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Assets diamond Visual Scripting

Discussion in 'Works In Progress - Archive' started by maz_dev, Jun 17, 2017.

  1. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Diamond is free now, to let it still so, we need your vital help

    mezanix donation page

    They start talking about diamond

    In This Article
    Diamond 1.2.0 Released

    For your ads with diamond go here:
    Create Project ID and Activate Ads Services
    Diamond use a smart adaptive Node, no more need to search in a long list of nodes, the graph is flexible, easy to use, time saver, teaching the Unity API by linked and embedded documentation.

    Diamond Is Released
    Asset Store Link

    Documentation Link


    If you want to ask a question, select this phrase and click reply, so you don't need to go to the end of the thread

    Visual Scripting, for designing, prototyping, coding, and iterating.

    OneNode.png
    To build faster a community for Diamond, the first version on the asset store is free. Early users are the pioneers and deserve consideration.

    Diamond democratize games and apps development, it's a State Machine node editor extension for Unity using visual scripting, useful for game designing, prototyping, coding, and iterating.


    Diamond documentation here

    Navigate Into the Thread


    Tutorials


    For Artists and Designers


    In detail


    Diamond is an intuitive visual scripting and a C# code generator.

    To have a quick idea of the Diamond graph structure we need to know that:
    a Diamond graph has 2 levels, the first level is the states, the second level is that in every state you can define one or more logics. Now, in each logic, you can define a bunch of logic nodes that have inputs outputs and operations. The logic nodes are the building blocks of a Diamond graph.

    To build faster a community for Diamond, the first version on the asset store is free. Early users are the pioneers and deserve consideration.

    I designed Diamond to interact naturally with the human intuition, like in the real world, when you manipulate an object everything related to this object is on it. Diamond use the same logic, when you need something you will find it at your mouse pointer.

    So to be user-friendly, Diamond has the following features:
    1. No need to search in tons of nodes lists, only one smart node, the "logic node", is adaptive to all your needs. All you need to do is to select your Logic Type, your Variable Type, and your Compute Type.

    OneNode.png


    2. Embedded documentation with links redirecting to the Unity Documentation website or to
    http://mezanix.com/portfolio/diamond-user-interface/
    for more information.

    Documentation.png


    3. Hotkeys to accelerate your work, the hotkeys list is accessible in Diamond editor.

    HotKeys.png


    4. The entire Unity Input Class that also support the cross-platform standard asset.

    CrossPlatrformInputs.png


    5. Functions for artists, in Diamond you can have operations on texture pixels, like generating a normal map based on channels, changing pixel values according to others etc.. You have also access to 24 blend modes (screen, overlay, multiply etc..).

    BlendModes.png

    For Artists and designers, Diamond has also nodes to tile sprites for you, this works in the editor and in runtime. In upcoming versions, there will be more tools for artists in Diamond, like a Bezier curve editor to shape forms and fill them with colors. Diamond tend to be a complete tool for doing games while minimizing the need for third parties.

    The package contains 3 mini games as examples to let you dive in Diamond, an FPS, a platformer and a top-down shooter game.

    You will enjoy it.

    Here some tutorials showing how to use it to do an FPS game.


     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2018
  2. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Tutorial - Fps by Diamond - Target Move
    Here is a new tutorial in the "fps by Diamond" series in which you learn how to move a target between 2 borders.



    Soon I will open 2 new series "Platformer by Diamond" and "Top down shooter by Diamond" covering the examples delivered in the Diamond package.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
    Kennth and Guillaume1986 like this.
  3. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Adaptive Logic Node - One Node for All Your Needs
    As said in the first post, Diamond has an adaptive logic node that fit your needs at any time, accelerate your workflow and make your graph flexible, easy to edit and let you test many things quickly.

    In this image, I explain the logic node structure.

    OrExplainAdaptive.png


    In this image, you can see the flexibility of our logic node and his capacity to represent different cases like casting a Camera Ray or getting the NaveMeshAgent radius.

    AdaptiveNodeCameraNAvMEsh.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  4. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Changing the logics execution order
    Today I show you how to control the logics execution order in a state.
    Like shown in the video tutorials of the first post every state can have multiple logics. When a state is active all logics in this state are executed every frame. You can change the execution order of your logics.

