I just uploaded a minor update to the HeroMachine 3 Alpha. First, I've introduced a "Current Layer" indicator in the Layering box (Transform tab) showing which layer the current item is on. It should update automatically as you raise or lower the current item's layer.
Second, I've added a "minimize" button to the "view" toolbar just below the character creation canvas:
It's a little hard to see, which I may tweak down the line, but clicking it hides the view toolbar, leaving just the button. So now you can have the entire left side of the screen for character viewing.
I want to thank Worf for pointing out this problem -- the toolbar was hiding the very bottom of the illustration, so if you wanted to do a screen capture you'd lose that bottom portion. Hopefully this will resolve that issue.
You also moved the size and move around. Confused the heck out of me for a minute. I was trying to change the size and the item keep jumping all over the work area. One of those duh moments.
Oh! Yeah, thanks HK — I also swapped size and move on someone else’s recommendation (apologies for forgetting who).
“Current Layer” looks really helpful! Do you think you could make it so that you can change it manually like you can for the rest of the transform options? That would be even more helpful.
logosgal (3), that’s a fabulous idea! I don’t know if it can be done but if so, that would be great!
I really really really like the new layout! Great job Jeff and I say thank you in the name of all the people that liked it! ^^
@Jeff: Just happy to help.
Thank you for the Minimise button. It feels good to feel heard. 🙂
Great job on all the updates, Jeff!
I have a suggestion I hope you would consider. With the current Character Creation Contest underway, I have relised what a joy it was (and still is!) to work on Heromachine 2.5. The look you get with a finished image reminds me of “Golden Age” characters from the comics and the standard side pose is very dynamic and heroic. My suggestion was going to be if you could somehow amalgamate 2.5 with the new 3.0. I can see this as a very overwhelming task not knowing or understanding how you write code. So, I will ask this, is it possible to bring over that great standard pose from 2.5 to 3.0? I am aware that you have the female pose from 2.5 in already and I have used it for the contest. The “Male-Skin-Expansion1” pose would be a great asset to the Body Items in 3.0. My idea would be to enter it in not as a whole, but in sections. Example Torso, arms (without hands), thighs, calfs…etc. I imagine what you could do with these items combined with the existing items in 3.0 already would open up the possibilites for great dynamic, action ready figures. Not to mention the morphing capabillites that exist in 3.0. I really hope you will consider this request if not now then possibly in a future endeavor. Thanks for your time. Cheers!
Hmm, Jeff, did you change anything with the rotation wheel thingie? Because it’s A LOT smoother now.
ams: I’ll probably drop that body into the app at some point like I did with the female one. I will not be adding items specifically for that body, however — the first Body-Standard will continue to be the only one fully supported.
Panner: I totally forgot about that, but yes — I made a small but vital change in how the rotation wheel works, so that no matter where the mouse goes, the dial continues to rotate until you let go of the mouse (again, no matter where on the screen it goes). Before, it would only work so long as you kept the mouse inside the rotate wheel.
This came out of the work done on the load/save scroll bar, oddly, which in turn came from a great post on Kirupa.com.
That sounds great Jeff, but pretty please drop it in in sections (side viem torso especially) so it can be combined with the Standard Body items and if you want to dress it up, there is always the Masking the Item on option. Cheers!