Spark editor Bug report & Feature suggestion topic

Rudy.cz

<div class="IPBDescription">Up to date summary in first post</div>I am big fan of Spark editor, it is really easy to work with it and it does contain lots of handy features. As I already spent 200+ hours in it, I've found some bugs still not fixed atleast for 7 and more builds. Also I've got some suggestions how to improve work flow in the editor, simplify tedious tasks and reduce a number of unnecesary mouse clicks.

I encourage other mappers to post in this topic their suggestions and report bugs. I will update this first post according to the discusion.

I hope this topic will get attention of developers and serve as a catalyst for Spark editor improvement.

<b><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><u>Bug report</u><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>

<b>Prop strange behaviour</b>
Some of the props when rotated by 90° starts behave strange. When moved, rotated or scaled, they mirror themselves back and forth. Mostly I've found this problem with props intended to be used horizontaly but rotated by 90° to be used vertically.

<img src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/62994473/ns2_bug01.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<b>Drag selection tool doesn't work in ortogonal views</b>
Doesn't work when all filters are on. In perspective view it works normal.

<img src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/62994473/ns2_bug02.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<b>Direct Copy & paste of object parameters doesn't work</b>
When trying to copy the line of parameters from one object to another, it doesnt do anything. Numbers change but when you change selection it returns to previous state. Parameters have to be edited one by one.

<img src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/62994473/ns2_bug03.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<b>Texture tool</b>
When clicking < or > button the value sometimes jump by 10 units instead of 1. Occurs especially after large texture movement (holding button for long time)

<b><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><u>Suggestion list</u><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>

<b>Texture tool</b>

I think the texturing is the most tedious work by now, especially when trimming rounded geometry. So I have few suggestions:

-Texture tool panel should contain a +/- 90° button (maybe 45°, 27.5°, 15°, 7.5°, 5°, 1° also)
It can save lots of clicks when retexturing trims, because some of the textures are vertical and some hrizontal. More angles should speed up texturing process of rounded geometry overall. Alternatively direct rotating (in perspective view) should adhere to snap settings

-Texture panel should allow to move the texture by 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 in desired direction
Good when you need specific aligment (not only center, left, rigt, top etc...). Clicking and holding <> buttons its very tedious with large textures. Holding and draging doesn't work always satisfactory. Alternatively, a slider in range +/- texture dimension under each value should do same job.

<b>Color mixer</b>

-When selecting a color using windows color mixer, saved custom colors are not carried over after object deselection
It will be very cool to have the ability to create a pallete of colors easly usable throught the develoment process of map

<img src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/62994473/ns2_suggest01.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Evil_bOb1

For the first point. I have noticed this happens because the prop has been rotated in a more than necessary way. In the edit window you might see angles like -180,-90,270. Sometimes removing some negatives and finding a rotation that brings to the same place but in simpler translations solves the problem entirely. Maybe what Max needs to implement is an angle simplifier or something that looks at this stuff...

Also: <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=112299" target="_blank">Same topic different thread</a>

Rudy.cz

Oh I see, there is already topic like this. Ok, doesn't matter, let this one die. I hope devs are atleast avare of the other one. Actually I was hoping that this thread will get sticked eventualy, to be on eyes all the time.