Wanting to do a hack BUT...

The split is for advanced people. Just start out by using SonED 1 and Hex. If you don't know Hex I'll give a basis of it right here to help.

The Number variables are much different. There are 2 values per byte "00" is an example. a Value can be ranging from 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F.

Basically you use those values to change certain bytes. In a Hex editor an address is given as either $9454 or 00009454.

Basically you go to addresses and change their respective value.

 

Google for Sonicology, Hive's site has all the utilities.

 

No need to google.

http://sonicology.fateback.com/

 

I'm nothing spectacular when it comes to hacking, but I know the basics (And a little ASM), you can hit me up on MSN messenger or AIM if you need any help with that. I find it easier to learn stuff if you've got someone to talk to one-on-one.

You could also try the Sonic Community Hacking Guide Wiki. That's a good place to learn things. Nemesis' guide is good too, although his site is gone now and I've yet to find anywhere else that's hosting it in it's entirety.

 

I like your prediction for Wood Zone

 

Since you're just starting out, think small to begin with. Don't go for huge super original levels from the getgo, but just do slight modifications. Make a few changes to existing levels, rearrange some things, etc. Chances are 90% of the stuff you come up with won't be suitable for any sort of release, but the point is to get a feel for what you're doing.

Oh, and also, don't worry yourself too much about the technical aspect. Focus on the things that will make your hack fun. Seems like you're one step ahead though, so I commend you for that

 

There really is no harsh limit for palettes if you're designing something. A 16x16 tile determines which palette line is used for what 8x8 tile you make. If you learn to ascend your use of the palettes you can create fantastic art. Keep trying your best and make sure everythings pixel perfect.

 

No offence, but people aren't that fond of pallete swaps and that's it. You should rearrange the level and such. But since this is your first time, I'll spare you. When you learn more, you should do things such as custom tiles for levels and such.

 

Well, pallet editing is a good way to get started with general Sonic hacking. It's not too terribly hard to do, and the results are pretty much immediately visible, just reload the ROM. It's also a lot easier to make your changes look good and not fuck the rest of the ROM up, from the perspective of a beginning hacker. For that matter, that's actually a pretty nice pallet.

 

EHZ is probably one of the easiest levels to do a design for, so it doesn't take patience and good eyes. ARZ and AIZ are the worst zones in Sonic history to edit the levels for, as far as the retro ones go.

 

I personally had the most trouble making a decent layout for MZ in my old hack, HPZ coming a close second, but I dunno if that counts since it's not an actual level in the final ROM :P

But yeah, I found EHZ to be very easy. Some great tiles to make some awesome speedy-spring tracks.

 

I can imagine the aggravation you all must have trying to use the AIZ tileset in a level that doesn't look completely laughable upon first glance. Heck, I don't even know how Sonic Team did it O_o