How to make custom designs round like default paths!

[Mephala]

I don't know if this has already been mentioned, but I just learned about it today & thought other people might want to know!

I kept seeing screenshots of islands on tumblr and pinterest where people had placed custom designs and gotten rounded corners as you can do when placing the default paths, i.e., cobblestone, sand, etc. I kept trying to place custom designs using the path tools and it wouldn't work the way I wanted it.

So, turns out you need to place the default paths, like cobblestone or dirt, in the shape or design you want. Then if the custom design path you actually want has a transparent pixel in it (you leave one square transparent in the corner or somewhere that wont be noticeable) and you place this down over the default path, it copies the placement of the path under it!

Here's an example of what I mean. See how it's a custom design but has rounded corners like you can do with default paths?



I can't be the only one who had NO idea this was a thing so hope it helps someone else too!

 

[ohno dannie]

i saw this too, and i cant wait to try it out

 

[hzl]

ya I found this out recently too.
But my qualm with it is that you can see the texture of the original path underneath which is a bit annoying

 

[Mephala]

ya I found this out recently too.
But my qualm with it is that you can see the texture of the original path underneath which is a bit annoying

That isn't happening for me, maybe it's something to do with the design you're using? Like are you using one with more than just one transparent pixel so there's more empty space for the path underneath to show through?

 

[hzl]

That isn't happening for me, maybe it's something to do with the design you're using? Like are you using one with more than just one transparent pixel so there's more empty space for the path underneath to show through?

I've no idea, it's only when the light hits it in certain ways that I can notice it - even for paths, I made myself.

 

[Mephala]

I've no idea, it's only when the light hits it in certain ways that I can notice it - even for paths, I made myself.

That's really strange! I'll see later if I notice anything similar with mine. I put a mossy cobblestone design over normal cobblestone so maybe that won't be as noticeable as say, if you put a wood design over sand or something?

 

[hzl]

That's really strange! I'll see later if I notice anything similar with mine. I put a mossy cobblestone design over normal cobblestone so maybe that won't be as noticeable as say, if you put a wood design over sand or something?

yes that does work actually! I do wish the sound of the footsteps on the game-implemented paths worked when we put custom paths over them. But the sand/soil solves the issue of the path beneath showing as much.

 

[Mephala]

yes that does work actually! I do wish the sound of the footsteps on the game-implemented paths worked when we put custom paths over them. But the sand/soil solves the issue of the path beneath showing as much.

The lack of sound bugs me too but I think it's worth it in exchange for having cool unique paths! I think a lot of people weren't aware you could do this until lately so almost everyone's islands have the same paths -- it'll be cool to see if that changes as time goes on.

 

[hzl]

The lack of sound bugs me too but I think it's worth it in exchange for having cool unique paths! I think a lot of people weren't aware you could do this until lately so almost everyone's islands have the same paths -- it'll be cool to see if that changes as time goes on.

absolutely! I do hope they re-implement the sounds over custom paths. I love the amount of creativity that we can bring to New Horizons - I think I spend more time in awe of other's designs instead of playing the game myself haha

 

[Bugs]

I usually include a transparent pixel in my path designs for this very reason, so people can make them rounded if they want

It will also copy the rough texture of the path it's placed over, so you can make certain paths have footprints with sand and vague brick shapes depending on what's underneath the transparent designs are a bit less vibrant than non-transparent square designs but I don't think it's very noticeable

It is a shame they don't keep the sound of the path underneath though :/

Edit: @hzl @Mephala I can confirm this happens with transparent designs as I've written about above it can be useful or a pain depending on your situation, I find that if you don't like the underneath texture it's best to use the dirt paths as they don't really show up as much