Tutorial:Creating Dungeons from Scratch - Revision history

Imbion at 15:29, 26 October 2025

2025-10-26T15:29:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:29, 26 October 2025
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	This article is a manual on how to create a dungeon with its appropriate generation steps from scratch without using other dungeons as a template.		This article is a manual on how to create a dungeon with its appropriate generation steps from scratch without using other dungeons as a template.

	For a table summary of these instructions for future reference, see [[Creating Dungeons from Scratch/Reference Table]].		For a table summary of these instructions for future reference, see [[Tutorial:Creating Dungeons from Scratch/Reference Table]].

	== Notes About This Guide ==		== Notes About This Guide ==

Imbion: Imbion moved page Creating Dungeons from Scratch to Tutorial:Creating Dungeons from Scratch

2025-10-16T15:41:22Z

Imbion moved page Creating Dungeons from Scratch to Tutorial:Creating Dungeons from Scratch

← Older revision	Revision as of 15:41, 16 October 2025
(No difference)

Imbion: /* Finishing Touches */

2025-08-22T14:54:35Z

Finishing Touches

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:54, 22 August 2025
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	== Finishing Touches ==		== Finishing Touches ==
	The dungeon has been created, but it isn't fully playable in game yet. To add it to a [[ground map]], see [[Making Dungeons Accessible from Ground Map]]. Finally, there is some basic scripting required for the zone to function - see [[Basic Dungeon Scripting]] for details.		The dungeon has been created, but it isn't fully playable in game yet. To add it to a [[ground map]], see [[Making Dungeons Accessible from a Ground Map]]. Finally, there is some basic scripting required for the zone to function - see [[Basic Dungeon Scripting]] for details.

	[[Category:Dungeon Generation]]		[[Category:Dungeon Generation]]

Imbion at 14:53, 22 August 2025

2025-08-22T14:53:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:53, 22 August 2025
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	This article is a manual on how to create a dungeon with its appropriate generation steps from scratch without using other dungeons as a template.		This article is a manual on how to create a dungeon with its appropriate generation steps from scratch without using other dungeons as a template.

			For a table summary of these instructions for future reference, see [[Creating Dungeons from Scratch/Reference Table]].

	== Notes About This Guide ==		== Notes About This Guide ==
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	[[Detect Isolated Stairs Step]] [7] is a debug step, but is useful to remember to include as it'll notify you if your stairs ever generate somewhere unreachable from the spawn point.		[[Detect Isolated Stairs Step]] [7] is a debug step, but is useful to remember to include as it'll notify you if your stairs ever generate somewhere unreachable from the spawn point.

			== Finishing Touches ==
			The dungeon has been created, but it isn't fully playable in game yet. To add it to a [[ground map]], see [[Making Dungeons Accessible from Ground Map]]. Finally, there is some basic scripting required for the zone to function - see [[Basic Dungeon Scripting]] for details.

	[[Category:Dungeon Generation]]		[[Category:Dungeon Generation]]

Imbion: /* Range Dict Segment */

2025-08-18T23:55:11Z

Range Dict Segment

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:55, 18 August 2025
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	=== Range Dict Segment ===		=== Range Dict Segment ===
	Floors take up a specified range of the segment. This method is quite useful while working on the editor, as rather than having to duplicate the same floor multiple times, floors are simply defined as the floor at a certain numerical range.		Floors take up a specified range of the segment. This method is quite useful while working on the editor, as rather than having to duplicate the same floor multiple times, floors are simply defined as the floor at a certain numerical range. As such, it is recommended to use it over layered segment.

	'''USE WARNING:''' The editor currently has a particular quirk that means if the start and end range of floors ''ever'' overlaps, the floors that aren't being edited '''will be deleted without warning.''' If you are using this method of construction, it is strongly recommended to '''back up each floor''' in a Layered Segment, so that if the worse happens and you save over a floor deletion, your data isn't lost! Just don't copy over the zone steps - the editor can act strangely if your segment has the same "name" as another segment, and initializing the zone steps is what actually does that...		'''USE WARNING:''' The editor currently has a particular quirk that means if the start and end range of floors ''ever'' overlaps, the floors that aren't being edited '''will be deleted without warning.''' If you are using this method of construction, it is strongly recommended to '''back up each floor''' in a Layered Segment, so that if the worse happens and you save over a floor deletion, your data isn't lost! Just don't copy over the zone steps - the editor can act strangely if your segment has the same "name" as another segment, and initializing the zone steps is what actually does that...

