Post by goliard in 🚀 Capsule VN Engine 1.8.32 – The Biggest Evolution Yet comments

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This is fantastic! Congratulations on all your hard work -- and just in time for NaNoReNo! Can't wait to try all these things out...

EDIT:

Downloaded 1.8.32, thought I'd give the 'hotspot' action a try. I couldn't select a scene for the clicked hotspot to jump to: a list of options flashed up, and disappeared before I could select anything! (It was like this for both the 'On click' option lists).

ANOTHER EDIT:

Exported the file I've been working on -- when I re-started Capsule, and tried to import it, I got an error message - 'Invalid file format'. That's a bit worrying...

CapsuleTeam14 days ago (1 edit)

Hi! Thank you so much for the kind words and for testing the new version just in time for NaNoRenO!

Regarding your edits, I have identified both issues and I'm working on a hotfix (v1.8.33) right now:

Hotspot Bug: You're right, there is a refresh conflict in the editor UI that closes the dropdown menu too quickly. I've fixed the UI logic so the list stays open until you've made your choice.
Invalid File Format (Import): This happens because the 'Export' button now includes an anti-cheat obfuscation to protect games when they are published. This process makes the file unreadable for the editor.
- The solution: In the next update, I'm adding a dedicated 'SAVE' button next to the Export one. This will allow you to save a clean, non-obfuscated version of your project specifically for re-importing and editing later.

I'll push the update very soon (probably in the next hours). Thanks again for the catch, and good luck with your NaNoRenO project!

goliard14 days ago

Thank you! Happy to hear that these issues are easy to fix! The project is looking great!

CapsuleTeam14 days ago

Excellent news! To make this update even more impactful, I've decided to skip straight to version 1.9.0.

In addition to fixes for interactive areas and the new "SAVE" button (non-obfuscated project saving), this version introduces two major features:

Spritesheet animation support: You'll be able to bring your characters to life with frame-by-frame animations directly within the engine.
CapsuleScript: I'm introducing Capsule's dedicated scripting language. While the engine remains focus on no-code development, advanced users will now be able to program complex logic and custom behaviors.

These features require significant changes to the user interface and a complete separation of the "Save" and "Export" logic, so I'm focusing all my efforts on the early release of version 1.9.0, which should be available in a few hours. Thank you for your patience!

goliard14 days ago

Capsule just keeps getting better and better...

CapsuleTeam13 days ago

Thank you so much, Goliard! ✨

Reading comments like yours is my greatest source of motivation. I'm working hard to make Capsule the ultimate no-code tool for creators. Even though it's already the most powerful 100% no-code tool available.

Since you're following the updates, is there a feature you'd absolutely love to see in the next version? Let me know! 🌸

goliard13 days ago (1 edit)

Some more sophisticated dialogue and choice management, and dialogue branching (like, say, Adventure Game Studio). And a layer system. But honestly, you've come so far so fast, this seems like nit-picking. I was going to ask about animation and sprite sheet support, but you're already doing it! Bravo!

EDIT:

It is still a bit volatile at present, but you might think about Inochi2D for the future. It is an open source alternative for Live2D, a pseudo-3D puppet app for games (and, presumably, visual novels):

https://inochi2d.com/

It does make characters seem more alive, if used well...

CapsuleTeam12 days ago

Hi Goliard!

Thank you so much for your excellent feedback and kind words! Comparing Capsule to such a legendary work as AGS is incredibly motivating!

Regarding dialogue and branching: I deliberately avoided the classic "node-based" approach (a real maze!). Capsule prioritizes a robust timeline system, combined with integrated scene and variable managers. This keeps the interface clear and focused on writing, while still allowing you to create complex, nested scenarios without getting lost in a tangle of lines! If you haven't yet explored the Timeline view in depth, I highly recommend using it to visualize your branching paths! 🗺️✨

Regarding the layer system: Absolutely! When designing the new architecture, a truly easy-to-manage layer system (Background, Props, Characters, Weather, Interface) was a top priority to give you complete creative freedom. It's planned for the final version 2.0. 🎬✨

I'm a huge fan of the Live2D aesthetic! Just imagining characters breathing, blinking, and reacting dynamically on screen gives me goosebumps! Since Capsule uses web technologies, the future integration of a WebGL-compatible puppet system like Inochi2D is an absolutely brilliant idea. I'll be following their development very closely! 👀💖

However, I want to warn you. It's very complex. First, we would need to create a custom system that no longer defines sprites as characters or anything else, but simply as objects, and that allows for the addition of different layers. A large part of the engine would have to be rebuilt. And only once this custom system is finalized could I even consider Inochi2D.

I want to clarify that Live2D will never be integrated into the engine; This would require lengthy negotiations with the studio responsible for Live2D, as well as a considerable financial investment.

Thank you again for opening up such exciting possibilities. Keep sharing your brilliant ideas!

Best regards,

The Capsule Team 🌸

goliard11 days ago (1 edit) (+1)

Wow. This is a very ambitious roadmap! (I mentioned Inochi2D because it is an open-source alternative to Live2D, so it's encouraging for me to hear that you are considering it!). I have started to look at Capsule 1.9, and I will give you some feedback soon, if you'd like. You are proceeding at an astonishing rate -- this is going to be the best visual novel engine on the market, I am convinced!

EDIT: Not only that -- you could write RPGs and adventure games with it as well...

goliard11 days ago (1 edit)

Hi,

Been doing some quick testing of the sprite animation, and everything works fine except for one thing. I instructed the program to only play the animation once, but it played 3 times. (I've put all the files concerned in a zip file if you are interested). Test file Note: the artwork isn't mine, it belongs to a web illustrator called Grickle -- I just animated one of his characters.

NOTE: I looked at how other engines deal with spritesheet animation. Here is an interesting approach in RenJS:
https://renjs.net/docs-page.html
(Search for CGs)

So one spritesheet could contain several animations. It would also be useful to be able to play them backwards as well as forwards!

(Please tell me if I should dial back the feedback -- don't want to overwhelm you...!)

CapsuleTeam10 days ago

Hi Goliard, first of all, thank you so much for these tests and your feedback; it's truly invaluable.

I've identified the bug. The `stop` ("Once action") method resets the animation using the trick `animation='none'` on every line of dialogue where the character speaks. Three lines of dialogue = three restarts = animation played three times. The fix: use an `animationend` event to mark the element as `ss-done` after the first playback, and then don't trigger it again.

In short, i fixed it in the upcoming version 2.0, but in the meantime, I recommend using only one line of dialogue when using an animation with the `stop` function.

Version 2.0 will almost triple the number of lines of code (which is already substantial at over 12,000 lines), so it will take at least one or two months to be released. This is where we're really getting into the most complex functions to code. Since it's a monolithic codebase and any change can create a snowball effect and new bugs, every addition now requires thorough testing.

I'll keep you updated on the progress!

Regarding RenJS's approach to sprite sheets, which was quite innovative when it was released, I must admit I find it uninteresting. It complicates an animation principle that has already proven itself, even within tools like RPG Maker.

I understand the principle, certainly, but either we stick with classic sprite sheet animation or we use Inochi2D or Live2D; we don't create a slightly improved sprite sheet that can ultimately be recreated with more frames.

But playing them backwards as well as forwards is a good idea, i take note about this one !

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