Hello again everyone!
Testing Build of the game has been updated to 1.18.5. Key features of this build are a revised naming system, paintable accessories and tires, more paint options, changes to the demographics system, demographics wants are now reflected in the importance stars, and a design pace system which allows you to reduce costs and employees at the expense of completion time when developing vehicle and components (the inverse is also true.)
There is an issue with the paints in Linux. I am currently working on that and hopefully I'll be able to resolve it shortly. Also some accessories are not paintable. These will be fixed at a later date.
If you are not on Testing Build but would like to try it out, or if you're on Testing Build and want to continue your 1.18.4 save games, please see our guide on how to switch builds of the game: http://www.ventdev.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=2594
Work on 1.18.6 has already begun a few days ago. Its focus is improvements to the GUI system. Fixing small quarks, adding in tabbing and escape support, and many other small changes which should improve the GUI functionality.
1.18.5 change log:
-Added Help Boxes to Light/Accessory Controls in RND and Resized GUI
-Reversed Manufacturing Requirement star in RnD View.
-Autosaves are now specific to save games. (Autosave_filename)
-Fixed bug in bore/stroke when switching engine layout.
-Fixed crash bugs when loading save games with different languages
-Expanded on unable to load game errors.
-Changed Automatic naming of Components.
-Changed Vehicle/Project naming system. No more cars named "Grandma Pants"
-Some accessories, parts, and tires can now be painted.
-Accessories and vehicle are automatically painted when created
-Accessory painting now works on mirrored accessories.
-5000 new vehicle names that have been vetted. (More may come in the future.)
-Added 218 new paints
-8 Shades of glass
-50 something leathers, plastics, and fabrics paints.
-3 different types of metal paints.
-Changed paint display layout system.
-Fixed bug that had $0 sales price displayed when viewing competition. (This was pushed as a hotfix in 1.18.4)
-Improved/adjusted demographics code and effect on vehicle sales.
-Selecting a demographic now adjust the importance sliders when designing a vehicle in advance mode.
-Selecting a demographic now boosts or decreases certain vehicle ratings as your designers cater more to the selected demo.
-Added a new development pace slider system to vehicle and components.
-Fixed Blank Vehicle Marque bug (Should fix other bugs as well)
-Fixed clone vehicle demographic's bug
-Adjusted engine ratings decline rates
-Fixed overlapping buttons when you click Tires & Accessories after placing an accessory.
-Adjusted lighting in RnD.
-Added in 3 more shadow types. If you wish to use the newer, better looking shadows, adjust them in the settings.
-Modify Engine now effects smoothness.
-Gearbox smoothness/useability is now displayed in Assisted and Advance.
-Modify Gearbox now effects smoothness and useability.
-Fixed tire and body parts selection bug that allowed for selection of parts not in view.
-Internally components have been broken up into their own tables. This should improve performance somewhat.
-Drivetrain layouts now effect max support engine size.
-Fixed incorrect vehicle type winning awards bug.
-Adjusted branch build costs
-Adjusted design pace's effects on RnD time, budget, and maximum number of employees (This still needs tweaking.)
-Reduced starting funds as things are now cheaper in early years. (This may still need tweaking.)
-Fixed bug with missing marque when switching to advance designer from assisted designer.
-Fixed new model year/new trim exploit bug.
-Removed Trim/Model year bonuses if design reqs of new vehicle exceed 15 rating points.