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Feature Requests / Planned updates Sticky

A topic by baj created Sep 13, 2022 Views: 1,435 Replies: 50

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bajDeveloper2 years ago (13 edits) (+4)

Hello, this is a space where to leave feedback, feature requests, annoyances, UX, experiences, etc.

Check this for more details about the new Version: https://baj.itch.io/drafft/devlog/696851/the-future-of-drafft

Currently planned updates

Search and Replace feature for words while in a document
Finish documentation / tutorial.
Command Line / Headless export / watch + export / API ?

Considering

AI based creative writing helper for gdd and potentially dialogues. Should be based on a self hosted, bring your own model and free solution (dalai + alpaca looks promising)
Customize Install location
Unified/combined GDD download
Alternative collaboration method with git or file based db + sync app like dropbox.
Make more videos

Done

Replace Markdown Editor for a more performant library.
TOML support.
Markdown based gdd documents: Each document should be able to be set as html (current) or markdown (new). We should have a preview as well.
Add Game Maker Scripting syntax highlighting
Resizable columns in Grids and persistent/saved sizes.
Add spellchecker language selector and disable options.
Download a single GDD as doc

Master Pose1 year ago

Have you thought about making the item database more UI oriented? Instead of just plain JSON, it would be cool to have a way to configure templates of properties so when you create an Item you can set that template and show a simple interface to fill the fields similarly of how GridlessDB does it

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Hello, yes I have, and decided against it for the time being and settled with the grid approach which seems like a ‘good enough’ middle ground, but open for discussion if there is enough interest. Thanks for commenting!

theSoloDevCave1 year ago

The tool is very useful and easy to use. In the future it would be good if the GDD could be exported in Word or similar format. Thanks!

bajDeveloper1 year ago(+2)

Do you mean, like the Whole GDD ? I guess I could crawl the hierarchy and combine it into a single document… now that I write this… I think this could be a nice feature to have, like a combined, single file PDF that gets created automatically and can be previewed in the app as well as download it… maybe each document represent a page break. Good idea!

theSoloDevCave1 year ago

Great! As an option I would also propose being able to export each GDD document separately. In my case, I have different documents created with Drafft, and each of them has a different topic, but all are related to the project. Eg: Pitch Document, Technical Document, Character Sheets, Description of scenarios or locations, etc.

Any of the options that allow you to export this information to a .docx or .pdf format would be great. In this way we can send the documentation to people who do not necessarily have or should access the project within Drafft.

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Yes!! that’s a really valid use case. Thanks for the feedback!

bajDeveloper1 year ago

This now is a feature in v1.1.6. Only each item separately for now, export to doc.

0xDragon1 year ago (1 edit)

The options to open a project probably should either be set to change their color based on the theme, or be shown under the project title on the left.

Also, multi-cursor/multi-line editing (example) in editors would be great…I copy-pasted a project I’d been working on from joplin (markdown) and now I have to go through 60+ MD list items (“- item”) to get the formatting to HTML list. :P

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Hmm, it should change according to the theme: What version are you in?

Multi cursor is a good Idea, but might be hard to implement with ACE editor which I’m currently using… I think adding markdown support, with a modern editor, is the most beneficial thing to do, for this and other usecases…

0xDragon1 year ago (1 edit) (+1)

Yeah I had posted it before noticing there was already an update, I was still on 1.2.

[EDIT] Ah, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway, using the Dark theme and a Dark accent was the real issue 😋

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Sorry for the necro, but I just remembered that we had multi cursor support since the beginning !

Designer Vale1 year ago(+2)

I would love to see the Game Maker syntax highlight added. I hope that it eventually makes it to a planned update.

bajDeveloper1 year ago(+1)

Hello, this is available now in v.1.2.2 Thanks for the suggestion!

Designer Vale1 year ago(+1)

You are awesome thank you!

MegaMasterX1 year ago (1 edit)

Hello there! Working on some external game editor tools and wondering if it'd be possible in the future to have Drafft perform a Game Data Export via a command line command?

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Hello! I think this is an interesting idea! Need to do some research and test but I think it can be done “easily”, another plus would be to use such feature to do “live updates” to the game… Just curious, can you share a little bit about your potential use case? Added to the list!

MegaMasterX1 year ago(+1)

Sure!

In the concept for our tool, we're planning to implement a dropdown in for Unity that just reaches out to Drafft, executes a CLI command to sync with the remote DB (If configured) and perhaps a separate command to export the game's content based on the current settings configuration to a JSON. That way, game designers can just quickly "sync" their local copy of game data from within the editor rather than mess with file versioning, etc.

