Animating Objects, Extra Shirt Customization and Curves in the Modding Tools
🕑 Added 2022-04-22 14:33:43 +0000 UTCHi!
Alex here for another Patreon post and this week, I will share a few of the many things we did recently.
Object Animation Tests (For Patrons only! Please don’t share)
As part of live mode interactions, some objects need to be animated. It is the case for pancakes that are flipped in the air when a skilled character cooks them. Anna and Alice got this test working but it was a bit of a challenge to make sure that the character plays its animation while holding the pan which contains the pancake that is animated on itself. Keep it mind that the whole animation is still a work in progress:

If the above GIF doesn’t play for you on mobile devices, try opening this Patreon post on a computer.
Below is a good example of a technical issue that we encountered during these tests!

If the above GIF doesn’t play for you on mobile devices, try opening this Patreon post on a computer.
Tucked-in or Tucked-out Shirt Option (For Patrons only! Please don’t share)
I wanted to tell you about a small Paramaker feature that we haven’t mentioned to you yet. On some shirts, there’s an option to wear it tucked in or untucked. This makes for some interesting outfits that feel pretty different depending on how you choose to wear the shirt!

Sebastian and Maggie showcasing how tucking a shirt can alter their look quite noticeably.
Modding Tools: Curves (For Patrons only! Please don’t share)
This week, I added a window to the Paralives modding tools to allow developers and modders alike to define and edit curves.

A curve made of 3 points.
Such curves are often used for animating but this new tool is not meant to create character animations directly from within the game since this is best done in a dedicated software like Blender. This new curve tool will have other important uses that I will illustrate below.

