Super simple question

[mroedesigns]

I'm a complete noob when it comes to RGSS, so I have probably the easiest question ever. 

I'm making a common event for small messages (ie 'Quest Received'). I want it to show a picture which is simple, and then display the message text ($game_variables[4]) centered over that picture. I don't want to use the 'show text' option because I just want it to appear for about 3-5 seconds and then disappear on its own.

Thanks in advance for your help

[LivingstoneIPresume]

Here's a reply from another noob- see what you can do with it...
To draw text in a bitmap:
bitmap.draw_text(x, y, width, height, string)

Bitmap syntax can be found here: http://save-point.org/showthread.php?tid=2901

[mroedesigns]

Well here's what I have so far.

Spoiler: ShowHide

#------------------------------------------------------------------
# A very simple script used to display quick messages to the 
# player without requiring any input.
#
# Call with QuickMessage.new('message')
#
#------------------------------------------------------------------

class QuickMessage
  
  attr_accessor :message
  attr_accessor :image
  
   def initialize(message)
     
     @message = message
     
     @image = Sprite.new
     @image.bitmap = RPG::Cache.picture("message")
     
     @image.x = 100
     @image.y = 100
     
     self.contents = Bitmap.new(width - 32, height - 32)
     self.contents.draw_text(0,0,20,20, @message)
     
   end

end

But i don't know how to center the text, or how to make it all disappear after a certain amount of time.

[LivingstoneIPresume]

Here's how centering is usually done:
cw = text.width / 2
ch = text.height /2
Set the bitmap's x to 240 - cw and y to 320 - ch

Sorry I can't give a definite answer or syntax here, I am a newbie.

[stripe103]

Here's how centering is usually done:
cw = text.width / 2
ch = text.height /2
Set the bitmap's x to 240 - cw and y to 320 - ch

To be more exact;
object_x = (parent_width / 2) - (object_width / 2)
object_y = (parent_height / 2) - (object_height / 2)
Where object is the thing you want to center and parent is the thing you want to center it in.

And if you don't already have the answer by tomorrow, I'll help you with the timing and disposing, when I'm not on my phone.

[G_G]

Look through my achievements script. While Stripe has the answer to centering text, you can still look at how I used pop up images for achievements. I made the script so it would be "global". As in you can gain achievements from any scene and see the pop up.
http://forum.chaos-project.com/index.php/topic,3330.0.html

[stripe103]

Okay, so I'm not sure it's the most optimal way of making timed things in scripting, but the way I usually make things is quite simple

You need to make a new variable in the initialize function named for example frames and then just have this code in your update function

if frames == 20 # Or any other value you want
  # Do things
  frames = 0  # Reset the frame count since the action is already done.
else
  frames += 1  # Add one to the framecount.
end

A very simple script that counts up one each time it's is run and when it's at the framecount set, it will do what it should and then reset the variable so it can run again.
It would be preferred to have it in another if that checks if the thing you need timed is actually showing so that it don't always count up and when the timed thing shows, it's at 19 or something, so it will only show in one frame.

Like I said, there is probably better solutions, but this is one of them.

[mroedesigns]

It's erroring out on lines 24 and 25 for some reason. I called it with QuickMessage.new('Items Recieved')

Spoiler: ShowHide

[mroedesigns]

I still havent been able to figure this out. I'm using the script that I posted further up, but I haven't figured out what's causing the error. I looked up some RGSS scripting stuff on google, and that's how it told me to show images, but obviously I'm doing something wrong.

[Twb6543]

In the code you posted above you didn't define the width or the height of the message box, which I guess is causing the problems due to the "undefined local variable or method 'width' for #<QuickMessage:0x3a123d8>"
Line, The other problems may be a result of the undefined variables or may be due to another problem with the script.

But seeing as you haven't posted your current code I can't be sure if it the problem.

[G_G]

Change this

class QuickMessage

To

class QuickMessage < Window_Base

Then under def initialize put

super(x here, y here, width here, height here)

Put whatever for those variables, its what defines the window.

[mroedesigns]

errors out with 'super call outside of method' on line 11 ( super(142, 32, 422, 34) )

Spoiler: ShowHide

#------------------------------------------------------------------
# A very simple script used to display quick messages to the 
# player without requiring any input.
#
# Call with QuickMessage.new('message')
#
#------------------------------------------------------------------

class QuickMessage < Window_Base
  
  super(142, 32, 422, 34)
  
  attr_accessor :message
  attr_accessor :image
  
   def initialize(message)
     
     @message = message
     
     @image = Sprite.new
     @image.bitmap = RPG::Cache.picture("message")
     
     @image.x = 142
     @image.y = 32
     
     self.contents = Bitmap.new(422, 34)
     self.contents.draw_text(142,32,20,20, @message)
     
   end
   
 end

[ForeverZer0]

That one's pretty self-explanatory.  Calls to the super have to be within methods. 

