Tmx C# Loader for SFML

[Epiplon]

Hello!

I would like to share with the SFML community the project I've been working for the past week.
It's a library for C# project that makes use of both Tiled and SFML.

This project carries the following goals:

• Load a .tmx file (what Tiled uses to save/load maps) in a fast and reliable way.
• Organize data in an intuitive way.
• Make it simple as possible for use in projects.

Important: the library right now only accepts .tmx formats with layers configured for CSV.

It can be used as a general-purpose library (in other words, with another frameworks), but I'm trying to make it even simpler for SFML users, so you can make your tiles and have each layer build as a SFML Sprite for you. Not much, it's really the only specialty right now. However, I hope to have more ideas as the project evolves and it's free to anyone to contribute. 

Also, builds for Linux and Mac throught Mono is something I will look forward to after it turns in a solid release.

If you are interested, check the GitHub project on https://github.com/vncastanheira/TmxCSLoader_SFML.
There's a How-To Guide if you want to set up in your project and test it https://github.com/vncastanheira/TmxCSLoader_SFML/wiki/How-to-use-Tmx-C%23-Loader-for-SFML.

Windows beta release is on https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B96ycxJN-06jQXZ2clh6bDBrUkU/edit?usp=sharing.

I hope that can help a lot of people.
Thanks!

[zsbzsb]

This looks like it might be useful, but could you elaborate more on the *.tmx format that you use. Maybe give some references on how that file is supposed to be laid out. And about the license, I noticed you used a GPL3 license and I was wondering if you would consider switching to a more free license like ZLIB/PNG such as SFML uses. I know a lot of people myself included do not like GPL due to various reasons.

[Epiplon]

could you elaborate more on the *.tmx format that you use.

You mean, how the program uses it? I was assuming that everyone knew that it's a file exported by Tiled and is nothing more than a XML text.

And about the license, I'm gonna look at it. But why you and other people don't like GPL?

[zsbzsb]

You mean, how the program uses it? I was assuming that everyone knew that it's a file exported by Tiled and is nothing more than a XML text.

Don't assume everyone knows what and where the file format comes from. It just helps to mention it. Even myself, I have looked at the Tiled program but never actually used it - so I did not know that is what format your library can load.

And about the license, I'm gonna look at it. But why you and other people don't like GPL?

The biggest reason is because with GPL anybody's code whether it is dynamically or statically linking to an GPL library is considered a "derived work" of that GPL library. That then means your own code is therefore forced to use a GPL compatible license - meaning it is impossible to write code that uses a GPL library without releasing your own code under GPL. In simple terms, it would be impossible for me to write a non GPL compatible program that utilizes your library.

There is other reasons that I am sure a simple google search will turn up plenty of answers for you.

And if you still wish to stay with a GPL type license, you should at least consider LGPL.

[Epiplon]

Thanks! I'm gonna explain better what format is it and where it comes from, both here and on the Wiki page.

About the license, I've never read GPL entirely. If zlib/png license gives the same freedom to share and modify, I can change to it. 
I just wanna help people use it and contribute.