Skip to main content

Indie game storeFree gamesFun gamesHorror games
Game developmentAssetsComics
SalesBundles
Jobs
TagsGame Engines

Development

A topic by Pixelevator created Feb 11, 2023 Views: 203 Replies: 5
Viewing posts 1 to 2

This is a really promising tool with an attractive interface. If you're open to ideas/requests as you go along I'd be happy to add any info that could help. For example I noticed that you can delete elements added to an info window, but the delete graphic doesn't always stay while the cursor is placed over it, so it took me a while to figure out I could actually delete an element.

Developer

You are correct. I basically have the delete element overlay on a timer from when you mouse over it.

I did it this way because it was the simplest implementation I could think of but I'll definitely look into other options.

Alternatively you can also edit the delay timer by tweaking the relevant script in the AppData/Custom/FreeformElements/Scripts folder.

I'm absolutely open to ideas so feel free to lay them on me, if for some reason I can't do it then I'll let you know about it.

Thanks for taking an interest in my project :)

At the moment my idea is regarding the categories and their elements. As it is there are locked categories (characters, items, concepts etc) which are fine, but the elements you can add to each category are identical. I feel like having particular elements available for their suited categories would help maintain the aesthetic "illusion" of the program if you get what I mean. As it is it kind of feels like a selection of notepads with identical elements (not sure if I'm communicating this properly but the "feel" or "direction" of a program can effect how drawn into its world the end user will feel, basically like a game).

My idea would be to have the category layout as a demo template, then for a blank project, a category can be added and named by the user, who can then assign an icon to it (like the icons already there) from a list. What this would allow is for the user to feel like they are directing the look and feel of their project with provided assets - this would also allow the expansion of more icons in the future (for example an icon for beasts, an icon for traversal etc).

I have other ideas for the elements to be added to each category but for now I'll just throw this one out there.

Developer

I fear this may be a result of my current lack of documentation but all of what you have just mentioned is already possible.

I do admit that currently it isn't really accessible by the general user.

The reason why the default style uses the same elements for every window is because it is the most basic style, the default. But you are not limited to this style,  close to everything is customizable from your end if you go look for it inside the AppData folder. (Despite the file extensions you can open all of them with notepad++)

I see potential for an in-app editor of sorts so I'll add that to the production list.

I'll also start working on documentation so that users can get a guide on how to create their own layouts and elements.

(+1)

Ah, well at least we've had the same ideas! I'll keep using the program and see if anything else pops up into my head in the mean time. Also just in case you want to make it easier to communicate (or if there are any ideas better shared through email) you can get in touch at cory.pelizzari@gmail.com

Developer

Great minds think alike after all!! 

Thank you for taking such an interest in my project and I hope you like the future updates when they are released.

If any ideas come up where I could use additional input I will certainly reach out!