Introducing Friction 0.9.6 Beta 1. This release includes several changes to the user interface and some additional new features. We are now in feature freeze, please report any regressions etc.
Oooh, #GraphiteEditor has the node graph functionality, which allows you to compose vector objects from the primitives like fill, stroke, transform and live filters in a visual manner!
Node graph interface and filters both give me this nice break-out I needed after LPEs in #Inkscape. Don't get me wrong: that program is THE legend, developers are masters of vectors, and it's purely native Gtk toolkit on which application is built. Right now, their priority is CMYK support, so follow if you're into printing.
I just love to experiment with shiny new software that's #OpenSource, especially one that uses #RustLang and #web to its advantage.
Watch 'em apply circular repeat filter on a mere line to produce this fun sparkle effect. (It is Graphite's official channel, by the way. Wish they were on Mastodon?)
I'm writing a #vectorgraphics Missile Command clone to learn #Godot and teach my kiddo some programming. What's the best name for it (poll to follow...) #retrogaming
The Sinclair ZX Spectrum was launched 1983 as Timex Sinclair 2068 computer on the US market. Even when Commodore won the #8bitWars in the end, the ZX Spectrum sold 5 million units until 1992 for a initial price of £175 (48KB in the UK). With a Z80A 8-bit CPU running oh 3.5 MHz it was capable to do fancy computer graphics on a regular telly, at home for everybody.
Most likely because Quantel named their first system as simple as they did, Print'n'Plotter sold their graphic software under the same product name "Paintbox", but for the ZX Home Computers. In a resolution of 256×192 pixels and limited to 15 colours #IT was great for the budget. Demo graphics been fancy, even if not as WOOOW as the real Paintbox. https://gfkdsgn.wordpress.com/2020/01/01/quantel-paintbox/
Quantel wasn't in the Home computer business so not even MTV could afford more than a few. Real Paintbox systems are rare today, while the ZX Spectrum isn't so much.
The series of our 2023 tech anniversaries comes to a natural end and content plans for the next year have to be talked about internally. AFK
We prefer Safest Mode because it blocks #JavaScript. If we need to allow JS for a specific site we simply use the #NoScript add-on (added to the top toolbar).
Does anyone know precisely the reason why SVG are blocked in Safest Mode? If we know the threats we can open a path toward finally enabling #SVGs!
Boosts appreciated to solve this long--standing problem.
[🧵 2/x] I’ve wanted to feature a vector graphics game for some time on here, and so here we have: Star Wars! Based on the little-known film of the same name (I think it's about space wizards or something?), Star Wars sees you reliving the final act of the film. The game consists of three waves- a dogfight wave, a surface-flight wave, and a trench-run phase. Each wave has enemies and obstacles specific to that wave (e.g. TIE Fighters, defense cannons, etc), and the final wave (trench-run) culminates in blowing up the Death Star. The cycle then begins anew, but with increased difficulty!
[🧵 3/x] I should say some words about vector graphics (within my limited knowledge of the subject). All of the games I’ve featured up to now use raster graphics. Vector graphics operate a bit differently; specifically, they draw with geometric primitives (such as points and lines) in order to create complete images (such as the display in Star Wars). Additionally, the way these graphics are drawn on a CRT differs a bit as well. With raster graphics, the electron beam scans across all lines of the screen, from top to bottom. With vector graphics, the beam only goes where directed by the CPU. This can create really cool “luminescence” visual effects (see below) when the beam is held at a particular location for an extended duration (this is REALLY striking if you see it in person)!
[🧵 4/x] I personally love old vector arcade games because their aesthetic “feel” gives me strong “science/engineering project” vibes. Specifically, I mentally associate the angular, luminescent lines of old vector games with oscilloscopes and scientific equipment (e.g. Tennis for Two, pictured below), so when I see a similar “feel” in an arcade game, my brain immediately connects the two. I also really like the minimalism inherent in the graphics; there’s a real stark beauty in the glowing red/blue/green wireframe shapes against those stark dark backgrounds that’s hard to describe unless seen in person.
[🧵 5/x] Anyway! Now that we know a bit about vector graphics, we can really appreciate how rich Star Wars’ visuals are! Moving onto the cabinets themselves: I've only ever played on the upright version of the cabinet, but a deluxe version exists, which provides a sitdown "cockpit" experience. I actually really like the upright cabinet; that overhanging "marquee hood" is really distinct any time I see it lined up next to other arcade games.
[🧵 6/x] The game has a REALLY cool easter egg- on odd-numbered levels, the words "MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU" are written on the Death Star, whereas on even-numbered levels, the names of the designers are likewise written on it! These messages usually look like a series of dots to the naked eye and are almost imperceptible under normal operation (as the transition happens very quickly), but can be seen if the brightness is cranked up and if the game is somehow slowed/paused. Someone was kind enough to do just this and detail it on their blog (which is also where the latter two images come from).
Release Inkscape 1.3 (inkscape.org)
Inkscape 1.3 is the latest major Inkscape release that brings you many fresh new features and new functionality.