How to create sprite/ moving figures?

[Stellaferox]

Hi,

Is there a way to create a sprite or a moving figure? I want to make a game in which things are moving against a background.
thnx for your input!
Marc

[Cableguy]

Can You please define "sprite" to me?

[Stellaferox]

Well, anything that moves, from created images to balls, figurines, animations etc

[Erel]

You can use the ForeLayer property of a form and draw the moving images on the fore layer.
On the background you can put an image too.
You will need to handle the movement.
It should be done using a Timer.

[Stellaferox]

How do I address the two different forelayers?

[RandomCoder]

You can use FDrawImage, but to make the image appear to move you will need to erase the area that the last image occupied before redrawing in a slightly different place.

Regards,
RandomCoder

[Stellaferox]

But if I use Erase won't I erase the Forelayer underneath? I'd like to address the 2 forelayers separately. Is that possible?
Marc

[RandomCoder]

You can use the normal (background) Form layer using DrawImage and then apply a separate image to the Forms forelayer using the FDrawImage command. Finally you can erase part or all of the forelayer using FErase before moving the image. Another useful aspect to using the forelayer is that it supports transparency so you can select a particular colour not to display on the forelayer.

Regards,
RandomCoder

[Stellaferox]

OK, thnx, that explains it. Is there, by any chance, an example of the "famous" bouncing ball in code around to see this in action?
Marc

[RandomCoder]

Stellaferox,

I'm not familiar with the 'famous' boucing ball but here's a little somthing I knocked up whist having my dinner at work -

Sub Globals
Height=100: LastHeight=100: Direction=5
End Sub

Sub App_Start
    Form1.Show
    Form1.Line(0,200,Form1.Width,200,cBlack)
    Form1.ForeLayer=True
    BounceBall
    Timer1.Enabled=True
End Sub

Sub BounceBall
    Form1.FCircle(Form1.Width/2,100,5,cRed,F)
    LastHeight=100
End Sub


Sub Timer1_Tick
    Height=LastHeight+Direction
    Form1.FErase(Form1.Width/2-5,LastHeight-5,Form1.Width/2+5,LastHeight+5)
    Form1.FCircle(Form1.Width/2,Height,5,cRed,F)
    LastHeight=Height
    If Height=195 Then Direction=-5
    If Height=100 Then Direction=5
End Sub

It's a never ending bouncing ball and the code needs some polishing up but at least it gives you the idea. I'm sure that you could gradually make the bounces smaller until finally coming to a stop and turn the timer off.

Regards,
RandomCoder