Crop / compress and re-purpose assets #36

VectorSatyr · 2020-10-27T17:55:32Z

Related: #34

An asset is any editable resource found in the resource tree of the project. The task required will depend on the asset type being modified.

Cropping is exclusive to Sprites and Tile Sets. It involves cutting out empty or unseen pixels and cells from the assets so they take less visible (and disk) space on texture pages. Reportedly, the Game Maker Asset Compiler (GMAC) crops textures when creating the .win package, so the time gained from pre-cropping may be negligible.

Compressing can mean using a data compression algorithm to encode a file in a format which removes unnecessary bits of data in order to reduce file size. This form of compression is most relevant for Sounds. GameMaker Studio 2 re-compresses audio to .ogg format if they're streamed, and .wav if they're not, even when they're already in those file formats. Consequently, changing the file format may not increase compilation time substantially; however, it may mean a significant reduction of on-disk space, which is important when cloning the repository and pulling asset changes.

Compressing can also mean re-creating assets in a different way that results in less data used. This is most relevant when it comes to GML code assets, such as Scripts, Shaders, Timelines, Objects and Rooms (ie. "Room Creation Code.") These code changes will be the largest source of time gain.

Re-purposing is similar to compressing where an existing asset is re-created to use less data. This is mainly referring to changing how Sprites are handled - whether they take up their own texture page, or have redundancies that can be effectively cut out through code changes, etc.

Paths, Fonts (unused) and Notes are not included in this enhancement.

At the start of the game, the object objProgram instantiates several persistant objects which handle various critical functions throughout the game. These objects are now directly instantiated into two separate layers in the room 'startup': the 'screen' layer used exclusively for objScreen, and the 'general' layer for the other objects. Related to #36

VectorSatyr · 2020-12-12T17:08:01Z

Re-compression of audio assets was rejected as an option by the owner of the OST. Development will focus on re-purposing existing assets in order to reduce asset usage.

There are many times in the game where a single sprite is 'blown up' into several pieces that fly out the screen. Currently, these pieces use a copy of the base sprite that has been split into multiple sub-images of equal size. This needlessly consumes texture space with redundant images and slows down compilation. The script `sprite_explosion_create` takes a base image and creates 'debris' (objSpriteDebris) that can render the image directly, but in parts. By using this api, the copies can be removed from the project, saving disk space and achieving a small gain in compilation speed. The api also grants flexibility in the shape and volume of the 'debris' that would have been more difficult to achieve previously. Related: #36

The sprite sprOstrich had its frames cropped, and the sprite origin was adjusted accordingly. Related: #36

The sprite sprSnailTrail had its frames cropped, and the sprite origin was adjusted accordingly. Related: #36

The sprite sprDinobot had its frames cropped, and the sprite origin was adjusted accordingly. Related: #36

A stray white pixel was added to sprDinobot during the previous commit. That pixel has been removed, the sprite was cropped once more, and its origin was re-positioned again. Related: #36

The sprite sprBubblesBadnik had its frames cropped, and the sprite origin was adjusted accordingly. Related: #36

There are many times in the game where a platform 'collapses' or 'crumbles' beneath a playable character into smaller pieces that fall off the screen in a set pattern. Currently, these pieces use a copy of the base sprite that has been split into multiple sub-images of equal size. This needlessly consumes texture space with redundant images and slows down compilation. The object objCrumblingFloor takes a base image and creates pieces (objCrumblingFloorPiece) that can render the image directly, but in parts. By inheriting functionality from these objects, the sprite copies can be removed from the project, saving disk space and achieving a small gain in compilation speed. The new objects also grant flexibility in the shape, volume and falling pattern of the pieces that would have been more difficult to achieve previously. Related: #36

The sprite sprTTFFFallingPlatform had its frame cropped, and the sprite origin was adjusted accordingly. Related: #36

Related: #36