Living documentation

Learn Filmstrip as it grows.

Articles are written and updated alongside engine development, so version notes and current limitations stay visible.

Start Here

Learn the project launcher, editor layout, Edit Mode and Play Mode workflow, everyday controls, and the terms used throughout Filmstrip Engine.

Filmstrip Engine at a GlanceA practical overview of Filmstrip Engine 0.5, from visual authoring and turn-based RPG systems to project safety, named saves, and Windows packaging.Version 0.5 Edit Mode and Play ModeUnderstand what changes are authored, what is temporary, how recovery works, and why Filmstrip keeps project editing separate from runtime testing.Version 0.5 The Editor LayoutLearn what the project header, Scene View, Hierarchy, Inspector, dockable windows, status areas, and toolbar are responsible for in Filmstrip 0.5.Version 0.5 Scene Files and Everyday ControlsCreate, open, save, reload, navigate, copy, paste, and test scenes using Filmstrip’s current editor controls.Version 0.5

Projects and Editor Workflow

Create and open projects, configure project identity, undo authoring changes, work with multiple objects, and preview destructive edits safely.

Project Launcher and Recent ProjectsOpen Filmstrip through its startup launcher, validate recent projects, browse to another project, and remove missing entries safely.Version 0.5 Creating a New ProjectCreate a complete minimal Filmstrip project with one default scene, project metadata, default settings, and valid empty authoring libraries.Version 0.5 Project Settings and Project RootsConfigure project identity, entry scene, window size, runtime presentation, transitions, defeat recovery, and safe opening of another project.Version 0.5 Undo, Redo, and Dirty StateUse Filmstrip’s shared authoring history, grouped transactions, save checkpoints, and visible dirty-state reporting.Version 0.5 Multi-Selection, Copy, Paste, and Bulk EditingSelect several scene objects in order, duplicate or copy them as a group, and apply supported bulk changes as one reversible operation.Version 0.5 Safe Delete and Rename PreviewsReview affected objects, template links, references, and collisions before committing destructive authoring operations.Version 0.5

Scenes and Game Objects

Build scenes from reusable Game Objects, Components, tags, templates, sorting rules, player animation, spawn points, and transitions.

Game Objects and ComponentsLearn how Game Objects hold scene identity while Components add rendering, collision, movement, interaction, and other behavior.Version 0.5 Creating and Managing Game ObjectsPlace, multi-select, rename, copy, duplicate, hide, deactivate, and remove scene objects through reversible authoring commands.Version 0.5 TagsCreate reusable project tags and assign multiple tags to scene objects for authoring and gameplay checks.Version 0.5 Object TemplatesSave complete Game Objects as reusable templates and update linked instances across scenes.Version 0.5 Render Sorting and Y-SortingControl which objects and tiles appear in front using Sorting Layer, Order in Layer, and world-Y depth.Version 0.5 Four-Directional Player AnimationConnect Player Controller movement to separate idle and walk animation triggers for down, left, right, and up facing.Version 0.5 Player Spawns and Scene TransitionsConnect scenes with named spawn points, Scene Exit behavior, project-level transition styles, runtime feedback, and safe destination validation.Version 0.5

Building Tile Worlds

Import BMP tilesets, create layers, paint maps, configure collision and depth, and author Smart or Animated Tiles.

Tilesets and the Tile WorkspaceImport supported BMP artwork and understand the map, layer, and palette sections of the Tile Workspace.Version 0.5 Tile LayersCreate, order, hide, delete, and configure fixed or Y-sorted tile layers.Version 0.5 Painting and Editing TilesUse the Brush, Eraser, Eyedropper, Rectangle Fill, Flood Fill, and bounded tile history inside Filmstrip’s broader undo and redo workflow.Version 0.5 Tile CollisionTurn collision on per layer and optionally refine a tile’s collision rectangle.Version 0.5 Smart TilesCreate Simple Terrain or Full Blob Smart Tiles that automatically select the correct neighbor shape.Version 0.5 Animated TilesBuild reusable tile animations from frames on an existing tileset and paint them explicitly into a scene.Version 0.5

Interaction, Dialogue, and Logic

Create prompts, conversations, managed variables, reusable Conditions, ordered Actions, pickups, automatic triggers, and persistent world changes.

