Dancing Monkeys: An Update

[MulletMan]

Alright guys, I just recently downloaded Dancing Monkeys. I thought it was a great program, but it has some major problems. I started recoding it a few weeks ago, since it seems that it is no longer updated, and I should be done fairly soon.
Here is what you can expect:
New Language- The new version will be written in C++. This will give me an amazing advantage to the C language. Primarily due to the fact that it actually has a string class (apstring) instead of a character array. Which will greatly increase the efficiency. Eventually I might move to Java to allow for Mac and *nix compatability.
Song/Artist Name- When calling the main function, two new arguments will be available to you. The Song and Artist Names. This really does not require much explaining.
Song Length- The new version will automatically detect the length of the file you have selected. Step files created will no longer be limited to 105 seconds.
Audio Compression- Instead of saving a *.wav file, your original audio file will be copied for use in the step file, thus saving space.

As it is right now, I have completed all of the modifications. The current build is stable, but it is still written in C. I plan to start actually recoding it soon, most likely on Monday. Although I dont know how long that will take. Also, the program will still be open source.

Let me know what you guys think.

[Cyan Garamonde (Nosaj)]

One suggestion: the moment that the BPM (and possible GAP, but mainly the BPM) is calculated, SPIT IT OUT TO THE SCREEN. I don't know how many times DM has said that it calculated the GAP and BPM, only to barf further on in the process and not give me a damn thing because it fucked up on making its stupid steps. I don't care about those, all I want is the BPM and GAP.

Other than that, keep us updated. I'll certainly give it a try.
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Anything and everything you wanted to know about DWI/SM bgchanges.

[Pantera]

Yeah, could you rig it so that you have the option of just getting the BPM and gap? I can make my own step patterns, but figuring out the BPM is a pain.
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[Cyan Garamonde (Nosaj)]

Another suggestion: allow for songs that have tempo changes (to a degree). No way in hell I'd expect a program to be able to figure out INSERTiON, but rather, something like VerTex that audibly speeds up at the end should be doable. That'd be a huge help, since that's one of DM's most glaring faults.
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Anything and everything you wanted to know about DWI/SM bgchanges.

[Nightime]

Suggestions:

-Maybe add an argument for "2x tempo" stages. Doing 1/2-tempo stages is as easy as throwing "( )" around the set, and cleaving the tempo yourself, but as it is now, DM does no fractional sections or *hard voltage*. AT ALL. Note: Hard voltage is as easy as "2x" + "( ) cleaving".

-Maybe add a letter-extention or two to specify the type(s) of action you want portrayed in the song the most. A-Air V-Voltage C-Chaos (spinniness/turniness/consistency) S-Stream F-Freeze P-Pauses (think Freak Out, Telephone Operator, or The Whistle Song) T-Third-beats... For example 5A = ~L5 difficulty, but focus on jump patterns during at least part of a stage.

-Level 10s. Maybe add it via "0" or "A".

-"SMANIAC" support, but ONLY if it's REQUESTED by an additional value. May be "*" for "any value", but it must be present to be used.

-SOLO sets. Again, a good rule of thumb regarding these (IMHO) is to think of sections of the pads (not necessarily geometrically same) for patterns, and use horizontal symmetry for repeats. Also consider parts that just use stuff like "< \ / >", "\ ^ /", "< \ v ^", and (especially during running/streaming) "< \ ^ >"-s or "< \ v >"-s. Sideways and back-and-forth action are what make Solo worth playing, IMHO. Another good rule of thumb is to simply make them DIFFERENT than "SINGLE" sets, by focusing on different instrumental parts. So a 5A would still have Air, but maybe more based on synth on one, and on percussion on the other.

-I've already summarized my observation of DDR-relavent difficulties in a section of here, if that helps:
http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=76391&start=180

As far as freezes go (didn't occur to me, I learned DDR before them):
1. Single freeze at a time. One ends before another begins.
2. Freeze jumps.
3. Hold one freeze, hit another arrow/freeze.
4. Freeze jump (freeze on one), press another.
5. Hold one freeze, hit a sequence with the other.
6. Freezes can start/end streams, and be used in 3/16 patterns.
7. Can do mulitple half-beat hits during a freeze, on the same arrow.
8. Can do multi-hit sequences during freeze: consecutive half-beats on the same arrow; full-beat break during sequence change.
9. <no significant difference as far as freezes went, anyways>

-Start the step sequence with at LEAST 8 "0"s. Nothing's more irrititating than trying to "ONI" a stage that begins with an arrow already at the top. Simply subtract that from the "GAP" value.

-When I used DM, and it made pauses, it overlapped a bunch of the same amount on a single point: you might check to see if it's an error (if they were supposed to be added mathmatically to the previous one, or not).

-Add a sequence sample dir, to copy "sample data" to. Granted, it's not going to just copy the steps, but it's a good example of what types of patterns and consistency can be used, with exchanged data... (steps = other steps, jumps = other jumps) Not like "copy the whole DWI" or anything, but just sections you like, to show how they're coded. That way, you want BemaniRuler-style stages, you sample BemaniRuler stages, and you get BemaniRuler-style stages.

-Upbeat-only or upbeat-focus action (WILD RUSH/LUV to ME -AMD MIX-/ON THE JAZZ/etc.) seems nonexistant. Could be good "filler" for places lacking otherwise significant action.

-Freezes and jump patterns seemed rare/lacking as well; and runs almost NEVER had any jumps anywhere in them, even the front or end. Consistency and difficulty regarding jump patterns shouldn't be that different from that of "freeze" patterns, except that they have some arrow(s) in common like that.

-A "Quick-run" batch or argument that simply spits out the GAP/BPM(s). For those who DO only want that.

-A "fine tune" batch or argument that DOES a song anywhere from 1:45-2:00 long (variable due to measures/verses), but allows you to enter a "starting point" from somewhere later in the song. Might "snippet" that part out for use as well.


Personally, I look forward to your remake of it. Here's hoping you're respected for the input you DO make, not flamed for anything you don't. Some people here have a funny way about themselves like that. (See any sticky'ed "Console Games" thread for more examples than you'd ever care to notice...)

Now, all we need is a PNG-based visualizer-like program to spit out banners and backgrounds.

[Dramigo]

I'm one of the losers who can't really put together a stepfile all that well, so any improvements on DM would be greatly appreciated!

[Pantera]

I actually managed to develop a fairly good technique for creating cool banners with paint, granted you don't always get exactly what you want, but you can often get reasonably close.

The gist of it is to run a google image search on a type of image you want for a background to the banner or background, then paste it into paint, change it's size or cut it to fit, make sure the attributes are appropriate (256 x 80 for banners and 320 x 240 for backgrounds), and then all you need to do is add text for the song title and artist. Here's an example from one of my projects (Narcotic by The Crystal Method):

Banner: http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/Narcotic-banner.PNG
Background: http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/Narcotic-bg.PNG
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