[ts][construct3] Runtime development

[davidetan]

This issue tracks updates on the development of the Construct 3 official runtime for Spine.

The C3 renderer can now draw meshes and specify per-vertex colors (currently supported in the runtime, not yet in the editor), which are essential for a Spine runtime.

As development continues, we are encountering missing features and issues that could block an official release. For each, we have opened a GitHub issue, which will be listed here:

• Add Multiply and Screen blending modes Scirra/Construct-feature-requests#626 [blocker]
• WebGPU writeBuffer fails in drawMesh with odd number of index triplets Scirra/Construct-bugs#8746 [blocker]
• Allow addon to request a render Scirra/Construct-feature-requests#615 [non-blocker]
• Add per-vertex colors to editor DrawMesh Scirra/Construct-feature-requests#627 [non-blocker]
• Consistent projectfile PluginProperty value between editor and runtime Scirra/Construct-feature-requests#614 [non-blocker]
• Tween behavior not working with plugin SDKv2 Scirra/Construct-bugs#8851 [non-blocker]
• addChildren in scripting between a first-party addon and SDKv2 third-party addon not working Scirra/Construct-bugs#8852 [non-blocker]
• Expose project file sid of IProjectFile Scirra/Construct-feature-requests#693 [non-blocker]
• ICollisionInterface not working with SDKv2 plugins Scirra/Construct-bugs#8905 [important]
• Crash deleting Sprite object type in r469 Scirra/Construct-bugs#8920 [non-blocker]
• editor can crash while loading a layout view r472 (beta) Scirra/Construct-bugs#8948 [blocker]
• Runtime crash when SDKv2 plugin instance is parent in hierarchy (r469+) Scirra/Construct-bugs#8987 [important]
• Runtime - "Pick Parent" condition crashes for SDK v2 addons Scirra/Construct-bugs#8997 [important]

You can download latest committed version from here: https://esotericsoftware.com/files/spine-construct3/c3/spine-construct3.zip
Compatible with r473.
This runtime is compatible only with Spine 4.3 exports. It won't work with 4.2.

Here you can find the draft documentation of the addon: https://esotericsoftware.com/spine-construct3?preview=75742a3e8c64f87ee1d6f0993bb1cd1b

[star2000]

I found a small problem. Construct's SDK.IProjectFile currently has no method to obtain the path. As a result, if the atlas file is placed in a subfolder, the image file cannot be loaded using a relative path.

[davidetan]

Thanks for reporting this.
I'm happy you are already testing this runtime, but right not it is still in early development and subject to heavy changes.

Right now we are giving priority to other Spine features, but I expect to resume its development soon.

[XHXIAIEIN]

Version

• Spine: 4.3+
• Construct 3: r459+

Download .c3addon file

You can always download the latest committed version from this link:
http://esotericsoftware.com/files/spine-construct3/c3/spine-construct3.zip

Example project

I've created a sample project here to get you started quickly.
Spine-Example.c3p.zip

Solutions after Crash

Since the plugin is still in testing, crashes may occur and prevent the editor from opening.
It is not recommended for use in production projects.

If you accidentally break the editor with a bad addon, open Construct 3 in Safe Mode:
https://editor.construct.net/?safe-mode

Safe Mode allows you to uninstall the problematic addons.

[davidetan]

Thanks for anticipating me :)
Feature-wise, it should be almost ready.
I need to make a couple of fixes and some polishing, and then I should be ready to publish it.

[XHXIAIEIN]

Just leaving some feedback from early feedback here.

---

- 1 Mouse object

I've noticed that it currently seems necessary to add a Mouse object to preview the project.

---

- 2 Change resource file folder

if the file path is changed midway through the process, the texture will remain on the canvas.

[davidetan]

Right now the addon is highly unstable. Latest commit is not guarantee to work out of the box.

[avatar45D]

Right now the addon is highly unstable. Latest commit is not guarantee to work out of the box.

We're all looking forward to it :)

[star2000]

@davidetan #2979 Two errors were found

[XHXIAIEIN]

The Constraints seems to still have some issues.
ATLAS AND SKELETON NOT CORRESPONDING Error: IK Constraint not found: aim-ik

issue-spineboy-constraints.zip

Observe

The SpineBoy on the left contains constraints
The SpineBoy on the right does not contain constraints

[davidetan]

This plugin works only with 4.3 assets. Are you exporting assets with 4.3-beta version?

[XHXIAIEIN]

This plugin works only with 4.3 assets. Are you exporting assets with 4.3-beta version?

Oh, I was using version 4.2.43. It worked when I switched to 4.3. Thanks!

[ibiz3091]

@davidetan @XHXIAIEIN Why does each copy of the spine object using the same atlas and skeleton increase the memory occupied by images in proportion to the number of copies of the object on the screen, shouldn't this be optimized?

[davidetan]

@davidetan @XHXIAIEIN Why does each copy of the spine object using the same atlas and skeleton increase the memory occupied by images in proportion to the number of copies of the object on the screen, shouldn't this be optimized?

The addon is still in development and we are not yet at profile/optimization phase.
But thanks for letting us know 👍