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Hey, just to let you know that this on my radar, but I was thinking, instead of having a cli command (which may be really helpful with CI/CD and scripts, but may require extra work to run headless) What about having a very simple API that returns the JSON, (and maybe some endpoint to force a sync)

The caveat is that in it will require that the user have the app open. Also, this would mean that this API could be potentially hit from any computer (with network access) Also, this would mean that, it could be possible in theory, and some imagination… to hook up the game engine to use the API directly for some live preview goodness.

Is not a headless/“offline” solution but its definitely simpler to implement!

MegaMasterX1 year ago

That would actually work quite nicely! Anything that could cut down on the export time/process would help a lot.

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Hello! Some updates about this feature, which is available in v1.4.0

It’s not exactly what we had in mind at first but might be helpful. The problem of running headless is that the local pouchdb is stored in the browser. Also electron requires a display to run headless so it a bit tricky. So for now, we have a REST API that runs when a project is loaded (if enabled in the options) that can get you a game export and a database dump.

Docs: https://drafft.aboni.dev/en/docs/documentation/api_docs.html

Other thoughts:

I’m planning to make a little cli app does the fetching but any standard GET request method would work. This tool could probably have some mechanism to dump from a remote couchdb instance as well.

carousel1 year ago

Not sure if this is a bug or not, but once a choice has been made in the dialogue tester, there's no way to jump back (either to the choice, or before the choice). So, the only way to test the other choice is to exit and re-start the tester.

0xDragon1 year ago

Is it by design to not have the wrapper around the Grid stretch to the bottom of the UI? That’s a lot of empty space (and I know it’ll disappear when there is content, but…)

bajDeveloper1 year ago(+1)

No, and it’s not using the whole space either, and its really annoying!! Will fix in next release! Thanks!

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Fixed in v1.3.0 live next week. Only the max-size, getting it to use the whole space with empty rows is more challenging than expected!!. Thanks for reporting!

bojjenclon1 year ago(+1)

Hello, I personally use TOML in my projects so I was wondering if you could also add TOML support to the editors (e.g. in addition to hjson/json)? Not sure how you have everything set up but it seems to be a node/electron application under the hood so hopefully it wouldn’t be too much to add a TOML library in as well.

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Hi, thanks for the suggestion! Including TOML will be pretty easy as it is already a mode in ACE editor (which I’m using) I can add it in next release! Next release its taking some time though as I’m doing some refactoring (mainly trying to add a more performant MD editor)

bojjenclon1 year ago

Great, thank you for the quick reply! Enjoying using your app so far, I had been looking for a good way to manage multiple parts of my data in one place and this seems perfect. :)

0xDragon1 year ago

Dang, beat me to it.

bajDeveloper1 year ago(+1)

This is now a feature in v1.3.0

Thanks for the suggestion!

bojjenclon1 year ago(+2)

Hey thanks for adding support! Minor thing but it looks like you may have forgotten to include it in the list of defaults (e.g. Project Settings -> Scripting -> Default Properties Editor Language) so maybe you can throw that into a future version? :)

bajDeveloper1 year ago(+1)

whoops, fixed in 1.3.2, thanks!

kimbo121 year ago

Hello, would it be possible to add Lists and check box lists to Kanaban cards similar to the GDD document? Also be able to add a picture or screenshot to a Kanban card. Finally don't know if this exists already, but a way to reference a timeline item on a Kanban card or GDD document.

bajDeveloper1 year ago

Hi! Actually I had a regression with that as I’m not very happy with the markdown editor and going back and forth with some tests. In essence I’m stuck now in deciding if the attachment should be serialized in base64 inside the doc as before, or do a proper attachment database, which will allow the users to sync any kind of binaries, even outside of the scope of the GDD text (a video file could be a GDD entry for example,,)

This however, brings the question if it is worth the effort, or the potential performance implications (using a db as a file repository ins not the best idea) and if it is, maybe it would make sense to migrate to a file based repository instead of the database approach…

With this idea, drafft could support any “file” and a simple file/folder hierarchy. Multi user sync would be done with third party apps like dropbox, git or similar… Integration with the game engine would be easier, even the game assets could be centralized and taken directly from the workspace…

Sorry for the brain dump!

As for reference, I have a version in dev which allow to reference any drafft object with a internal link (drafft://actor/actorname drafft://script/id_or_alias) etc, but I got a bit stuck with the previous topic that is related

ayehavgunne305 days ago

I know this is an old post but I like the idea of using git because that would also allow you to version control the whole project.

dryink174 days ago

Is there plans or is there a search feature for words while in a document?

bajDeveloper173 days ago

Hello, search works for scripts only for now. Added to the backlog! Thanks!

Nano Game Lab161 days ago (1 edit)

Scaling on 4k monitor is very hard to see. Its very small. Is there an option / possibility to set the scaling per monitor? or even have a scaling slider at the top right of the window or something we can use to zoom in

i know the screen shot makes it look bigger than it is. but trust me on a 4k laptop monitor thats 17 inches, thats incredibly hard to see.

cheers.

