Scratch
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#1 2010-08-20 10:51:04
Scratch Image Editor Improvements
Am using the scratch image editor more and more over external paint programs and such so a better editor would make me less reliant on other art apps.
1. Mouse Position. Would it be possible to show the coordinates of the mouse position in the editor so that you can place things more precisely. The problem with the current set up is that you have to use the main scratch window mouse co-ordinates to place stuff accurately but these change if you move the editor window.
2. Graphic Effects. It would be great if some of the effects: colourise, ghost, brightness, etc.. could be applied in the editor itself. For simple sprite animations you can avoid using blocks to perform some of these actions (especially when you want to restrict the number of scripts being used) or messing around copying costumes.
3. Guides/Rules. On occasions I have had to use particular sizing & positioning to get certain things working consistently, especially if I'm copying costumes to make up a sprite animation. Guides and rules would be very helpful here.
4. Anti-aliasing; would this feature be too complicated and memory expensive to put in. It would be great not to have to rely on gradients to make outlines appear less jagged all the time.
5. A larger screen area. Sometimes I need a larger work area. Say if I'm working on a sprite that's 480 x 360 and need extra room to manipulate bits to add to it (copying the main screen region for new sprites is not always the most convenient way to go about it.)
You can do a lot with the editor as it is but these would make it less time consuming when it comes to preforming repetitive tasks that require more productive ways to do things, time. time. time...never enough of it...lol. Thanks!
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#2 2010-08-20 11:07:34
- colorfusion
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-10-03
- Posts: 500+
Re: Scratch Image Editor Improvements
These are all good ideas, for the time being you can use other programs such as paint.net then import them into scratch, but I hope the scratch team do some of this in scratch 2.0
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#3 2010-08-20 11:10:11
- shadow_7283
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2007-11-07
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Scratch Image Editor Improvements
The problem with anti-aliasing and why it probably won't get added;
sensing. It would make color sensing extremely difficult. Plus it really isn't needed. Scratch isn't really meant to create pro graphics.
I like your other ideas though!
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#4 2010-08-20 12:20:38
- colorfusion
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2009-10-03
- Posts: 500+
Re: Scratch Image Editor Improvements
Also, if we got anti-aliasing, we would need to be able to adjust the fill tool tolerance, and it would all get a bit confusing for new users.
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#5 2010-08-20 13:07:59
Re: Scratch Image Editor Improvements
So it sounds like anti-aliasing is out. A toggle would be needed anyway, and some people might get confused. One more thing for people to be constantly asking about on All About Scratch. 
I support all your other ideas. What about layers, too? That would be nice.
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#7 2010-08-20 14:01:24
- shadow_7283
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2007-11-07
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Scratch Image Editor Improvements
If I wanted layers, I would use GIMP, a much more powerful tool. But frankly, I think there is a lack of average paint editors out there. You either have ridiculously basic programs, like Paint, or ridiculously complicated programs, like GIMP or Photoshop. I just want to see a decent paint editor that doesn't have all of those elements like layers or anti-aliasing.
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#8 2010-08-20 14:33:04
- Lucario621
- Community Moderator
- Registered: 2007-10-03
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Scratch Image Editor Improvements
Great ideas! However, you can recreate some of these things like colour effects and mouse position by using sprites on the scratch program, arranging them and such, and then turn a selection of the screen into a sprite, by right clicking the stage. 
Last edited by Lucario621 (2010-08-20 14:34:35)
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#9 2010-08-20 14:39:32
- shadow_7283
- Scratcher
- Registered: 2007-11-07
- Posts: 1000+
Re: Scratch Image Editor Improvements
@Lucario621:
Ralin wrote:
You can do a lot with the editor as it is but these would make it less time consuming when it comes to preforming repetitive tasks that require more productive ways to do things, time. time. time...never enough of it...lol. Thanks!
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#10 2010-08-21 11:49:32
Re: Scratch Image Editor Improvements
Yeah, I can see how anti-aliasing would make things a lot more complicated. The reason I brought it up in the first place was because I use GIMP a lot and tend use .png files. The anti-aliasing bit masses things up when I try to import into scratch editor but hey it's not a biggie. Just like twiddling about with GIMP. Don't know if this can be done but what if the new editor could turn the anti-aliased edges of imported images into gradient borders instead so that they have a less jittering effect on them.
Oh the layers...yeah they'd really make things a lot more easier. With the layers new users won't even have to be aware of them if it is done properly. Only those needing them will need to activate them. This will really solve the problem of needing a larger screen for sprites that are 480x360. You simply keep your design ideas/templates on other layers and shift them up and merge with your main layer when satisfied with it. For space project I'm working on I tend to make little shapes and doodle bits then stick them to gather like lego but I always run out of space. The cool thing about working this way is that you can create different theme ideas for your project. For example, different designs for different species/races in the space game, buildings, ships, blah, blah on separate layers.
I hope that the Scratch Team give HTML5 a chance before totally committing themselves to FLASH (too late now I suppose with the online experimental version). HTML5 will have alternative media players and all. Not that keen on FLASH especially with all the security issues with it. At least HTML will be an open standard (WWC - world wide consortium). What if Macromedia (FLASH) decide not to support FLASH in the future?
Anyways, whatever comes will hopefully be better then the current Java player.
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