CREATING NEW TUMBLE LEVELS 
 
Introduction 
 
The registered version of Tumble contains a fully functioned level editor. All the levels currently available were created with it and this document will explain how you too can create your own levels. It's a lot easier than you might think. 
 
Creating a new level set 
 
The first thing you need to do is to create your own level set. Go to the change set screen and at the bottom of the list of sets will be an option "create new set" . Select this then tap on edit and a new set containing 2 levels will be created. Tap on the first level and you'll start editing it. 
 
Basic editing 
 
At the bottom of the screen you'll see a line of blocks that can be placed on the level. Scroll through them using the arrow icons. The current selected object is the one that is flashing on and off. Tap anywhere in the play area to paint it down in the level. If you want to delete an object then select the empty space (on the far left of the list). When you paint that down you delete whatever's underneath. If you tap the restart icon then the level will revert to the last saved version.  
 
Testing the level 
 
Once you've got something that you'd like to try out then go to the edit menu and select "toggle edit mode". The level will be saved and you will start playing it. If you find the level's impossible, too easy or you just want to make some more changes then select "toggle edit mode" again and you can carry on editing it. 
 
Setting the target 
 
As you test the level the game will automaticaIly record your best move count. Remember though that whenever you make a change to the level, however small, the best move count will be reset to zero. When you've found a solution to your level you can set the target. Go to the edit menu and select "Edit Level Details". Amoung other things this will show the "target moves" and your "best moves". Tap "copy" and the best moves will be copied to the target. It's a good idea to play the level several times to see if you can improve your score and tighten up the target. 
 
Level Details continued 
 
The level details screen also contains fields to set the level name and to enter your initials. Tapping "+1" adds one to the current target to make the level easier. If the target hasn't been set yet then this field doesn't do anything. Tapping "reset" sets your best moves back to zero. "Wrap horizontal" & "Wrap vertical" turn on wrap-around levels. You won't be able to turn them on if the level contains a blank row or column where objects could possibly fall continuously.
 
Set details screen 
 
Use this screen to change the name of the set and to add a note that will appear on the set selection screen. It also shows your name,  if you tap on "update name" then it'll be updated with your hotsync name. This screen also shows the number of levels in the set. You can change this to whatever you want (up to 50). If you increase it then blank levels will be added to the end of the set. If it's decreased then the last levels in the set will be deleted. 
 
Changing Levels  
 
You can change to a different level at any time while you're editing and your changes will automatically be saved. If you're in edit mode then you can select any level. But if you're playing the level then you can only select those levels that have been unlocked by your score. To add new levels see the "set details" section above. 
 
Rearranging Levels 
 
Use this screen to change the order of the levels. First tap the level you want to move and tap "ok". Then tap where you want to move it to and tap "ok" again. 
 
Making a Backup of your set 
 
Your set will automatically be backed up whenever you hotsync your palm. It will be called TumbleL???.pdb where ??? is the number shown before the name on the "change set" screen. On a windows pc you should find it in a directory like c:/palm/{yourname}/backup.    
 
Locking 
 
To lock your set use the edit menu item. While a set is locked it can't be edited. So you can give it to someone else and they can't cheat or change it accidentally. If you try and edit it on your palm then you'll be asked if you want to unlock it. But on anyone else's palm then it'll remain locked. 
  
Renaming your set 
 
When you first create your set it'll be given the lowest unused number. In most cases this will be 001.  It's best if you change this so that you avoid numbers that have already been used by other people. Go to the "change set" screen and select the "rename set" menu option to change it. 
 
Finishing your set and releasing it  
 
Before you release your set it's a good idea to see if you can improve the targets. Go to "reset scores" from the edit menu and then replay through all the levels again. Continue to do this until you can't improve your scores any more. Then reset the scores one final time, make sure it's locked and then give it out. You can release your set however you want- just give it out to your friends, or upload it to palmgear.com or any other web site. All I ask is that in the documentation or description that you make it clear that you need a registered version of Tumble to play it and link to the download at http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=14436. 
If you think your set is good enough then I don't have any objection to you charging for it but you MUST make it very clear that the charge is for the add-on and doesn't include the cost of registering Tumble.  
 
If you have any further questions then please contact me at: 
martin@LunaticSoftware.com