Keeping You Posted

You will have to forgive the radio-silence for a while -- I'm focused and I want to get the base art app out quickly. This is just a quick update to let you know I'm here and working. GoogHacks continues to do well for a baby app; I've had some good feedback on the forums (but no comments, guess I need to build a link in-app) but at the moment I am focused on the art app. I have implemented a functional bucket, but it isn't perfect - either its 100% effective and too slow, or 90% effective and fast. Considering art is about blending and working with the tools you have (at least for myself) I am going with 90% effective and fast until further notice. I've moved on to creating an alpha interface, and may dabble in a few other tools including opening images, but then I'm going to build the undo process and start into creating a layering interface... The interface will need a seismic overhaul because, to me, an art app should be all about shortcut keys and speed when it comes to accessing the tools you need. I'm excited and working hard. Hope everyone has a great Christmas/Holiday season.

Additional Update:

• Finally figured out what was glitching the floodFill algorithm (Color Fill) YEAH!
• Tweaked Brush Size interface to be Brush Settings interface
• Added opacity to the Brush Settings interface
• Added antialias and dither checkboxes to Brush Settings interface
• Fixed error with Brush Settings interface
• Removed color tolerance until further notice (too giltchy)
• Began work on Open Image option
• Tweaked Undo/Redo a little to prepare for full integration (still not functional)
• Getting excited about Christmas (hohoho)

Art App Update

So the "art app lite" release deadline has come and gone with no release, but all is not lost! I've made great progress with the Fill Bucket tool, which is really a huge obstacle, apparently, but I'm toughing it out and looking for an algorithm that works. I won't get too technical here, but basically at the moment it works great, but the memory is getting full before the app can catch up to perform certain actions (We in the dev. world call that a "stack overflow"). I'm a problem-solver, though, and considering how far I've come in so little time I am not concerned about it. So you can update Fill Bucket to: Structure Built. Yay!

While I'm here, I might as well tout that Googhacks Lite is still doing well! Check it out when you have some free-time. Also, good news: not only are real live people coming to this blog, but they are also reading it! (Or pulling it up and letting it sit there for 20 minutes.) I like readers. Hello reader.

Enough play-time, back to work!

Android Only: Direct Link to download GoogHacks Lite

Quick Update:
I didn't feel this warranted an actual post, but it is some really big news. The Fill Bucket tool project is a success! I have a few, minor glitches I need to work out to fill in the gaps, but it is running surprisingly fast even on the slower processors! The great thing? Thus far the build is compatible with all Android 1.6+ devices! Give me another few days and I may feel comfortable releasing a new deadline for my new Lite app!

GoogHacks Lite Update / Art App Progress

GoogHacks Lite is doing well as a free app! It's averaging about 7 installs a day. That's exciting because I have a lot of plans for it, but it will take more than just 50-ish installs before it will become something I deem marketable (aka: Updates!)... Logically it would be wise to wait until around 1,000 installs and a bit of ad-revenue starts coming in as a result. Economically it would be more wise to wait until around 10,000 installs. Astronomically I should wait until 100,000 installs and a decent yearly salary coming from it. Realistically I'll probably wait another two weeks to see if anyone leaves any comments and then release an update. What can I say, I'm a softy for installs.

The art app idea I've been throwing around isn't exactly in the idea form anymore. I've built the basic design already, using the standard design with not-so-standard code... which has resulted in a quick, dependable interface that actually functions like an art app should! I still have a long ways to go, but I'm up to building tools!

"Android Art App" Lite Tool Plans:

• Draw (Done)
• Color (Done)
• Brush Size (Done)
• Eye Dropper (Done)
• Name (Done, Unreleased)
• Undo (Structure Built)
• Fill Bucket (Reviewing Options)
• Save (Planning Stage)
• Open (Planning Stage)
• Facebook Upload (Concept Stage)
• Icon (Concept Stage)
  

My deadline to release a Lite version is in two days... With all these tools and functions to build, the pressure IS on! :D