JB2A
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JB2A - Yeza Release v0.5.5
🕑 Added 2023-02-28 22:35:17 +0000 UTC"Yeza" is just a way for us to track our release! Module version v0.5.5 for FoundryVTT
Dear patrons!
Before jumping into presenting the new assets in this release, let us welcome all of you, new patrons!
Thank you so much for joining our project, we hope you enjoy our animations.
And of course, a huge thanks to all of you returning patrons and all of you that have been there for so long! π
Current plans on splitting the module into smaller packages
Good news!
It turns out the FoundryVTT's version 11 which is being worked on right now (it's in the prototype stage) will most likely help in that regard! π₯³
This new functionality called "persistent storage" will make it possible to keep our Library folder intact (not overwritten every update).
So, in theory, this would mean differential updates could be a thing inside FoundryVTT and should make the install and update of our module much easier!
We'll keep you in the loop on our progress!
Our initial plan will be to create a new branch of our module to make the transition as painless as possible for everyone.
This branch will be an experimental "beta" of sorts that people will be able to test and send feedback on.
Feedback and discussions will be essential for us to tailor things to your preference.
You're as much a part of this project as we are, if not more!
Contents of the release
This release is mostly dedicated to a new version of melee attacks!
The old way of dealing with those was becoming untenable.
Going back and forth between our different options for a couple of months, if not more, we arrived at a conclusion.
We had to make some changes. Namely, separate the trail from the attack animations and regroup "similar" weapons that can share the same trail.
To put it in perspective, this new release with the old method would have created:
13 new weapons * 4 variations * 3 trail variations * 3 colors = 468 assets! (not counting the added webp for thumbs) π
Not only does it take more hard disk space than we're comfortable with, it also bloats our After Effects projects to the point where previews take... a frustratingly long time!
If you have ever played around with Essential Graphics in After Effects, you'll know what we're referring to! If the program doesn't crash outright.π
With the new method, we have 12 new weapons * 4 variations distributed amongst 4 groups so far.
Since, for each group of weapons can be attributed 3 different trails in 3 different colors, the calculation becomes:
13 weapons * 4 variations + 4 groups * 4 trail animations (matching the corresponding melee animation) * 3 trail variations * 3 colors = 196 webm files.
So, as it stands, this new method will require a macro to function properly, as it's a bit too specific for a module like Automated Animations
to implement without creating an exception rule just for these assets.
That's why we have added a macro in our compendium that can be run both from the hotbar or from Automated Animations's Auto-Rec menu.
This macro is called "Melee_Attack_Advanced".
It is heavily commented and explains in details how it works, and of course, we will help as much as we can to implement them in your games from our Discord server.
As always, you can check all the new assets by browsing through our Asset Viewer or read our Patchnotes.
Sneak Peek of next release
We have a lot to cover next month!
Partly because we may have finally found a way to get around the alpha issue we had with Unreal Engine π€
There is still a lot of testing to be done before we rejoice but so far, it's looking promising.
We also have a few melee weapons to finalize using our new method and a few more ideas we're excited to finish up!
- The scythe was almost...almost ready but we had to postpone it for next month.
The trails are a bit trickier to nail for it, and for things like the trident for example.
The flame shader is getting there, as you can see π
It means the "Sun Sword" is around the corner as well!
The 3D mesh for the flames is created with Geometry Nodes in Blender.
Playing around with it, it makes for some cool-looking animations. See the idea for a Vortex seen from above or on the side!
- The lightning breath/cone has been requested a few times and is getting there.
It might be a bit ambitious, so no promises, but we'll try our best to rework all cones to have another shape that accounts for other game systems like PF2E.
You can see the template we've prepared for all sizes and shapes we'd like to create.
Link to the Master Post
Link to the Token Animator Download Post (Epic and above only !)
Additional links
- Patchnotes
- Website
- Asset Library Preview
- Discord Server
- Map Animator - For Epic tier Patrons and above only
- Hall of Fame
- Youtube Channel
- Music Puzzle - It's a free module but requires assets from the Patreon pack
See you all next month, have fun. And thank you again for the continued support β€οΈ
Jules&Ben π
Comments
Automation Zidi
https://patreon.com/charity367?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Automation Zidi
https://patreon.com/charity367?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
JB2A
It's a one off. It just became necessary as the number of melee animations were ramping up exponentially! We're keeping the existing ones though. :)
Leo Maxwell Sole
Are macros the new direction for all animations going forward or was this a special one off melee macro bunch?
Gage Eakins
I think we all understand that the macro isn't really all that difficult to call but it is a separate thing that players need to know to do now for any of these extra melee attacks. I likely just won't use them due to it. It is difficult enough to get my players to go through the proper workflow as it is.
JB2A
You only need to call the macro, not write it though! Hopefully the guide on our Discord server can change your mind.
Leo Maxwell Sole
I agree, it does feel like automated animations was massively simplifying things and making it so user friendly, I assumed this was the general direction and to go back to macros for each melee attack... is daunting π¨
JB2A
I hear you. I know how reticent people can be about macros. It was not an easy decision but one we had to take if we wanted to add more melee attacks in the long run. I might not have been very clear in the post but the old way of doing melee animations is still viable. The assets are still here, and your Automated-Animation setup didn't change or break. We have just added new assets that require a new system that doesn't exist in A-A yet. I'm not sure it's in Otigon's best interest to add this functionality in A-A, since exceptions can be a pain to deal with and maintain in the long run. We wouldn't feel comfortable bothering him with this though. I have created a guide that explains how to implement the macro easily in A-A's menus. It's on our Discord, in the #shared-macros channel. And I can answer any question there if needed. I hope it clears it up. And I hope I can convince you to give macros a try. (Not to write them necessarily but keep them in a compendium somewhere! They can be so, so useful). π
Gage Eakins
Have to say I am not a big fan of using macros for the animation. Feels like a real step backwards when we can use Automated Animations module to properly setup animations.