    In our case, the following state contains 3 logics, Logic_1, Logic_2, and Logic_3.

    LogicList.png


    Every logic of this state have only a one logic node in it, this logic node print the name of the current logic to the console every frame.

    LogicList_2.png


    If we return to our state we can change the logics execution order, from 1, 2, 3 to 1, 3, 2 for example.

    LogicList_4.png


    Here are the results of changing logics execution order, after C# scripts generation and play in the unity editor.

    LogicList_1.png LogicList_3.png

    P.S. The logic nodes used in this example to print to the console can also be useful for debugging.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
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  5. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Changing the logic nodes execution order
    In Order to have control on your graph, you can change the logics execution order (like seen in the last post), to have more control, you can also change the logic nodes execution order.
    A Diamond graph has 2 levels, the first level is the states, the second level is that in every state you can define one or more logics. Now, in each logic, you can define a bunch of logic nodes that have inputs outputs and operations. The logic nodes are the building blocks of a Diamond graph.

    So now let's return to our subject of changing the logic nodes execution order.
    On a logic node, the execution order is the number shown at the top left of the node.
    LnExecutionOrder_0.png

    The above image shows the logic of a moving bullet, the logic node Ray check if something is found in the way of the bullet. If so the logic node Tag checks the tag of the found object and the logic node Destroy will destroy the bullet itself. this logic works fine because the logic node Tag is executed in the third order and the bullet destroys itself in the 8th order.

    Imagine now that we change the execution order like the following:
    LnExecutionOrder_1.png

    in this case, the bullet will destroy itself before checking the Tag of the found object, and because the bullet is responsible for the tag checking, the tag checking will never be executed because the bullet is already destroyed.

    This why in Diamond you can change the logic node execution order by clicking on the number on the top left of the logic node.
    LnExecutionOrder_2.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  6. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Diamond For Artists and Designers - Sprite Tiler
    To accelerate your 2D level design, Diamond provides sprite tiler logic node. This logic node is so flexible, you can do multiple choice of tiles like showing in the following images.

    Tiler_0.png


    The simplest and the most used option is the one without rotations.

    Tiler_1.png


    You have the possibility to attribute a random rotation to your tiles over tiling.

    Tiler_2.png


    You can also apply a uniform rotation.

    Tiler_3.png


    and a uniform rotation applied separately on x and y axises.

    Tiler_4.png



    P.S. transform scale and sprite size are bothe took into account to offer more control,
    so for simple adjacent tiling, you can put one or both of sprite size and transform scale to 1,
    this will help you te see more clearly what is happening.

    IMPORTANT - before using the tile node, 2 thinks to do with the sprite you want to duplicate:
    1. In the sprite import settings choose 'Full rect' for the Mesh Type,
    2. Put the Sprite Renderer Draw Mode to Sliced in the sprite renderer inspector or via Diamond,
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  7. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Diamond For Artists and Designers - Sprite Tiler 01 - Fractional Tiles
    With the Sprite Tiler Logic Node, you can also use a "fractional" number for the total width and height of your tiles.

    Tiler_5.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  8. BeautifulRiver

    BeautifulRiver

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    Looks exciting, looking forward to play with it.
     
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  9. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Introduction to the next version Diamond 1.1
    Thanks, BeautifulRiver, glad that you are interested in Diamond.
    While the asset store is reviewing the version 1.0, I have already prepared the version 1.1 in which we will have more functionalities:
    1. Textures: Combination of three maps (metallic, smoothness and occlusion) in one map that can be used in a PBR material.
    2. Event System: the game objects communicate with each other via a central broadcasting.
    3. A new incrementation for the integer variable, a static incrementation to preserve the incrementation made by a game object even if this game object is destroyed.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  10. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    The Do It button - control your actions
    The logic node provides a Do It button to control whether you want to execute this node.
    The Do It button is a bool (true or false), with an input, so you can use it in multiple ways:
    1. If you want to test your node in the Unity Editor, click once on the Do It button to execute your node once, make sure that your logic is playing by clicking the play button (big blue triangle) at the top of your logic graph.
    2. For the Unity editor or for runtime (in generated scripts), connect the input of your Do It button. So your node will be executed depending on the value provided by the connection.
    3. If you want to execute your logic node every frame, click on the blue circle at the left of your Do It button and in options menu select "Always Do It". ATTENTION: If you chose to always do it and your logic graph is playing, the logic node will be executed every frame in the Unity Editor, be aware to not do it with heavy logic nodes like a logic node which blend 2 textures of 1K, this will slow down you Unity Editor.

