During the finalizing of the Partigen 2.5 plugin, numerous bug fixes and minor enhancements were made to the ActionScript 3 engines. This minor release is recommended for all users, and addresses all known issues.
In addition to all bug fixes, the ability to use blend modes with the PixelRenderer has now been implemented. For a full list of changes, see the changelog here:
Yes it’s true, Desuade Partigen 2.5 and Desuade Motion Package 1.5 ActionScript 3 libraries have been officially released!
Whew, it’s been a long time coming.
This is huge update that brings some incredible updates to Partigen, and some of those innovations trickled down into the DMP v1.5 (like object pooling). This is the biggest update to Partigen since the original 2.0 release, and am stoked about all the improvements.
Let’s take a look at what’s new since the original 2.0 release:
pixel renderer and pixel-based effects
tremendously improved performance and memory management with new object pooling for particles, particle sources, and tweens
support for particle filters and XML filter support
renderers start/stop automagically without needing to do it manually anymore
caching particles as bitmaps
more rendering options such as predraw, removeAllParticles(), and clear()
improved custom Random class
prefetching allows you to start emitters as if the effect has already been running for a while
XML support for renderers
BitmapCanvas class allows for super easy use and duplication of Bitmap/PixelRenderers
blendmode support for particles
groupBitmaping to improve performance on particles with a high groupAmount
particles can now be any class, without having to extend Particle
all the improvements in the Desuade Motion Package
plus over 50 bug fixes, tweaks, changes, and minor enhancements
Unfortunately, the developer helping with the backport to AS2 totally failed to come through… so no AS2 version. It’s actually an incredible amount of extra work, and I still decide to place my energy on the future instead of the past. So we’re still AS3 only, unless somebody else wants to give it a go.
Regardless, this release is has been incredible amount of work, and I really hope you try it out and share it with your friends because the more feedback I get, the more work I put into it for you.
The commercial Flash extension and plugin is almost done being upgraded to 2.5 as well, and will be released sometime in July. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.
So stop – and download the latest Partigen 2.5 library and examples now here:
Just a little update on what’s been going on behind the scenes here at Desuade (aka my laptop).
With tremendous help from Peter Elst, we’re working on getting Partigen backported to AS2 for those of you still required to use it. AS2/AS3 components for the plugin will be provided together in 1 package for the same price. Unlike most other component developers, I don’t feel the need to ask for more money just for another language (even though it’s almost double the work). The goal is to get the AS2/AS3 version working seamless as possible, regardless of which you’re using in your document.
Releasing new versions of the extension is a big effort (1-2 weeks of packaging, documentation, site updates, testing, etc), so instead of releasing many 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 updates, I’ve decided to just do 1 big shebang as version 2.5 with lots and lots of improvements to the plugin (and libraries). There’s really a lot of free goodness coming with this update, and here’s a sneak peak of what will be new since v2.0:
(Maybe) Particle filter support
(Maybe) Faster performance with better pooling
Flash CS5 and AS2 Support
Emitter prefetching (start emitters as if they’ve already been running)
BitmapRenderer now starts/stops automagically (no need to start()/stop() renderers anymore)
Lots of other new BitmapRenderer goodies
Renderer support via XML (allowing preset bitmap effects in the UI!)
New BitmapCanvas component to simplify BitmapRenderers
Particle Blendmode
Use any DisplayObject as a particle without needed to extend it
Improved Particle grouping with Bitmaping support
Indicators always show in IDE development mode
New and improved presets
Lots of bug fixes and refinements
So there you have it, a sneak peek at the new features in Desuade Partigen 2.5! If you’ve taken a look at some of the demos recently, you’ll see Partigen 2.5 in action.
Due to working with two code bases now, both AS2 and AS3, development time will take a bit longer, with a planned release sometime early summer. After that, effort will be put into documentation, tutorials, and examples.