Interactable Objects and PromptsLet the player approach an object, see a prompt, and activate its configured behavior.Version 0.5 Dialogue EditorBuild branching conversations from speech, choices, conditions, actions, and one terminal End node.Version 0.5 Condition TreesBuild reusable logical checks using managed variables, RPG tags, Party data, combat state, inventory, equipment, Quests, and world state.Version 0.5 Action SequencesApply ordered gameplay changes through reusable Actions shared by dialogue, interactions, triggers, consumables, Quests, shops, rewards, audio, and Encounters.Version 0.5 PickupsTurn a world object into a simple Item or Currency pickup with success-only disable or destruction behavior.Version 0.5 Conditional Interaction ActionsBuild chests, shrines, switches, recruitment points, and other multi-step interactions with shared Conditions and Actions.Version 0.5 Trigger ActionsRun a conditional Action Sequence automatically on scene start, trigger entry, or trigger exit without requiring player interaction.Version 0.5 Game State and Persistent ChangesUse managed flags, numbers, text, automatic triggers, Save Points, and deliberate object outcomes to remember choices without serializing every transient field.Version 0.5

RPG Data and Starting State

Define Stats, Actors, Items, Currencies, Shops, Quests, combat content, managed variables, RPG tags, and the state used when a new game begins.

RPG Database OverviewUnderstand the current 15 RPG Database panels, their dependency order, persistent undo and redo, and the difference between definitions and runtime state.Version 0.5 Managed Variables and RPG TagsCreate readable catalogs for Game State keys and shared RPG classification tags, then use them across registry-backed authoring fields.Version 0.5 Stats, Resources, and Derived ValuesDefine scalar Stats, bounded Resources, derived calculations, Ability costs, Speed-based turn ordering, and temporary battle modifiers.Version 0.5 Actor Definitions and InstancesDefine reusable characters, presentation art, battle behavior, and distinct runtime Actor instances that hold mutable Party and combat state.Version 0.5 Equipment Slots and ItemsAuthor Consumables, Equipment, and Key Items with stack limits, slot compatibility, tags, modifiers, Conditions, and Actions.Version 0.5 CurrenciesDefine stable, bounded Currency types for shops, rewards, pickups, Conditions, Actions, and starting balances.Version 0.5 Starting Party, Inventory, and BalancesAuthor the state copied into a fresh Play Mode or new game through the Party / Inventory Debugger.Version 0.5

Player-Facing RPG Systems

Configure and test runtime screens for Party status, inventory, equipment, shops, rewards, Quest progress, notifications, and the shared framed presentation style.

Runtime UI Themes and Menu NavigationChoose the project runtime theme through Project Settings and understand the shared screen stack, focus, scrolling, notifications, and back behavior.Version 0.5 Party and Status ScreenInspect one through eight active Party members, their portraits, levels, Resources, Stats, equipment, and leader state.Version 0.5 Inventory and Equipment ScreenBrowse illustrated Item stacks, use Consumables, and manage compatible equipment for the selected Party member.Version 0.5 ShopsAuthor Shop definitions, open them through gameplay Actions, and test bounded buying and selling.Version 0.5 Reward BundlesGroup Items and Currencies into one reusable all-or-nothing reward and reuse it from scenes, quests, shops, or Combat Rewards.Version 0.5 Quests and the Quest JournalAuthor ordered Quest Objectives, optional Journal illustrations, shared Actions and Conditions, and persisted runtime progress.Version 0.5

Turn-Based Combat

Author Abilities, Status Effects, enemy parties, Encounters, and Combat Rewards, then test the complete battle workflow in Play Mode.

Turn-Based Combat OverviewUnderstand how Filmstrip’s accepted turn-based battle workflow connects Actors, Abilities, enemies, Encounters, rewards, and exploration state.Version 0.5 Abilities and Combat EffectsCreate combat Abilities with target rules, priority, costs, icons, animation settings, and ordered effect steps.Version 0.5 Status EffectsAuthor timed combat states with deterministic duration, stacking, periodic effects, modifiers, resistance, immunity, and removal rules.Version 0.5 Enemy Parties and Weighted DecisionsBuild enemy groups of one through eight Actors and configure understandable weighted Ability choices.Version 0.5 Encounters and Starting BattlesConnect enemy groups, combat rewards, battle presentation, and scene events through Encounter definitions and Start Encounter Actions.Version 0.5 Battle Commands, Targeting, and Turn OrderPlan commands, choose valid targets, understand guarding and costs, and follow Filmstrip’s deterministic turn resolution.Version 0.5 Victory, Defeat, and EscapeUnderstand which battle results commit changes, which results discard the battle copy, and how control returns to exploration.Version 0.5 Combat Rewards and ProgressionGrant experience and reusable Reward Bundles after battle while preserving inventory, Currency, and progression safety.Version 0.5

Art and Presentation

Import project-owned artwork, configure portraits, icons, battle sprites and backgrounds, and prepare pixel art for Filmstrip’s display system.

