"How do I make a simfile (for FFR)?" - A guide

[Goldenwind]

"How do I make a stepchart?"

1. Introduction
---- StepMania Quick Facts
------- Explanation
------- Download Links
------- Navigation
2. Stepchart basics
---- What you need
---- "Where do my files go?"
---- Making the .sm file
3. Making a stepchart
---- StepMania: Edit Mode
---- Sync
---- What to write
4. Polishing touches
---- Features of a quality chart
---- Preparing for FFR submission
------- Checklist
------- How to submit your file
------- The approval process
---- Preparing for ITG arcade
------- Basics
------- Checklist
------- Bypassing music length limits
------- Playing your song


1. Introduction
This is a step-by-step tutorial to making a stepchart (aka simfile), with extras, such as proper FFR submission, preparing it for ITG arcade, etc. The process is rather simple once you understand what's going on. Much of the detail here is designed for new users.

If you are preparing your chart for a special purpose (FFR, ITG, etc), please review the appropriate sections ahead of time, to ensure you're making your chart according to guidelines.


StepMania Quick Facts
Explanation
StepMania is a DDR simulator you may download and install on your computer legally, for free. In addition to allowing you to play songs through use of your keyboard, it comes with a built-in editor, to aid in making "steps" or choreographies to the music of your choosing.

Like the striking majority of the community, we will be using StepMania to create our stepcharts. This guide assumes you are familiar with arrow-based rhythm games, and have a basic understanding of their mechanics.


Download Links
Below are links to various versions of StepMania. If you don't know what the differences are, you would be best off with 3.95.

StepMania 3.9 (PC, Mac, Linux)
StepMania 3.95 (PC)
StepMania 4.0 (PC, Mac)
OpenITG (PC, Linux)


Navigation
Basic Navigation
---Alt+Enter - Toggle between windowed mode and full screen
---Arrow keys - Select different item
---Enter - Select current item
---ESC - Return to previous screen

Gameplay Navigation
---Left/Right - Preview next song
---Up+Up - Go to next easier difficulty (Hit Up twice, rapidly)
---Down+Down - Go to next harder difficulty (Hit Down twice, rapidly)
---Enter - Choose current song

Editing Navigation
---(1, 2, 3, 4) - Place a (left, down, up, right) arrow, respectively
---Shift+(1, 2, 3, 4) - Place a (left, down, up, right) mine, respectively
---(1, 2, 3, 4)+Down - Create a freeze arrow (Hold the number key, then tap Down)
---Shift+(1, 2, 3, 4)+Down - Create a roll (Hold Shift and the number key, then tap Down; Rolls are not compatible with SM3.9)
---Left/Right - Change the note timings (Allows you to place 8ths, 12ths, 16ths, etc)
---Up/Down - Moves the "cursor", where you aim to place your next arrows
---ESC - Main Menu
---Enter - Area Menu
---F1 - Help



2. Stepchart basics
What you need
(Mandatory) - Stepchart data (.sm or .dwi; we'll be making this ourselves)
(Mandatory) - Music (.mp3 or .ogg)
(Optional) - Banners/backgrounds (.png)
(Optional) - Backgrounds (.png (Picture) or .avi (Video))


"Where do my files go?"
Quick answer: "..\StepMania\Songs\Group Folder\Song Name".

Each song is composed of a stepchart file and a music file.
These files are bound inside a folder, typically of the same name as the song.
From there, collections of song folders are put into a group folder.
And then each group folder is in "Songs".



The files are bound in a Song Folder called "My New Song"
"My New Song" is in a Group Folder called "My Songs"
"My Songs" is in the "Songs" folder.


Making the .sm file
1. Make a new Text (.txt) file named "My New Song.sm"
Common issue: On some computers, the file extensions (Eg, '.txt') are hidden. This means that when you name your file My New Song.sm, it is *actually* Song.sm.txt, but the real extension (The .txt) is hidden. When you rename it to .sm, really you're just changing the name to Song.sm.txt, which is still technically a txt file.
Fix: Control Panel --> Folder Options --> View --> Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types"

2. Open the .sm file in Notepad (Right click --> Open With --> Choose Program... --> Notepad)

3. Copy/paste this template into your .sm file (Remember: .sm are opened in Notepad)

4. Fill out basic information:
- "TITLE", what you want your song to be called
- "ARTIST", who the song is by
- "MUSIC", the name of the music file (Mandatory)
- "BANNER", the name of the banner file (Optional)
- "BACKGROUND", the name of the background file (Optional)
- "DISPLAYBPM", overriding the BPM displayed should you want to (Optional)
(Example: #DISPLAYBPM:100.000:150.000; )

5. Save the file, and close Notepad.



3. Making a stepchart
StepMania: Edit Mode
1. Go back to the main Stepmania folder, and run "StepMania".

2. Choose the "Edit/Sync Songs" option.

3. Using up/down to move your cursor, and left/right to change the option, set up your screen as follows:
- Set "Group" to what you named your category folder.
- Set "Song" to the name of your song.
- Keep "StepsType" on "dance-single"
- Set "Difficulty" to the difficulty of chart you wish to create.
- Keep "Action" on "Edit Existing".