    DoIT.png

    Always playing the logic node
    DoIT_1.png DoIT_2.png

    Connected Do It button
    DoIT_3.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  11. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    The Input Gate Options - control your data flow
    The blue circle at the left of your input is a bool value, this value tells the input to open or to close its gate, it means to read or not the corresponding output.

    In this image the bool of the logic node 0 is true, allowing the logic node 2 to read the string of the logic node 1.

    inputGate.png


    In this image the bool of the logic node 0 is false, preventing the logic node 2 from reading the string of the logic node 1.

    inputGate_1.png


    If you click at the left of your input, you will open the input gate options, you can choose to break the link to free the input from the control of the logic node 0.

    inputGate_2.png


    After the liberation of your input, you can choose to permanently allow or not the flow to this input by choosing 'Allow This Input'.
    In this image, the logic node 2 input is permanently allowed.

    inputGate_5.png
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  12. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Diamond For Artists and Designers - Textures - Blend Modes - Normal Map Generation - ...


    With Diamond you can manipulate textures pixels, blend textures generate normal maps, extract textures channels according to another, etc...
    In your logic node, set the variable type to Texture2D.
    Once Texture2D selected, you have a list of what you can do with it the 'Compute Type' field like shown in this image:

    Texture_ComputeType.png


    If you choose Blend two textures in the above list, you will see a 'Blend Mode' field, the same of the image editing Softwares, here is the list of the available blend modes:

    Texture_BlendModes.png

    In the following image, I have chosen the multiply blend mode.


    Texture_Multiply.png


    Other than blend modes, There is a bunch of things that you can do with textures.
    For example, in the 'Compute type' if I choose: 'Set Pixel According To A Channel Value',
    The resulting texture will get pixels from the first texture according to the channel value on the texture to modify. This is shown in the following image:


    Texture_PixelAccordingToChannelValue.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  13. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    The next version, Diamond 1.1, in his way to being completed
    While the asset store is reviewing the version 1.0, I have already prepared the version 1.1 in which we will have more features:
    1. Textures: Combination of three maps (metallic, smoothness and occlusion) in one map that can be used in a PBR material.
    2. Event System: the game objects communicate with each other via a central broadcasting.
    3. A new incrementation for the integer variable, a static incrementation to preserve the incrementation made by a game object even if this game object is destroyed.
    4. UI input field: an input text field in your game, you can add it with Diamond without coding.
    5. UI Toggle: a checkbox in your game, you can add it with Diamond without coding.
    6. Useful Scripts: Added a new script to the Diamond 1.1 package, the 'DontDestroyOnLoad' script, you can attach it to a game object in your hierarchy. Like so this game object still in the newly loaded scenes.
    7. Unity Ads: In Diamond 1.1, you can add Ads to your game without coding.
    8. Parallax Scrolling (Enhanced), already in Diamond 1.0, in Diamond 1.1, I added a new parallax scrolling version, easier to use and more realistic.
    9. Enhanced UI that is more clean and clear thanks to sledgeman suggestions, this is not the final UI version, every Diamond version will have a UI enhancement based on users suggestions and needs.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2017
  14. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Tutorial - Parallax Scrolling In Diamond 1.1
    Diamond 1.0 still in review, and the Diamond 1.1 is in his way to be completed, in this 2 posts we explain the new Enhanced parallax scrolling in Diamond.

    Parallax.png
    Parallax_1.png

    Parallax_2.gif

    In the above GIF:
    • Nearest: house, gray castle, gray pyramid - not moving
    • Middle: flat pyramid, trees - moving slowly with the player
    • Farest: clouds, moon - the slowest movement with the player

    Parallax_3.png

    Parallax_4.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  15. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Tutorial - Parallax Scrolling In Diamond 1.1 - next
    Parallax_5.png Parallax_6.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  16. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Tutorial - Make random 2D movement in Diamond 1.0
    How to make a random 2D movement in Diamond.