The parent class has to have a method defined by the same name, as well.  That's what the "super" call does.  It calls the method of the parent class.   

[AngryPacman]

I.e.,

Spoiler: ShowHide

#------------------------------------------------------------------
# A very simple script used to display quick messages to the 
# player without requiring any input.
#
# Call with QuickMessage.new('message')
#
#------------------------------------------------------------------

class QuickMessage < Window_Base
  
  attr_accessor :message
  attr_accessor :image

   def initialize(message)

     super(142, 32, 422, 34)

     @message = message
     
     @image = Sprite.new
     @image.bitmap = RPG::Cache.picture("message")
     
     @image.x = 142
     @image.y = 32
     
     self.contents = Bitmap.new(422, 34)
     self.contents.draw_text(142,32,20,20, @message)
     
   end
   
 end

[mroedesigns]

It's  not giving me any errors now but it's not displaying the text either 

Spoiler: ShowHide

class QuickMessage < Window_Base
  
  attr_accessor :message
  attr_accessor :image
   
   def initialize(messagetxt)
     
     super(142, 32, 422, 34)
     
     @image = Sprite.new
     @image.bitmap = RPG::Cache.picture("message")
     
     @image.x = 142
     @image.y = 32
     
     @message = messagetxt
     
     self.contents = Bitmap.new(422, 34)
     self.contents.draw_text(142, 32, 40, 40, @message)
     
   end
   
 end
 

[ForeverZer0]

Spoiler: ShowHide

module QuickMessage
  
  def self.show(message, timer)
    b = Bitmap.new(1, 1)
    width = b.text_size(message).width + 32
    b.dispose
    window = Window_Base.new((640 - width) / 2, 208, width, 64)
    window.contents = Bitmap.new(width - 32, 32)
    window.contents.draw_text(0, 0, width - 32, 32, message, 1)
    loop {
      Graphics.update
      Input.update
      timer -= 1
      break if timer == 0
      break if Input.trigger?(Input::C)
    }
    Input.update
    window.dispose
  end
end

Call with "QuickMessage.show("TEXT HERE")
The window will auto-size and center on the screen, end exit when the player presses the confirm button.


EDIT: 
I didn't notice you wanted it to go away on its own, so I added that function.  Call with either the above mentioned call which will default to 4 seconds, or call with "QuickMessage.show("TEXT HERE", FRAMECOUNT)".  It will disappear on its own after the number of frames has passed.  If you don't want the player to be able to exit the window themselves, remove the "Input.update" and "break if Input.trigger?(Input::C)" lines in the code.

[mroedesigns]

That's a great script and I'll probably look through it to see if I can solve my issue, but I need it in a certain size/position, not centered in the screen just within the image. And I want it to go away automatically, which it does thanks to either the Blizz-ABS or RMX-OS refresh.

Edit :: You edited your post right after I replied :p

[ForeverZer0]

Its a simple edit if you want it to be the same size and location all the time.  Delete the first 3 lines of the method, and change the arguments of the Window_Base.new() to static values.

EDIT:
Like this...

Spoiler: ShowHide

module QuickMessage
  
  def self.show(message, timer = 160)
    window = Window_Base.new(96, 208, 448, 64)
    window.contents = Bitmap.new(416, 32)
    window.contents.draw_text(0, 0, 416, 32, message, 1)
    loop {
      Graphics.update
      Input.update
      timer -= 1
      break if timer == 0
      break if Input.trigger?(Input::C)
    }
    Input.update
    window.dispose
  end
end

[mroedesigns]

Is there any way to do this without using the windowskin basically? All I want to do was show an image with some text over it. I don't want the normal message box behind it, that's why I'm using the image.

Also, I don't mean to be a huge pain if I am, and I really appreciate the help. 

[G_G]

See if this works.

module QuickMessage
  
  def self.show(message, timer = 160)
    bitmap = RPG::Cache.picture("picture here")
    window = Window_Base.new(96, 208, bitmap.width, bitmap.height)
    window.contents = Bitmap.new(416, 32)
    window.contents.blt(0, 0, bitmap, 0, 0, bitmap.width, bitmap.height)
    window.contents.draw_text(0, 0, 416, 32, message, 1)
    loop {
      Graphics.update
      Input.update
      timer -= 1
      break if timer == 0
      break if Input.trigger?(Input::C)
    }
    Input.update
    window.dispose
  end
end