with a group name,
|
||||
leaving you with a file structure like this:
|
||||
Song Name\
|
||||
song file.sm
|
||||
song file.ogg/mp3
|
||||
song file-bg.png
|
||||
song file-bn.png
|
||||
|
||||
You will need to extract this into a song group folder that exists already.
|
||||
|
||||
An uncommon setup will only include the song files, without any folders at all.
|
||||
These need to be put into the {Group Name}\{Song Name}\ folder in order to work.
|
||||
|
||||
For packs, you follow the same logic. If there are multiple song folders, but no
|
||||
group folder, you will have to make a group folder. (Flightmix 4 is an example
|
||||
of a pack that exhibits this behavior.)
|
||||
|
||||
Overall, the setup should look something like this:
|
||||
|
||||
StepMania\
|
||||
Songs\
|
||||
Song Group 1\
|
||||
Song Group 2\
|
||||
Song Group 3\
|
||||
Song Group 4\
|
||||
Example Song\
|
||||
Example Song.sm
|
||||
Example Song.mp3/ogg
|
||||
Example Song-bn.png
|
||||
Example Song-bg.png
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.3.2: Installing Noteskins/New Gametypes
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
NoteSkins change the appearance of the arrows. They are also linked with getting
|
||||
other gametypes supported in StepMania.
|
||||
|
||||
The noteskin installation process looks something like this:
|
||||
StepMania\
|
||||
NoteSkins\
|
||||
(gametype)\
|
||||
(noteskin for gametype)\
|
||||
default\
|
||||
(gametype2)\
|
||||
default\
|
||||
|
||||
"gametype"/"gametype2" etc. can be any one of the following:
|
||||
dance (typically 4 panels)
|
||||
pump (typically 5 panels)
|
||||
para (5 receptors)
|
||||
techno (4, 5, and 8 panel modes)
|
||||
beat (5 and 7 key modes with a turntable on each)
|
||||
popn (5 and 9 line modes)
|
||||
kb7 (6 or 7 keys depending on when you try to use it)
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.3.3: Installing Themes
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Depending on if the theme is packaged in a SMZip or not, you have a few options.
|
||||
|
||||
If it is in a .smzip, you can put it in the Packages directory:
|
||||
StepMania/
|
||||
Packages/
|
||||
MyTheme.smzip
|
||||
and StepMania will automatically read it.
|
||||
On Windows, you can double click on the .smzip file to install it in your user
|
||||
packages directory. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED BECAUSE IT CAUSES CONFUSION.
|
||||
|
||||
Since .smzip files are really .zip files, you could also extract them in the
|
||||
StepMania root folder.
|
||||
|
||||
If the themer has not packaged the theme in a .smzip, then you have to look
|
||||
inside the archive to see how the directory layout looks.
|
||||
1) Themes folder
|
||||
If it has a themes folder when you open it up, extract in the StepMania root
|
||||
folder, like you would a .smzip file.
|
||||
2) Theme name as a folder
|
||||
This one will have to be extracted in the Themes directory. You will get a
|
||||
new folder with the files.
|
||||
3) A bunch of folders + metrics.ini
|
||||
The themer was lazy; you're going to have to make a folder in the Themes
|
||||
directory and extract the theme in there.
|
||||
|
||||
When in doubt, read any documentation that comes with the theme for proper
|
||||
installation instructions.