4. Set the BPM of your song (Remember: F1 if you need help)
To find the BPM of your song, try dragging/dropping your MP3 into a BPM analyzer.

5. Set the offset of your song (See below for offset and sync information)

~

Try hitting numbers 1-4. Arrows will appear at the top. This is how you place an arrow. To remove it, press the number again.

Hit the up and down keys. Your position will move to another line. Now try placing another arrow. It should be obvious now, how you can create a string of these arrows.

What about notes in other timing? 8ths, 16ths, 12th and more can be placed by using the left and right arrows.

To test your song, try "Play Whole Song" in the Main Menu

To spread out the notes more, go to Main Menu --> Player Options, and set your speed.

Make sure to Save periodically (Main Menu). When you save, it will also create a DWI file. This is normal.


Sync
To have a sync'd song is to have a proper song offset. (This assumes you've given the program a correct BPM)

The best way of doing this is to use "AutoSync Song", by hitting F6 while playing.
You tap to the music, and AutoSync will adjust the arrows to be at the correct sync, as it assumes your keystrokes are at the correct time.

Naturally, this means beginners will have a poor sense of timing, and very offsync files, whereas professionals will be able to notice mild imperfections, and make the most of AutoSync.


What to write
Where to put your arrows depends on your creativity, and what you intend your chart for.
Typically, you don't want to make charts unless you already know how to play the game.

As an example, to make "pad" charts (That people dance to on a DDR/ITG pad), you will want to keep in mind at all times, where the player's feet are (as determined by your previously placed notes). By knowing this, you can tell which arrow directions are possible for your next arrow.

For inspiration, look at some of your favourite charts, and see what they do!



4. Polishing touches
Features of a quality chart
1. The sync is accurate enough that a professional could achieve a perfect score

2. The music preview is set to an attractive piece of the song, and loops adequately

3. The Display BPM shows useful information that will help players choose an appropriate speed mod
- Songs that say "75-600" are ambiguous. Do I prepare for 150? 300? 600?
- Songs that say "150-300": Do I need to worry about the 300, or is it a gimmick?

4. Banner and background are set.

5. Stepchart author is filled out as the chart name.

6. Chart is R21-ready (ITG pad files only)


Preparing for FFR submission
Checklist
1. No freeze arrows, rolls, or mines.
2. At least 2 seconds of silence at the beginning of your music file.
3. Ensure that your song's folder name is in the exact format of "Songname (YourUsername)"
4. Ensure that your Zip or Rar file has a dwi file, as well as an mp3
5. Ensure there is a folder in your Zip/Rar file (If you make the Zip/Rar file as shown below, you'll do it right)
6. Provide proof (Explain in the e-mail) that you have the author's permission to use their song.


How to submit your file
1. Go to your Group Folder (Eg, "My Songs").
2. Right click on your Song Folder (Eg, "My New Song"), and WinZip or WinRar it.
3. Send an e-mail to regularffrsubmissions@gmail.com
- Attach the Zip/Rar
- Tell them who you are (FFR username)
- Provide proof you have the author's permission to use their song.


The approval process
In this thread, the judges post on which stepfiles made it into the game, and which were rejected.

If rejected, the judges may give brief commentary on how you could improve.


Preparing for ITG arcade
Basics
On upgraded ITG machines (Version R21 and later), you are able to play your own songs (and songs of others) through use of a USB.

Similar to Stepmania, you need to have songs in specific folders. Pretend G:\ is your USB drive.
G:\In The Groove 2\Songs\MySong\MySong.ogg
G:\In The Groove 2\Songs\MySong\MySong.sm


Checklist
Default Limits on ITG Upload use:
- Music must be in OGG format
- OGG must be under 5MB (5120KB)
- SM files must be under 100KB
- Music must be 120 seconds or shorter (However this can be bypassed. Read below)
- Maximum 50 songs per USB
- Maximum 50MB of songs per USB (Files on the root, not in the "Songs" folder, don't count)


Bypassing music length limits
ITG will only let you play custom songs 120 seconds or shorter.

