[Tool] Gib Generator G.L.A.I.V.E.: Automatically Create Debris Pieces For Your Ships

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Epirasque
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[Tool] Gib Generator G.L.A.I.V.E.: Automatically Create Debris Pieces For Your Ships

Postby Epirasque » Sat Apr 23, 2022 8:15 am

WHAT ARE GIBS?
Whenever a ship is destroyed in FTL it is supposed to fly apart, splitting up into separate debris pieces. These pieces are commonly referred to as "Gibs".

WHAT IS NEEDED TO ADD GIBS TO A SHIP?
  • The Gib graphics themselves
  • X and Y coordinates for the Gibs
  • Velocity values (min and max) to determine how fast the Gibs should fly
  • Direction values (min and max) to determine in which direction the Gibs should fly
  • Angular values (min and max) to determine how the Gibs should rotate itself while flying
  • Associating each weapon mount with one of the Gibs to determine which Gib the weapon should be attached to after the ship is destroyed

WHAT DOES THIS G.L.A.I.V.E. TOOL DO?
It provides all of the above to your mod automatically. Yes, even the graphics! Here are some in-game examples of the result:
ImageImageImageImageImageImage
As you might already be able to tell, the quality varies a bit. E.g. sometimes the edges look a bit too smooth:
Image
(DISCLAIMER: the ships seen here are from the Multiverse mod which I can only recommend. I did not draw any of these ship sprites and picked ones that avoid spoilers of new races etc.)

If your mod already has some manually created Gibs they will not be overwritten.
If you have multiple ships using the same layout file then they still all end up with individual Gib graphics, though the shape of these Gibs will be identical since only a single set of coordinates can be used.

WHY WOULD I USE THE TOOL?
Let's be honest, automatically generated Gibs will never be as good as if they were hand-drawn by an experienced artist.
Still, this tool can provide you with some decent placeholders without spending too much effort.
Depending on your priorities, you might even deem them "good enough" for long-term use.

HOW DO I USE IT?
Download the Windows binary version here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jhqJVhgDAVCN334FsA9STl2J1um24FxC/view?usp=sharing
No installation is required, just follow the steps in the README.txt.
As was requested, here is a more fool-proof documentation, a 1 min video demonstrating how to set things up: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TdCgIzb-_avr5ehRvjUVpRZWI54QUkRa/view?usp=sharing

MY MOM TOLD ME NOT TO TAKE EXE FILES FROM STRANGERS, WHAT CAN I DO?
That is solid advice from your mom. You can run the Python code instead, it is publicly available here: https://github.com/Epirasque/FTLshipGibGenerator
Aside from installing Python you will also need to install the used libraries, please contact me directly if you need support.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?
You can find a detailed explanation about how the tool works, planned improvements, etc. on the GitHub page, just scroll down a bit when following the link: https://github.com/Epirasque/FTLshipGibGenerator

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLE PROJECTS THAT USE GENERATED GIBS?
For Multiverse: addons listed here can usually also be found in the official Multiverse addon thread
- GenGibs: For "vanilla" Multiverse, we provide a separate addon to provide generated gibs, direct link here
- Forgemaster: An addon to Multiverse, the generated gibs are already contained in it, direct link here
- Trash Compactor Collaboration: An addon to Multiverse, the generated gibs are already contained in it, direct link here