Any good torch effect advice?

[Kazemaru]

Here's the thing, I've been using a simple light effect and light radius picture for torch effects, and I personally find it a pain.
The problems I've come accross bug me. I want torch effects for other npcs not just the hero, but i'm not sure how I would do that without completely messing up the screen and how awkward it would be.
Is there a way to make an easier way of using the torch effects because the central light around the hero really isn't working for me at the moment.
Any suggestions on a better torch system? If so, thank you!

[Ben]

are you using 2k3?

I use sprites for lights in XP, and its lovely.

[DragonBlaze]

If the lights are small enough, use transparent events.

If the lights need to be larger, use a picture, and have it set to display on variable possitions, and have the variable possitions be equal to the event's x and y possitions, update the variables every 0.0 seconds (to prevent lagging). If you do this, the torch light should stay on whatever event you set the variables to.

[Kazemaru]

That I find fine, its just the annoying darkness around the light, if I use tint my hero and the NPCs darken too and the only way I see around it would be to make pictures for every single sprite.

[DragonBlaze]

Wait, how do you show the tourch effect? Do you use a black picture with a circle cut out for the light, or do you use the tint screen to make the screen darker and use a tourch light picture to make it brighter in that area?

I think the best way would be to tint the screen darker and use a picture for every npc and her to make the area around them (and themselves) lighter.

If thats not what you're talking about, can you describe your problem a little better, possibly with some screen shots?

[Ganocide_of_a_Kingdom]

I think the best way it's with pictures for each NPC and yer own character. Also to add more realism, you could make the pictures go bigger and smaller so it would simulate flickering or you could make the pictures a little transparent and then solid to also simulate light movement.

[Kazemaru]

Well I concidered making pictures for every sprite too tedious, but if it is the best way, I'll do it. So yeah thanks for the help.