That dev log thing that happens every blue moon 9
12/27/15
Greetings all, Progress on Chronicler-Next is running smoothly, I keep getting sidetracked by all the cool features that QtWidgets has tho. It’s like the most awesome thing ever, why didn’t I use it to start with??? D:
I’ve recently fell into a slight conundrum regarding “Action” bubbles. My idea for their new format is to have a “Label” and a text area where you can insert multiple commands rather than having to chain multiple action bubbles together. However, this makes it the same as a “Story” bubble in all but name. I, in fact received a demo project (from the current Chronicler) wherein the user had simply put all their actions into story bubbles, and it worked just fine.
I honestly see no reason to keep a “useless” bubble around, and wish to simply remove Action bubbles altogether, leaving Story, Condition, and Choice bubbles. If one wishes to differentiate their “Action” bubbles from Story bubbles, they only need change the color.
Hopefully this is an acceptable change for all of you, it certainly makes sense to me at least.
Now for a screenshot!
bear in mind that this is still the early alpha version, and the UI is definitely going to improve over the next few weeks.
As you can see, bubbles are no longer edited directly. Rather, a context sensitive properties view is placed on the side. The interface itself is completely modular. You can dock the properties view on either side of the screen, resize it, or pop it out and keep it on your second monitor if you so wish. The same goes for the toolbar at the top.
You now have the ability to change the font used in the interface. (This will NOT affect your generated .txt files)
I feel the Bold, Italic, and Underline options are unnecessary tho.
You may also have noticed the color options for the text, outline, and fill of bubbles. I think I will change it to a “Pallet” system, wherein you can create your own paint pallets for bubbles, name them, and apply them to whatever bubbles you wish. In the “Dragon Example Project” for example, I used Red bubbles to denote aggressive routes, Blue for the common route, and Green for disdainful routes.
Right now, I’m thinking that Story bubbles will have output points on the left, bottom, and right side. You will use the connection editor tool to highlight and drag arrows to other bubbles. Condition bubbles will have the customary True and False outputs, and Choice bubbles will still have individual links on the right side.
Let me know what you think of the new interface.
Suggestions and Criticisms (constructive or otherwise), are most welcome!
-BenSeawalker