	== Zone Steps Overview ==		== Zone Steps Overview ==

Imbion at 23:04, 18 August 2025

2025-08-18T23:04:16Z

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 To start creating your dungeon, go to '''Segments''' and press '''Add'''.
-There's two main parts of the segment editor: '''Floors''' and '''[[Zone Steps]]'''. "Floors" contain generation parameters (or "[[Gen Steps]]") for each individual floor, while "Zone Steps" contain generation parameters for the entire segment. Let's start with configuring the zone steps.
+There's two main parts of the segment editor: '''Floors''' and '''[[Zone Steps]]'''. "Floors" contain generation parameters (or "[[Gen Steps]]") for each individual floor, while "Zone Steps" contain generation parameters for the entire segment.
 == Zone Steps Overview ==

Imbion: Expanded on chance floors, updated links

2025-08-11T19:00:32Z

Expanded on chance floors, updated links

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	=== Grid Floors ===		=== Grid Floors ===
	[[Grid ~~Floor~~ Generation]] generates the dungeon using a grid based system, creating cells of a specified size and placing a grid of them with specified dimensions.		[[Grid of Rooms Generation]] generates the dungeon using a grid based system, creating cells of a specified size and placing a grid of them with specified dimensions.

	==== Initialization ====		==== Initialization ====
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	==== Room & Hall Generation ====		==== Room & Hall Generation ====
	Once the grid is initialized, we must generate rooms on the floor with a [[Grid Path Steps\|grid path step]] [-4]. This is a family of different generation steps that will put the floor together in different ways. The most common path step is [[Grid Path Branch]], which creates a "standard" dungeon of rooms generating in cells with halls connecting them. It should be noted that which grid path step you select modifies the character of your floor quite a bit, and as such you should consider which one to use carefully.		Once the grid is initialized, we must generate rooms on the floor with a [[Grid Path Steps\|grid path step]] [-4]. This is a family of different generation steps that will put the floor together in different ways. The most common path step is Grid Path Branch, which creates a "standard" dungeon of rooms generating in cells with halls connecting them. It should be noted that which grid path step you select modifies the character of your floor quite a bit, and as such you should consider which one to use carefully.

	==== Modifying Rooms After Generation ====		==== Modifying Rooms After Generation ====
	Once everything has been generated, there are a few post generation changes we can use:		Once everything has been generated, there are a few post generation changes we can use:

	* [[Connect Grid Branch Step]] [-4.1] will connect adjacent rooms together with halls.		* [[Connect Grid Branch Step]] [-4.1] will connect adjacent rooms together with halls.
	* [[Combine Grid Room Step]] [-4.2] based on the parameters you give it will merge cells into one single room.		* [[Combine Grid Room Step]] [-4.2] based on the parameters you give it will merge cells into one single room.
	* [[Set Grid Defaults Step]] [-4.3] transforms a random percentage of the rooms into "dummy" 1x1 hallways. These halls will still be connected to, but will have no rooms, resulting in creating these long hallways.		* [[Set Grid Defaults Step]] [-4.3] transforms a random percentage of the rooms into "dummy" 1x1 hallways. These halls will still be connected to, but will have no rooms, resulting in creating these long hallways.

	==== Completing Generation ====		==== Completing Generation ====
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	=== Room Floors ===		=== Room Floors ===
	[[~~Room Floor~~ Generation]] does not use a cell system, and instead generates the dungeon using just the space it has.		[[List of Rooms Generation]] does not use a cell system, and instead generates the dungeon using just the space it has.

	==== Initialization ====		==== Initialization ====
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	=== Mapped Room Floors ===		=== Mapped Room Floors ===
	[[~~Mapped Room~~ Generation]] loads a pre-existing map as the floor. This is often used for things like boss rooms, which should always have the same layout. Mapped rooms use only one zone step, the [[Mapped Room Step]] [-7], which loads everything on that map into the floor.		[[Load Generation]] loads a pre-existing map as the floor. This is often used for things like boss rooms, which should always have the same layout. Mapped rooms use only one zone step, the [[Mapped Room Step]] [-7], which loads everything on that map into the floor.

	=== Stairs Floors ===		=== Stairs Floors ===
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	=== Chance Floors ===		=== Chance Floors ===
	~~{{sectstub}}~~
	[[Chance Floor Generation]] allows you to randomly select one of the previous generation types. It can be used to make floors very unpredictable. To use this, you add different floor generations and configure them like you would for any other floor.		[[Chance Floor Generation]] allows you to randomly select one of the previous generation types. It can be used to make floors very unpredictable. To use this, you add different floor generations and configure them like you would for any other floor.

