The Asset Editor, what we need, what we'd like to see.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

(this post is a copy of my post at paradox plaza's forums... feel free to comment here or at PDX, I'll report any interesting proposition or question there. Please everyone make noise, we really need a reaction from them on this)

Original PDX post here : https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-asset-editor-what-we-need-what-wed-like-to-see.891291/

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Hi folks, Hi CO devs !!
Hi builders, we need all of you here, raise your voice !!!

This is a thread to remind people of the things that are wrong with the asset editor, and to ask for features that we would like to have.

 

-- First, the Bugs !

- Similarity to game engine : the way things look in the editor is not the same as ingame. I list it as a bug because I see no logical reason for this to be.

 

-- Features problems/possible enhancements

- Lines (on/off)... more precise grid ?
Why do the grid lines come onto the asset ? Are they supposed to do something ? Maybe they're here to help prop placement but most of the time they don't help anything, they're just an annoyance. We'd like to be able to disable them, this or make them useful, like more precise. maybe positionable ?? With symmetry maybe, to be able to place props at equal distance from the center.

- Precision camera movement
We're not in the game, we would like to be able to control our view with precision here.
Placing props on top of a tall building is just ridiculously hard. We want to be able to move our view to whatever we need and lock this view. Even going to precise points like top view, front view, etc... maybe even an isometric mode.

- Day night but also sun rotation and nightlight movement control
Ok the day night selector is broken but we need more than that.
We'd like to be able to rotate the sun atound to see what shadows or direct sunlight will do to our assets
We'd also like to be able to see the "random" nightlight system cycle, to check if our lights are ok.

- Precision prop placement (toggable auto?), coordinates
We'd like to be able to place props with precision, the current method is a toy, we want a tool
We'd like to be able to use numerical values for height, rotations (x, y and z)

- More props (unlock)
Some mods have shown that there were props not listed in the asset editor (more roof junk, etc...)
We'd like to have direct access to these props, we want to be able to use them without having to go through difficult steps.
They're part of the game, there's no reason they should be hidden.

- Better prop management (more categories ?)
The props categories are a bit of a mess for now, we'd like to be able to arrange them in a more efficient way. Maybe create our own categories or folders.
The asset editor is not a game, we'd like to have a more disciplined way of working.

- Light props control (position, rotation, color, area of effect)
The addition of light props is a great thing but we would like to have more control.
We wish to be able to place the with precisioon and control them accordingly.

- Hex or rgb color for color variations
The color variation system is now fixed, but we'd like to be able to enter numerical values. AT the moment there is no way we can do a precise job there.

- More props for unique buildings
The 64 props/trees limitation is useful but we need it lifted for big unique buildings. They have a bigger footprint most of the time, we need the prop limit to be in accordance.

 

To sum things up, we want more precision and control. The Asset Editor should be more like a tool and less like a toy.
We were told it would be improved over time, nothing happened. It's now been eight months and there has been no change at all.
We want to create more things for the game, we'd like to be given working and precise ways to do so.

Builders, if you see things that I might have missed here, if you have ideas or wishes, please comment and I'll add them to the first post.

Devs : Adding things to the game is great, yeah dlcs are good when they're done correctly... but the game also boasts being modder friendly. It might be, it actually is, but it should be more builder friendly too.

  Edited November 15, 2015 by Cool_Z  

[Darf 1,439]

An option to make a building cycle through it's color presets would be nice.

I really would be happy with a way to refresh the current import.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

I really would be happy with a way to refresh the current import.

Yes, OMG yes !!! Being able to reload instead of having to redo the "new asset, chose a template... etc etc..."

[TrD` 41]

To be honest, I'd like them to unlock/add everything possible, right now we need all sorts of mods, messing around with modtools and maybe even scripts to get stuff done and for someone who isn't familiar with that stuff, its just so pain in the *somewhere*.

  Edited November 14, 2015 by TrD`  

[boformer 3,169]

I had the feeling that the flashes and the broken day/night-slider are caused by the Time Warp mod.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

I had the feeling that the flashes and the broken day/night-slider are caused by the Time Warp mod.

Damn !!!!!

Good to know... I'll have a look at this.

[CityOfTokyo 3]

I put it with the elevated sidewalk,
A high shelf becomes the ground upheaval when I load it after a save.

At first I would like the bugfix.

[boformer 3,169]

From a modders perspective, the issues you are reporting are not the most serious ones.

For example, a prop category changer would be a rather simple mod. In fact, I can create a one-line script for Mod Tools that does the job.

Same with the usability. It would be nice to have better positioning tools and all that stuff, but those are not serious issues.

The real problem I see is that the functionality is too limited. Here is a list of things that we can't create with the current editor:

• Cargo Harbours and Cargo Terminals
• Light props
• Decal Props (like the stone brush props I released)
• Props with special functions (e.g. benches)
• animations (texture or mesh)

I also think that it is bad that the editor uses "templates" so much. For example, it is not possible to switch the shader a building uses. Or even the corner status/level/density of growables. There are so many things which can be changed.

Some advanced things:

• Buildings with sub-buildings
• buildings with sub-meshes
• New networks or variations of existing networks (e.g. roads, train tracks, bridges)
• new biomes with custom ground textures and light settings

[Cool_Z 1,547]

From a modders perspective, the issues you are reporting are not the most serious ones.

 

I think they're the main ones, the basic ones. (from a builder's poitn of view, of course).

 

But what you add is good, yeah, and OMG if we could import animated mesh !!!!

[Drosovila 86]

I really would be happy with a way to refresh the current import.

 

Yes, OMG yes !!! Being able to reload instead of having to redo the "new asset, chose a template... etc etc..."

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/a-button-in-the-asset-editor-that-just-reimports-the-model-textures.886627/

Already posted that suggestion, moo said that he'd look into it. I think I will add it to my post along with some other suggestions later.

[GC_Vos 714]

Nice list of suggestions A reimport option is also my most wanted feature...

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Up... discovered that the color picker does not show the result when creating a prop. (works ingame later, but you have to work blind)

[boformer 3,169]

just a note on x y z rotation for props:

That's technically not possible.