As previously mentioned, 1.3.2 is a huge release with plenty of new features: among them is the new editor. With a new UI, improved screen space, and integration into SunBurn, it allows for more streamlined workflow. This post talks about some of the new features and differences from the old editor.

SunBurn Integration

The editor is now a part of SunBurn, not a separate application. You no longer have to hunt for the SunBurn-Editor executable and wait for it to connect. Instead, simply launch your game and press F11 (or any key of your choice, you can even launch the editor manually in your code). Being directly connected, the editor is more responsive and faster to launch.

Undo/Redo

The undo system in the old editor was a little unintuitive, with undo stacks per-object and only some functions undoable. Now undo steps are per tab and are based on every action in that tab. This makes editing faster and allows for more actions to be undoable: move, clone, add, delete, etc.

Tooltips, Shortcuts, and Menus

The editor now sports extensive tooltips to help explain properties and actions. There are also keyboard shortcuts available for standard actions (save, undo, redo) and editor specific functions. If an action has a shortcut, its tooltip will tell you.

We have expanded the context menus on controls as well. Right-clicking on selections will give you options such as save or add/remove. Other actions have been moved to context menus to save space: highlight selected, texture browser options, etc. If in doubt, right-click.

Real-time Assets

Another exciting feature is that asset tracking is now real-time inside the editor. When a changed texture is detected, it will automatically update your game to use the new version. You no longer have to do a full scene refresh to update changed, in-game textures.

LightingSystemEditor Code Changes

Two new members on the LightingSystemEditor object give you more control of the editor: LaunchEditor() and GameHasFocus. The LaunchEditor() function allows you to manually open the editor at any time, instead of pressing the launch key. The GameHasFocus property works with the old EditorAttached property to help you write editor specific code; it tells you if your game window is currently in focus or if the editor window and its controls have focus. This is useful for custom movement code, which you would not want to be processed if you were typing in a textbox.

Many More

There are lots of other small updates as well: better responsiveness, stackable rollout panels, terrain editing, etc. Be sure to try out the new editor with the new SunBurn 1.3.2.

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Posted 06-01-2010 2:12 PM by Ross "FiveSidedBarrel"