3 Months after the original release of the Desuade libraries (Desuade Motion Package 1.0 and Partigen 2.0), I’m pleased to announce the first major update to the package with DMP 1.1 and Partigen 2.1.
This release comes with lots of goodies, so let’s get straight to it and see the major changes in this release:
Motion:
MotionController.start(keyframe, startTime) – Allows you to start a controller at the given time as if it’s already been running
ClassSequence – duration, startAtTime(), getPositionInTime() for Tween-based classes only
Tween and BasicTween now have run() method to statically perform a tween instead of creating an object
BasicTween.position
Partigen:
Emitter prefetching – allows you to start an emitter as if it’s already been running
XML support for Renderers in Emitters – allowing bitmap effect presets
BitmapCanvas class for BitmapRenderer for easy management of BitmapRenderers
emitter.particleBlendMode – blendmode for particles
emitter.groupBitmap – lets particle groups be created as bitmaps
emitters now automatically start their renderers on start()
emitter.particle can now be any class, and does not have to inherit from BasicParticle
BitmapRenderer no longer asks for BitmapData (not backwards-compatible)
BasicParticle and Particle classes inherently use groups (removed BasicGroupParticle, GroupParticle)
As you can see, there’s some pretty awesome additions brought into the package, mostly refining and enhancing Partigen 2. These changes will soon be reflected in the upcoming Partigen 2.1 plugin as well, most importantly with XML support for BitmapRenderers and a BitmapCanvas component.
As a part of my commitment to serve you better and more efficiently, I have added a feature to the Desuade Licensing Platform allowing you to retrieve your official licensing information automatically. This saves you time waiting for a response to a support email that’s been the standard protocol for the past 3 years.
You will receive an email automatically when you purchase Partigen, and spam filters are the number 1 suspect when your license email never come – so be sure to check them first!
If you ever lose your information (or never seem to have gotten it), just visit this page and you’ll get it in a jiffy:
It’s been a busy time the last few months after the launch; demos, tutorials, partnerships, and site redesigns. Now that the metaphorical dust has settled, it’s time for a little polish on the actual product.
So a few changes and updates that are expected to be tackled in Partigen 2.1 include:
Use any DisplayObject as particle without inheriting from Particle
XML-based renderers
BitmapCanvas class greatly simplifies BitmapRenderers
These should provide some really nice improvements for the engine, and bubble up into the actual plugin. Those improvements are under the hood, and a few more interface improvements will also be expected.
Oh, and ActionScript 2… well it seems a large majority of users still use or are required to code in AS2. Desuade is all about focusing on the future, but leaving behind half a user-base is unacceptable. So, after the 2.1 codebase is complete, it will be ported back to AS2. There will be performance issues of course, but it will be better than no AS2 at all.
Expect some roll outs on the GIT server for you early adopters, and sometime next week for 2.1 release for the AS3 library!
I have just finished the last updates on the Partigen section of the site for a big design refresh. After weeks of work recording videos, taking screenshots, designing, and coding it’s finally done and live. Two new pages have been added for demos and buzz. You can check it out here now:
I have included many new demos, videos, tutorials, and lots of other good stuff to really show off the kind of Flash particle effects Partigen 2 is capable of. Most importantly, how quickly and easily it is to make them.
I hope this helps you make a more informed decision deciding how right Partigen 2 is for you, your company, and clients. Let me know what you think!
Again, you can check out the new pages here and here.
The last of the “Flash particle effects in under 30 seconds” series, this one shows how easy it is to make realistic smoke Flash effect in just one click, with Partigen 2. Demo also shows that the effect is fully interactive with the mouse as well. Enjoy!
This next mini demo shows how you can create a customizable falling snow effect in Flash in under 30 seconds with Partigen 2, without any tutorials or coding.
Just an update to let you know we switched backends to PHP from Ruby. This should provide snappier loading and downloads. If you notice anything off, leave a comment and let me know.
Update: there was an issue with the Partigen Buy Now page that has now been resolved. If you had any issues purchasing, please try again now, thank you.
