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godotengine / godot-proposals

Godot Improvement Proposals (GIPs)
MIT License
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Rename Path2D/3D nodes to Spline2D/3D #6399

Open ettiSurreal opened 1 year ago

ettiSurreal commented 1 year ago

Describe the project you are working on

Testing!

Describe the problem or limitation you are having in your project

"Path" is not a common term for curve visualization, and is usually referred to as a path for an object to follow, which doesn't necessarily have to be a curve. Also might be close to Pathfinding though it is also a common term on it's own. Most software call them Curves or Splines, and since Godot already uses Curve for the resource name, Spline would be the way to go. I could not see anything in the engine referred to as "Spline" so i assume there are no conflicts.

Describe the feature / enhancement and how it helps to overcome the problem or limitation

Spline is a more common term for this feature, which is potentially more familiar to users using other software and more easily discoverable.

Describe how your proposal will work, with code, pseudo-code, mock-ups, and/or diagrams

Path2D/3D is renamed to Spline2D/3D

PathFollow2D/3D could be potentially renamed to SplineFollow2D/3D

If this enhancement will not be used often, can it be worked around with a few lines of script?

It can't.

Is there a reason why this should be core and not an add-on in the asset library?

In editor renames.

YuriSizov commented 1 year ago

is usually referred to as a path for an object to follow

That's the most common use for the node, and the name was probably chosen because it's clear to a beginner, unlike "spline". In any case, this is not something that can happen in Godot 4.

Calinou commented 1 year ago

I would prefer keeping the current name as it's far more intuitive for casual users. A spline is a mathematical term that most people likely never heard of[^1] :slightly_smiling_face:

[^1]: Minecraft does have a Reticulating splines! splash, but that doesn't count.