As you've probably found out, port forwarding is a VERY complicated process that is easy to mess up along the way; in addition, some routers and computers will lag horrifically when you try to do it.
There is a way around this, albeit not a perfect one: Hamachi.
How to set up a server with Hamachi
Part 1: Set Up a Network
First, you need to boot up Hamachi. Choose a name for your computer (everyone can see this so it's a good idea to use your Buildism username), power it on, and click "Create a Network". Choose a name and a password (the password can be incredibly simple) for your network.
Part 2: Start a Server
This step and the next are only needed if you are hosting a server, not joining.
Click Launch Editor from the top of the Buildism screen, or click Build on one of your games. You do NOT need to set the multiplayer setting to on. Then, at the top of the Buildism screen, click Tools and Start Server. Pick a port (22222 is good) and you are now hosting a server in that window.
Part 3: Telling People about Your Server
Make a thread in the server section. Make sure to include the Hamachi network name, the password, your Hamachi address (something like 5.122.43.139), and the port for your server.
Part 4: Joining a Server
If are not logged into Hamachi yet (hosters have to always have Hamachi powered on to host), do so. Click Join Network after powering on, and type in the network name and password. You should now see it pop up in the list on the left.
Then, open a Buildism window by clicking Launch Editor. If you are hosting, you need to have a different window up or it will close the server! Click Tools and Join Server. Type in the Hamachi address instead of the IP, and the port. It should open up the server!
Advantages to Hamachi
Disadvantages to Hamachi
There is a way around this, albeit not a perfect one: Hamachi.
How to set up a server with Hamachi
Part 1: Set Up a Network
First, you need to boot up Hamachi. Choose a name for your computer (everyone can see this so it's a good idea to use your Buildism username), power it on, and click "Create a Network". Choose a name and a password (the password can be incredibly simple) for your network.
Part 2: Start a Server
This step and the next are only needed if you are hosting a server, not joining.
Click Launch Editor from the top of the Buildism screen, or click Build on one of your games. You do NOT need to set the multiplayer setting to on. Then, at the top of the Buildism screen, click Tools and Start Server. Pick a port (22222 is good) and you are now hosting a server in that window.
Part 3: Telling People about Your Server
Make a thread in the server section. Make sure to include the Hamachi network name, the password, your Hamachi address (something like 5.122.43.139), and the port for your server.
Part 4: Joining a Server
If are not logged into Hamachi yet (hosters have to always have Hamachi powered on to host), do so. Click Join Network after powering on, and type in the network name and password. You should now see it pop up in the list on the left.
Then, open a Buildism window by clicking Launch Editor. If you are hosting, you need to have a different window up or it will close the server! Click Tools and Join Server. Type in the Hamachi address instead of the IP, and the port. It should open up the server!
Advantages to Hamachi
- You don't need to mess around with port forwarding, which can get messy.
- You can see everyone who is connected to your server, and prevent them from joining if you have to by evicting them from the network.
- Everyone who joins the server views it in editor mode, making it possible to do very easy collaboration.
Disadvantages to Hamachi
- Your server doesn't show up on the server list.
- Users have to have Hamachi downloaded, powered on, and connected to join.
- Ladders don't work.
- Anyone can wreck the server, quite easily -- even unintentionally.
