Sprite Encoder Optimisation

[Brittank88]

See: https://twitter.com/USakupenCircles/status/1604011060742299648

Apparently not only significantly improves FPS, but also the look of glows, etc. that otherwise have that awful-looking dithering effect.

SMJS (who originally pioneered this) explains it like this:

To explain what's happening, the encoder is currently set to constantly put stress on your CPU and GPU because it uses a downscaled encoder (RGBA4444) compared to the original sprites. Setting it to the default (RGBA8888) stops the constant downscaling.

[sinc0s]

i believe this has been recommended to absolute before and he has plans of adding it

[Brittank88]

I hope so

[torzod]

will this increase the color depth of the game?

[Brittank88]

will this increase the color depth of the game?

Not sure about colour depth but it will improve the quality of gradients significantly.

[torzod]

upon looking at the twitter thread, it does. this will save texture pack authors so much pain if implemented. thanks!

[Brittank88]

Thanks for looking it up! Appreciate it.

I really do look forward to this being implemented by default.

@absoIute PLEASE make the alt gamesheet toggleable though - creators would definitely potentially prefer to see what their scaled glows look like for people who don't have it.

[torzod]

the gamesheet given only improves visuals on the glow, though this can mean that ALL dithering in the spritesheets (of which i'd estimate about 60% of all textures have, some very badly) can be removed with higher-color-depth alternatives, though that may not be possible without robtop giving out his original vector images (he has confirmed that he creates all assets for the game before exporting them to spritesheets)

[Brittank88]

may not be possible without robtop giving out his original vector images

I honestly think people are skilled enough to accurately recreate higher quality versions of things