*** Edit *** Never mind. I found the option right in front of me the whole time XD

bajDeveloper160 days ago

Hello, glad to hear that you found it! For anyone else with this doubt in the future: there are zoom options at the lower right corner of the screen.

Nano Game Lab158 days ago(+2)

Hey mate after some use. id love to give some thoughts on the software and hope this helps / gets more features that are actually used will be used in a studio environment like we are. i have so far tested this software over the past few days. and would like to get a few more features so it benefits you and any other dev that picks this up. How does it work if i want a small studio license. - i only need to have this on 3 - 5 machines (will depend on our next meeting as to exactly how many seats we will need to buy).

any chance we can get these colors and icons to be modifyable after creation. at the moment to change them i have to recreate the whole node then reorganise it back in place.

also the “Reverse” button in the timeline doesnt seem to function, at least i havent been able to get it to work.

also is there any chance we could get a few more shortcuts and some extra functionality in the markdown editor? Things like creating checkboxes, possibly tables shortcut and the ability to resize images that are placed in there so we dont have to use as much syntax? that would speed up the use of the gdd creation and what not.

any chance we can get the list of the projects to be resortable? as in in drag and drop the order of the projects? that would make it a lot easier when working with multiple projects that have a successional position but is created later so you can group them. For example i have 6 current projects set up. 1 of them has 3 part series to it. how ever they were not created in order. But now they are a mess lol.

Would also love some information on how i can store backup of the content of this software, Where do the files get stored?

Cheers. So far this software is great. I can see many things that could use some tweaks but im definitely a fan and this software could absolutely be huge. its intuitive. though somethings could definitely benefit from some more documentation and examples that are available to view on the web in the form of text and screenshots rather than an example project.

Some form of version control would be absolutely amazing especialy for documents and with working in a team or at least the ability to create the files in a git based repo. and reinstate that after a reinstall. noit sure if that is possible.

Idea : Maybe the data can be saved in a git repo and the software reads from there, this way when working with a team or even on lots of things, if we need to we can revert something back and track changes based on the user, and make commit reports on what is changed.

Would absolutely love to see task management that wasnt a kanban. Kanban is great but text lists that you can assign to a user (especially with the database multi user) would be next level good. Benefits of creating text based check lists with the aboility to add basic comments to them as in descriptions on them and nest additional tasks would pretty much be a complete package.

Here is a picture of a system we currently use and would love to ditch for a software like yours. this is a dummy task i created to illustrate what i mean: the top arrow referes to a commit tracking number. can share that put it in search and that will come up directly. Not essential but does have great benefits especially when using it in commit messages in version control in the game dev pipeline. the tags is important fort searching as well but not essential but desired. Subtasks are essential as some tasks are nested very deep hence the the task number at the top. and a comment field is useful as well as it tracks the edits.

Also is there any rules regarding using the software while im streaming/recording ? im going to provide a link to all the software im using but id like to know if you are cool with me doing so?

For any one considering this software: i thought about this as i have been using other software to manage my docs, I decided that 15 dollars was worth the risk. Do i recomend it? Absolutely. Just take the time to learn it and you wont look back. Great product and definitely worth the asking asking price. To any idie devs out there. If you dont buy this, your not doing yourself any favours. Get this software. Get it today and dont look back!

VanDuran156 days ago(+1)

Absolutely! I would LOVE to see Git integration, this would more closely mirror my dev environment, and handle merge conflicts just like my applications. I would also like to see task assignment similar to ClickUp (the Screen Shot theMaize included the program is simply amazing! For now I have to run this along side ClickUp for tasks, assignment, and time tracking. I used to be a big Kanban user, but List Views are much more usable from a high level, and Viewing individual tasks while working on them.

Amazing App! Definitely Worth the purchase, looking forward to future development!

bajDeveloper155 days ago(+1)

Thanks for chiming in and the support!

I agree on the list view approach. However I wouldn’t be able to provide a full featured task management. I think having a list view complementary to the Kanban view would be quite useful indeed.

bajDeveloper155 days ago (2 edits) (+1)

Hello, first of all, thanks for taking the time to test and leave very useful feedback! Really appreciated, I’ll try to reply below on some of your topics.

