Thutmose's Workshop

The RPG Tsukuru 4 Translation Database is now Online!

Thutmose — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 20:57:24 +0000

Not much to say, other than here’s the link:

http://rpgt4.thutmosesworkshop.com/

It was put together basically in 4 days, so it’s not terribly well polished right now. If you have any ideas, suggestions, encounter any bugs/crashes/etc. do let me know.

RPGT DS Sample Game Play-Through

Thutmose — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:22:40 +0000

Here it is. My play-through of RPGT DS. I decided not to narrate it because, honestly, it’s such a simple game that I doubt anyone would want to hear my inane comments about how you can press b or something to walk faster.

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

RPGT4 Overview – Episode 1

Thutmose — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:56:46 +0000

It’s finally here: The first episode of my video overview of RPG Tsukuru 4.

Episode 1 includes a brief history of the RPGT/M franchise as well as a short look at the sample game and the first set of menus. Later episodes will have a lot more RPGT4 content in them, with detailed looks at just about every part of RPGT4, and each episode will likely be longer. I learned quite a bit in making this first one, so expect future episodes to look/feel a bit different (that star field in the background takes a long time to render).

It clocks in at little over 9 minutes. It’s in 720p HD, and available in both high and low quality versions (I, of course, recommend the high quality version; if only to help you better see the RPGT4 stuff).

Downloads:

NOTE: Depending on how your browser is configured, clicking the below links will open the video in your browser rather than downloading it to your computer hard drive. To download the videos rather than play them in your browser, right click the link and then click on “Save Link as” to save the the video file.

High Quality: Download High Quality Episode 1

Low Quality: Download Low Quality Episode 1

Featured on Hack a Day

Thutmose — Fri, 21 May 2010 01:51:59 +0000

My Kupid project has been featured on Hack a Day. I’m happy, to say the least.

In time, maybe they’ll feature Kupid 2.0 & DDR, which are a lot more technically interesting (after all, who doesn’t love Assembler?).

Kupid 1.0 Source Code Released

Thutmose — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:44:04 +0000

Thutmose’s Workshop 2.0 is online (a redesign, and some added content), along with the complete source code and schematics for Kupid 1.0. Just go to “Project Pages” in the menu an look for “Source Code, Schematics, and Photos” – there’s other info about Kupid 1.0 there as well (a lot of it taken from what I wrote in the Mag Wiki).

So if you’re curious about what actually makes Kupid 1.0 tick, download the source files and check it out! ^_^

Been a While. Lots of Updates.

Thutmose — Sat, 15 May 2010 19:49:33 +0000

Since my last post here, I’ve made tons of progress with Kupid. But, since I was posting regular updates on the Pav & the Mag, I didn’t bother duplicating all that here. It’d be a real pain to do.

To summarize: I completed Kupid 1.0, shipped the very first one off to Ix, began development of Kupid 2.0, and halted development of 1.0. Basically, the first Kupid models truly available for purchase will be 2.0 models.

I hope to have 2.0 more or less completed in a month’s time. But, I recently got a second job, and am transferring to a new college with a new major. Hopefully that won’t put too much of a delay on 2.0.

In other news, I am going to be working on a DexDrive replacement device. There is no ETA on that yet, as it will have to wait until I finish Kupid 2.0.

Also, you may have noticed I’m on a new domain: thutmosesworkshop.com. I decided to switch to that, since this blog is no longer just about my work with RPGM XP graphic resources. Also, I’m going to be making a main site which will host all the info about my projects (i.e. Kupid, DDR, and anything else major).

Once I get the new site up, I’ll be releasing the source code for Kupid 1.0. Look for it in the coming days.

Well, I think that’s it for now. Lot’s to do.

Minor Kupid Update – Final Circuit Design Works!

Thutmose — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:11:06 +0000

I just tested a PS\2 Keyboard with the circuit I posted yesterday, and it works perfectly. Now I just need to hook up the PS1 controller, write the program, test it out, then cram it all in the PS1 Controller!

Below is a vid of the PICAXE debug screen which shows that the keyboard is working.

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

I wrote the program for PICAXE. Kupid is no longer just an idea, or a proof-of concept. Kupid LIVES! See the latest vid here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kupid-testing

I have caps-Lock working. Just press the caps-lock key on your keyboard, and the caps-lock light will turn on or off, indicating to you whether or not you have caps-lock on.

I am still working on the special symbols & characters. But should have the entire program complete shortly. UPDATE: Special characters & symbols are now working. Just press either shift key (don’t hold it down), then the “num-lock” light on your keyboard will light up, and then you just type in whatever special character you need. Also, F1 through F5 type in the special symbols (male symbol, smiley face, heart, etc).

Due to memory limitations, as I feared, I won’t be able to get that copy/paste function working. It’s doable with the addition of a 4KB EEPROM, but that would raise the price and mena a lot more work for me. So I’m just going to focus on making the core Kupid unit.

The final circuit (click on image for larger pic):

The program is now complete. All I need to do now is get everything crammed inside the PS1 controller. It may take me a little bit to figure it all out, but I’ll post updates as soon as I make progress.

Major Kupid Update – Working on Final Prototype Circuit

Thutmose — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:02:11 +0000

I spent several hours today designing & making the final circuit for Kupid. I haven’t connected the PS1 Controller, yet. But I tested everything out as best I could. I hit a major stumbling block, though – I don’t have a PS\2 keyboard. >_< Well, I’ll find one ASAP.

Below is a picture of the circuit, in which I have labeled all the parts so you can see what it takes to make Kupid possible. I basically need to cram all that into a PS1 controller. It’s going to be a challenge; but that’s something to worry about after I finish the circuit (I need to test everything together, it’s possible that I’ve made a mistake or two), then programming the PICAXE MCU, and then finally testing the software & hardware.

This is a big picture with labels – http://rpgmakerxp.us/assets/Proto_bread_diagram.jpg

Here is a smaller one without the labels:

Major Kupid Update

Thutmose — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:30:05 +0000

I spent several hours today working on Kupid. I have successful connected a keyboard to a PS1 controller, and was able to type into RPG Maker 1. I am going to be refining the program, and working out the kinks & glitches in the coming days. Soon I’ll be able to start migrating over to PICAXE and build the final prototype. Once the prototype is complete and tested, then I will move on to building units for sale.

Videos after the jump.

The first vid is of an early prototype of the keystroke conversion algorithm that was much slower than the one in the second vid.

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

Minor Kupid Update

Thutmose — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:59:19 +0000

I know I’ve been fairly quiet about Kupid for some time. I’m still working on it, but I’ve had some trouble overcoming an issue with missed button presses.

I’m not quite sure how long it’s going to take me to figure this out, and fix the problem, but I am by no means abandoning the Kupid project. I intend to complete it, no matter what.

Since all my current work is in the software, there isn’t much to show. No pictures or video – nothing that would be more interesting than a cursor moving around in different patterns for a few hours, anyway.

As I make progress, updates will be posted.