Tag: #tool

This document outlines alternative methods for installing Chrome extensions beyond the standard Chrome Web Store. It details how to install extensions using preference files on macOS and Linux, and the Windows registry. These methods are useful for bundling extensions with other software or for network administrators managing installations across an organization. The guide also covers updating, uninstalling, and common troubleshooting issues for these alternative installation flows.

Tools for game assets, improved export for Unreal, Unity, Godot

This text describes a Steam game publisher database designed to help developers find suitable publishers based on genre and performance metrics. The database offers tools for analyzing publisher performance and includes caveats regarding data accuracy. It's presented as a hobby project by IMPRESS, an indie game marketing toolkit company. IMPRESS offers a suite of tools for game marketing, including influencer monitoring, press kits, and analytics, with some free access options. The overall goal is to simplify indie game marketing and help developers succeed.

Launchpad is a tool designed to simplify game creator discovery and key distribution. It uses machine learning for smart creator discovery across platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube. The platform also offers tools for managing creator relationships and automating outreach campaigns. Launchpad streamlines key distribution with a widget for collecting creator interest and advanced key management features. This aims to eliminate the need for bulky spreadsheets and disparate tools for game developers.

Roblox is introducing 4D generation, powered by its Cube Foundation Model, which adds interactivity to 3D objects. This technology allows players to generate functional objects like cars that can be driven using simple text prompts. Developers are already seeing increased player engagement and playtime with this feature. The system uses "schemas" to define object parts and behaviors, enabling dynamic functionality. Roblox plans to expand this to generate entire scenes and more complex interactive elements through natural language prompts.

"MinionsArt Tutorials" offers a variety of tutorials for shaders/shadergraph

Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of utilities designed to customize Windows and streamline tasks. It offers over 25 tools, including FancyZones, PowerRename, and PowerToys Run, to enhance user productivity. The latest release, v0.96, introduces significant improvements to Advanced Paste, Command Palette, and PowerRename, with new AI model support and metadata extraction. Installation is available via .exe downloads, the Microsoft Store, or WinGet. The project is open-source and actively supported by a community of contributors.

This video introduces Google Workspace Studio, a powerful new no-code platform that embeds Gemini AI directly into Google Workspace to help users build intelligent automation agents using natural language. The presenter demonstrates how to create complex workflows without coding, showcasing examples like a meeting preparation agent that scans emails for context and "red flags" before notifying the user, and a form submission agent that analyzes responses to send personalized follow-up emails. The tool supports advanced logic, decision-making loops, and integration with third-party apps like Salesforce and Jira, as well as the ability to use custom "Gems" and webhooks for broader connectivity within the business ecosystem.

Shader creation and other game dev tips and tricks in Unity and Unreal. My opinions are my own and do not represent the positions of my employer. Ben Cloward has been a game dev for over 20 years and has been creating shaders since 2003. He was a co-creator of ShaderFX, a plugin (originally for 3ds Max) that allows artists to create real-time shaders using a node-based interface. ShaderFX is now built in to Max and Maya as the main way that real-time shaders are created. Ben was the original author of the Uber shader used in Maya's viewport. In 2007, Ben joined Bioware in Austin, Texas as a Cg Supervisor focused on graphics, performance, and shaders - on titles such as Star Wars The Old Republic, and Anthem. Ben now works for Unity on the Shader Graph team. Ben has given numerous talks at industry events such as Siggraph, and GDC. He loves to share what he has learned.

This text is from the Unity Asset Store, showcasing a free asset called "2000+ FACES" by Unruly Games. The asset is an extension type, released on February 25, 2019, and is compatible with Unity version 2017.4.21. The Unity Asset Store highlights its vast collection of over 11,000 five-star assets, trusted by over 85,000 customers and supported by a large community. The page also includes navigation for various asset categories, sales, and options for selling assets on the platform.

This post begins a series on procedural island generation using a polygon-based approach in Rust. It leverages Bridson's algorithm for Poisson disk sampling to create an even distribution of seed points, avoiding clumping and voids. These points are then used to generate a Delaunay triangulation, followed by the construction of a Voronoi diagram using triangle centroids for smoother transitions. A quad mesh is created by combining Delaunay and Voronoi vertices, forming a red-blue pattern. Finally, a second, coarser Poisson disk sampling is used to identify mountain peak locations within the mesh, setting the stage for elevation assignment in the next part.

Blender Studio developed a pipeline for transferring assets between Blender and Godot using glTF, leveraging Blender's collection export feature. Custom code handled asset separation and data exchange, ensuring efficient collaboration among a team. The process involved automated export from Blender, including ID assignment and collision data, and automated import into Godot, recreating the asset hierarchy. Challenges included managing a central asset index and material duplication; future improvements aim for a more decentralized approach and potentially utilizing glTF extensions. The resulting workflow, while a prototype, is shared to encourage further development of Blender-Godot integration.

Nitrode is an AI-powered game engine that allows users to design, script, and deploy games within a single platform. It features an AI-assisted visual logic editor, enabling intuitive game mechanic creation. The engine generates assets (sprites, textures, scenes) using AI, eliminating the need for external tools. It also produces clean, editable code based on the user's design choices. Currently, Nitrode is available for MacOS only.

This tutorial teaches game development math using C++ and the Tigr graphics library. It progressively introduces concepts like vectors, points, and transformations, building upon basic C++ knowledge. The tutorial uses practical examples, including drawing lines and points, animating a box, and implementing coordinate transformations. It emphasizes understanding the differences between points and vectors and provides functions for common vector operations. The final goal is to create an interactive animation using these mathematical principles.

