Cosmo Edit (Version 1.0)

Cosmo Edit is a graphical level editor for the game Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure by apogee software. This editor has nothing to do with apogee software and as such do not contact them about it. Send all questions, bugs etc to the creator, Karl Morrison (jazzie40@hotmail.com).

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HOW TO START COSMO EDIT		
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Before you can use cosmo edit you must extract the files from the compacted files. To do this use Textract (provided with the editor) by Frenkel Smeijiers. You must extract both the cosmo?.vol and cosmo?.stn files (where ? is the episode number 1,2 or 3).

e.g. at command line type:

Textract cosmo1.vol
Textract cosmo1.stn

To make cosmo read the edited levels remove cosmo1.vol and cosmo1.stn from the folder. (Save them and then place them back when you want to play the original levels!)

Next place the contents of cosedit.zip (containing cosedit.exe and library.cos) into the same folder as the extracted files.
Now run cosedit.exe

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HOW TO USE COSMO EDIT
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When you first start cosmo edit it will try to first load episode 1, level 1. Press "L" to load another level. Use the arrow keys to scroll around the level. Pressing "I" will bring up information about the level and a preview of the background

Cosmo's levels are made of two layers, Tiles and Actors. You can only edit one layer at a time and you can switch between editing modes by pressing "E".

EDITING TILES
The mouse is used to edit levels in the following way - the left button places the contents of the buffer in the level and the right button is used to copy tiles to the buffer. You can copy tiles from any level and copy them to your level. To select tiles in a level, make sure edit mode is tiles and hold down the right mouse button and drag the mouse. Release mouse button when tiles wanted are selected. You can now click anywhere in the level to paste those tiles. To bring up a screen of all tiles, Press 1 for tiles and 2 for masktiles. You copy tiles from these screens the same as in a level, hold down the right mouse button and select. Pressing "U" at any time will undo the last tile change in the level. (Hint: the buffer is not cleared between loading levels, so you can copy easily from one level to the next)
It may be helpful when placing tiles to turn of actors (press A). This will stop them flickering and speed up the tile pasting process and you can therefore hold down the mouse and cover large areas.

Pressing 4 brings up the library. This is an area where you can paste tiles and save them to use again and again in your levels. I have made a small collection as a start and demonstration. You can copy and paste to this screen just like in a level. Use arrow keys to scroll up and down through the library. (Note: the library saves automattically when you save)

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EDITING ACTORS
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To edit the actors change to actor edit mode by pressing "E". Press 3 to bring up the actors. Click on actor to select it and click on the level to put it on the level. You can delete an actor by right clicking on the location of that actor (in the white box). You can copy an actor already on the level by moving the mouse cursor over the white box and pressing "C".

To Save your level press "S". To start a new level press "N". You then select the dimensions of the level. When you first save the level it will ask you to enter an episode and level number.

For a full list of keys press "H" in the editor to bring up help

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ABOUT CERTAIN ACTORS
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Most actors are obvious from their pictures, but are few aren't! The following will tell you about these.

HOW TO USE THE SUCKY TUBES
Cosmo enters the sucky tube that has a 'up arrow' super imposed on it in the editor. The ones without an arrow is where he exits. If you look at the actor screen you will see amongst the actors 4 arrows (left,right,up,down). Place these to direct cosmo through the sucky tubes. Starting with an up arrow on the entry tube and then use the arrows for him to change direction through the tube (see episode 1, level 5 as example). The arrows are a bit hard to see because they  are light but look closely and they are there (in the editor, they are invisible in the game)

HOW TO USE LEVERS
There are 4 different levers (the editor has 1-4 superimposed on them). The first level activates the blue platform. If you press 1 to bring up tiles at the top you will see some arrows. Place these arrows in the level to make a loop. These are invisible in the game and the platform will follow these arrows when activated. After you have placed the arrows, get the actor which is donated as a P (there is no graphic in the editor). Place this P on one of the arrows as a starting point. You won't be able to see that arrow any more but its still there the actor just draws on top, turn actors off to see it. Place lever 1 in the level and when activated the platform will start. (see episode 1 level 7 for example)

Lever 2 activates the actor which is a box with a question mark on it. When activated the question mark grows up into a wall (until it hits tiles above).

I haven't yet looked at lever 3 and 4 but i believe they turn off eletric fields (see episode 1, level 8)

The lighting is donated by the characters (, L, and ). See episode 1, level 10 to see how to use them. It should be obvious.

Actors that have an E superimposed on them are exit actors (e.g teleport, plant etc). The 'E' by itself is an invisible exit and is activated when cosmo is in the same vertical position as it (therefore should only be placed at the end of a level). The 'H' by itself is an invisible exit and is activated when cosmo is in the same horizontal position as it.

If you find anything out please email me. Also email me with bugs, comments etc. (jazzie40@hotmail.com)

