PARALLAX MAPPING TUTORIAL

Parallax mapping is great. It can help you make wonderful maps. Now, before we start I recommend you either download Yanfly's ''parallax lock'', which can be downloaded here:
https://yanflychannel.wordpress.com/rmvxa/utility-scripts/parallax-lock/
And Seer UK's ''picture fixed to map'' script, which can be downloaded here:
http://www.rpgmakervxace.net/topic/3076-fixed-pictures-for-rmvx-ace-for-parralax-mapping/
You can also use overlay scripts, but I'm not much into them so I'm not going to go over them.
For this tutorial I will be using GIMP, but any other program should also be fine.

Step 1-Base
Usally I don't make maps bigger than 17x13 since they are a bit harder to fill. If you want the map to be 17x13, open a new image with the size 544x416. If you do want to make it bigger, just multiply the map size with 32.

Step 2-Terrain(base)
For this part, you will want to open the terrain of your choice and copy it. I am using celianna's grass tile. Now go to your image. Go to the bottom of ''layers'' and click on ''clipboard'', which should have the same icon as what you just copied. Select all of your image. Right click and go to Edit--->Fill with pattern. You should have something like this:


Step 2 B-Terrain(path)(optional)
For this open up a new layer and then copy your path of choice. Once again, I'm using celianna's tiles. I recommend you use a grid to be able to do it properly. Make sure you are in the layer above your base. Select the area you want to cover with dirt. Useful tip: To make things faster after you are done selecting the area of your choice, you can hold shift to select more areas. (This is optional)Select a few more random areas around the map. Now press ''fill with pattern'' once again, and you should have something like this:

Now choose the eraser tool and erase the edges to give a more dynamic efect. It should look like this if you've done it correctly:


Step 3-Decorations
For this one choose whatever tilesets you want and decorate the place as you wish.
Here's what mine looks like:

Tips:
Use seperate layers
Make sure to put as many light sources as possible for the next setp

Step 4-Light Effects
If you want to make a night time map then you can open a new layer and then fill it completely black. Then reduce the layer opacity to about 25%. Select areas around the light sources with the circle tool. Press delete. Select the whole layer and go to Filters--->Blur--->Gaussian Blur, and blur it as much as you wish. A high amount (around 200) recommended.
Here's what it should look like:


And that's it for todays tutorial. Next time: Mapping interior maps