Source: Love Mac | Software download link: ActionHenk for Mac
I. Detailed Explanation of the Software’s Core Interface and Workspace
ActionHenk is a unique physics-based platform action game, but its built-in level editor gives it powerful creative tool capabilities. Its interface is mainly divided into two major modes: Game Mode and Editor Mode.
1.1 Main Menu and Level Selection Interface
After launching the software, you first enter the main menu. This is the starting point for entering game campaigns, community levels, or the editor.
- “Campaign” button: Experience the official preset levels, an excellent reference for learning level design.
- “Community” button: Browse, download, and play levels created by other players.
- “Create” button: The core entry point to the level editor.
1.2 Editor Mode Workspace
After clicking “Create,” you enter the editor interface. The workspace consists of the following core panels:
- Central view area (canvas): Occupies most of the screen area, used for real-time preview and editing of level layouts. You can directly drag, drop, move, and rotate objects here.
- Left Toolbar: Arranged vertically, containing icons for all placeable objects.
- Geometry: Basic terrain such as blocks, slopes, and circles.
- Props & Mechanisms: Springs, fans, conveyor belts, moving platforms, etc.
- Decorations: Trees, signs, buildings, etc., which do not affect physics logic.
- Start & End Points: Define where the level begins and ends.
- Top Menu Bar & Quick Buttons:
- File Operations: Create, open, save, and publish projects.
- Edit Operations: Undo, redo, copy, paste, delete.
- Test Button: Switch to test mode with one click and play the current level in real time.
- Grid Alignment & Zoom Controls: Used for precise object placement.
- Right Properties Panel: When any object on the canvas is selected, this panel displays the object’s detailed properties, such as position coordinates, rotation angle, scale size, physics properties (whether it is static), and parameter settings for specific mechanisms.
II. Complete Workflow: From Creation to Export
Step 1: Create a New Project
Method: Click the “Create” button in the main menu, or select “File” -> “New” from the top menu bar within the editor.
Shortcut: Cmd + N
The system will generate a blank canvas and automatically place a player starting point (Henk character).
Step 2: Build the Basic Terrain
- Select the “Geometry” category in the left toolbar.
- Click a block icon, then click and drag on the central canvas to place and resize it.
- Use the Properties panel for fine-tuning:
- Adjust the
X, Ycoordinates for precise positioning. - Adjust the
Scalevalue to change the size. - Check
Staticto ensure it acts as fixed ground.
- Adjust the
- Repeat the above steps to build the basic track and obstacle structure of the level.
Tip: Hold the Option key and drag a selected object to quickly duplicate it.
Step 3: Add Traps and Props
- Switch to the “Props” or “Traps” category in the left toolbar.
- Select something like a spring or fan, and click on the canvas to place it.
- Select the trap and adjust its parameters in the right-side properties panel. For example, you can adjust the fan’s
wind strengthanddirection. - Adjust its orientation using the Rotate tool (select the object and press R to enter rotation mode).
Step 4: Set the Start Point and End Point
- The Start Point exists by default; you can select and drag it to adjust its position.
- Find the “End Point” in the left toolbar (usually a flag or gate), and drag it to the end position of the level route.
Step 5: Real-Time Testing and Iteration
This is the most essential workflow in the ActionHenk editor.
Method: Click the prominent “Test” button near the top menu bar, or use the shortcut key.
Shortcut: Cmd + T
At this point, you will immediately control Henk running through the level you just built. Experience the level’s difficulty, flow, and fun through actual gameplay. Press Cmd + T again or click the “Stop Test” button to return to edit mode, and make adjustments based on the test feedback.
Step 6: Save and Publish the Project
- Save Project: Select “File” -> “Save” to save the level project file (.henk format) locally for future modifications.
Shortcut: Cmd + S - Publish to Community: Once the level design is complete, select “File” -> “Upload to Community”. You need to set a title, description, and thumbnail for the level. After uploading, players worldwide can find and challenge your creation in the “Community” section.
Note: Before publishing, please make sure you have tested thoroughly and follow the community’s content creation guidelines.
III. Advanced Tips for Common Features
- Quick Alignment and Grid: Enable the “Grid Alignment” feature in the top menu to place objects more neatly. Adjust the grid size to suit construction needs of different precision levels.
- Layer Management: For complex levels, you can use an object’s
Z-axiscoordinate or layer properties to arrange foreground and background, avoiding visual and logical conflicts. - Combining Mechanisms: Try combining different mechanisms to create chain reactions. For example, placing a bounce pad at the end of a conveyor belt can launch Henk across great distances.
- Study Official Levels: Open any official campaign level in the editor to reverse-engineer its object placement, parameter settings, and structural design—this is the most direct way to learn.
- Use Physics Properties: Uncheck the
Staticproperty on certain large objects so they can be knocked and moved by Henk, creating dynamic puzzle elements.
IV. Common Issues and Solutions
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| During testing, the character gets stuck or falls off the map | Gaps at terrain seams or discontinuous collision bodies; the spawn point is surrounded by objects. | Return to edit mode, zoom in to check terrain connections and ensure seamless joins; check whether there is enough space around the spawn point. |
| Mechanisms (e.g., fans) have no effect | Wrong mechanism direction; wind force set to 0; blocked by other objects. | Select the mechanism and use the rotate tool (R) to adjust direction; check and adjust the strength parameter in the properties panel; make sure its path of effect is unobstructed. |
| Game runs with lag | Too many decorative objects in the level; overly complex physics calculations. | Reduce unnecessary decorations; set distant objects that don’t affect gameplay logic to Static. |
| Cannot find a saved level file | Unclear save path; file format mismatch. | In the editor, use “File” -> “Open” (Cmd+O) and navigate to the default documents or game save directory to look for the .henk file. |
| Uploading to the community fails | Network connection issues; level content does not meet guidelines (e.g., missing endpoint). | Check your network; make sure the level contains and only contains one spawn point and one endpoint, and that the game can start normally from the spawn point. |
V. ActionHenk for Mac Shortcuts Overview
| Function Category | Operation Description | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| File Operations | New Level | Cmd + N |
| File Operations | Open Level | Cmd + O |
| File Operations | Save Level | Cmd + S |
| Edit Operations | Undo | Cmd + Z |
| Edit Operations | Redo | Cmd + Shift + Z |
| Edit Operations | Copy Selected Object | Cmd + C |
| Edit Operations | Paste Object | Cmd + V |
| Edit Operations | Delete Selected Object | Delete or Backspace |
| Edit Operations | Quick Duplicate Object | Hold Option and drag |
| Tool Operations | Enter Rotation Mode | Select object and press R |
| Tool Operations | Enter Scale Mode | Select object and press S |
| View & Testing | Zoom In | Cmd + + (plus) |
| View & Testing | Zoom Out | Cmd + – (minus) |
| Core Operations | Start/Stop Testing Level | Cmd + T |
| Selection Operations | Multi-select Objects | Hold Shift and click individually |
| Selection Operations | Box-select Multiple Objects | Click and drag mouse on empty canvas area |
Note: Some shortcuts may behave differently in editor mode and test mode. The list above mainly applies to editor mode.