|
||||
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
Chapter 3: sm-ssc
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
sm-ssc is a fork of the current StepMania codebase. It is focused on adding
|
||||
features for theming, but also tries to make the process of dealing with
|
||||
sm-ssc Beginner's Guide
|
||||
Written and edited by the spinal shark collective
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Table of Contents
|
||||
1 Introduction
|
||||
2 StepMania
|
||||
2.1. Terms and Concepts
|
||||
2.1.1 Notable StepMania Versions
|
||||
2.1.2 StepMania Components
|
||||
2.2 StepMania Configuration
|
||||
2.2.1 Frequently Asked Questions that can be
|
||||
Solved by Changing the Configuration
|
||||
2.3. Installing Content
|
||||
2.3.1 Installing Song Files
|
||||
2.3.2 Installing Noteskins/New Gametypes
|
||||
2.3.3 Installing Themes
|
||||
3. sm-ssc
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
Chapter 1: Introduction
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
Welcome to the sm-ssc Beginner's Guide. This guide is primarily meant for people
|
||||
who do not have any previous experience with StepMania, but also includes
|
||||
information on how sm-ssc differs from StepMania. If you already know what
|
||||
StepMania is, and the basics of adding things to an install, you can skip ahead
|
||||
to Chapter 3: sm-ssc. Otherwise, read on.
|
||||
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
Chapter 2: StepMania
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
StepMania is an open-source rhythm game/engine, used by many projects, both
|
||||
commercial and free. It is the software from which sm-ssc is derived, and as
|
||||
a result, must be learned before using sm-ssc if you're not already familiar
|
||||
with how it works.
|
||||
|
||||
Some of the things an average sm-ssc user is expected to know includes the
|
||||
meanings/"proper names" of certain things, as well as how to install content
|
||||
and configure the program to suit your playing style.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.1: Terms and Concepts
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Like many other video games, StepMania has a rich lexicon of words which may
|
||||
confuse others. The most important of the terms has to do with versions of
|
||||
StepMania, as backwards compatibility is pretty much nonexistent between major
|
||||
versions.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.1.1: Notable StepMania Versions
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Knowing the versions of StepMania is helpful, as it will help you deduce what
|
||||
you can and can not install. (Most songs are version-agnostic, though the
|
||||
background animations may not be. Themes, Noteskins, etc. are tied to
|
||||
specific versions.)
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 3.9
|
||||
StepMania 3.9 is currently considered the stable version of StepMania. It dates
|
||||
back to 2005, and is the version for which the bulk of content is produced.
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 3.9 Plus/StepMania 3.9 Plus Redux
|
||||
3.9 Plus/Redux is a fork of StepMania 3.9 that adds features from
|
||||
later StepMania versions (such as rolls), as well as new features.
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 3.95/StepMania Online
|
||||
Generally, when people talk about this version, they refer to a CVS build of
|
||||
StepMania from around June-August 2006. It was not an officially supported
|
||||
build of StepMania.
|
||||
|
||||
* OpenITG
|
||||
OpenITG is a fork of the StepMania CVS code from around the time In The Groove 2
|
||||
was released. OpenITG's goal is to produce a replacement executable for ITG2
|
||||
machines with enhanced features, though it can also be used at home as well.
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 4.0 CVS
|
||||
This term is used to describe versions of StepMania 4 that appeared after "3.95"
|
||||
up until January 2008, when the last build that could be categorized as "CVS"
|
||||
was released.
|
||||
|
||||
* StepMania 4.0 SVN/alpha
|
||||
The current development version of StepMania. This is the version that sm-ssc
|
||||
is forked off of. If you wish to port something to sm-ssc, it had better work
|
||||
for this version first, unless you like working hard to port the theme past
|
||||
various generations and default theme assumptions.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.1.2: StepMania Components
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Despite the title, this is a bit more broader-reaching, as it covers terms that
|
||||
you may see in StepMania communities and online.
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
* Courses
|
||||
Courses exist in many different forms, but in general, they take you through
|
||||
multiple songs without a break in-between. There are multiple types of courses:
|
||||
|
||||
* Nonstop Courses
|
||||
Nonstop courses use the regular lifebar and typically have 4 songs per
|
||||
course, though this isn't always the case. It is the easiest of the
|
||||
course modes.
|
||||
|
||||
* Oni/Challenge Courses
|
||||
The Oni/challenge courses are quite difficult, usually giving you 4 lives
|
||||
over multiple songs. If you get less than a Great, you lose a life. Once
|
||||
you lose all your lives, the game is over.
|
||||
|
||||
* Survival Courses
|
||||
Survival courses go by time. Each step judgment is worth something on the
|
||||
timer, with most of the values being negative by default. If you run out of
|
||||
time before you complete the course, the game is over.
|
||||
|
||||
* Endless Courses
|
||||
Endless courses are like the name suggests. They don't end until you fail or
|
||||
decide to quit. Like Nonstop courses, they have a normal lifebar as well.
