Warning: The editor included with DreamZZT is experimental and incomplete. Some functions may not work as expected, and you may corrupt your world file. It is not recommended to use the DreamZZT editor for anything important. You have been warned.

Editor

DreamZZT includes an editor that allows you to create a new game or modify an existing one. The editor can be accessed by selecting "Editor" from the main menu, or by entering "edit" into the debug console.

Editing Basics

Adding objects

Objects can be added by accessing the menus and pressing the appropriate key. For a description of each object type, see below. The object will be placed where your cursor is currently located. The cursor can be moved with the arrow keys.

Colors

The color of the object you place will be determined by the color value selected. Not all objects can have a custom color. To change the foreground (the top arrow), press 'c'. To change the background, hold shift while pressing 'C'.

Patterns

The pattern list allows quick access to common object types, as well as a temporary clipboard. To select a pattern, press P. The patterns in the list are as follows: solid, normal, empty, line, and clipboard. The clipboard stores the last object you placed on the board. To put a different object in the clipboard, move the cursor over it and press 'Enter'.

Drawing

This is not yet implemented (#18).

Loading / Saving

To load an existing ZZT world file, press 'L'. To save your world, press 'S'.

Quitting the Editor

To return to the main menu, press 'Q'.

Boards

Creating a new board

Press 'B' to open the board list, then select "(Create new board)". A new board will be created and will become the current board.

Switching to another board

Press 'B' to open the board list and select a board.

Modifying board properties

Press the I key to access the board information screen. The following properties can be modified:

Title

The title of the board.

Board is dark

Whether the player requires a torch to view this board.

Re-Enter When Zapped

The player will be sent back to the starting position if he takes damage.

Re-Enter X/Y

These are the coordinates the player will moved to if re-enter when zapped is set. These values are automatically updated when the player moves to a new board.

Time Limit

How much time the player can spend on this board. If time runs out, the player is sent back to the starting position.

Maxiumum Shots

How many shots may be fired at once on this board.

Adjacent Boards

These specify which boards are linked to this board. If the player travels off the board in this direction, he will be transported to the specified board.

Items

The list of items can be accessed by pressing F1 from the editor menu.

Player

The player is the main character of the game. It is controlled by using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

Ammo

Ammunition for the player to fire.

Torch

Torches allow the player to see in the dark.

Gem

Gems give you health and can also be used as currency in some games.

Key

Keys are used to unlock doors.

Door

Doors can only be opened if the player has the right key.

Scroll

Scrolls display a message to the player and then disappear.

Passage

Passages allow the player to travel to another board.

Duplicator

Duplicators create copies of whatever object is next to them.

Bomb

Bombs will explode 8 seconds after they are touched by the player.

Energizer

Makes the player invincible for a short amount of time.

Conveyors

Conveyors move pushable objects (including the player) around in a circle.

Creatures

Creatures move around and try to attack the player. The list of creatures can be viewed by pressing F2 from the editor menu.

Bear

Bears will charge at the player if they are aligned. They can also destroy breakable walls.

Ruffian

Ruffians will charge at the player randomly. They only move in straight lines.

Object

This is a scriptable NPC. See the supported ZZT-OOP keywords.

Slime

This is not yet implemented (#7).

Shark

Sharks swim around on water. If the player gets too close to a shark, it will attack.

Spinning Gun

Spinning guns will shoot at the player.

Pusher

Pushers move in a direction, moving pushable objects in their path.

Lion

Lions move randomly and try to maul the player.

Tiger

Tigers move randomly and try to maul or shoot the player.

Centipedes

Centipedes move around the board trying to eat the player. They will change direction randomly if they bump into anything.

Terrains

The terrain menu can be access by pressing F3 from the editor menu.

Water

The player cannot cross this, but he can shoot across it. Watch out for sharks!

Forest

The player can clear his way through the forest by walking into it. Creatures cannot pass through uncleared forest.

Solid

Nothing can pass through a solid wall.

Normal

Nothing can pass through a normal wall.

Breakable

Breakable walls can be destroyed by shooting them or by bears.

Boulder

Boulders can be pushed by the player, pushers, or objects.

Sliders

Sliders can only be pushed north/south or east/west.

Fake

This looks like a normal wall, but the player can pass through it.

Invisible

This wall type is invisible. It will become normal if the player tries to walk through it.

Blink Wall

Blink walls shoot lasers that will zap the player if touched.

Transporter

Transporters will move a player to another transporter that is aligned.

Ricochet

This object is not yet implemented (#8).

Text

This is not yet implemented (#17).