Pixel Character Creator Major Update!

Introduction

In this devlog, I will be sharing the details of the major update to my project, Pixel Designer. Previously known as Pixel Character Creator, the project has undergone significant changes including a new name, source code availability on GitHub, and a switch to a custom version of the Godot Engine called Pixel Engine. 

Project Ownership and Partnership

I am honored to announce that Erlend Sogge Heggen has joined me as an owner partner in this project. Erlend's expertise and contributions are instrumental in shaping the direction and ensuring the success of Pixel Designer. We are looking forward to having a long discussion about the project and its features after finishing the prototype, as it will be easier to discuss and iterate on ideas once we have tested the migration with the new Engine. Together, we are committed to creating a powerful and user-friendly pixel art tool.

Source Code Access

One of the main reasons for opening up the source code of Pixel Designer is to provide transparency and allow others to follow along with the project's updates. By making the source code available to the public under a [non-commercial license] (polyform-strict) (e.g. like Aseprite), we aim to foster a sense of community and encourage others to learn from and contribute to the project. Whether you're an aspiring developer, an experienced artist, or simply curious about the inner workings of Pixel Designer, we invite you to explore the source code on GitHub. Feel free to learn from it, provide feedback, and even contribute your own ideas and improvements.

Pixel Engine

Pixel Engine is a hard fork of the Godot Engine that is specifically tailored for 2D and GUI tools. As part of this customization, 3D support is being removed from the engine, it is a long-term project that is still under discussion for its future direction. We have ongoing conversations and discussions about the engine's development, as we are hopeful that the Godot Engine will provide a complete removal of 3D support instead of just a partial disablement of most 3D features.

Reasons for Not Using Godot with 3D Disabled While it may be possible to use Godot Engine with 3D disabled, there are specific reasons why we have chosen to create Pixel Engine as a separate fork:

1. Core Image and Sprite2D Enhancements: Pixel Engine involves making significant changes to the Core Image and Sprite2D classes to incorporate efficient pixel editing algorithms directly into the engine. This will lay the foundation for adding a built-in pixel editor to the engine, which requires more extensive modifications than simply disabling 3D support.
2. Performance Impact of Godot Shaders: Godot shaders have a noticeable impact on performance, even when rendering empty CanvasItems that fill a large area on the screen. Removing 3D compatibility from the shaders and optimizing them for improved performance would require substantial effort and modifications.

Considering these factors, we believe that developing Pixel Engine as a separate fork allows us to focus on creating a specialized engine tailored specifically for pixel art and 2D game development, while addressing the challenges and limitations we have encountered with the Godot Engine.

Conclusion

This major update to Pixel Designer, with the inclusion of Erlend Sogge Heggen as an owner partner and publisher, marks a significant milestone in the project's evolution. The new name, open nature, and integration of Pixel Engine pave the way for exciting possibilities in pixel art creation. We are grateful for the support and feedback from the community, and we're excited to continue this journey of creativity and innovation.

Showcase

Current progress and discussion on github.