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
* Event Mode
|
||||
Typically used during events, this disables the concept of stages and lets you
|
||||
play songs until you decide to stop. It is quite useful in Home Mode, and this
|
||||
guide recommends you enable it.
|
||||
|
||||
* Gametypes
|
||||
Gametypes are the different game modes StepMania can play. They generally
|
||||
change things like number of default receptors, number of judgments, and more.
|
||||
Gametypes are directly related to noteskins and unrelated to the different
|
||||
play modes (Normal, Nonstop, Challenge, and so on).
|
||||
Examples of gametypes include "dance", "pump", "beat", "techno", and so on.
|
||||
|
||||
* NoteSkins
|
||||
NoteSkins are the appearance of the notes. Most noteskins are bound to certain
|
||||
gametypes, though some noteskins are easily adapted for other gametypes.
|
||||
|
||||
* Pack/packs
|
||||
A pack is a group of songs for StepMania. The term originated from the
|
||||
community of StepMania keyboard creators, and can be seen prominently in
|
||||
certain release names, such as Community Keyboard Mega Pack (CKMP).
|
||||
When used as a single word question, e.g. "packs?", it is a request for what
|
||||
packs you have installed.
|
||||
|
||||
* Songs
|
||||
StepMania songs contain a few files, but mainly the steps (.sm, .dwi, .ksf,
|
||||
.bms, among many other formats) and song file itself (.mp3, .ogg, .wav). In
|
||||
order to get the most out of StepMania, you'll need to know all about songs
|
||||
and how to install them.
|
||||
|
||||
* Themes
|
||||
Themes are skins for StepMania. They change the look and feel, and in post-3.9
|
||||
versions, can also change elements of gameplay (scoring, grading) as well.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.2: StepMania Configuration
|
||||
or "How to use the Options Menu"
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Learning how to properly configure StepMania can save you headaches.
|
||||
|
||||
Most themes will have the Options menu in plain sight on the Title Menu.
|
||||
From there, it depends on which version of StepMania you have, as the options
|
||||
menus were re-shuffled around for the StepMania 4 alphas.
|
||||
|
||||
The typical StepMania 3.9 Options Menu:
|
||||
* Appearance Options
|
||||
* Background Options
|
||||
* Bookkeeping
|
||||
* Center Image
|
||||
* Coin Options
|
||||
* Config Key/Joy Mappings
|
||||
* Input Options
|
||||
* Gameplay Options
|
||||
* Graphic Options
|
||||
* Machine Options
|
||||
* Sound Options
|
||||
* Profile Options
|
||||
* Other Options
|
||||
* Reload Songs/Courses
|
||||
* Test Input
|
||||
|
||||
The StepMania 4.0 alpha 4 Options Menu:
|
||||
* Config Key/Joy Mappings
|
||||
* Test Input
|
||||
* Appearance Options
|
||||
* Graphics/Sound Options
|
||||
* Advanced Options
|
||||
* Network Options
|
||||
* Profiles
|
||||
* Reload Songs/Courses
|
||||
|
||||
sm-ssc changes this up again, making the "Options" item on the Title Menu go
|
||||
to System Direction (mostly-used options), leaving the normal options menu to
|
||||
the Scroll Lock key. Blame Midiman. :)
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.2.1: Frequently Asked Questions that can be Solved by Changing the Configuration
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
With that in mind, it's time to answer some questions using this knowledge.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How do I disable the menu timer?
