So you want to use the "New" button in dev mode eh? CRASH.



To keep this from happening you need to go grab this file:
http://www.mediafire.com/?jfb5mvqzazuzej4

You just need to extract this .zip so the 3 folders inside it sit in the your Super Meat Boy folder (or extract wherever and copy them here). Your Super Meat Boy folder can most likely be found here: Program Files > Steam > Steamapps > Common > Super Meat Boy.

Now you can change themes and level dimensions in dev mode like a pro!



Thanks to @gibbed on Twitter for providing this file to me.

So you want your levels to reach the community but there's no such thing as a "level portal" yet?

1) Start by grabbing this file:
http://www.mediafire.com/?6tahautlkx97457

It is a template for the "read me" that you can use with your map when you distribute it! Just open it up and fill in the spaces with your information. Save it on your desktop for now, or where you'd want to collect your files to one place.

2) Take a screen shot of your whole map.
The simplest way to accomplish this is to zoom out in dev mode and press "print screen" on your keyboard. This copies the screenshot to your clipboard. Then you can open up mspaint (Run -> MSpaint.exe) and paste it (ctrl + v). Crop it as you see fit, and save it where you put the read me.

3) Go get your actual level file.
Should be located in: Program Files > Steam > Steamapps > Common > Super Meat Boy > Levels. Copy it to the same place as your other files.

4) Upload your screenshot.
Try Photobucket.com for your photo hosting, it's pretty easy, and it's free. Just make an account. You'll find this site useful for other elements of your life as well I'm sure. After you get it uploaded, you'll have a link you can place with your download link. Save your link for now.

5) Compress your files.
If you don't have a way to zip things, or even if you do, I recommend you get 7-zip (http://www.7-zip.org/). Take the screenshot file, your map itself, and your read-me and compress them into a .zip. Don't .zip the whole folder you have them in, just the select the 3 files and .zip them, that way when you open the folder, there's not another folder inside (pet-peeve).

6) Upload your level package .zip.
Make an account at Mediafire.com, also free and easy. Follow the instructions to get your .zip into your online folder. You can then get a link which will lead to the download of your level package. Save this link for now.

7) (optional) Make a movie of your map in action.
The best way to do this that I know of is to use FRAPS to record your game window to a file. I can't go through the steps for video editing and processing because they are very numerous, but know that if you have the ability, it will greatly enhance your exposure. Upload to YouTube.com when you're finished and save that link as well.

8) POST!
Write about your map wherever you can think to. Post to the Steam Forums, Facebook, Twitter, GameFAQs, YouTube, and anywhere else you have an interest in.

Remember to post 1) Your picture link, 2) Your movie link (if you have one), 3) Your download link. Thank everyone for checking out your map.

9) Revel in your own brilliance. :P


Hope this helps you get out there and be seen!
Good luck,
RockLeeSmile

So you want to have a platform or saw move about your level? No problem.

First, place your object from hazard mode (press "h"). Second select your object (shift left-click drag over your object). Then press "g" to switch to waypoint mode. Next, find the point where you want your object to end up (remember you can use the ~ key to have the object snap to grid (so you're more precise)). Then left click to set a waypoint.

Next, you need to select your new waypoint (same as before, but you'll see a red box around it instead of green). Then scroll your mouse wheel so the "time" value rises to the amount of time you want it to take for your mover to reach it's destination. Now, you technically have a mover... but chances are you don't want it to "snap" back to it's point of origin instantly. If so, read on...

To make your mover return to it's point of origin, you need to make another waypoint (very close to where your object started it's journey), then set it's travel time to be double what it took for the object to reach the first waypoint. You then need to nudge it (slide with the arrow keys) to be directly on top of the point of origin. Congrats! You now have a nice moving platform or saw blade.

Finally, if you need to create multiple waypoints just keep in mind that you need to add the times of all previous waypoints as you go along. Each point is individual in it's properties, so it needs to be reminded that you want it to go at whatever speed the previous one was going.

I've also had success with making size "tweens" where a blade grew or shrank as it followed a path, just size your waypoint (ctrl + scroll) and it should change on the fly.



Thanks to GproKaru for explaining this process to me in the first place! :)

I will be posting a series of commonly asked questions with detailed answers in the hopes of having a centralized help area. Hope you find these useful.

---Particles---

In Hazards (press "h") place a "p" box (looks like a yellow box with a large letter P in it. Highlight it (shift and left-click drag), then press F8 to bring up the object properties box. In decending order, these are the default values for a normal yellow jumping spark. I've included a list of colors with which to customise your particles. Just substitute those values into the "Color" box. Have fun!

Standard base values:
10 - Velocity (Lower = slower)
200 - Spread Amount (Lower = together)
1.0 - Spacing (Lower = less break)
0.0 - Nothing ?
16449453 - Color
10 - Avg. # Particles ? / Not sure

Colors:
----------------
Yellow:16449453
Red: 12457000
Burnt Red: 124526100
Gray/Red: 124521000
Lavender: 16470000
Burnt Orange: 164780000
Bright Orange: 16449800
Tan: 164950000
Forest Green: 1651000
Neon Green: 24566600
Pink: 16535000
Navy Blue: 16780000
Dark Blue: 34678900
Water Blue: 20354000
Green: 16820000
Peach: 14265000
Gold: 12500000
Magenta: 12585650
Graphite: 17565200
Indigo: 1111111111
White: 2147483647
Black: 0

I'm excited to have a place where we can all congregate and discuss new ideas, or ask for help or testing if need be. The forums are great, but it's nice to be able to chat directly and get answers right away... wouldn't you say? Between us, I'm sure we can cultivate a great community. So, thanks for joining and let's see what we can do!