			You can think about it like a spawn table of floors - and since different floors use different FloorGen methods, knowledge of how to generate other types of floors is sufficient enough for Chance Floor Generation.

	=== Final Steps For Grid & Room Gen ===		=== Final Steps For Grid & Room Gen ===

Shitpost Sunkern at 18:35, 8 August 2025

2025-08-08T18:35:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:35, 8 August 2025
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	This article is a manual on how to create a dungeon with its appropriate generation steps from scratch, without using other dungeons as a template.		This article is a manual on how to create a dungeon with its appropriate generation steps from scratch without using other dungeons as a template.

	== Notes About This Guide ==		== Notes About This Guide ==

Shitpost Sunkern at 18:32, 8 August 2025

2025-08-08T18:32:59Z

Show changes

Shitpost Sunkern: Edits up to Spread Plans

2025-08-08T18:11:08Z

Edits up to Spread Plans

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:11, 8 August 2025
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	This article is a manual on how to create a dungeon with its appropriate generation steps from scratch, without using other dungeons as a template.		This article is a manual on how to create a dungeon with its appropriate generation steps from scratch, without using other dungeons as a template.

	== Notes About ~~The~~ Guide ==		== Notes About This Guide ==
	If ~~I do not include~~ details about how to configure particular steps, assume that you are free to customize them based on what options you'd like for ~~you~~ dungeon. The specific steps are what is required as a baseline in order to configure everything with the default settings for PMDO. If you would like to learn more about the options available, please check out the pages on those steps.		If details about how to configure particular steps are not included, assume that you are free to customize them based on what options you'd like for your dungeon. The specific steps are what is required as a baseline in order to configure everything with the default settings for PMDO. If you would like to learn more about the options available, please check out the pages on those steps.

	'''Format Note:''' Most steps have priorities that they want set typically to certain values. I will be ~~noting those priorities~~ beside the step's name like [1], to avoid repetition.		'''Format Note:''' Most steps have priorities that they want set typically to certain values. These will be noted beside the step's name like [1], to avoid repetition.

	== Dungeon Initialization ==		== Dungeon Initialization ==
	In PMDO, all dungeons are ~~defined as~~ a ~~[[Zone]]~~. ~~Each Zone has its~~ own ~~configurations~~, ~~which~~ more information about can be found on ~~their~~ page.		In PMDO, all dungeons are contained within a '''zone'''. Zones themselves have their own configuration which will not be covered in this tutorial, but more information about them can be found on the [[zone]] page.

	~~Inside each~~ zone~~, you~~ can ~~create a new~~ '''~~segment~~'''. ~~These segments~~ are essentially different dungeons, with their own unique floor generation and rules.		Each zone can contain any number of '''segments'''. Segments are essentially different dungeons, with their own unique floor generation and rules.

	To start creating your dungeon, go to '''~~segments~~''' and press '''~~add~~'''.		To start creating your dungeon, go to '''Segments''' and press '''Add'''.

	There's two main parts of the segment editor: '''Floors'' and '''Zone Steps'''. Floors contain ~~the~~ generation parameters for each ~~floors~~, while Zone Steps contain generation parameters for the entire segment. Let's start with configuring the ~~Zone Steps~~.		There's two main parts of the segment editor: '''Floors''' and '''[[Zone Steps]]'''. "Floors" contain generation parameters (or "[[Gen Steps]]") for each individual floor, while "Zone Steps" contain generation parameters for the entire segment. Let's start with configuring the zone steps.

	== ~~Segment~~ Zone Steps ==		== Zone Steps Overview ==
	Zone ~~Steps~~ are generation steps that ~~we want to~~ apply to '''all''' floors present inside the segment. This includes tasks that ~~apply~~ to all dungeons, and ~~tasks that need~~ to ~~consider~~ all floors in the segment ~~to function~~.		Zone steps are generation steps that apply to ''all'' floors present inside the segment. This includes certain tasks that are needed to make all floors in the segment function, which we would want in all dungeons. This can also save a lot of time by reducing duplication. For example, the step that is responsible for showing the floor name is usually done as a zone step, as in most cases the name is always shown in the same format. While this could be done with a gen step on each floor, it requires us to remember to include that step on every floor, and if we wanted to change something for all floors, which would require us to edit every floor by hand to make the change. Instead, we can use a single zone step for the entire segment, and it will handle all of that for us.