|
||||
A: Where you go depends on the version of StepMania you use.
|
||||
|
||||
[3.9] Machine Options
|
||||
[4.0 alphas] Advanced Options
|
||||
It will be the first option on each.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: How do I play forever, without game overs?
|
||||
A: Turn on Event Mode. Where you go depends on the version of StepMania you use.
|
||||
|
||||
[3.9] Coin Options
|
||||
[4.0 alphas] Advanced Options, a bit down the page.
|
||||
|
||||
Q: What the heck is this thing that says "Toasty" and how do I get rid of it?
|
||||
A: It's a reference to Mortal Kombat 2, where Dan Forden would pop out from
|
||||
the side of the screen randomly after an uppercut.
|
||||
In order to get a Toasty in StepMania, one must get a 250 combo without any
|
||||
Greats. The number 250 is a reference to how many VS games of MK2 you had to
|
||||
play before you could play Pong.
|
||||
|
||||
As for turning it off, turn Easter Eggs off.
|
||||
It appears in different locations between StepMania versions:
|
||||
[3.9] Gameplay Options
|
||||
[4.0 alphas] Advanced Options, a bit down the page.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.3: Installing Content
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
This is the most important section you will read, as all the time that you spend
|
||||
not playing with StepMania will be adding/removing things to it. Well, not
|
||||
completely, as you have other things to do.
|
||||
|
||||
Before we touch on the specifics, there are a few skills you should learn.
|
||||
|
||||
* Mac Users of StepMania 4.0
|
||||
Most of the game content is packaged in a file called StepMania.smzip. This has
|
||||
the pros of not cluttering things up, but the con is that people don't know
|
||||
where to put things.
|
||||
|
||||
Wherever you have StepMania installed, make the following folders:
|
||||
* Songs
|
||||
* Themes
|
||||
* Noteskins
|
||||
(and the various gametype folders, which are optional. You need at least one
|
||||
non-lights gametype in order to play.)
|
||||
* Noteskins/dance
|
||||
* Noteskins/pump
|
||||
* Noteskins/para
|
||||
* Noteskins/techno
|
||||
* Noteskins/beat
|
||||
* Noteskins/popn
|
||||
* Noteskins/ez2
|
||||
* Announcers
|
||||
(but at this point, no SM4 announcers have been released)
|
||||
* Packages
|
||||
(optional, but recommended)
|
||||
|
||||
and then you can follow the rest of this guide.
|
||||
|
||||
* Not on Windows and want to deal with .smzip files?
|
||||
There are multiple ways to deal this.
|
||||
1) Put the SMZip file in the Packages folder.
|
||||
2) Rename the file to have an extension of .zip and extract in the root
|
||||
StepMania folder.
|
||||
3) Pass the smzip's filename to StepMania on the command line/terminal.
|
||||
Dragging and dropping the .smzip may or may not work; we have not tested it.
|
||||
Also, this may or may not exist in your version of StepMania.
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.3.1: Installing Song Files
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Song files are distributed in many ways. The concept of packs was explained
|
||||
above, in which multiple songs are included in one archive.
|
||||
|
||||
For .smzip files, the section "Not on Windows and want to deal with .smzip
|
||||
files?" details all possible ways of installing .smzip files, but the most
|
||||
common ways are as follows:
|
||||
|
||||
1) For operating systems with a filetype handler (Windows), you can double
|
||||
click on the .smzip file and the StepMania tools will handle it.
|
||||
2) Putting the .smzip file in the Packages folder, where it will be automatically
|
||||
read by StepMania.
|
||||
|
||||
If it's not a .smzip file, you'll have to do some detective work.
|
||||
Open up the song archive and see how the files are laid out.
|
||||
|
||||
The easiest single song installs will have a folder structure similar to this:
|
||||
Group Name\
|
||||
Song Name\
|
||||
song file.sm
|
||||
song file.ogg/mp3
|
||||
song file-bg.png
|
||||
song file-bn.png
|
||||
|
||||
With a setup like this, you can just extract it to the Songs folder with
|
||||
directory structure intact.
