PyPRP2 Beta 1 released

[Lontahv]

The modifiers were put in the Constraints category because the Blender Modifiers category does not appear for non-visible objects like empties and cameras. Since LinkInPoint modifiers, for example, are generally attached to non-visible objects, the only option was to put the Plasma Modifiers in Constraints. Putting them in the Object category was considered but rejected because the Object category already has enough panels in it.

Edit: I'd also like the mention that the physics bounds options were taken directly from the names of the Plasma flags. In the future "explicit" may be merged with "proxy" for the sake of convenience. If this change occurs it will probably be connected with a major addition to the physics code, most likely when the convex-hull type is added.

[kaelisebonrai]

"Bounds type: proxy" is a bit of a confusing name IMO. 'proxy' usually means that you use something else instead of the current object at hand; which is not happening here. Either 'triangle mesh' or 'actual object geometry' would be clearer. Or is that what the 'Explicit' setting is for? Or is that all temporary?

About the Page/Scene system. I haven't worked much with this system yet, but it seems that in the 3D view you cannot display objects from different scenes at the same time. In which case that is a deal-breaker. Even though objects are exported on different pages, we need to be able to work them together in the 3D view at times. Layers can be used to handle visibility. Maybe page assignation could be handled in the Plasma Modifiers panel.

Re: Proxy - Cyan often had objects named "proxy" that used this kind of setting... It was, after all, a physics proxy for another mesh. And PyPRP uses plasma's terminology for various things. >.>

Re: the page-scene system, I've already brought it up with branan and lon, and they're working on it. =P

Some people actually do use Scenes as pages already, by the way - GPNMilano for one. =)

[Aloys]

The modifiers were put in the Constraints category because the Blender Modifiers category does not appear for non-visible objects like empties and cameras.

Ha; that's a very good reason then. Beside, I agree that the object panel is crowded to death; and could use some cleaning. (for instance why waste a whole sub-panel for the transform locks?..)

the physics bounds options were taken directly from the names of the Plasma flags. In the future "explicit" may be merged with "proxy" for the sake of convenience. If this change occurs it will probably be connected with a major addition to the physics code, most likely when the convex-hull type is added.

Ok, no hurry here. Do you have any idea yet how you will handle non-drawable collider meshes? Spelling out every single one in Alcscript is probably the biggest cause of alcscript bloat acurrently.. :/ (that's one third of my alcscripts in there).

It's display is generated (automatically, AFAIK) by the Blender Python API, based on special custom properties.
You can simply ignore it.

Okey dokey.

[Branan]

Ok, no hurry here. Do you have any idea yet how you will handle non-drawable collider meshes? Spelling out every single one in Alcscript is probably the biggest cause of alcscript bloat acurrently.. :/ (that's one third of my alcscripts in there).

There's a "drawable" checkbox in the Object properties that's enabled by default. Just uncheck it.

[Aloys]

"D'oh!" Thanks for the pointer. That's my new favorite feature.

[Chacal]

Correct me if I'm wrong. Do I correctly understand that I can use this for writing a no-frills Age (no wiring, no animation, no water, no books, etc) ?
Or for adding objects to an existing Age (in their own prp file)?

A short list of features supported in this release:

• Automatic vertex light baking
• Alpha vertex paint
• Multiple material layers
• Spawn points
• Lamps
• Textures
• Wireframe materials
• Kickables
• Sphere and Proxy physicals

[Lontahv]

Yes, it is suitable for writing no-frills ages.

[Luna]

In the end Minkata is also just a plane,collider,linkin point and a soccer ball.

[bnewton81]

This new PyPRP is like a treasure hunt; the gift that keeps on giving. Every time I go to use a property of Blender I stumble over a new shiney "Plasma" toy.

[Aloys]

Is there a way yet to copy Plasma Object properties ('is drawable' etc) between objects? It doesn't appear in the Copy menu.