	~~For example, the step that is responsible for showing the~~ floor ~~name is found here~~, ~~as in most cases the name is always shown in the same format. There is a way~~ to ~~put that step solely within the~~ floor ~~itself~~, ~~but~~ that ~~leads to some problems - i.e. If I want to change the dungeon name, I have to change the name in ALL floors~~.		If you ''would'' like to customize something by floor, you will have to use floor gen steps. Otherwise, it's recommended that you use zone steps where possible.

	~~Most~~ Zone Steps ~~do similarly have~~ floor ~~step equivalents, but we put them as Zone Steps instead because it~~'s ~~easier to work with. If~~ you ~~would like to customize~~ it ~~by floor~~, ~~that's possible by~~ using ~~their~~ floor ~~step equivalent; But that should not be used unless you have a specific reason to do so~~.		=== Essential Zone Steps ===
			The '''[[Show Floor Name]]''' [-6] zone step is responsible for showing the floor's name when you enter it. You can put the name within the "Name" field, using the placeholder <code>{0}</code> for the floor number.

	~~=== Essential Steps ===~~		If you plan on allowing rescues in your dungeon, you must also add the '''[[Handle Rescues]]''' [2.1] step.
	The '''Show Floor Name''' [-6] zone step is responsible for doing the title drop of the floor name. You can put the name within the '''Name''' field, using the placeholder <code>{0}</code> for the floor number.

	If you plan on allowing rescues in your dungeon, the '''Handle Rescues''' [2.1] step ~~will be required~~.

	=== Spawn Tables ===		=== Spawn Tables ===
	We can add ~~Money~~, ~~Item~~, NPC, and ~~Effect Tile~~ spawn tables to ~~Zone Steps~~. This is where all of the information about those things will be kept, which the ~~Floor Steps~~ will later reference.		We can add money, item, NPC, and [[effect tile]] spawn tables to zone steps. This is where all of the information about those things will be kept, which the floor steps will later reference.

	The names of each spawn table are, respectively: [[Money Spawn Zone Step]] [1], [[Item Spawn Zone Step]] [1.1], [[Team Spawn Zone Step]] [1.2], and [[Tile Spawn Zone Step]] [1.3]. Each will allow you to add individual entries to them, giving them a weight that modifies their percent chance of spawning and a range of floors they can appear on.		The names of each spawn table are, respectively, [[Money Spawn Zone Step]] [1], [[Item Spawn Zone Step]] [1.1], [[Team Spawn Zone Step]] [1.2], and [[Tile Spawn Zone Step]] [1.3]. Each will allow you to add individual entries to them, giving them a weight that modifies their percent chance of spawning and a range of floors they can appear on.

	'''Sanity Check:''' When editing the Team Spawn Zone Step, make sure you add a team size of at least 1 that covers all floors! If you don't, nothing will be able to spawn ~~and you will have no idea why~~.		'''Sanity Check:''' When editing the Team Spawn Zone Step, make sure you add a team size of at least 1 that covers all floors! If you don't, nothing will be able to spawn.

	=== Spawn & Spread ===		=== Spawn & Spread ===
	~~Some features consider~~ the ~~entire segment~~. For example, in many longer dungeons, ~~it's guaranteed~~ that certain essential items like ~~apples~~ will spawn ~~within a given range of~~ floors. This ~~is specifically to make sure that players who get~~ unlucky and get no ~~apple spawns can~~ still complete the dungeon.		{{Main\|Using SpreadPlans}}
			Spread plans are a kind of zone step that spawns a particular feature at a regular floor interval. This is often used in the demo game to guarantee the player will have certain resources as they progress through a dungeon. For example, in many longer dungeons, a spread plan is used to guarantee that certain essential items like [[Apples]] and [[Leppa Berries]] will spawn every 3-4 floors. This way, even if a player gets unlucky and get no random Apples spawn, they still have enough food to complete the dungeon.

	The step responsible for this, [[Spread Step Zone Step]] [6.1], can spread features across the dungeon in general. It can perform almost any floor step spread across the floors based on its [[Spread Plan\|spread plan]].		The step responsible for this, [[Spread Step Zone Step]] [6.1], can spread features across the dungeon in general. It can perform almost any floor step spread across the floors based on its [[Spread Plan\|spread plan]].