Team License: everyone on the team can try the demo, which is fully functional, for as long as they want without issues until you decide if it fits your workflow or not.
Timelines: Honestly, I’m considering removing timelines for v2 as they are poorly implemented and might be redundant with the node based dialogue tree. (which is far more powerful), alternatively I’m also peeking at some libraries like this or this
Improved Markdown editor: This will be the new editor in v2 which I think will cover most of the writing needs. I also added better image support and internal document linking. However v2 is taking a bit of time…
Sortable list of projects: Good idea! Added to the backlog.
Backup: You can backup the whole database of a project as a json file with the “Backup database” action, or just the game content with “Export game content”. The whole app data lives inside %appdata%/drafft or ~/.config/drafft folder. Although there is no supported or easy way to use that folder as a backup. Its better to use the previously named options. There is also the “Auto Export Project Backup “ to save a fresh db backup when loading a project. You can also get a db-dump via the basic API
Version control: this is tricky, as the database lives in the ‘browser’ as an in-memory database (not file based). However I have an idea on how to make a ‘semi portable’ version. this will DISABLE the real time editing benefits of course.
Better Task management: Big fan of ClickUp here! As much as I’d love to see a full featured task management with @mentions @assignees, notifications and the usual goodies we should expect from it, I’m afraid it would be a big effort to implement correctly, especially in this “self hosted” approach. What I will consider is to add a “list-based” basic task manager (emphasis on BASIC) to complement the Kanban view.
Streaming/recording: go for it! Also, if you have useful clips to share I would love to watch/link them on the site.

Also thanks for the support and recommendation!

Nano Game Lab155 days ago(+1)

thanks for the reply, The software is great. looking forward to seeing v2. ill try out the team. i had a think about the real time edit/database vs git /file based approach. i have an idea.

keeping the database is a good idea. but its mainly the documents that i think need the version control instead this could be of use.

when a document is open it could load a file, apon saving that file it could save that file as an auto export to word document in a specified path. While its open it could use a lock file or copy the existing “text based document” into memory allowing multi user still but the file save option will export the file.

still keeping the ability to live edit. but at the same time not locking it away some where and it cant be version controled. Essentially what im getting at is this :

[Server / Software] -> Settings {Set various file path for docs and other files} ––> server / software loads and reads the documents in said file path. {open document} -> initiate get (copy) into mem and add lock file… —> users save it checks and saves over the top or as a separate version and moves old version to a versioned folder.

Because its getting and saving it can be directed to a git controlled folder and be under version control and you dont actually need to change much in terms of software frame work. Plus the auto back up sent to a back up folder in that version control and the whole thing just works under git but keeps the server/software running entirely on its own.

This will help in times of disaster recovery as well as files are accessible fast and easily. as long as the software doesnt care that a change has occurred such as changed meta data to the existing file then git modifications from teams will work. also it will give you more freedom to develop services that matter as if there is a problem with git. thats gits problem. and restoring files is then just a matter of add the directory trees back and it sees the files and makes them available to the user. this will also give studios the ability to distribute the files consistently, know who makes a changes to the repo and when and prevents a complete breakdown if one person makes a mistake.

some things to think about at least. Hope that helps

Nano Game Lab144 days ago

Hey Baj, Curious to know when Drafft v2 is looking to be released? Such good software. Im keen to see what comes next.

bajDeveloper141 days ago(+1)

Hello there, thanks for the interest! I’m quite happy on how the development has progressed so far, but unfortunately it is a bit delayed at the moment due to life events. I would love to have something before eoy, at least a minimal version. But I cannot commit to any date.

Nano Game Lab40 days ago(+1)

100+ Days of use, simply one of the best programs for this type of work. I cannot wait for the next version release.

bajDeveloper39 days ago

Hello There! Thanks for the feedback, means a lot!! I wish I had better news for v2 but I have lost a bit devlopment momentum. Won’t reach the initial eoy idea. Feel free to leave ideas/bugs/pain points though!

Nano Game Lab31 days ago

Hey mate, Any chance you have a docker compose file for the hostable server? i want to host the data on my home server so its running on that rather than on my local pc.

bajDeveloper30 days ago(+1)

Hello! Are you referring to couchdb right?

The easiest way is to just run the container as stated the docs:

docker run -p 5984:5984 -d couchdb:2.3.1

then you can access it via the web: http://localhost:5984/_utils/

I always run it like that. I don’t have a docker compose, but creating it should be quite easy, found this online, maybe you can use it as a guide?

Also note that there is a new version 3 that requires to set up a user and password before running the container

*************************************************************
ERROR: CouchDB 3.0+ will no longer run in "Admin Party"
       mode. You *MUST* specify an admin user and
       password, either via your own .ini file mapped
       into the container at /opt/couchdb/etc/local.ini
       or inside /opt/couchdb/etc/local.d, or with
       "-e COUCHDB_USER=admin -e COUCHDB_PASSWORD=password"
       to set it via "docker run".
*************************************************************

hope it helps!

Nano Game Lab28 days ago(+1)

thanks baj, i was considering doing it myself, but i thought id ask just incase you had already used one, best to get one from the original source if possible that way i know it will work correctly, but yeah i can make one . Thanks for the response!