GearBlocks 0.7.9120

Happy Holidays everyone, here’s one more small update for the year!

Weld tool

This is a new script mod tool that allows parts to be attached to one another, without them needing to be properly aligned together.

They can even be unfrozen.

Jointed attachments can be created, including rotary, slider, or any other type.

Note that the attachment locations are still derived from the part’s alignment grids, so an attachment can’t be created at an arbitrary position or orientation. This doesn’t make much difference for fixed attachments, but it does limit the possible locations of jointed attachments.

Also note that some part behaviours may be expecting only one attachment of a certain type, and creating extra attachments with the weld tool may result in unexpected behaviour.

This tool is really intended for advanced builders who want to circumvent the usual grid based limitations, it’s not intended to replace the standard building system.

Lua scripting

For the modders out there, there are some additions to the Lua scripting API. From a Lua script it’s now possible to get and modify part behaviour tweakables, create and delete part attachments, and even apply physics forces to parts. I look forward to seeing what you can come up with using this stuff!

There are a few other improvements and additions too, as always, check out the release notes for details.

Thanks to you all for your support this year, for playing the game, and for sharing your amazing creations!

Release notes:-

  • Lua scripting changes and new features:-
    • Added new ITweakables interface implemented by part behaviour to provide access to its tweakables.
    • Added methods to IAttachmentOperations to create, replace, and delete part attachments.
    • Added FixedUpdate entry function, called on Lua scripts once per simulation time step.
    • Exposed fixed delta time value.
    • Added new IPhysical interface implemented by part descriptor, with a method for applying a force to a part.
    • Added TargetedPosition property to ITargeter interface.
  • New script mods:-
    • ServoTool – Sets a servo / stepper motor’s trim angle from its current angle.
    • WeldTool – For attaching one part to any other, without them needing to be aligned together, or even frozen!
    • PhysicsExample – A simple demonstration of applying a force to a part.
  • New 2.5×9 truck wheel (rim designed by Nate).
  • Implemented joint force / torque debug visualisation, and added options to ConstructionDebug script mod to enable it.
  • Added dropdown menu to part behaviour UIs, as an alternative way to choose a joystick axis to bind.
  • Added toggle to video options for disabling chromatic aberration, independent of vignette.
  • Bug fixes.