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On this page
  • Begin Game Maker 2
  • Learn Build Mode Camera & Block Controls
  • Follow Up
  • Relevant Resources
  • Forum: Community Ideas & Support
  • Other "Begin Game Maker" Videos

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  1. Game Maker
  2. Beginners

Build with Blocks

This activity is included in an 8-part, 1 hour series to learn Game Maker. Short, focused topics with guided practice will give you practical experience building useful logic for creating games.

PreviousPlay/TestNextPlace Assets

Last updated 5 months ago

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Begin Game Maker 2

Learn Build Mode Camera & Block Controls

EASY

In this activity, you will explore the controls needed to navigate while building an Experience in Game Maker and the basics of terraforming with blocks by accessing them in the Library.

Once you know how to use the build mode camera and build with blocks, you'll be ready to place and manipulate objects in Activity 3.

Launch Game Maker

Practice Some Build Mode Camera Controls

Controls:
Keys
Mouse

Zoom in/out

Press W / S

Move camera left/right

Press A /D

Move camera up/down

Press Q / E

Turn camera left/right

Turn camera up/down

Orbit around a point in front of you

-

Modifier: Sprint a camera control

Hold SHIFT + use other controls with keys

Hold SHIFT + use other controls with mouse

Find Blocks

Open the Library (press L) and add blocks to your quick access bar (above the Library):

  • Click the Blocks tab at the top of the library to filter options and only show blocks.

  • Drag and release a few blocks into slots in quick access bar. Close the library (press L) and click on any block in the quick access bar or use the corresponding number shown in each slot to select a block to use.

Undo/Redo if Needed as you practice the controls below

  • CTRL + Z to undo

  • CTRL + Y to redo

Use the Free Brush (default) to practice basic block building controls

Basic Controls

Modifiers

Test Other Block Brushes & Adjust Size

Notice when placing or removing with other brushes, the center of the shape snaps to the surface (blocks may be placed underground).

Brushes other than the Free brush will only build a vertical column in the brush shape.

  • Diamond - easy to climb shape

  • Cube - man-made structures and blocky terrain

  • Sphere - natural terrain

Follow Up

Now that you know how to build with blocks, you can block out the 3D space for your Experience, create terrain details and paths to guide players.


There are a lot of new things to explore with blocks including how they're used to build 3D interactive space and how they are used to create the aesthetics of your game.


Forum: Community Ideas & Support


Other "Begin Game Maker" Videos

Play/Test
Build with Blocks
Place Assets
Set Object Actions
Trigger Logic
Craft Quests
Set Up Mechanics
Build Multiplayer Games

Open the Experience created in or start a new one.

Scroll wheel

Hold + Move

Hold + Move

Press / keys

Hold SPACEBAR + Right Button + Move

Press / keys

Hold SPACEBAR + Right Button + Move

Hold SPACEBAR + Left Button

Learn how to add objects into your world in .

Relevant Resources

🔰

Line or Rectangle Shape (on any block surface)

Hold [basic control] + drag & release

Line of Blocks (vertical)

Hold [basic control] + SHIFT + drag up & release

Rectangle of Blocks (vertical)

Hold [basic control] + drag to base shape + SHIFT + drag up & release

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Activity 1
Activity 3
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⬇️

Place

Remove

Replace

Place Layer (no modifiers)

🟢

A forum post has been created for this learning activity! Visit to:

  • Ask or answer questions

  • Post ideas about the topic

  • Share what you've learned or created

    • from the activity

    • from the bonus resources

⬅️
➡️
⬆️
⬇️
⬅️
➡️
⬆️
⬇️

Hold left ALT +

Hold right ALT +

PLACE
REMOVE
REPLACE
COLUMNS
LAYER
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Using Blocks

Learn about block properties and uses to create terrains and buildings.

Scale & LAND Use

LAND is the basic unit of measurement for Experiences. Learn what 3D interactive content can fit into one or more LANDs.

Rough Base Map

Building with blocks is similar to using voxels, so VoxEdit is a perfect tool to sketch a rough mini map before you build an Experience with blocks.

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Blockout

Once 3D space use is planned, begin the blockout. Focus first on shape with a few base colors and add large assets that shape the world.

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Blockout Aesthetics

Apply an attractive color palette with blocks that guides players and avoids distraction from gameplay. Use our recommendations or make your own.

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Visit the Forum
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