|
||||
|
||||
Sometimes, simfile authors don't package their file with a group name,
|
||||
leaving you with a file structure like this:
|
||||
Song Name\
|
||||
song file.sm
|
||||
song file.ogg/mp3
|
||||
song file-bg.png
|
||||
song file-bn.png
|
||||
|
||||
You will need to extract this into a song group folder that exists already.
|
||||
|
||||
An uncommon setup will only include the song files, without any folders at all.
|
||||
These need to be put into the {Group Name}\{Song Name}\ folder in order to work.
|
||||
|
||||
For packs, you follow the same logic. If there are multiple song folders, but no
|
||||
group folder, you will have to make a group folder. (Flightmix 4 is an example
|
||||
of a pack that exhibits this behavior.)
|
||||
|
||||
Overall, the setup should look something like this:
|
||||
|
||||
StepMania\
|
||||
Songs\
|
||||
Song Group 1\
|
||||
Song Group 2\
|
||||
Song Group 3\
|
||||
Song Group 4\
|
||||
Example Song\
|
||||
Example Song.sm
|
||||
Example Song.mp3/ogg
|
||||
Example Song-bn.png
|
||||
Example Song-bg.png
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.3.2: Installing Noteskins/New Gametypes
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
NoteSkins change the appearance of the arrows. They are also linked with getting
|
||||
other gametypes supported in StepMania.
|
||||
|
||||
The noteskin installation process looks something like this:
|
||||
StepMania\
|
||||
NoteSkins\
|
||||
(gametype)\
|
||||
(noteskin for gametype)\
|
||||
default\
|
||||
(gametype2)\
|
||||
default\
|
||||
|
||||
"gametype"/"gametype2" etc. can be any one of the following:
|
||||
dance (typically 4 panels)
|
||||
pump (typically 5 panels)
|
||||
para (5 receptors)
|
||||
techno (4, 5, and 8 panel modes)
|
||||
beat (5 and 7 key modes with a turntable on each)
|
||||
popn (5 and 9 line modes)
|
||||
kb7 (6 or 7 keys depending on when you try to use it)
|
||||
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
2.3.3: Installing Themes
|
||||
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||||
Depending on if the theme is packaged in a SMZip or not, you have a few options.
|
||||
|
||||
If it is in a .smzip, you can put it in the Packages directory:
|
||||
StepMania/
|
||||
Packages/
|
||||
MyTheme.smzip
|
||||
and StepMania will automatically read it.
|
||||
On Windows, you can double click on the .smzip file to install it in your user
|
||||
packages directory. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED BECAUSE IT CAUSES CONFUSION.
|
||||
|
||||
Since .smzip files are really .zip files, you could also extract them in the
|
||||
StepMania root folder.
|
||||
|
||||
If the themer has not packaged the theme in a .smzip, then you have to look
|
||||
inside the archive to see how the directory layout looks.
|
||||
1) Themes folder
|
||||
If it has a themes folder when you open it up, extract in the StepMania root
|
||||
folder, like you would a .smzip file.
|
||||
2) Theme name as a folder
|
||||
This one will have to be extracted in the Themes directory. You will get a
|
||||
new folder with the files.
|
||||
3) A bunch of folders + metrics.ini
|
||||
The themer was lazy; you're going to have to make a folder in the Themes
|
||||
directory and extract the theme in there.
|
||||
|
||||
When in doubt, read any documentation that comes with the theme for proper
|
||||
installation instructions.
|
||||
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
Chapter 3: sm-ssc
|
||||
================================================================================
|
||||
sm-ssc is a fork of the current StepMania codebase. It is focused on adding
|
||||
features for theming, but also tries to make the process of dealing with
|
||||
StepMania a little easier.
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user