Post by sodabeam in Xtend - Display Scaler comments

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I've purchased and installed this tool, because this is the first project I've ever done with GMS2. My problem is that I set my first room size to 1600x1000 on day 1, and have built all of my rooms with that same room size. My puzzle game doesn't have any viewports, so the resolution is just set by the room size (1600x1200). That being said, many things looks pixelated when they shouldn't be, and everywhere I read about resolution, people are suggesting creating their rooms with small resolutions that can scale up easier, with either 4:3 or 16:9. Right now when I installed Xtend and run my game, it runs in 1600x1200 and it's zoomed in. When I resize the window, it snaps back to the original size, not allowing me to resize or go to full screen.

I'm not sure where I went wrong... I probably should have chosen a lower room size and something more standard like 16:9 aspect ratio, but my game isn't pixel art, so all my assets are quite large. I was thinking about lowering the resolution to something like 800x600 and then scaling down all the assets, but then they look pixelated and not so nice. Also, when I export my game to the web, it's also zoomed in and it doesn't scale in any way. Do you have any tips for how to wrestle this under control? Thanks

XGASOFT3 years ago

Xtend uses aspect ratio scaling by default, meaning at any window size, a central area will be preserved that renders the original viewport. You probably don't want the entire room to be that central area—the room should never be used to set resolution.

I would need to know more details about your setup to say for sure, but it sounds like with your game setup, the default Xtend config is hitting the limit of what it can do on your display, and compensating for it the best it can.

I would recommend setting up your own viewport in your room settings and then customizing xtend_config appropriately for your project. The documentation will walk you through each available setting, and can be found in your project's Included Files area or online at https://docs.xgasoft.com/xtend

sodabeam3 years ago

Hi, I've read your documentation and still having a few issues. My setup is very simple.. I've updated my first room's size to 1280x720 and scaled down/rearranged my assets accordingly so they still look sharp and well positioned. I also have no viewports at all, so it's pretty basic.

That being said, when I run my game and it opens up into 1280x720, and I double click to expand the window, it pops it back to the 1280x720 window size every single time. It never allows itself to expand or shrink at all. I've tried both `aspect` and `linear` modes in the xtend_config and they behave the same way.

I guess what I'm looking for is when I reduce or expand the window size, it should allow it to expanded and perhaps add black bars where necessary. Or maybe that's the wrong thing to do? I'm not sure what the best course of action is, but if someone's screen is under 1280x720 or if they have a 4K screen, not being able to resize the window is bad, isn't it?

XGASOFT3 years ago (1 edit)

Xtend is designed to remove black bars by expanding content to fill the empty space. If you don't have any viewports, Xtend will create one, so be aware that at least one viewport does exist.

It definitely doesn't enforce the original window size, though... that would defeat the whole purpose. Is your project configured to allow resizing the window? (This setting must be applied in GameMaker itself, not Xtend.)

If you're unable to identify the problem, feel free to send me your project by email (contact@xgasoft.com) so I can investigate and better advise.

sodabeam3 years ago

Ok that is definitely strange then, because I removed Xtend from my project and then I am able to resize my game window normally. When I re-imported Xtend to my project, it once again locks the resolution. I'll send you a link to my project to your email. Thanks again!

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