I needed to make 100s of textures for my already released & upcoming PSX inspired games - so what did I do?

I created a program (initially just for myself) that allows you to extract textures from photographs, crop, downscale, adjust colors, reduce colors (for pixel art), & make seamless all in one go, & then quickly save & move on to the next texture. 

I had a ton of fun creating it, so I added a bunch of features to gamify the process, with tutorials (disguised as missions), a fake currency system which will be put to use later, & an XP system which upgrades your class to a new cooler name every 50 xp.

I couldn't keep this thing all to myself, so I decided to release it as an app on itch. I released it last night, not expecting much, but the post on X did better than I expected. Thank you to the people who bought Cycletex, if you're seeing this!

List of Features:

• Tons of tutorials (disguised as Missions) 
• Polygon select perspective flattening  
• Easy paste (images you copied into the program)
• Drag images straight into the editor
• Cropping normally & cropping to 16 or 8 pixel chunks  
• Downscaling  (automatic)
• Flip/rotate  
• Remove Backgrounds  
• Color adjusting 
• Color limiting
• Make Seamless (smart stitching that uses a texture defined by the image itself), & mirrored stitching  
• Export/copy to socials (upscales & exports the texture)  
• Currency & leveling system, based on how much actual texture work you do, or your completion of missions (it's gamified & I plan to add more non-distracting optional systems like this)
• Copy / Quick Save feature that allows you to quickly copy your texture to the clipboard or save it quickly to your "my textures folder".
• Theming options with a modern & pixel theme + color choices

Check it out here: https://dreammixgames.itch.io/cycletex-retro-texture-toolkit  

• Free Demo
• Early Adopter Sale until August 2nd

Screenshots & Example Textures:

I created a texture pack using Cycletex (which I will be releasing soon) All of these textures are seamless (some horizontal, some vertical, some both).

A couple of the textures used in a 3D scene

Using the perspective flattening tool

Using the background removal tool, combined with "make seamless horizontal"

I will be putting out an update soon that adds some QOL & more features. I plan to keep putting out updates even though the program is functionally finished. I want to keep adding things just because it's fun to do so - plus, I'm using it myself, so if I can think of a way to improve it, I will. I already have a lot in mind. If you can think of anything that will improve the program, let me know.

*As a final note, after creating this & releasing it, I did find out about Puck's tool, but I think Cyclerex has some different features that would be helpful. The only way you can find out is by trying the free demo.

It would just be way too laggy afaik

I would love to but I think it would be impossible since I'm already pushing GameMaker so hard.

yes

Cool, thank you :)

I'm going to be putting up a demo soon as well.

Mythic Kart Maker is part level maker, part fantasy kart racer. Vehicular combat, whimsical characters, & a vibrant 64-bit pre-rendered art style come together to create a chaotic, creative playground where you build the race - and then survive it.

Do you wish there were more items in Kart Maker?

• If no, jump to the next section, & definitely don't read the next bullet point.
• if yes, I telepathically heard your wish through the vast Kart Maker spy netwo- I mean... through the good spirits that inhabit this realm, & I have decided to bless you with some wonderful items, my sweet summer child.

Oh, & unlocks... I think I have some of those in my chest

• The bad news - you have to unlock tracks in single player now.
• The good news - you have to unlock tracks in single player now, which means the games progression system is already in motion.
• You can also unlock the single player tracks by completing Steam tracks as well. All 3 modes have crystals for you to win, but you need to get the gold to net any crystals.
• So Far, the single player tracks are the same as before, but there is one new character to unlock.

Changes:

• Added - Progression / Unlock system
  • Win Races, Battle, & Time Attack to unlock tracks, racers, & more (upcoming)
  • Many single player tracks now need crystals to unlock.

• Added - King Seal (Unlockable Character)

• Added - Sword
  • Slice & stab the other racers
  • Press A to do a 360 degree slice
• Added - Turret
  • Hold A to fire at enemies (32 bullets)
• Added - Golden Quick Boots
  • Float briefly when using the golden quick boots (3 uses)
• Added - Mine
  • Leave behind to cause explosion if hit
  • Can be destroyed with other items
• Added - Multi Mines
  • (3 uses)
• Added - Option to adjust Ceiling Height
  • (Track Options > Track > Adjust Ceiling)
• Fixed - Split path & early finish bugs, as well as placement tracking bugs

Coming Soon:

• 3 unlockable characters
• Asgaard Theme (Heaven)
• Shallow water tiles
• A couple buildings (3D)
• Directional Signs
• Cave Waterfall
• Grass tufts & more scenery objects
• Tumbleweed & cave crystals (lights) for last month's themes

You're welcome.

Yep both are fine. Use it however you like.

Just letting you know that the game just had a massive update :D

It has just been updated - with the first content update as well

It will be released here. I just have to rework it to remove the steam features specific features.

Super encouraging! I'm refueled

Not sure when I'll put the soundtrack out yet. I probably need quite a few more tracks :)

Oh I have no clue who you're talking about *wink wink

There are many terrain / path options right now (I think around 10 off hand(?)). But yes, there are only 3 decorative objects. I wanted to focus mainly on the systems for now because they are the most difficult to program. Objects are kinda the fun & easy part. lol

and no to the second. This game is going to be similar to Mode7 kart racers. I want to keep it simple so I can release it in a reasonable time frame & also get more funding before going full 3D. But yes

3D is definitely not the easiest thing to do in GameMaker, but that's why I went with billboard sprites, like FZero or Super Mario Kart.

I am a freelance developer, however.

For the camera, it's actually easier than you would imagine, as cameras are automatically in a 3D space. By default they look 2D as they are by default set to orthographic. If you have a discord you can message me on there about it. My username is dreammixgames

Also thank you!

what part of the process are you wanting to know about? I don’t mind explaining. 🙂

Hey luckygreentiger! I'm planning on having splitscreen multiplayer as soon as possible & online is planned if possible, but I don't want to guarantee anything yet.

aye thank you

is fantasy kart racing "Maker", with vehicular combat, whimsical characters, & a vibrant 3D prerendered art-style, with gameplay akin to classic "kart racers", like Crash Team Racing, Sonic All Stars Racing Transformed, & Mario Kart.

The game is made with GameMaker, by the way. :)

glad you like him though :)

I only designed the character to advertise the hill tiles.

That's changing

Use it wherever you want, for whatever you want

yes :)

Awesome! :D Thanks for letting me know

noted! Thanks H3xmode

let me know if you have any constructive criticism :). Hope you like it!

yes

Let's goooooo!

thank you

awesome. thanks

yes

sure thing

yes. sorry for taking so long lol

nice. thank you

sweet. The game looks really good

thank ya

sure thing