To bypass this limit, download the Ogg Length Patch. Using Windows Explorer, drag/drop your .ogg on top of the exe. A DOS window will pop up for a split second, then disappear.

Despite the lack of confirmation, the .ogg file will now appear as 1m:45s to the arcade machine, regardless its true length. By doing this, you may play songs as long as you like, given they still fit under the 5MB limit.


Playing your songs
1. Insert credit and USB (Order doesn't matter)
2. Begin the game as normal
3. Find your songs under a new song group, "Player X's Songs"

~

Good luck!

Last edited by Goldenwind; 01-6-2011 at 04:26 AM.
Just to remind you that this guide is old.

[bluguerrilla]

You might want to put something in there about quality checking.

Note that only a dwi and mp3 should be present in a folder in the zip.

Also, I'm pretty sure you miss the first and hit the second with jack-syndrome.

In terms of finding the gap you don't need to measure it. As long as you're close with your bpm you can change the gap while playing the entire song. It's really easy to put in some quarter notes, play it and his F11/F12 with tick-assist on.

Mention the 2-second cutoff thing.

Pretty thorough otherwise. Maybe you could add links to the other threads like this one?


Edit: It should be how to make a stepfile, not how to make a song. And is this in the correct forum?

[Goldenwind]

Note that only a dwi and mp3 should be present in a folder in the zip.

I've been sending in complete packages (SM, DWI, MP3, banner and background), and I've had none be rejected or denied for having "too much". DWI and MP3 are the mandatory files. The way I explained to package them, the DWI and MP3 will be included.

Also, I'm pretty sure you miss the first and hit the second with jack-syndrome.

It depends on the jack. Some of them you will get Perfect on one, but a Good on another... some are so bad, you can't even FC it, as it's gaurenteed you will miss at least one. It depends on the number of frames, and how you hit them.

In terms of finding the gap you don't need to measure it. As long as you're close with your bpm you can change the gap while playing the entire song. It's really easy to put in some quarter notes, play it and his F11/F12 with tick-assist on.

It was a suggestion. I also mentioned trail and error with F11/F12 in my suggestions.

Mention the 2-second cutoff thing.

True. Will do that.

Pretty thorough otherwise. Maybe you could add links to the other threads like this one?

There are links spread throughout my post. Some to download sites for WinZip, WinRar, Stepmania, SoundForge, etc... some to other posts on Jack Syndrome, Blanket Permissions, etc. The guide is designed such that people will take it step by step, therefore I provided the links at the stages people will need them.

Edit: It should be how to make a stepfile, not how to make a song. And is this in the correct forum?

Words are sketchy. Some people use "simfile" and "stepfile" interchangably. FFR has a "Simfile DB", however it's really a database of the steps + the music, is it not? When people open Stepmania, you think "Wow, I have a lot of songs", not "Wow, I have a lot of files", right? It's debatable, but I don't think I was in the wrong.

As for the forum, it's also sketchy. If a forum mod sees it fit elsewhere, it can be moved.

[bluguerrilla]

Originally Posted by Goldenwind

It depends on the jack. Some of them you will get Perfect on one, but a Good on another... some are so bad, you can't even FC it, as it's gaurenteed you will miss at least one. It depends on the number of frames, and how you hit them.

I should have clarified. I meant if you were to hit the notes as they should be hit (meaning going along to the music) then you will miss the first and hit the second.

[Goldenwind]

Originally Posted by bluguerrilla

I should have clarified. I meant if you were to hit the notes as they should be hit (meaning going along to the music) then you will miss the first and hit the second.

When I wrote this up, I remembered hearing it'll go for the later note first, but I wasn't too certain, so instead of taking a chance, I left that out completely.

Relative to writing steps to a song, it doesn't really matter which comes first... the point is to avoid jacks altogether ^^;

But yes, you're right.

[DrugstoreCowboy]

nice work =]

[Tasselfoot]

one small thing.... PLEASE try to use only an mp3, not an ogg. while ogg's work in SM, they don't work in Flash. so if I get an ogg, I have to convert it to mp3. which usually results in me spitting off a string of profanity.

and i happened to notice a few ogg submissions in this current batch. *shrugs*

also... to verify... with jacks, you miss the 1st and hit the 2nd early. that's fact.

you can include more than just a dwi/mp3, but those 2 are the mandatory items that i need. and are the only ones that i use or look at.


ps - don't hassle the tassel made me smile.

