DEV-LOG 7/7/23
Hullo! If you're reading this, then I'm glad you'd like to follow along on my journey here! I currently don't have much progress, and work on this has been slow, but I'm happy to share what I have so far.
First things first, the technical stuff:
I will be making this with Godot Game Engine. This will help me learn how to utilize the engine better, and will simplify certain things. I am using Godot V.4 for this, as it has capabilities for multiple windows. This will be useful for the Customization UI.
So, what we need to make the most basic desktop pet or desktop buddy is:
- A transparent window (If the app window is transparent, then the buddy can be on your desktop without covering anything or interfering with your work visually. This is one of the most important first steps.)
- An image for the pet (It's gotta be something, after all!)
- Movement (If it just stands around, it's at most a pet rock.)
A transparent window is easy enough to set up. I had to look it up because I am not that experienced, but tutorials for Godot 3 were available on making transparent windows. All I had to do was figure out how to alter it to work with Godot 4 as things had changed between versions. I've gotten it to mostly work so far, although there is one weird issue. Although the color for the start-up screen is set to transparent, it shows as a semi-transparent grey box. Even if I disable start-up screen, it shows the box before cutting to the transparent window. It's not the worst, it certainly won't end the program, it's just a bit weird.
As we can see, the little Godot man is visible without intrusion to the desktop! I wonder what he is thinking?
For now, the Godot icon image works for testing everything. However, when we get to making the puppet, things are gonna get more complicated due to the customization system. The body will need to be split into parts that work as a group, in some sense. Like an actual doll sorta. For now though, little silly icon. I don't have movement yet but that's because I've been busy with a lot lately
I have barely any art for the application done, but I do have something! A custom pointer! It will appear when you hover your mouse over the puppet. I want to make it so that when you interact in certain ways it changes, like when you pat it on the head!
Behold, the hand of a friend!
I am also working on an icon for the app. It is going to look like a toybox with a quilt/blanket coming out of it! The point is to look like where you would store the puppet when you are away or busy, so that it is personable and friendly.
Sort of mockup/sketch of it so far
That is all I have right now! Very, very little. I have loose concept sketches but they are far too messy.
Subject: Moondrop's Devlog - Desktop Puppet 
Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:32 pm
