In with the new and still with the old

After a good 6 hours today, I finished: the xml data file (which holds info about each panel), the xml parser (makes panels from the data), and the panel class which holds all the data. Which looks mighty impressive.

My only stumble now is determining which/ how to assign colors to each panel. Sure, I got the color codes in each picture to assign the colors to the picture and the panel class holds data about which colors it has, but thats not enough. Currently each panel is assigned its own name in the xml "One Way - Left - 2", which would mean the panel is a one way panel, the user can only enter it from the left (as opposed to the "Right" version), and it has 2 colors.

But that is causing a logical problem (in my head, not the code), that this prevents truly unique panels (by color). So, tomorrow I'm gonna replace the naming convention from a number to a "#". While going through the loading process, the code will see it has colors assigned to it and look through that panel X number of times till all of the colors are accounted for.

Since I have not done any testing yet (there was no place where I could), I don't know how long it would take to make all of the panels

= New Todo =

- Make a new type of spool which will have panels attached to it. This should enable faster object loading and less faces (24 to be exact).
- Change the naming in the xml to allow a more unique name for each panel (easy)
- Update the xml parser to recognize when it needs to loop over the same object multiple times to include each color combination.
- Look for code of how to save each panel's generated bitmap on the device (and hope that it won't hog too much space)

= Still on the Todo =

~ 5/21 ~
- Add action data to the block (and incorporate it into the user's left/right swipe to allow/disallow movement)
- Code up a level generator (which will also tell each block which panel it will be using)
-+ using a scheme like Minecraft, using numbers and letters
- Scrolling left/right will fade in new menu items and out-fade the old
- Add lighting to the blocks for a more elegant look
- Add sounds effects/ music
- Get the camera working

~ 5/23 ~
- Menu
-+ The spools don't rotate properly
-+ The sliding of the spools is off, they are constantly too much or too little
-+ Lighting up of the blocks is off, and often the light block wouldn't be in the center
-+ Make the menu item text more diverse to distinguish which item is the current item

- General
-+ Add music and sound effects

= Pictures =

This is what the panel used to be. Colorful and distinct to one panel (the "Cycle Colors - CCW - 3").

But it takes up too much data and can only be used once. THIS (shown below) is the new version of the above block. It not only shows the same (after being processed) thing as the above panel, but can be used multiple times.

Now I won't have to worry about the game becoming too large with all the panels in it.

oh, and the rest of the block (sides and back), they will each have their own pictures. White sides with black linking for the sides and I-don't-care for the back. Well, actually the back may just be a white panel. I haven't been able to see the back yet, but after the new spool upgrade and some testing....I'll post another update.