Beta versions are not as thoroughly tested as stable
New timeline examples; mobile export updates; scripting updates
30 September, 2019 ()
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Notes
In this release we've added three new Timeline examples to help you get started with the new Timelines feature. Check out the beginner Timeline basic playback example for a simple demonstration, the intermediate Timeline instances example which shows how to change which instance a timeline plays with, and the advanced Timeline drawing example for a more complex demonstration of what's possible with timelines.
We've also made some improvements for mobile exports. Firstly we fixed a couple of bugs involving the new worker mode and low-latency compositing modes not working on Android (in both cases due to Android bugs which Google are working on, so hopefully these can be re-enabled in future). Secondly the way Android permissions work has been improved. Previously every project requested the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission even though it was not really needed; this has now been removed. If your app really needs this there's a new permission checkbox on export so you can opt-in to it, but most apps won't need it. Further, the 'Camera' permission used to also include microphone-related permissions, but this has now been separated in to two options for 'Camera' and 'Microphone' permissions. This allows you to make sure your app uses the minimum necessary permissions if it uses only one of camera or microphone input only.
Finally we have some new scripting APIs, including new methods to adjust the Z order of instances on layers, which wasn't previously possible from scripting. These will be added to the documentation soon. Construct can now also compile WebGL shader programs in parallel where supported. (Check for the WebGL extension KHR_parallel_shader_compile in Construct's Platform Information dialog to see if this is supported.) This should improve startup times in both the editor and runtime , especially since there are several shader programs used internally for normal rendering. And as ever there's a batch of bug fixes!
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Launch r169
New Additions
Three new timeline examples in the Start Page: 'Timeline basic playback', 'Timeline instances' and 'Timeline drawing'
Tile Movement: 'Can move in direction' condition - allows checking if a given direction is free of obstructions for a specified number of cells
Changes
Disable worker mode in Instant Games and Playable Ads since like Cordova they use the Android Webview which does not yet support worker mode
Disabled low-latency compositing mode in Cordova/Instant Games/Playable Ads to work around an Android
bug that causes it to crash
Mobile exports: separated out the 'Camera' and 'Microphone' permission options (previously 'Microphone' was automatically included with 'Camera')
Android: removed need for automatic 'write external storage' permission. Added an option for it on export in case it's really needed, but most apps don't need it.
Event sheet view: event icons now overlap event number instead of disappearing when running out of space
Bug Fixes
Tilemap: could display incorrectly if dynamically created without being placed on layout
Possible crash when trying to connect to the mobile app build service
Timeline Bar: couldn't properly edit property keyframe relative percentage values
Tilemaps: skip drawing when the tile size is bigger than the tile set source image
Animations Editor: fix save and load in Windows store app
Performance Improvements
Enable WebGL parallel shader compilation where supported, for faster editor & runtime startup
Scripting updates
Add Platform behavior script interface
Add blendMode and colorRgb properties for instances
Add methods to alter instance's Z order
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