Importing RPG ArtworkUse Browse and Clear fields to copy portable portraits, icons, sprites, illustrations, and backgrounds into the project.Version 0.5 Battle Art and Animation SheetsPrepare Actor sheets, Ability impact strips, Status loops, Encounter backgrounds, and grid-based previews for turn-based battles.Version 0.5 Pixel-Art Display and Art Grid ProfilesUnderstand the 640×360 reference canvas, integer world scaling, full-resolution HUD, camera snapping, and Retro 16, Standard 32, and Detailed 64 art profiles.Version 0.5

Asset Management

Search project content, inspect dependencies, identify unused files, move assets safely, and repair exact missing references.

Project Asset BrowserSearch project files by path, type, and status, then inspect referenced, unused, or missing content from one editor window.Version 0.5 Inspecting Asset Usage and DependenciesIdentify which scenes, definitions, templates, dialogues, or settings refer to an asset before moving or removing it.Version 0.5 Moving and Renaming AssetsPreview and apply an asset move inside the project while updating supported JSON references atomically.Version 0.5 Repairing Missing Asset ReferencesReplace one exact missing project reference with a compatible existing asset through a preview-first repair workflow.Version 0.5

Audio and Keyboard Input

Register project audio, attach scene music or sound behavior, use Audio Actions, and remap semantic keyboard controls safely.

Audio LibraryRegister, edit, validate, and preview project-relative WAV and MP3 Music or Sound definitions.Version 0.5 Music and Sound ComponentsAttach authored Music or Sound definitions to scene objects and control scene-owned playback.Version 0.5 Audio ActionsPlay Music, stop Music, or play a Sound from dialogue, interactions, and other ordered Action Sequences.Version 0.5 Keyboard SettingsRemap gameplay, menu, dialogue, and turn-based combat navigation Actions with conflict refusal and default restoration.Version 0.5

Packaging and Distribution

Run project preflight, build an editor-free Windows game, verify reproducibility, and understand what belongs in the installed game or user-local storage.

Build PreflightValidate project metadata, JSON content, assets, scenes, references, casing, and content classification before packaging a Windows game.Version 0.5 Packaging a Windows GameCreate a one-directory, editor-free Windows game from the active Filmstrip project through the Package Windows Game window.Version 0.5 Reproducible Builds and VerificationBuild the same project twice in isolated output roots and compare every packaged path, file size, and SHA-256 hash.Version 0.5 Standalone Runtime and User-Local DataUnderstand the editor/runtime boundary and where packaged games store player saves, settings, logs, and recovery information.Version 0.5 Filmstrip Desktop Editor BuildsBuild the project-independent Filmstrip editor, install its desktop shortcut, and use the guarded updater without tying the launcher to one game project.Version 0.5

Play Mode, Saves, and Diagnostics

Test isolated runtime state, manage named player saves, use Save Points, recover interrupted work, inspect performance, and respond safely to validation errors.

Testing in Isolated Play ModeTest complete exploration, triggers, Save Points, named saves, and combat state without allowing runtime changes to rewrite authored project content.Version 0.5 Runtime Debug Save and LoadUse the development debug slot to capture and restore a complete runtime snapshot while testing source projects.Version 0.5 Frame ProfilerInspect rolling frame timing and tile rendering counters without paying profiling overhead while the tool is closed.Version 0.5 Player Save SlotsCreate, rename, replace, load, and delete up to 12 named player saves through the runtime Save Slots screen.Version 0.5 Save Points and Defeat RecoveryAdd an interactable Save Point, show player feedback, and choose whether Party defeat returns to the checkpoint or retries from before combat.Version 0.5 Scene Recovery and Temporary CleanupRestore or discard an eligible unsaved scene after interruption and understand which stale temporary artifacts Filmstrip may clean at startup.Version 0.5 Structured Diagnostics and Failure ReportsRead editor and runtime messages, locate persistent JSONL logs, and use atomic failure reports for saves, packaging, migration, and validation problems.Version 0.5 Validation and Safe AuthoringUnderstand why Filmstrip refuses unsafe project roots, references, edits, saves, asset operations, migrations, and builds instead of applying partial changes.Version 0.5 Current Feature BoundariesKnow which workflows are documented for Filmstrip Engine 0.5 and which systems remain planned for later milestones.Version 0.5