Devlog Update: Sword Trail WIP
Overview
Today, I shared a short video showcasing the current state of the sword trail effect in my project YouTube. This visual effect is critical for enhancing combat feedback—making every swing feel impactful and visually engaging.
What You’ll See in the Clip
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A glowing motion trail following the sword’s path
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A clean gradient fade that gives the trail fluidity and readability
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Subtle lighting that highlights the blade’s silhouette during movement
Current Goals
My primary aim is to craft a trail that balances clarity and visual flair—enough momentum to feel magical, but not so flashy it distracts from gameplay or confuses player perception.
What Still Needs Work
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Timing & Fade: The trail’s duration feels a bit long—I’m looking to tighten up the fade for a sharper, crisper effect.
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Impact Integration: Adding small visual feedback like sparks or particle bursts on strike would boost the sense of collision.
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Style Tweaks: Exploring variations—like magical glow vs. realistic steel flash—to fit different combat themes.
Next Steps
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Adjust fade duration and opacity interpolation
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Bake in impact FX (dust, sparks, glints) upon contact
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Test multiple styles to see what feels best in fast-paced scenes
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Gather feedback on readability across backgrounds and animations
