Creating artistic levels?

[Nazar_Ops]

Hello there. Here i am again, needing help. Today's subject: How do i create artisticly? I mean, like for example in the story mode. I talk about, good matching materials and such on. Everytime i create, it turn's out, bad. It dosent fit at all, and when i compare to story levels and the other published levels. They look way better than mine. Is there any advice, like for example how i should build?

For example, i create and it will end up something like this:

eefcf880ae3a820470be157aed85558790976c9b.jpg

While i want to create like this:

e865a006db46e834d516916180e5708b516d5e98.jpg

Mine level, compared to this, is very bad.



Thank you for your time.

[Frenzie]

I can't understand any of the images... perhaps you could post some bigger ones?:P While you do that I'll think of a decent answer hmmmmmmm...

[Valeview]

Oooookay!
First off, you'd be best off sifting through the materials to find a few that work toghether, or seem to fit a theme.
There's always stickers and ardboard/sticker-panel if you can't find any.

Once you've got few, narrow it down.
Think around 5, give or take a few.
Then say, "Now, would this be a wall, the ground or the foundation(ground under the walkable on floor)"
Lay it out, and see how it looks.

Doesn't work? Just change a material or two.

Then lights, and decorations!

There's probably some more (Bouncepads and the bottom of spikes on the same grid [ Such as_ _ rathwer than -_]) but I'm lazy, and I know you're a good creator... and I'm lazy.

Best of luck dood!

[Nazar_Ops]

I can't understand any of the images... perhaps you could post some bigger ones?:P While you do that I'll think of a decent answer hmmmmmmm...

Haha, alright. But il post a new one:

79923_17498LittleBigPlanet2_19.jpg

2b1b6f78b0f500912e40d0bd35ab118ca4bcac57.jpg

The first one is from Prehistoric pack i think.

The second is my level.

First one is alot better.

And also i mean, like how do i know, where i should create like a open space so that the background show's? This is what's bothering me. I dont know how i should do. If i have chosen a background, il need to make it somehow visible in the level. If i just cover up with, for example, a piece of cardboard over the background, then what's the point of having one?

My english is probaly not that good. Lol

[Valeview]

2b1b6f78b0f500912e40d0bd35ab118ca4bcac57.jpg

...This is what I meant about the same grid. See that it's not in line (Around top left) major turn off :S
Also, see the spikes and bouncepads? They should be lined up ;-)
Still though, I've played your level.
You have great gameplay, and the visuals are better than you're leading us to believe

[Frenzie]

Okay I think I've cooked a pretty good answer(and cookies)!


It''s section time!!!
I strongly reccomend making your level in sections then putting it all together. Use different styles feel free to experiment and most importantly have fun creating don't turn it into a chore! If you pull out a level you have no pleaseure in doing stop, take a break, take your time to reflect, draw inspiration from other levels/real world/shows/anything you want, change stuff and have fun


Don't overcomplicate your LittleBigBrain

Make some planning before and just use 1 or two basic materials- preferably basic cardboard. I usually make my own creation box where I basically put all of the materials and decorations (not stickers) I want to use in the level. After you made a part of your level with the cardboard use the material changer to change materials in that section. IF you use 3-4 materials in that section you'll see it plays out nicely
I suggest using max 6-7 different materials 20-30 types decorations in a level but I don't think a limit is needed with stickers since they don't occupy much thermometer space.


Let's go modular!

Basically doing something modularly means not having wires between them - so we come the tag/tag sensor great-super-duper-pew-pew-idea. But when it comes to modular level-making means making everything as easy for you - the creator. DON'T GLUE ANYTHING AT ALL! put on every single bit anti-gravity-tweakers 100% dampening and 100% anti-gravity. Also any connector(rods, pistons, winches etc.) should be connected to invisible holo or sticker panel, if you want to make it look like the connector is fixed to the ceiling simply overlap the holo with the ceiling till it fits perfectly. This allows you to copy entire contraptions and stuff, place them, and not worry at all about gluing anything, etc. The antigravity tweakers, holo, sticker panel shouldn't take up too much thermo but you can just delete all and glue when you're done

The funky layer playing, sublayers and 3d layer glitch

Playing with the layers basically means using each layer individually. What's more cool: 3 grassy hills or a simple 3-layered block? Of course it's the 3 grassy hills. Use each layer individually in your creations for puzzles, secrets and whatnot. Next up are the sublayers - theck&thack They can be used to achieve quite some interesting visual aspects: theck - is checkpoint thickness thack - is sackboy thickness. You can see more in LBP2-Torials 19: Theck and Thack Sublayers. Also there's the Extra layers(a.k.a. The 3D glitch) they can be used to make your own backgrounds or to achieve nice in-building looks. Learn more here : LBP2-Torials 12: Working with Extra Layers. You can get these here and a lot of other stuff You have to COPY the level not play it to get what you need


The Amazing Corner Editor

Always always use it Whether you are doing a sci-fi level or a forest one it is the best tool along with the slice 'n' dice tool. It can be used for making more complicated shapes it can be... it can be... used for ANYTHING!!!!!! It is the best thing to feature in your level and using it carefully it can sky-rocket your levels's visuals.


PS: Decided to post a more complex tutorial will edit when it's out Probably tomorrow

[GribbleGrunger]

some nice tips there, Frenzie. here are two more to consider:

1 go to a shop that sells paint and get a chart from there. some have material charts too

2 CHEAT! watch youtube vids of other people's levels and copy the materials they use (nothing wrong with that)

[Frenzie]

Haha, alright. But il post a new one:

79923_17498LittleBigPlanet2_19.jpg

2b1b6f78b0f500912e40d0bd35ab118ca4bcac57.jpg

The first one is from Prehistoric pack i think.

The second is my level.

First one is alot better.

And also i mean, like how do i know, where i should create like a open space so that the background show's? This is what's bothering me. I dont know how i should do. If i have chosen a background, il need to make it somehow visible in the level. If i just cover up with, for example, a piece of cardboard over the background, then what's the point of having one?

My english is probaly not that good. Lol

OOPS I didn't notice this question. Well you can use the backround in your level if it fits your theme perfectly(it usually doesn't) also background come with backgorund noises so... I usually don't like letting the player see it but you can if you want to give the player the impression of being in the open - like in a beautiful forest make a small thin background but leave some place for the player to see the background a lil bit(it can be blank). If you want nice skies set the blue bubbles material to 0% brightness it's AWESOME! Also the freaky clouds material set to 0% brightness for a nice water shimmer effect. Hope this helped
Happy gadding

[Nazar_Ops]

Thanks everybody

[L1N3R1D3R]

@Frenzie: I think it's funny how the Blue Bubbles material looks good as a sky and the Freaky Clouds material looks good as water. :/

[Frenzie]

@Frenzie: I think it's funny how the Blue Bubbles material looks good as a sky and the Freaky Clouds material looks good as water. :/

Yeah that is one of the wierd things LBP2 has to offer I was recently trying to make the sky blue bubbles less darker. The only method I found so far is to change the fogginess of the level... Any ideas?
Also @Nazar_Ops post here your next level or in the ideas and projects section. We might give you better tips knowing what you want to do.