Master On Screen Text in Game Maker Studio 2

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Different Text Drawing Functions in GameMaker
   1. Basic Draw Text Function
   2. Transforming Text with Draw Text Transformed
   3. Drawing Text on Multiple Lines with Draw Text Ext
   4. Coloring Text with Draw Text Color
3. Tips for Better Text Rendering
4. Advanced Text Manipulation
   1. Changing Text Color Mid-sentence
   2. Animating Text
   3. Custom Dialogue Systems
5. Conclusion

Different Text Drawing Functions in GameMaker

In game development, there often comes a time when you need to display text on the screen. GameMaker offers several functions for drawing text, each with its own purpose and capabilities. In this article, we'll explore the different text drawing functions in GameMaker and learn how to use them effectively.

Basic Draw Text Function

The most basic text drawing function in GameMaker is draw_text. This function allows you to specify the coordinates and text you want to display on the screen. However, one thing to note is that when you change the font or alignment settings using draw_set_font or draw_set_halign, it affects all the text in your game. So, be sure to set these properties for each specific text you want to draw.

Transforming Text with Draw Text Transformed

If you need to draw small text that looks pixelated when using the default draw_text function, you can use draw_text_transformed instead. By transforming the scale of the font, both larger and smaller, you can achieve crisp and clear small text without pixelation. The draw_text_transformed function also allows you to set an angle if you want to draw text at an angle.

Drawing Text on Multiple Lines with Draw Text Ext

For situations where you need to display a long piece of text over multiple lines, GameMaker provides the draw_text_ext function. With this function, you can set the maximum width of the text before it breaks to the next line and adjust the separation between each line. This is particularly useful for creating dialog boxes or displaying lengthy descriptions.

Coloring Text with Draw Text Color

To add color to your text, you can use the draw_text_color function. This function allows you to blend colors or create gradients by specifying different colors for each corner of the text. You can also adjust the alpha value to make the text transparent if desired.

Tips for Better Text Rendering

When it comes to text rendering in GameMaker, there are a few tips that can help improve the overall appearance of your text. Firstly, choose appropriate fonts and sizes that suit the style and readability you want to achieve. Secondly, consider the placement and alignment of the text to ensure it is positioned correctly on the screen. Lastly, experiment with different colors and transparency settings to add visual interest and clarity to your text.

Advanced Text Manipulation

If you want to take your text manipulation to the next level, GameMaker offers additional functionality for more advanced techniques.

Changing Text Color Mid-sentence

Sometimes you may want to change the color of specific words or phrases within a sentence. This can be achieved by breaking the text into multiple strings and using different draw_text_color functions for each part. By adjusting the position and color dynamically, you can create dynamic and visually appealing effects.

Animating Text

Animating text can add life and visual interest to your game. You can achieve this by combining the various text drawing functions with timers or loops. By updating the text position, scale, color, or transparency over time, you can create animated text effects such as fading in/out, bouncing, or scrolling.

Custom Dialogue Systems

If you want to create a custom dialogue system with branching dialogues, choices, or mission context, you can build it using a combination of the different text drawing functions. By managing the text rendering and user input, you can create engaging and interactive dialogues tailored to your game's storyline and mechanics.

Conclusion

Drawing text in GameMaker requires understanding the different text drawing functions available. By using the basic draw_text function or exploring more advanced functions like draw_text_transformed, draw_text_ext, and draw_text_color, you can display text on the screen with precision and style. Experiment with different settings, fonts, colors, and animations to deliver a visually appealing and immersive experience to your players. Keep learning and keep making games!

Highlights

• Learn how to draw text in GameMaker using various functions
• Understand the differences between basic, transformed, extended, and colored text functions
• Discover tips and techniques for better text rendering
• Dive into advanced text manipulation, including changing colors and animating text
• Create custom dialogue systems for engaging player interactions

FAQ

Q: Can I change the font size when using the basic draw_text function? A: Yes, you can change the font size by using the draw_set_font function before calling draw_text. This will affect all the text in your game if not specifically set for individual text instances.

Q: Can I use multiple colors within a single string of text? A: Yes, you can achieve this by breaking the text into separate strings and using different draw_text_color functions for each part. This allows you to color specific words or phrases within a sentence.

Q: How can I create animated text in my game? A: To animate text, you can combine the text drawing functions with timers or loops. By updating the text position, scale, color, or transparency over time, you can create dynamic and visually appealing text animations.

Q: Are there any limitations to the number of lines I can draw with draw_text_ext? A: The maximum number of lines you can draw using draw_text_ext depends on the available space on the screen. However, you can adjust the width and separation between the lines to fit your desired layout.

Q: Can I use gradients in the draw_text_ext function? A: No, the draw_text_ext function does not support gradients directly. If you want to achieve gradient effects, you can use multiple instances of draw_text_color with different colors for each corner of the text.

Q: Is it possible to use custom fonts in GameMaker? A: Yes, GameMaker allows you to import custom font files and use them in your game. You can load the font using the font_add function and set it as the active font using draw_set_font.

Q: Can I combine different text drawing functions together? A: Yes, you can combine the different text drawing functions, such as draw_text_transformed, draw_text_ext, and draw_text_color, to achieve complex text rendering effects. Experiment with different combinations to suit your specific needs.