Standing Picture Maker (RMVX/VXA)

Here is a site where you can create a full set of resources for your RMVX/VXA project. It's in Japanese but it's easy to figure out without translation. The site can be found here.

This is an angelic character I created using the online maker.

There are very few actual parts to create a wide range of resources, but you can still create some decent ones. The site also has a lot of different facesets. It's well-worth a visit.

Character Maker XP Resources

Unfortunately, the Character Maker XP Online website is no longer available. However, there are still some character generators for RMXP. Bear with me as I finish work on Flower Mint's Garden, my commissioned website, and I'll be able to focus on the matter in hand again.

In the meantime, there are a few RMXP Character Makers that I know of, thus:

• Loose Leaf Character Generator - This site is in Japanese, but it appears to work if it's translated.
• Chibi Character Maker - This site allows you to create and download individual sprite sheets. The link has been translated into English from its original Japanese.
• Character Maker XP - Here is the "original" software previously downloadable from Megaupload before it went offline. I think this version is slightly out of date, but I'll be updating on the RPG Maker Times Companion blogsite soon.

Thanks again to all those who have pointed out the "missing links" and for providing alternatives. I'll collect them all up and place them on the Companion blogsite as soon as I'm done with the commissioned website.

Character Maker XP Online

There are quite a few Online Creators for RMXP/RMVX already, mostly Japanese sites.

I recently discovered - quite by accident - a French site, Nine Sages, which has some absolutely stunning Title and Game Over pictures, in addition to some fabulous resources. It's well worth checking out.

The pièce de résistance for me was finding a working character maker for RMXP. It is still limited in the amount of resources for characters, but it does have enough to make some decent character sets.



The generator can be found here. It is in French, but does not need translating as it's easy enough to use.

Create Your Own Resources Online

If you're not a great graphic artist, like me, there are several websites that allow you to create your own, thus:

• Character Sprite Generator (RMXP) - No longer available! This is an effective character creator, but is extremely limited on extras. I don't think it's been updated for a while either.
• Chibi KYARATSUKURU (RMXP) - This is a more comprehensive character maker, Google-translated into English from its original Japanese version. I love creating characters here, even if none of them ever make it into games!
• RPG Material - Character Generation (RMVX) - This is the ultimate RMVX character creator (and the only one as far as I know). Not only can you create your own characters by setting a series of options, but you can randomize characters. The output even has the appropriate facesets to use too!
• RPG Material - Roof Chipset Maker (RMXP/RMVX) - No longer available! With this nifty resource tool, you can create your own rooftops for the main chipsets by manipulating a few options or randomizing them. The roof outputs can become part of the map chipsets.

While these are the best resources for creating RMXP/RMVX chipsets conveniently online, there are several methods for character sets and chipsets from older versions of RPG Maker compatible with RMXP/RMVX. I'll cover that in a future entry.

Create Your Own Characters

If you've ever wanted to create your own charsets for RM2K/3, but (like me) are not an artist, there are several resources available for doing just that. These are the best ones I've found:

• Chara.EX - This is probably the best known site in the RM2K/3 community. Not only can you design characters online and save them onto your hard drive, you can also download an offline version too. Creating charsets with either method is quick, easy and fun.
• Character Maker 1999 - With this neat program, you can edit any resource for RM2K/3, including adding status effects (if you know about transparencies). This program can also be used for producing resources for RMXP and RMVX.

Other programs that are useful for creating resources are:

• Irfanview - This program is useful for cropping images and correcting transparency issues. In some games, it is possible to take snapshots, pasting and cropping them in Irfanview, then copying the cropped image and pasting the result in Character Maker 1999 to be further modified.
• Paint Shop Pro - Now owned by Corel, Paint Shop Pro is the editor to use for more complex designs, but I'd recommend using version 7.04 (if you can find it) rather than the latest version, as it is cumbersome and unnecessarily complex. I usually use this program to design the Title and Game Over screens, then use Irfanview for final size modification.

Create Your Own Resources

Sometimes the resources that come with RMXP are not enough and you might want to create your own. There are several websites and programs that allow such customization, thus:

Utilities

• Dan's RMXP Tool - A useful tool for inspiration, which allows you to create names, titles, items, etc.
• Move Event - This utility helps with programming complex character movements, which can otherwise be very tedious.
• Character Maker - Allows the creation of sprites and character sets. (While this program is limited on features, some cool character sets can still be made from it.)
• Face Maker - What's a character set without a matching face? This helps in creating such facesets for message boxes. (To download, you'll have to become a member of the forum, but it's well worth it!)

Online Creators

• Character Sprite Generator - A good sprite/character maker for RMXP, but with limited resources. You can change the hair, eyes, clothing, etc.