Hey everybody!
First of all, I want to say sorry that this update took so long to be finished. The update was planned to be released in April, but life has been funny since then and It took a big chunk of my time. Thankfully everything is slowly going back to normal and I managed to wrap up the update (Physics Particles were planned for this update, but I really need to take a break so it was cut and It'll be added in the next one).
This update also took a long time to be done because I remade a big part of the engine so It'll be easier to work with in the future when adding new elements and functionality. This is work that doesn't show in the changelogs but It's something that has to be done from time to time and helps to speed up the development time of future updates.
I just wanted to give you this update about the development of SpriteMancer, and I'll be on the lookout for bugs and problems that might arise from this update during this month, and I will take a break from development on July, and will be back in August with some cool smaller updates (Image Library rework, Physics Particles, etc) and the next major update which will most likely be the Node Graph update (Better node graph UI/UX, Custom nodes, Steam's Workshop integration and more).
Extended Particles
Extended particles work exactly the same as normal particles but are simulated in the CPU. This means that they are less performant than normal particles, but allows the user to have more control on their properties.
Animated/Random Particle Images
Particles and Extended Particles can now use animated images, or select a random image from a pool.
Particle Paths
Particle paths can be applied to "Extended Particles" so they move along the path. They can also be used with "Emitters" in order to define a custom spawn region.
Emitting Paths
The new particle paths can also be applied to Emitters to define a custom particle spawn region.
Particle Attractors
Particle attractors can be used to attract/repel particles around a given area.
- New element: Particle Path. Particle paths can be applied to "Extended Particles" so they move along the path. They can also be used with "Emitters" in order to define a custom spawn region.
- New element: Particle Attractor. Particle attractors can be used to attract/repel particles around a given area.
- New element: Extended Particle. Extended particles work exactly the same as normal particles but are simulated in the CPU. This means that they are less performant than normal particles, but allows the user to have more control on their properties.
- Emitter now accepts a path to be used as emitter region.
- Particles can now use animated images.
- Particles can now use a random image from selection.
- Added "Blood Impact" example.
- Added "Puff And Stars" example.
- Added an option to remove the "Made with SpriteMancer" section.
- SpriteMancer's is now built with the latest GameMaker version.
- Particle's image section has been reworked to allow animations and random images from a pool.
- Scrollbars in the inspector will no longer cut the layer preview and tabs.
- WEBM export will no longer require confirmation to replace a file.
- Elements now inherit properties from their components for consistency.
- Particle pool is now reset when opening a new project.
- Particle sprites are now properly loaded for older project versions.
- Fixed a bug where fluids would stop using the collision mask after applying a preset.
- Fixed a bug where emitters would accept other elements as childs.
- Fixed a bug where the theme wasn't properly loading.
- Fixed a bug where some particles weren't selectable in the image library.
- Fixed a bug that made particles skip one frame when rendering.
- Fixed a bug that made "Shake" node still apply when the timeline is paused.
- Fixed a bug that would prevent particle burst from working when timline loop was disabled.
- Fixed a bug that would crash the app when duplicating a particle.
- Fixed a bug that allowed resizing panels while a color window was open.
- Fixed a bug with layer centre function not properly working.
- Fixed a bug that prevented duplicating certain elements.
- Fixed a bug that prevented keyframe icons from being highlighted.
- Fixed a bug that would crash the app when loading old projects with specific input nodes.