VectorialX: Wanted features

Let me give that some thought. Ths extension is rathe pregnant with possibilities and, since you are open to ideas, why miss them?

I would like to see an easy, "draw" method where the line follows the path of the mouse or an object following the turns angles and contours. For instance, if I had an object that moved through some pipes, it would be nice to have the line continuously follow it in a contingent way. That might mean persistent auto-points created along the process of drawing.

WI would like to see the capacity for one line/curve object to create more than one line or poly by using a naming convention. That would come in handy for effected related objects or instances, as well as facilitating a more automatic creation of lines and shapes by repeating an event with a new name and variables replacing the items in the action via strings and variables.

I might have a few more potential ideas to throw out after more experiments and with some time.

When we get to filled shapes, that might be inspirational as far as suggestions go, as well.

Oh, and it would be nice to be able to set the second color and its alpha form the properties. Right now, you can only set the initial color.

Oh, I didn't realize you could do that with point setting. I will have to give that a try. It will solve some problems for me.

As I experiment, I will see if anything comes up.

So far, this is very full-featured.

As you know, there are no docs yet So, I will be sure to ask questions when I have to. That would also save me time trying to figure things out. So, my questions may sound naive or ill-informed, of course

Now that I see that points can be dynamically create, (and I will be working with them enthusiastically) that does open-up some ideas and questions.

I would immediately think about ways to take advantage of this for games and I will give you some scenarios:

* An object moves along the screen creating lines at points. Something hits the tail end and the line retracts, (the tail is chopped off) x amount of points. Or the line is broken by a collision.

* A line appears to grow upwards, organically, like a tree trunk. New lines are created randomly at certain points and also grow outwards. Leaves, as AO's, grow at certain points along those branches.

It is a good idea to think about game potentials as they bring up ideas and suggestions. I see that what I am speculating on up there is about being able to reference points, (like the way the Path Movement editor works in MMF).

Just consider me a brainstormer. I will see what comes up after I get to work some more with points.

Thanks for at least considering my wild ideas. I know some things can be way out of bounds But that is what brainstorming is.

Yes, I realize that we are testing the limits here, Sphax. I appreciate your friendly and professional manner concerning my ideas. It doesn't hurt to see what's possible.

I seem to be having trouble creating a line that will "draw" behind the mouse or an object while conforming to its path. I think that is because it is a more complicated process where you have to store and retrieve points, set the line, etc. Maybe this is a place we could simplify?

Could you do me a favor and create a quick example of both a line being created along the path of the moues, and an object?

Something like, user clicks, start a line, draw that line and follow where the mouse moves to, (conforming to its path) until you right click. And another where an AO has a wobbly path movement and a line follows it, tracing that path.

That example helps. It was easy to play around with and modify.

However, I am going to play the devil's advocate here

After looking at this example and your really nice Solar System example, I can see that this object is far more powerful than it appears at first. I mean, it is extremely useful and multi-purpose. The movement potentials are just as powerful as the line drawing.

The sophistication will certainly be a great boon to intelligent users.

I am wondering if "drawing" could be simplified as a simple function so that it is automatic with some potential options?

Of course, that seems to be where this extension is going anyway.

Anyway, thanks for the example. It seems that I am the only active tester these days. We may need some new folks to come in and at least help to assure stability, suggest ideas, and create examples.

Oh, here is an interesting article at TDC, of all places.

Please login to see this link.

Might be a good topic point for discussion at least.

I found it interesting and informative, plus, the users liked it. It just has some potential ideas there that might be possible concerning effects, etc.

You are welcome. I wish I was younger actually I am less creative and full of ideas, but if you give me time, I will keep trying to be innovative.

I think we have until we have a delivery system as we talked about, so that should give enough time to come up with great ideas.

Oh, and thanks again for putting so much into this object. It is coming along extremely well. Your openess to adding new things makes this fun and inspirational.

Preset idea: Gear?

Star is close, so is it possible to have a preset that allows for gear shapes? I was revolving some objects and thought, hmmm, they look like they would be cool as gears if I could mesh them properly when they turn.

Just a thought.

Oh, ans Spax, maybe you have thought of this one already: After the objects are done and released, maybe someday a Vector3D might be possible idea to play with after MMF2 has HWA?

I don't know how tough it would be on your end, but I think you get the picture of drawing pseudo-3D shapes that can move and rotate There is a coolness factor there and it could be anything from basic shapes, to file-based complex ones.

That object is amazing Spax,

The only thing I'd want to add is a vector shape save, load function. Say if I wanted to make an old vector arcade remake. This is what a lot of users will think of doing with this object

I would want to use/make an editor to create the objects then save them in a file format to call them when I need them instead of a rather lengthy event to draw the object from scratch.

Hmmm, I see where you are going with that idea, Ross.

I have just been focusing on the shapes, drawing, and features, but I can see that, for games, you could get a lot of mileage by drawing complex shapes, saving them, and then using them, as is.

I'd have to make a huge event for drawing that object. I know it's a lot of work but it's going to be easier for users as they aren't going to want to run a load loop that big.

It will also cut down on user error. If they save the object in a generic format then they could pack it into a bank using the binary file after if they wanted just to keep it clean.

Yes, be able to create and save presets would probably go a long way.

There are a lot of complex shapes that might take some time to create initially, but could then be loaded into the object and make it a breeze. Photoshop has a shape tool that allows for that and it is very useful.

I think Jason was asking about a "speech bubble shape. Well, a basic speech-bubble would be an semi-enclosed ark with a variable opening and an angled line at the opening.

A growing library of shapes would just be so advantageous and keep the object going strong well into the future.

Idea: I imagine we could get an editor going that would allow you to load a picture and hand-trace the outline, which could then be saved as a preset.

While more complex, it might even be possible to do a "selection" and get an auto-shape to save.

Question: Is there any vector format for shapes that this object could someday read, in a future incarnation?

I mean, that seems like the natural implication, here. Perhaps looking into Photoshop shape files and Illustrator vector files, or whatever, could make shapes easier to create, modify, and use? The Active Picture loads various graphics formats, so maybe a vector object could do the same, someday.