STEP 1: CHOOSING A REFERENCE:
Start by browsing the web for real life references of buildings until you find a building you like.
I have chosen this as my reference
Choose a template from here: viewtopic.php?t=3207
I have chosen a 3x5 for my plugin. You may choose any template or make your own since the version 1.12.49 which allows non-square buildings or arbitrary sizes. You can read more about it here: viewtopic.php?t=28150
STEP 3: GRAPHICS
Choose a pixel drawing of choice. It can be any app which allows transparency options and allows to draw pixel by pixel. Ideally, it should also have layers but it is not required.
I use paint.net but many creators use pixel studio or ibis paint x.
The rough scale is a human is 3 pixels tall (6ft or 1.8m), therefore making a pixel 2ft or 0.6m
The buildings shadows fall straight to the right of the building to the same length as the height of the building.
Here is the graphics that was made for this tutorial:
STEP 4: JSON
Once you are done with the graphics, you now need a json.
You can do this using the PCA website by JustAnyone: https://pca.svetikas.lt/
Or, you can do it manually using a text editor that allows saving as a json extention such as a notepad. Here I have used Visual Studio Code (VSC)
Here is an example of what a json would look (specifically, a hospital)
Code: Select all Reset
[ { "id":"BNY_HEATHER_1", // this is a unique indicator, I recommend putting your name then plugin name/building "type":"medic", // find all types here: viewtopic.php?f=41&t=1355 "title":"Heather Health Facility", "text":"A hospice where your citizens can seek healthcare. \nBuilt in 1982, the hospital has won numerous industry awards including [undisclosed].", "price":30000, "monthly price":150, "influence health":80, "provide aspect health care":32000, //the number of patients that can be treated "width":3, "height":5, "requirements":[{"type":"RANK", "lvl":7}], //this is when the building gets unlocked "frames": [ {"bmp":"heather_hospital.png","w":128,"count":2} ], "performance":true, //when performance is increased, the monthly cost gets scaled with it "draw ground":true, //without this, the ground would be water "rotation aware":true //this building uses 2 frames as it is a non-square building } ]
JSON checker
Note: Using plugins for excessive influences, to generate excessive income or exploit game features will not be tolerated and may get your account banned.
STEP 5: MANIFEST FILE
Create a manifest file. This is what it would look like:
Code: Select all
{
"id": "BNY_Heather_Health_Facility",
"version": 1,
"title": "Heather Health Facility",
"text": "The plugin adds 2 additional healthcare buildings for your city. Unlocked at level 7, it closely follows the attributes of the 4x4 building in-game with just a slightly higher influence and monthly price.",
"author": "Bunny & TheoTown Socials",
"thumbnail": "manifest_preview.png"
}The file needs to be named "plugin.manifest" otherwise there would be an error.
STEP 6: IMPORTING TO GAME
To import to your game, find and place the plugin inside the plugin folder which you can find here:
● Windows: C:\Users(insert username)\TheoTown or %USERPROFILE%\TheoTown
● Android: /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/info.flowersoft.theotown.theotown/files
● ios: Search "TheoTown" in the file manager app
If you cannot access game files through these directories, game has an in-built file manager for mobile devices which is accessible from the region view menu.
You can find the building in the relevant category. Here I would find it under services > medic as I had used the type "medic".
STEP 7: HELPFUL GUIDES
Here are some additional tutorials that may be helpful:
- JustAnyone's plugin creator website documents almost all game attributes and tutorials: https://pca.svetikas.lt/docs/
- Kulche goes into more detail on how to draw a building: viewtopic.php?f=41&t=10287
- rtobby made a tutorial on how how to improve the plugin quality: viewtopic.php?f=41&t=13798
- Game graphics are helpful to eyedrop a specific colour or make use of vanilla textures such as trees: viewtopic.php?t=5659
- Use the game jsons to pick appropriate values for your buildings: viewtopic.php?t=5661
You can find additional help here or on our Discord server!
Step 8: UPLOADING TO STORE OR FORUM
IMPORTANT: if you are posting to the plugin store, ensure you read the rules first: viewtopic.php?t=9085. Plugins uploaded to the store can be downloaded in-game but has a strict quality requirement which is enforced by our plugin moderation team.
We recommend uploading first plugins to the forum for feedback as forum is less strict on plugin quality requirements. You can upload to forum showcase here: viewforum.php?f=43
And here is how our final building(s) looks like (and the final zip file for you to inspect):
Heather Health Facility.zip- (320.52 KiB) Downloaded 82 times
Enjoy plugin creation mayors! <3