    2DRandomMovement_0.png

    2DRandomMovement.gif
    GIF
    2DRandomMovement_2.png 2DRandomMovement_3.png
    2DRandomMovement_4.png
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  17. umauj

    umauj

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    What are the main advantages of Diamond over Playmaker for instance?
     
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  18. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi umauj
    There are many advantages of Diamond:
    1. Diamond generates C# scripts, the C# scripts go into your game built, not Diamond, like any other scripts created by a human developer. So Diamond doesn't interfere with your project and doesn't constrain it. You can also send the generated scripts to a colleague who doesn't have Diamond, and scripts will work fine for him.
    2. A smart Adaptive Logic Node, no more needs to search in an "infinite" list of nodes, the smart logic node is adaptive to your need, making your graph flexible, easy to use, maintainable, fast to be created and to be edited, and user-friendly.
    3. Diamond care also about Artists and Designers, by having logic nodes in his first version (1.0) caring about textures manipulations and 2D tiling, in Diamond I will continue to add features for multiple aspects of game development to make it an ultimate tool for apps and game industry.
    4. I am working full time on Diamond, to update it monthly and to do daily tutorials and tips and tricks. Having my partner helping me with marketing and communication, I have now more and more time for developing.
    I listed above a few advantages of Diamond, I let you discover more about Diamond in the forum and in mezanix documentation.

    The first version of Diamond will be free to collect feedbacks and to create a community. submitted by about 2 weeks, Diamond is coming soon.

    Thanks for your question and I am always available if you need more information.
     
  19. IanStanbridge

    IanStanbridge

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    Hi first of all have you checked that unity have received your submission ? 2 Weeks seems a long time for an approval and I remember a bunch of other devs had a bug were it wasn't received for approval properly. It might be worth chasing unity up about it.

    Also are you planning to have nodes that will handle cpu multi threading or moving their logic off unity's main thread ? The hardest thing about scripting is thread management or programing efficiently to sync with other threads. If all of your nodes were managed to be thread safe with each other or at least had options to be then using a tool like this would not only be faster and easier than scripting but also more efficient.

    I would have thought that performance is an area that this could have an advantage over playmaker on if so.
     
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  20. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi IanStanbridge,

    For now Diamond doesn't support the CPU multithreading. However, this feature is on Diamond's roadmap. For now, I am studying the better and the safer way to integrate it in Diamond. With the unity 2017 job system, this integration might be easier.

    About the reviewing duration, I had a non-scripting package which took 3 weeks, it was when they had their Unit 2016, maybe now with their Unit 2017 is the same thing. Also when I sent Diamond for reviewing, their automatic email was different than usual. Usually, they said 10 opening days for reviewing and now they said that they could take more time to guaranty a high quality of the asset store.

    Thanks for your suggestion and observations, don't hesitate to ask for more information.
     
  21. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    About C# Job system in Unity
    Related post

    The CPU multithreading is in the Diamond road-map, also the GPU parallelism is in the Diamond road-map (I will talk about the GPU in other posts. You can see a fluid simulation test I had done using DirectCompute (DX11), DirectCompute features are possible to port into Diamond).

    CPU multithreading exists already in Unity via C++ (internal), now in Unity 2017.x we can use C# job system to access this feature.

    The advantage of Diamond is that Diamond has only one Logic Node adaptive to your needs (see this post), so everytime unity add a new feature in its API (C#), I can easily integrate it in Diamond, because (coding speaking) I have to add it only to one node.

    To use Diamond you don't need to know about programming, Diamond generates C# scripts for you, but if someone wants to know more about C# job system in Unity 2017.x, you can see this presentation in Unite'2017 (Seoul) by Francis Duranceau.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2017
  22. sledgeman

    sledgeman

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    Hey maz_dev.

