Before we begin I highly suggest you make a folder for your patches so you don't accidentally save over your default patches.
If you do not know how to make a folder/put patches into your dream read below.
If you do then skip over this part to the part below the Laying Phoenix.
Start -> Programs -> Furcadia -> Furcadia Tools -> Furcadia Folder
File -> New -> Folder
or
Right Click -> New -> Folder
The folder should appear and you can name it whatever you'd like.
Examples being "<YourName>'s Patches" or "<YourDreamsName>"
You can go so far as to put folders within your patch folder to organize it more.
I personally have things like "Avatars", "Items","Downloaded Patches","Portraits" etc in my Patch Folder.
You should also make a folder for each dream you weave and place all the patches (and map/ds etc) for that dream in that file.
This makes it easier to find later on and this way you can use your patches in your dream providing you name them correctly. (later)
Some terms you'll need to know:
Shape = Item/Wall/Floor/Avatar/Port etc.
A 'shape' is just a general term for whatever you're viewing in the FSH.
Remapping: Remapping colors are a special set of colors that make your portrait or avatar change to your characters colors!
This means that to make a portrait/avatar that changes to a players colors you need to do it in a very specific color scheme!
Non-Remapping: Colors that do not change to a players colors.
To begin we'll need to open our Furcadia Shape Editor (or FSH from now on).
Start -> Programs -> Furcadia -> Furcadia Tools -> Furcadia FSH Editor
Select the Furcadia FSH Editor =D
The image below will not be what your FSH looks like: I've merely edited it and color coded it to show what things are.
Now, I'm not going to go over what all the buttons do because you can go to the 'help' section and it gives a description of each =D
I will point out some of the things I personally use most often and things that may be particularly helpful. ^-^
Under the 'File' Tab there are many things you'll use often in your patching adventures. From Starting/Saving patches to Importing/Merging.
Open A Copy will open a copy of any of the files listed. This can save you from accidentally saving over your default patches.
If you accidentally save over your default patches then installing a fresh copy of furcadia will fix it.
If players on the main maps are appearing as your avatars or you see your portraits/items everywhere you've probably saved over a default patch!
The Import Feature is one I use frequently now. If you want to merge two or more patches you can save those patches as .fox files.
After you've saved them as .fox files you can go to Import and select "Shape(s) from FOX file.."
Once you get there a window will pop up.
You can select the patch you want to import/merge into the open patch (or new patch) by selecting the ... button.
You can then fill in the information.
All: Will import every single shape in the file you load
#: Will only import the shape number you enter.
#,#,#: Will only import the shape number(s) you enter.
#-#: Will only import the shape from the first number to the second number.
Add New shapes: Will add new shapes. Will not replace old ones
Replace Old Shapes: Will replace the old shapes - will not add new ones.
Starting from current shape: Will start adding the shapes from the shape you're currently viewing.
After current shape: Will start adding shapes from the shape you're currently viewing.
To the Beginning: Will start adding shapes at the beginning of the patch.
To the End: Will start adding shapes to the end of the patch.
By using this feature you can import not only all the items but their shape properties as well.
This also saves lots of time when importing animations to your patch without having to reposition them all!
Another Tab that you'll be using often and seeing lots of. This tab has lots of tools that a patcher will use frequently. It also lists the shortcuts
Add Shapes: This will add more shapes to the patch you're working on.
Remove Shape: This will remove/delete the shape you are currently viewing (be careful!)
Swap with: This will swap the shape you're currently viewing to the shape number you enter.
Switch Color Range: Select the remapping color and a second color to swap it with.
Color Swapper: Select color(s) and what to swap them with a slider.
Convert to Closest Non-Remapping Colors: Will convert the image to the closest non-remapping colors.
Convert to Closest Remapping Colors: Will convert the image to the closest remapping colors.
The 'View' Tab is also one that's use -lots- and lots! Here you set the properties of your shape, the positon and the player position!
Shape Properties define if the item is:
Sittable: Players sit automatically when they walk on it
Gettable: Players can pick up the shape
Walkable: Players can move onto/walk over the shape.
Obviously if you want a object to be sittable/gettable it also has to be walkable!
Shape Positon: Where the item appears on a square. A item can only take up one square.
The square in the window represents the ground/floor tile the shape will take up/sit on =D
Furre Position: Where the furre/player will appear on the object.
Viewing other shapes in the file.
Import the furcadia shape properties of another file to the file you're working on.
The tab list of the buttons on the FSH Editor.
Insert Frame: Inserts another 'frame' of animation for the shape you're currently on.
Remove Frame: Removes the frame you're currently on.
Animation Editor: Lets you edit how the animation works, timing etc.
Animation Player: View the animation.
Next Frame: Go forward one frame.
Previous Frame: Go back one frame.
This tab is also very useful for players of all experience ranges.
All Colors: Shows all the colors in furcadia
All Remappable Colors: Shows all the remappable colors.
All Non-remappable Colors: Shows all the non-remappable colors
Badge (etc): Shows all the colors for that remapping color.
Help! It explains things about the FSH Editor!
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