Dynamic Thermometer

Since the dawn of LittleBigPlanet, there has been but one obstacle to the creative vision of creators: the size of the page they have to work with. While an infinite canvas is still not possible, the Dynamic Thermometer option in the Global Stuff section of the Popit has moved everyone one step closer.

When switched to a Dynamic Thermometer, preloaded content is limited to objects in and around a given view area, allowing creators to fit a lot more into a level. This is because the whole thing no longer needs to be loaded the entire time. The tools below help manage this process to ensure that everything runs as planned.

Just look at the difference in the Thermometer on the challenge you are working on!

Loading Linker

The Loading Linker slaps down like Advanced Glue. By hovering over any object with the Loading Linker, you can see which grouping it loads in with. Stick this to several items in an area to make sure they are all part of the same group. This is especially important if a few complex/timed items are located near one another.

Preloader

The Preloader works in conjunction with the Loading Linker. The Preloader has settings similar to the Game Camera. Using the Preload Zone, you can designate an area to be loaded in once the Preloader has been triggered.

For instance, say you have a Player Teleporter set up to take players a good distance from their starting point. Plop one of these down nearby to get the new area prepopulated before the Teleporter is trigged. Or maybe you just want to make sure there are no hiccups or loading breaks in a fast-moving race? Either way, this tool has you covered.

Permanency Tweaker

The final object in this small set is the Permanency Tweaker, useful when something absolutely, positively has to be there. Place one of these on anything, and it is loaded in no matter what.

In this example, you see a door slowly closing on a prize room before the Scoreboard. A player must get here before the door shuts in order to get the goods, but it only works if the Timer starts from the beginning of the level.