    Your tool looks interesting. As a designer, i have some concerns about your UX / UI. And i would say, its ok to discuss it, because it isn´t in final stage. I would like to have a design-language that fits inside the rest of the Unity Ui. I mean i could imagine if you only do a few changes, it would looks far better, be more attractive. The font you selected uses serifs (the question mark bothers me). In my opinion it does not fit into the modern UI of unity. Next one, too many dots. You have two dots and inbetween an arrow. Don´t see the logic here. I would descide to use a dot "or" an arrow here (seems like the arrow uses a serif too). The up-down arrows seems like to use a "comic"-font. As for fonts, i would stay with "one" (really if nescessary use a max. of two. But one coherent font style is the best). Between the action-lines i would put some light border-lines to know where the action definition ends and where the next starts. Colors: use them wisely and less. Only really important things should get rich color. Like nodes (or arrows, dots inside a node). F.e. you used color for the border-lines of the window. But it competes against the important nodes colors. Focus should be on nodes. Thats it for now ...(the sub headline could be: visual scripting: artistfriendly coding. If you aim "artists". If you want to adress to many different target groups, i would text something more neutral)

    This are my sugesstions from the pictures i´ve seen. I thnik i could give you a better feedback if i could test it. Its a constructive critque, so i just want to help out with some tips. I am always curious about visual scripting. So i stay tuned with your progress.
     
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  23. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi sledgeman,

    Thank you so much for your suggestions and observations that I agree with the most of them.
    You are right this is not the final version of Diamond's UI, I am working now on the next version: Diamond 1.1. Diamond 1.0 still in reviewing but it coming soon.
    I added you to the Diamond contact list and will inform you of the release, the first version is free, no charge for upgrades, a way to thank testers and early users. So you can test it and make feedbacks.

    For the dots around the input arrow, each dot has a different function:
    • The dot inside the node is an option dot, by clicking on it a pop-up menu is opened to configure your input variable. you can make your input variable private or public. If for example, your input variable is a game object, you will have an option making the generated script acting on the game object holding this script.
    • The dot outside the node is a bool value responsible for opening or not the link to your input, is to control the data flow of your graph.
     
  24. sledgeman

    sledgeman

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    Glad you see it as positive critique. I have much respect from guys like you, who are making things easier in Unity, who making such tools that helps a lot. Especially for the species: designers :) . Just want you to know what my thoughts about the design are.

    Got it. Somehow i was thinking you have some kind of logic behind these dots. Maybe you can play around with "shapes". Different shapes for different functions. Its faster for human-eyes to recognize "different" shapes, so the brain can also fast categorize it, learn it. Or you try it with dif. colors. Or you try filled circles & outlined circles. Just some suggestions, as usual.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2017
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  25. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi sledgeman,

    I appreciate the dynamic community members like you, helping developers to do the best job. I continue working on Diamond 1.1 development and UI.
    yesterday basing on you suggestions I modified the Logic Node UI like following:

    UI_InputDotsQuastMArque.png

    Modifications:
    1. Input - output triangles and important dots are now in "strong green" to focus on them.
    2. The external dot of the input has a different symbol of the internal one, the internal one is for options so it's a simple circle, the external one is a bool controlling the data flow into the input, when the data flow is permitted the space is horizontal (the first variable), when the data flow is not permitted the space is vertical (the second variable). Like a liquid or a gas gate.
    3. Input - output shapes ar now straight triangles.
    4. Modification of the question marque shape.
    Like said before, this is not the final UI for Diamond, I show you the current work to have your observations.

    Have a nice day :)
     
  26. sledgeman

    sledgeman

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    Appreciate it. Looks much better now. Nice and clean !
    Another small thing :) ... font size. Here you can also take care not to use too much different sizes, I would say max. two sizes (sometimes you need more). What directly bother me, is the big "4" and the small "?" looks like different sizes, fonts (or one is bold, another one not)?

    But, as you said, your to-do list has all important points and you will update your UI in the next versions. Don´t want to disturb you while working on it. ;)
     
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  27. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    In
    Hi sledgeman,

    The top left number is the Logic Node execution order, I wanted to focus the attention on it, but you are right it seems to be so big compared to the question mark. Tomorrow I will try to reduce this sizes difference (this doesn't take much time) and I will post an image of the node with the new sizes to have your opinion about it.

    Thanks again and have a nice day :)
     
  28. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi sledgeman,

    I changed the size of the Logic Node execution order.