- A distribution curve could be used when generating a new random character so that most often, they are close to average height while more rarely, they would be very small or very tall (the curve in the image is in centimeters).
- A curve could be used to smoothly raise the volume of a sound effect between the second 0.6 and 1.2 of an animation, for instance.
A lot more features around the game will (and already) benefit from curves like this so I’m pretty happy about this latest addition to our modding tools.
That’s it for today’s post, have a great weekend everybody!
Alex
Comments
Desirée Eriksson
Paras that love showers should have long shower option for a mood boost
Jasmin Sartison
I am so interested in the making process of the game so thank you so much for sharing! Also aside from that I love the art style and vibe of the game and not to be dramatic but watching it being developed feels like watching a child grow up.😭
Mauuriona
I no kk I’m mom m
Matthew Geller
Wow, your comment is incredibly helpful and mature!
Tom Lu
I love the animation and shirt tucking. I gotta say though... I miss the old Sebastian. He looked so friendly and lovable.
Melyssa Southern
I love the shirt tucking feature, I also enjoy seeing the progress yall are making (even though it all seems difficult to me) super interesting to see as someone who knows nothing about game making
chameleonwren
so cool! love seeing the silly animation passes xD; & super impressed by all the uses of curves :o
Finnelia
Hello Paralives team! It's really nice to see how development is going! Thanks for showing the glitches/difficult areas! Stuff like that definitely shows the realities of game development 😂
Natashya Moran
The shirt tuck was a feature I didn't know I needed until now 😍 I love it!!!!!
Mendy
Hi there Paralives Team! I just joined you guys on Patreon because I think it's amazing what you're making and I'm very excited to be part of this community and to see the process of Paralives coming to life! Keep up, it's looking crazy crazy good! ❤️
reanneisaway
I’m not sure exactly where to put this, but seeing as you’re animating flipping pancakes… I’d love it if you could look into adding a feature wherein you can choose to make a meal with 2 or more para. Whether it allows one do the preparations and the other cooks, or a mixture of both, I think it would be a great thing to add. It would make meal times a lot more appealing that way also, instead of having one para alone in the kitchen making food for everyone else doing their own thing, it could be a pretty cool experience for everyone and give more time for bonding. Also letting children join in would be very cute. Not sure if this was already suggested, but the more the merrier I suppose! Thank you! And amazing job so far with the game, I cant wait to play! I am a new patron, so I have not joined all that is available to join. Hope this forum was correct to post in… 😅
ramaru
It's so good! I'm very intrigued to see how they would interact with such a big difference, especially if they were to hug. I know the team has thought of something so I'm eager to see how they pull it off.
Maxx
I love the detailed muscle animations that you dont see in many games! The shoulder twisting along with the arm in particular. I just hope that the animations being this detailed won’t make the development take too long. If you guys make some animations less detailed to make a faster release possible, I don’t think many of us would mind. You could still improve some animations later after all. I think gameplay is always the most important part over graphics! But I am thoroughly impressed! Have a good week, team. Has spring made it to Canada yet? Here it’s getting warmer and greener!
ramaru
The shirt tucking feature is such a huge feature for me! In combination with the layering system and maybe any other customizations we can do, it really can create varied looks without using any extra assets. And that pancake flipping animation is so lovely, live mode seems to be slowly taking shape and I can't wait to get an official first look/sneak peek! I know it's probably far off but the prospect of seeing a "follow my daily routine around the house" type video is pretty exciting!
Codi
Everyone’s talking about the shirt tucking but I’m still not over the height sliders ❤️ I love the height difference between Maggie and Sebastian, it’s very natural looking!
Luther Duncan
Ugh I just can’t get over Sebastian 🥰🥰
Cinderelabaiana
im in love
S&M Gonzalez
Oooh I just thought what about shoes and pants? Will we be able to change the lace colors, change the color of the shoe parts, or change the heel height of shoes (and pant waist)? Like modular shoe heels
Judi Dielman
I appreciate your attention to detail so much! The fact that you are paying such attention to bugs in the beginning, not working on it after release is the reason I don’t mind at all waiting and supporting you and your awesome team.🥰
Stermatical
The shirt tucking option is something I didn’t realize I wanted to see in Paralives, so a good job on that! 😃 And the pancake animation looks lovely!🥞😍
I JONES
That animation is very realistic!
Kieran
So much attention to detail :0
Emily Rose
I think this is a great idea- and they would only have to allow sleeve rolling where it makes sense (i.e. not on heavy coats), as they've done with the layering features. The hat idea is cool too, I'm more pumped for sleeve rolling because I ALWAYS roll mine haha.
SeventhEmberXander
The tuck/untuck option is giving me major Saints Row 2 vibes. Which gives me ideas. Would it be possible to implement any other options from it? I've already seen someone suggest buttoned/unbuttoned, but how about other stuff, like sleeves rolled up/rolled down, or options to position hats, like backwards or off to one side of the head or the other?
Christina Ozeki
Fantastic! I love the pancake flipping animation and the option to tuck-in and untuck the tops. Will it be available on all tops or just some?
Pepperam
I would love to see a tucked/untucked option for pants in shoes or boots, too. Love everything I'm seeing!
Sarah
I love the tucking option, there are just some shirts that look better in than out
Junio Jose
Thank you Alex. Muito animado para a demonstração do live mode! you are an amazing team, thank you❤️🇧🇷 for Paralives ❤️
Alex Massé
Hi, thank you! We're still tweaking the adults and children and next, we will be able to work on elders and then babies! Animals will come after that!
Alex Massé
Not for now but could be nice eventually!
Alex Massé
More updates coming up! Can't have something very big and exciting every week, it takes time to build every feature and all the content so we can't have big reveals every week or every month :)
Nea Emrys
Yay animations! Love the tucking option yay 2.
Prettyprincessmaram
Amazing work🤩✨!!!
Prettyprincessmaram
Sooo True
Danielle Ellis
Amazing, good work!
Sarah
I love seeing animation updates! Especially when they include instances of bugs :) It helps put into perspective how much work it takes to make this game and get it running smoothly.
S&M Gonzalez
I hope we can get coats to be buttoned or unbuttoned , and hoodies with hood up or down.
S&M Gonzalez
Same!
Bruno Flores
Love the tucking option!
Lucy McClean
I would love to see a half-tuck option as well 😅
Beth Anne
Great work! :)
Pedro Lima
The tucking option really excites me. Are you planning on other options that change the shape of a clothing item?
Fredo und Franzi
Really love the tucked/untucked shirt option but I'd love to see a option for a French tuck too. I really like this Style aswell!
Court12413
So glad for a tucking option
BrickLion
The tucking and untucking option idea Is amazing and the animation of cooking pancakes Is very well done even if It's work in progress. I'm so excited for this game😍.
Lane Brettschneider
I can't believe you did the tucking option!! Every day I'm astounded and grateful for how much work you all are putting into this game. Thank you!
mandalabunny
I love the shirt options!!
Candle
Amazing as always ! ♥ i know i'll love this game ! no wait ...: i already LOVE it ! ♥
Katie Bellissimo
Omg the tucked and untucked shirts!? Such a little detail but SO welcome! I love it!
Junio Jose
Hi Alex! Amazing. I love it🎉. Alex, alguma estimativa de quando veremos bebês, crianças, adolescentes e os animais? Super ansioso para vê-los
MiaSWE
Nothing special. Waiting for something more.
Madeleine Lovelace Butler
These are awesome! Thanks for sharing. I love the untucked/tucked shirt option!
BekkiRoss
Amazing as always! 🤩 Love seeing new animations! 🥞
Hailey Szabo
This is incredible. Thank you all for everything that you do! We appreciate you!
Charlotte Stevens
Insanely good. It keeps getting better.
Christine Harvey
I love the tucked/untucked feature!
daniellebuilds
You’re amazing. Thank you for all your hard work!