UX Improvements for Texture Pack/Graphics Mod Install

[Zaedus]

Has there been any talk around making the installation of texture packs and graphics mods more user friendly (e.g. importing a zip file)? I personally feel that mucking about in the files is a bit messy and that a little bit can go a long way for UX.

If the development team doesn't have the resources, but it is a desired feature, I am very open to writing a PR.

[iwubcode]

The short answer is - yes, there has been discussion but nothing has been implemented.  These sorts of things are being blocked by my massive vision.

The long answer -

The plan is that graphics mods will also be able to distribute solely textures (as opposed to including shaders or other things that graphics mods currently provide), being similar in release to a texture pack (just with some metadata).  In addition, graphics mods will support being distributed as a single file that a user will be able to install by dragging it onto Dolphin (or moving it to a specific folder).  Mod creators will author this file using an editor, which supports not only the authoring but provides functionality for debugging and creation.

The asset system has already been written with a packed file approach in mind though more thought needs to be given on the format.  In addition to mod releases that authors wish to distribute, other users may wish to provide textures or shaders to distribute to authors for use and those may need the same packed file approach but it may also be different.

One major part of all this is getting buy-in from texture pack authors.  If the new system functionality does not outweigh the current texture pack solution in terms of value then authors will not migrate to this system (see resource packs as an example of a failed system).

So my current tasks left are:

1.  Figure out the types of data that will be distributed and finish development of features that use that data (ex: post processing shader revamp is still yet to be done).  Currently on this step.  Fairly close to completion.
2.  Build up the editor in terms of functionality and usability.  Get buy-in from users.  I'm building this in conjunction with (1).
3.  Add texture only distribution as part of graphics mods.
4.  Define the method for distribution.  Taking into account that a mod release might not be the only item that is distributed (imagine content creators wishing to distribute shaders to other content creators).  Make changes to asset system if needed.

As part of this I'm also reworking graphics mods to be more flexible and handle some of this new functionality.  I'm calling this graphics mods 2.0.

All of this is a lot of work and takes a lot of time.  Some may think this is overkill but imo having a consistent approach to all these sub systems will make things easier for both the authors and the end-users.  Of course there is a possibility that I burn-out, get pulled away by some real life scenario, or just give up (I've been at it already over a year and a half).  At that point, anyone is free to pursue a different avenue.  I have been hoping to get an experienced graphics or engine programmer to help spread the load but those aren't exactly easy to find.

[Zaedus]

Wow this sounds really promising! Just from a UX standpoint it unifies a lot of related functionality into one spot. I wish I knew more about graphics programming to help out. Thank you for all the great work you've put into this!

[djneo]

Yeah, this is a mod creator (wildest) dream come true without a doubt
Truly mind-blowing.

Thank you @iwubcode