Raycast is a fast, ergonomic productivity launcher with thousands of extendable tools. It boasts a 99.8% crash-free rate and integrates with popular apps like Slack, Spotify, and Notion. Users can create custom AI commands and snippets to automate tasks. An extensive extension API allows developers to build native extensions using React, TypeScript, and Node. Raycast is free to download for Mac, with a Windows waitlist.

Steamworks provides tools and services for game developers to manage their games on Steam. It offers documentation covering setup, store presence, features, finance, sales & marketing, and SDK access. Resources include SteamVR, PC café programs, and community forums. News and updates are available through various blogs. Support is provided in multiple languages.

JustSketchMe is a web application and mobile app (iOS, Mac, Windows, Android) offering a pose reference tool for artists. It features dozens of characters, hundreds of props, and extensive posing options including hands, dynamic lighting, and extreme perspectives. The tool aims to help artists create dynamic scenes and breathe life into their artwork. It's developed by Herman and Simon-Kai. The app is available now.

Bearlytics is a self-hosted, privacy-focused web analytics tool built with Django and SQLite. It tracks basic website metrics like page views and referrers without using cookies or PII. The author created it as a simpler alternative to other open-source analytics platforms. Deployment options include Dokku and Docker Compose, with detailed guides provided. The project is open-source, with contributions welcome.

Stitch is a design tool powered by AI. It assists users in creating designs. The AI helps with various design aspects, streamlining the process. It aims to make design more accessible and efficient. Stitch leverages artificial intelligence to enhance the design workflow.

Mixpost is a self-hosted, open-source social media management tool offering unlimited scheduling and content organization without monthly fees. It boasts a user-friendly interface with features like calendar scheduling, post composition, analytics, and team collaboration. Mixpost supports numerous social media platforms and offers one-click publishing with customization options. Its one-time purchase model allows users to own their data and white-label the platform. Easy setup via Docker is provided, making it accessible for both individuals and businesses.

`git-gpt-commit` is an AI-powered Git extension using OpenAI's models to generate commit messages. It's installable via npm and offers commands for selecting models, languages, and prefixes. The extension manages settings in a configuration file. The project is open-source under the MIT license and has received 5 stars on GitHub. It improves developer workflow by automating commit message creation.

This article recommends Docker containers for managing home media. Plex and Jellyfin are highlighted as excellent streaming options, with Jellyfin praised for its lightweight nature. Immich is suggested for photo and video backup, offering a free and feature-rich alternative to cloud services. Ombi facilitates user requests for new media additions. Finally, the importance of robust backups using the 3-2-1 rule is emphasized.

Blendo Itch Uploader is a free Windows tool simplifying itch.io project uploads. It provides a graphical interface, eliminating the need for command-line tools. Users create profiles for their projects and upload builds with a single click. The source code is available on GitHub for further development. Despite generally positive reviews, some users have reported initial difficulties, prompting the developer to improve error messaging and documentation.

The Blendo Steam Uploader is a free Windows tool for uploading game projects to Steam. It offers a user-friendly graphical interface, simplifying the upload process compared to command-line methods. Users can create profiles for different projects and upload with a single click. The source code is publicly available on GitHub for those wanting to expand its functionality. A download link and version information are provided.

This website documents the Jujutsu (jj) version control system. Navigation is via a sidebar or hamburger menu. Help is available both online and via the `jj help` command (if installed). Documentation covers both released and unreleased (main branch) versions. Useful links include installation, tutorials, and the GitHub repository.

This text shows the navigation menu of the Steam website and app. It includes sections for the store, community features, support, and account management. Multiple languages are supported. Copyright and legal information are provided at the bottom. Links to a mobile app and desktop site are also available. The overall purpose is to provide access to all Steam services.

n8n is a flexible workflow automation platform popular with technical teams, offering both code-based precision and drag-and-drop speed. It integrates with numerous apps and allows building multi-step AI agents. Used by major companies like Cisco and Microsoft, n8n boasts high user ratings and a large community. Its features include on-prem and cloud hosting, code/UI flexibility, and rapid iteration capabilities. Case studies demonstrate significant time savings and efficiency gains through n8n's automation.

This Blender add-on simplifies 2D/3D animation by letting users draw object trajectories and keyframe positions. Animation is generated by pressing "Animate" after defining the path and keyframes. It supports both position and rotation animation, offering options for trajectory editing and various interpolation methods. Installation is straightforward via Blender's add-on manager. The add-on is compatible with Blender 4.1 and later, with free updates planned.

Blueberry AI's Kiwi Engine provides a browser-based platform for managing 3D digital assets, eliminating the need for bulky software. Its AI-powered features, including search, tagging, and version control, boost efficiency by over 60% and reduce time spent on previews by 40%. The platform facilitates seamless collaboration among internal and external teams, improving workflow and productivity. It caters to various industries, including gaming, advertising, and industrial design, offering significant cost reductions and improved asset availability. A free consultation is available to assess individual needs and demonstrate the platform's capabilities.

Standard gauge (1,435 mm or 4 ft 8 1/2 in) is the world's most common railway track gauge, used in about 55% of lines and almost all high-speed rail. Its prevalence stems from historical interoperability needs, avoiding costly reloading at gauge breaks. While its origin is debated, it likely evolved from existing wagonway gauges in England, influenced by the dimensions of horse-drawn carts. George Stephenson's adoption of this gauge for major lines solidified its dominance in Britain and beyond. Despite initial variations and a "gauge war" in Britain, standard gauge ultimately prevailed due to its efficiency and interconnectivity benefits.

TechTarget and Informa Tech have merged their digital businesses, creating a vast network of online resources. Separately, Valve is adding accessibility search functionality to Steam. Developers are encouraged, but not required, to input accessibility details for their games via Steamworks. This information will allow players to search for games based on specific accessibility features later this year. Steam will display accessibility features on individual game store pages.