Using Level Feature Tags
Contents |
Overview
This tutorial will cover the basics of how to create and use Level Feature Tags. This includes using existing Level Feature Tags, creating new ones, and defining them in Level Rule Sets. It will assume you already have a fundamental understanding of how to navigate and use the GUTS editor.
Level Feature Tags
Level Feature Tags are set on Group Objects and used to designate that Group as a specific feature. This allows the Level Rule Set to dictate how many of those tagged Group Objects appear in a level. Once the defined amount of Level Feature Tags have been randomly chosen and loaded in a level the rest of the tagged Group Objects will be ignored.
Tagging Groups
To set an existing Level Feature Tag on a Group select the Group Object in the Layout Scene Manager and then click the "Tag" drop-down in the Properties Window to select a Level Feature Tag from the list. Only one Level Feature Tag can be applied to a Group.
When a Group has a Level Feature Tag applied its icon will change to include a green square 
in the Layout Scene Manager.
No Tag Found
The "No Tag Found" property on Group Objects is used to specify that a Group should only appear in a level after all Level Feature Tags have been loaded. It should never be set to True on a Group that has a Level Feature Tag specified or it will negate the effect of the Level Feature Tag.
Creating New Feature Tags
The creation of new Level Feature Tags is done in the Feature Tag Editor which can be found under the Data Editors top menu on the Main Window. To create a new tag click the Add button 
on the tool strip at the top of the Feature Tag Editor and enter a unique name for the new Level Feature Tag. Once the Level Feature Tag has been named click the Save button 
on the tool strip at the top to save changes to all Level Feature Tags.
- It may be necessary to to refresh the list of available Level Feature Tags after adding or modifying Level Feature Tags. To do so click the Reload button
on the tool strip at the top of the Main Window and choose "Level Feature Tags".
Deleting Feature Tags
To delete a Level Feature Tag right-click on it in the Feature Tag Editor and choose "Delete Node: Feature Tag Name". Then click the Save button on the tool strip at the top to save all changes.
- Be careful as this will remove the Level Feature Tag from the game and cause problems for any Group Object that was still using it.
Feature Tag Inheritance
Level Feature Tags can be set to inherit from one or more other Level Feature Tags. This allows a Level Rule Set to load any Level Feature Tag that inherits from the specified parent Level Feature Tag.
To add an inheritance right-click on a Level Feature Tag in the Feature Tag Editor and choose "Add Inheritance". Then select the Level Feature Tag to inherit from in the new window and click "Add". Once the inheritance has been added click the Save button on the tool strip at the top to save changes to all Level Feature Tags.
Feature Tags in Level Rule Sets
Level Feature Tags must be defined in a Level Rule Set in order to function. The Level Rule Set specifies what Level Feature Tags are used, how many to load, and the chance of them to appear.
Adding Feature Tags to Level Rule Sets
Adding Level Feature Tags to a Level Rule Set is done in the Level Rule Sets Editor which can be found under the Data Editors top menu on the Main Window. In order to edit a Level Rule Set it must be selected from the list on the left. The "Features" tab on the right lists all defined Level Feature Tags for the selected Level Rule Set. To add a new Level Feature Tag click the empty drop-down box to select an existing Level Feature Tag from the list.
A count must be defined for a Level Feature Tag in the Level Rule Set. This dictates the number of tagged Group Objects to load for that Level Feature Tag. There are two values that determine the count for a specific Level Feature Tag:
- "MinCount" is the minimum number of tagged Groups that will appear in a level.
- "MaxCount" is the maximum number of tagged Groups that will appear in a level.
These values can be set to the same number to define a specific count or different numbers to define a range.
After modifying a Level Rule Set click the Save button on the tool strip at the top to save changes to all Level Rule Sets.
Feature Tag Chance
Level Feature Tags can be loaded based on the "Chance" property instead of "MinCount" and "MaxCount". This is a value between 0.0 and 1.0 that determines the percent chance to load that Level Feature Tag. The number of Level Feature Tags desired can not be specified when using the "Chance" property. Leaving "Chance" blank removes the chance and sets the Level Feature Tag to be used according to "MinCount" and "MaxCount".
Removing Feature Tags from Level Rule Sets
Level Feature Tags can be removed from a Level Rule Set in the Level Rule Sets Editor. To remove a Level Feature Tag from the selected Level Rule Set click the drop-down box of the intended Level Feature Tag and select the blank entry at the top of the list.
- This will remove the Level Feature Tag from the Level Rule Set, but not delete the Level Feature Tag itself.
After removing the desired Level Feature Tag from the Level Rule Set click the Save button on the tool strip at the top to save changes to all Level Rule Sets.