Usability Improvements! - 0.7.0


Yet again time for more updates!

Has been a little since last build, so here's the new additions!

  • Better smarter refreshing!
    • This one brings a much lighter feel to the software when using it on real Playdate hardware!
      While before I would queue up multiple full screen redraws, the classification of objects has allowed me to only update modified elements, saving a ton of drawing time!
      • (I'm sure there's still some room for optimization in the drawing to canvas and gallery moments, but we'll get there)
  • Classification done!
    • Everything now lives in both single use and reusable class templates! Meaning: less single use and duplicated code for similar tasks, better performance, and easy addition of new features down the line!
    • Another side note of this is currently the fill bucket and shape tools aren't working, but they will next build! (had to remove the old code)
  • Undo/Redo!
    • From the drawing options you can now undo/redo from the time you started editing the current canvas! 
      • May need limits, currently seems fine on 50+ levels though?!
  • New movement modes!
    • While drawing to the canvas you can now pick from 3 new movement moves in drawing options! These can easily be swapped out on the fly depending on what you need!

      • D-Pad - The default tactile method of drawing.
      • Crank - Uses a direction arrow and lets the user draw smooth curves and noodles.
      • Motion - Uses the accelerometer to fly the cursor around the screen, Nintendo Wii style!
  • Pixel grid!
    • Once you're closer to the canvas (currently 8x zoom) a pixel grid appears! This can be very handy for smaller works of art.

      • (There's a small imprecision at some zoom levels to save on draw calls, may take some changes to get just right)

That's about it for additions this build, I'm pretty happy with the progress!
Up next on my list of features is:

  • Fix all current weirdness/bugs
  • More optimizations ( would love to get everything closer to 50FPS)
  • New shape & fill tools
  • Tool sub options window (Tool shape, pattern)
  • Selection & Copy/Paste?
  • An easier way to transfer .PDI files off the Playdate

Thanks for checking out the project so far! Again, if you have any feedback on this new build lmk! I want to make a drawing app everyone can enjoy using.

Files

PlayPainter 0.7.0 6.5 MB
Jan 01, 2023

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