    UI_RelativeSizeExecutionOrderQuastionMarque.png

    to have a more equilibrated node between its left and its right sides.

    What do you think about it?
     
  29. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Input Variable Options In Diamond
    Make an input variable public

    Input Variable Options In Diamond.png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond (1).png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond (2).png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond (3).png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond (4).png
     
  30. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Input Variable Options In Diamond
    Make an input variable public - 1

    Input Variable Options In Diamond (5).png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond (6).png
     
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  31. BeautifulRiver

    BeautifulRiver

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    It seems versatile! Want to play with it myself already. You have made many improvements since you submitted to Unity Asset Store, I hope we are not too far behind :)
     
  32. sledgeman

    sledgeman

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    You are really fast, with all of the progress. Do you sleep or so :). Yep, as in post #28 it looks more clean, more structured !
     
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  33. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi sledgeman,

    You are right I develop it so fast, Unity doesn't finish the review of Diamond 1.0 and I have already Diamond 1.1 ready (post #13).

    This is because I am working full time on Diamond and only on Diamond, it's passionating.
    I have also my partner helping me in marketing stuff, so I have more time for coding :)
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2017
    Kennth likes this.
  34. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi BeautifulRiver,

    Thanks for your positive comment, Diamond is coming very soon, and the first version is free, with no charge for upgrades, I would like to make all early users benefit from Diamond at the same time and don't worry, Diamond is coming very soon.
     
  35. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Input Variable Options In Diamond
    Game Object Case

    Input Variable Options In Diamond Game Object.png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond Game Object (1).png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond Game Object (2).png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond Game Object (3).png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond Game Object (4).png

     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
  36. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Input Variable Options In Diamond
    Game Object Case - 1

    Input Variable Options In Diamond Game Object (5).png

    Input Variable Options In Diamond Game Object (6).png
     
  37. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi sledgeman,

    If you have time could you please give me your observations about this image

    516_389.png

    I use it for the Diamond Asset store page, and maybe for promotions
    I know you do not so agree with the slogan 'code it like an artist', I am thinking about it, I want your opinion about colors and the appealing degree of the image.
     
  38. sledgeman

    sledgeman

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    Haha...it seems, you know me well, after the few post. Honestly, i wasnt, sure when i read the thread topic "Diamond", what it should meant, with what can i associate it. So i was confused with the Name "Diamond". Mostly i associate it with the jewelery market. A little bit with Laser tech producs. And less with coding, programing, software. But why not, its a name. The good thing is, as a sub-text you got something with "code" inside. You have to know that potentional buyers, invest less time in watching videos, in the asset store. First, they read the "header". Second, the sub-text. Third the describing text. Last the Videos. So if many people oversee "code, coding" it would be dramatic if they associate "diamond" with object-assets for jewelery stuff.

    Lets go to your main intention: colors / image:
    1. Our brain, our eyes firstly recognizes "remarkable" shapes like "Logos"
    2. Second recognition is the Typo. But in many cases Typo - Logo is a mix of both
    3. Use capitals for a header / name
    4. If you use gradients in the text, it is more difficult for the eyes / the brain to read it

    So you should care about a nice looking logo, because people should recognize it fast, and memorzie it very good. After this, second importance is the name, so the font which is used has also impact. After this steps, the "contrast" is important. It should be clear visible from the background. Would say, in your case the logo and the typo has equal importance. In my opinion all the gradients work against a clear look, against importance of fast eye tracking of a logo, typo. I guess, you´ve done it because a diamond shines, gives some caustics etc. But i would say, you don´t need it that much. As mentioned, use "capitals" in the header, the name. Slogan can use regular typo.

