Some of you have reached me directly, asking about when the publishing process will export code for the new Storyboard API. Others have asked about integration with the recently announced Graphics 2.0 features from Corona SDK. Unfortunately I still don’t have many answers but I would like to update you on the things I know already.
Storyboard API
I have been working directly with Corona’s main developer here. Until the previous internal beta, almost everything was working fine with Kwik (only issues we had were with timer disposal and refreshing on coloring pages). However, I was informed that he managed to fix them but had to change a few other things. We are going to talk about these changes in the next days. After that, I will probably need to re-write some code to make Kwik compatible with the changes.
As this feature is not broadly announced at Corona’s website yet, I don’t know yet what is their strategy regarding making it available in a future daily build. Again, based on my conversations with the development team, it can help soon but, final word is not them. The way I expect to see it coming alive is via an updated daily build (firstly available to Corona Pro users only) then being part of the next public release.
This availability is crucial to Kwik because all new features (and updated ones) will only be coded for the new API (otherwise we would need to write it twice, one for Director and one for Storyboard). Meanwhile, I am avoiding to release new updates but, if you are a paid user, don’t be worried. You got (depending on the month you purchased) 3 or 2.5 months more to cover potential delays on this release. If (hopefully not) it takes more time, I will add the same amount of days to each subscription.
Graphics 2.0
If you read the announcement, you know already that Corona is spicing up their graphic engine (they are calling it Graphics 2.0 API), bringing several possibilities for image manipulation, including filters, masking, effects, etc. This new API is currently available as a beta release in Corona’s Daily Builds.
Currently Kwik and Kwik 2 are not compatible with this new API (if you are a PRO user and install it, you will potentially get incompatibility with Kwik). The reason for that is some features will cease to exist in the new API (for example, setReferencePoints for groups and animations) and ALL code create by Kwik (or a real developer) will need to be re-written to be compatible with the new system. If you are curious, you can check their current website for more info on the new features and the things that will stop to work.
Corona is offering a simple way to tell your app to keep using the same old code, without any changes. Doing so, it will keep compatibility with the 1.0 library but you will NOT be able to use the new features of the 2.0 API. This is called compatibility mode.
My decision for Kwik 2 users will be to make all exported code compatible only with Graphics 1.0 (update will come as soon as Corona’s new Public Build becomes available). This way, all you current apps will keep working without any changing.
For Kwik (the new), I will make it compatible with the new API, opening up several new possibilities in new and old features of the plugin. For example, more color modes, masks, etc. However, when available, all project pages will need to be exported again.
Things that I still don’t know…
Besides release dates mentioned above, there is no public information yet on the Graphics 2.0 features that will require the PRO version and the ones that will work on the free Starter version.
This information is critical for us at Kwiksher because we plan to have clear distinction in Kwik’s interface on the things that require PRO subscription or not. Saying that, I believe the Graphic 2.0 oriented features will only start to appear into Kwik when these questions are answered.
What are the priorities for the next major beta release?
Top priority, of course, is the compatibility with Storyboard API. You should expect also updated windows for Project Properties (ability to integrate your project with Twitter, rating an app, send an email and, in this case, for PRO users only, Facebook), new interactions for buttons and actions (rate the app, for example) and a pre-made option for parental gate (super important to get your app approved at the new Kids section at Apple’s AppStore).
Lastly, check our Facebook page for the survey on what you want to see first in Kwik.
Looking forward to hear back from you.