[dore]

For the "How .sm files work" section, you can just put in #TITLE:whatever; and Stepmania will do the rest for you.

[Elite_Soul]

Man this isn't working for me! I go to 'Edit/Sync Songs' and it says "No songs are installed". What do I do?

[Coolboyrulez0]

@Elite Soul : You neeed to first import songs go to Program Files >> Stepmania >> Stepmania Tools then Click on Create Song and then import the music file which you want to make steps for

cßr

[Goldenwind]

Originally Posted by Elite_Soul

Man this isn't working for me! I go to 'Edit/Sync Songs' and it says "No songs are installed". What do I do?

Check that your folders are set up correctly
Check that your files are in the correct folders
Check that you have at 1 of MP3 or OGG, and 1 of SM or DWI

[Ssonik]

Originally Posted by Goldenwind

[u]

To play your song on ITG, do the following:
- Ensure that your local ITG machine has been updated to R21 or higher
- Have your music in ".ogg" format. If it's not, get it converted through a program such as SoundForge.
- Ensure your music is under 2 minutes long. If it is over this duration, ITG will end the song after 120 seconds.
- Pretending that your USB is a category folder, place any song folders you wish onto that USB.

Good luck!

I have not been able to find a r21 do you guys know where one is in CA...well besides disneyland

[immawhiteguy]

Alternately, (as I just found out) You can use Stepmania's "Tools and package explorer" to skip basically most of "Where do my files go?" and "How '.sm' files work".

how I did it was Start > All programs > Stepmania > Stepmania Tools and Package Explorer

The popup that comes up has a selection at the bottom to make a song. Upon clicking it, it prompts you to find the song in your computer (I put mine on my desktop). once you select the song and click OK, it does everything for you.

Then you just go in Stepmania and edit the song and its steps as you wish.



I'm doing that with 3.9 BTW.

Edit: When you "make a song" for the first time, it creates a category called "My Creations". Inside (naturally) is a folder with your song. When you go to edit the song and stuff in Stepmania, and you save your file, it makes the .sm and .DWI at the same time.

Or well, that's what mine told me at the top left corner.

[chansey&blisey lover]

so you must send it to them and if it sucks they most likely will forget it

[BEN.(SPEIRS) 7.5]

So where can I get one of these ogg to mp3 converters?

[Goldenwind]

Originally Posted by BEN.(SPEIRS) 7.5

So where can I get one of these ogg to mp3 converters?

SoundForge can do it, but you'd need to pay, or get a cracked version, of which I NOR FFR ENDORSE OR RECOMMEND YOU DO IN ANY WAY OR FORM

[Ssonik]

Originally Posted by immawhiteguy

Alternately, (as I just found out) You can use Stepmania's "Tools and package explorer" to skip basically most of "Where do my files go?" and "How '.sm' files work".

how I did it was Start > All programs > Stepmania > Stepmania Tools and Package Explorer

The popup that comes up has a selection at the bottom to make a song. Upon clicking it, it prompts you to find the song in your computer (I put mine on my desktop). once you select the song and click OK, it does everything for you.

Then you just go in Stepmania and edit the song and its steps as you wish.



I'm doing that with 3.9 BTW.

Edit: When you "make a song" for the first time, it creates a category called "My Creations". Inside (naturally) is a folder with your song. When you go to edit the song and stuff in Stepmania, and you save your file, it makes the .sm and .DWI at the same time.

Or well, that's what mine told me at the top left corner.

3.95 does not work this way just wanted to point it out

[edit]and btw can it have BPM changes

[second edit]I already have permission from a few artist I just need to make the files now

[BEN.(SPEIRS) 7.5]

Originally Posted by Goldenwind

SoundForge can do it, but you'd need to pay, or get a cracked version, of which I NOR FFR ENDORSE OR RECOMMEND YOU DO IN ANY WAY OR FORM

I SEE. I BETTER NOT DO THAT THEN.

[Tasselfoot]

Ben: go to www.download.com and search for ogg to mp3 converter. you'll get one right away. I recommend Power MP3 WMA Converter. Freeware, so it's pretty limited... but it isn't that complicated and I've yet to have a problem with it.

Biggest fault is that you can only convert 1 file at a time. And you have to wait 5 seconds each time before it converts. Such are the prices to pay for freeware.

[falcondude]

THATS RIGHT, YOU SHOULDN'T.

Originally Posted by Ssonik

[edit]and btw can it have BPM changes

[second edit]I already have permission from a few artist I just need to make the files now

Yes, BPM changes are allowed.

And make sure that Tass sees proof of having permission.