    Why i am talking that much about design, visual stuff. Because many people buy stuff, which has a cool look. Its like in the fashion industry. I know, the importance here is: functionality. But if the design bother you, you don´t like to work that much with a given tool. After functionality , the second is the workflow. If you have tons of functions, but the workflow with the tool is not soo well, the software would not become a hot-seller-product. And believe me, its not that easy to find a nice Name, a good logo, etc. But its also difficult to make everything by your own. So i understand your situation. My thinking comes from advertise agencies, i worked for.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2017
    maz_dev likes this.
  39. sledgeman

    sledgeman

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    Here is a small example of a "diamond" logo which is not related to a software to, just to a shape of a real diamond. To give you the idea of how many examples you have to try out, to get the result you desire. In this case simply a real diamond. Maybe for a jewelery manufactor.
    Logo_Diamond.jpg
    I am not really satisfied with these results ( less is more !!! ).
    What you see here, is trying to get the right font. It should be "edged / sharp" one. The font has to have geometrical shapes. Next step: playing around with "focus". More focus onto a logo, than more focus on typo.
    And so on.
    This should only show how a Logo-Development works. In a real "client-case" i would make a min. of 50 Logos / Typos. I would take the time for my development, about max. 5 days. It can result in about 20x DiN a4 sheets. In the end my client would only see about max. 10 versions of my favourite ones. Before the design process i have to ask questions, to analyse his needs like :

    - history of his company
    - his main service
    - his target group
    - etc.

    All this can influence the logo / typo / name development.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2017
    carking1996 and maz_dev like this.
  40. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi sledgeman,

    Thank you so much for your time, your advice and examples are very useful for a coder like me.
    About the name 'Diamond', I wanted a simple common name to be memorized easily. Also Diamond can have subliminal messages: wealth, robustness, stability, and beauty.

    I agree with you about capitals for the header, and you are right about gradients, I didn't pay attention to it before, without gradients we can make a fast eye-catching and more easy to memorize logo.

    I will read your comments and look to your examples many times and I will try to do my iterations, but for now, I have much of work to do with documentation, commenting the code and other stuff to fit with the Unity Asset Store standards,
     
  41. sledgeman

    sledgeman

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    Glad if i can give some hints,that maybe could help out.Hope this basics makes your further progress a bit easier. :)
    I fully understand, thats a heavy task, to do everything right by your own. Because your expertise is coding, developing tools. As my are more design-related. Keep on coding...and if you need some opinions, just ask guys hanging around here in the forum :cool:
     
  42. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Yeah, Unity community is awesome, people help each other here.

    I have to polish Diamond to fit with asset store standard because it was declined without emailing me (usually they do), Firstly, I was afraid, but after searching the net, I found that it could happen if we broke rules written already in the agreement and the guide. For example, I didn't know that we haven't the right to use standard assets in our package, I did it for my example, so know I am also modifying my examples.

    Do you know some cases with declines without emails? this maybe can help me.
     
  43. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Update, I just received an email from the Asset Store Team explaining that we can't include a unity standard asset in the package or another asset from the Asset Store even if we have its author permission.

    It is good to know, I know better what to do now.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2017
  44. BeautifulRiver

    BeautifulRiver

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    The UI can use some improvement (it is a slight distraction) down the road. I am eager to try your tool. Hope your re-submission can be approved very soon!
     
  45. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi BeautifulRiver,

    Waiting for the next approval, I benefit from this duration and I am doing a detailed and practical documentation.
     
  46. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Documentation - First Time User

    First Time With Diamond Link
    First time with Diamon is here, a step by step manual, teaching you the Diamond principle by a practical way like you are in a tutorial.
     
  47. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Diamond Is Released
    Asset Store Link

    516_389.png
    Hey, Sledgeman, I am very happy that Diamond is finally online, thank you very much for your help and your ideas about the logo design and the UI (which will be available in the next version, Diamond 1.1). here is the actual logo, I would like to have your opinion about it.
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2017
  48. sledgeman

    sledgeman

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    Hey, cnóngrats. You finaly done it. The Logo looks good so far. The only thing that annoys me is the small "D". Without any info, nobody knows what is meant with "D". I would prefer to put a written "DiAMOND" inside. Or to have nothing inside, leave it clean.
     
  49. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Sep 23, 2012
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    Hi Sledgeman,
    I will take out the 'D' and see what it will look like, maybe I will add instead of 'D' a little diamond giving the effect of a recursively nested image.
     
  50. maz_dev

    maz_dev

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    Hi Ian,

    Glad to share with you Diamond's release.
    You will enjoy it.


    http://u3d.as/S1R
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2017