RPG maker 2003 or XP?

[Eetio]

Hey I'm going to start a new project and really get into detail with it, but I can't decide whether to use 2003 or XP.

I've used 2003 alot more than XP but there are several things about both which have good and bad points for me, someone here might be able to give me some tips or advise for some:
RPG maker 2003 personal bad points:
- Limited layers but functional tilesets so it's not a big deal
- Problem with switches not going onto other maps (I'm sure I can find something on this to help with variables though)
- No self switches, find these really useful on XP

RPG maker XP personal bad points:
- No world map, I really need/want a world map in my game just adds so much more freedom (if theres any tileset or anything out there anyone knows of it would be great!)  SOLVED
- Lack of resources online for XP compared to 2003 (although there is probably more than enough tilesets and characters etc for me just built in)
- Importing with XP for me seems broken at least, always doing it on 2003 so I'm sure nothing is wrong maybe it's just the version I have who knows  SOLVED
- I don't know how to set monster areas (in 2003 right clicking a map file and 'create area' to set specific monsters in that area) someone might know how but for now I don't HELP
- Not fond on the combat style, I used 2003 over 2000 because of the similar combat

All in all I want to use XP but I guess I'm not used to it as much as 2003, but I'm going to try and get more familiar with it lately... Hopefully some on here can give me a boost in the right direction
Cheers for reading if I find anymore points I will edit them in!

[zuhane]

You've pretty much summed them both up well, Eetio. You'll most likely be able to receive more help from people on the forums
if you use 2k3. There's tonnes of resources and it still offers a wide range of capabilities. Only XP has a nicer resolution and allows
for coding. In fact, I've never even used XP before!

[Eetio]

After a good while of searching I've finally found an amazing world map tileset for XP so my chances of using XP are getting closer!
Importing it seemed to work aswell which is a first

[Meiscool]

I've used both and, tbh, XP is only better if you don't mind the rtp. You won't find many resources for XP like you will for 2003 (except for charasets, Xp has tons of those).

Switches can go on to other maps, you're just doing it wrong. Self switches can be coded in, and rpgm2003 can have several layers if you know how to code auto-teleporting events.

[Eetio]

Is it possible to create areas on XP where different monsters will appear such as in 2003 creating the standard monster areas? This is the main thing for me at the moment which is putting me off XP. I'm sure I saw something about it a while back but it required a bit of messing about so I just left it

[Meiscool]

You can probably code in certain areas with x/y cords if XP doesn't have its own system.

[Nightowl]

If you prefer RPG Maker 2k/3 graphics, then I believe some utility existed that allowed you to convert 2K/3 graphics to XP.
Though I'd advise you to apply Super 2xsal filter on the charsets and chipsets afterwards, unless you want really pixely graphics.

[Eetio]

I prefer XP graphics but 2003 functions I prefer, alot more resources and help out there for 2003 though so I'm going to stick with it

Cheers though