diff --git a/_data/versions.yml b/_data/versions.yml index 126bcb1bae..4727a9fa74 100644 --- a/_data/versions.yml +++ b/_data/versions.yml @@ -1,8 +1,11 @@ - name: "4.8" - flavor: "dev5" - release_date: "10 September 2026" - release_notes: "/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5/" + flavor: "dev6" + release_date: "15 September 2026" + release_notes: "/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/" releases: + - name: "dev5" + release_date: "10 September 2026" + release_notes: "/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5/" - name: "dev4" release_date: "26 August 2026" release_notes: "/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-4/" diff --git a/collections/_article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5.md b/collections/_article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5.md index f1ca80e63b..d9075a72b4 100644 --- a/collections/_article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5.md +++ b/collections/_article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5.md @@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ Please consider [supporting the project financially](#support), if you are able. In case you missed them, see the [4.8 dev 1](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-1/), [4.8 dev 2](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-2/), [4.8 dev 3](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-3/), and [4.8 dev 4](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-4/) release notes for an overview of some key features which were already in those snapshots, and are therefore still available for testing in 4.8 dev 5. -## Rendering: Mip-level texture streaming +### Rendering: Mip-level texture streaming In the context of an engine such as Godot, "texture streaming" refers to the ability to dynamically load and unload images based on a camera's relative position. Such a system would allow games to handle significantly more visible textures at any given point in time, which is why such a feature was one of the community's most desired. Unfortunately, like most highly-desired features, it's much easier said than done, and the "best" implementation direction isn't exactly set in stone. @@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Once enabled, textures can be imported as streamed textures, utilizing the new t The new texture import type shown off in the Import dock -## Import: Allow preserving alpha test coverage +### Import: Allow preserving alpha test coverage Speaking of mipmaps: an existing issue in the engine was actually *caused* by their use, albeit indirectly. Certain material shaders, such as alpha scissor, would look pretty rough at long distances; this was a direct result of mipmap levels causing them to overfilter and dissolve away. While technical workarounds do exist, such as using a texture format with built-in alpha coverage like `.dds`, it's still too much of a technical hurdle for what should be straightforward. @@ -47,12 +47,12 @@ Speaking of mipmaps: an existing issue in the engine was actually *caused* by th -## Editor: Clean and simplify 2D toolbar +### Editor: Clean and simplify 2D toolbar [Jayden Sipe](https://github.com/jaydensipe) rounds out our highlights this time with [GH-121080](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/121080), bringing the editor's 2D toolbar a well-earned makeover. Being the same mind behind the overhaul of our [game view toolbar](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-1/#editor-docked-game-view-by-default-simplify-toolbar), these changes increase parity between the docks with a consistent vision and design philosophy. Once again, an emphasis on usability and clarity was absolutely crucial. -| Before | After | -| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | +| Before | After | +| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | ### And more! diff --git a/collections/_article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6.md b/collections/_article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..ab921af718 --- /dev/null +++ b/collections/_article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6.md @@ -0,0 +1,95 @@ +--- +title: "Dev snapshot: Godot 4.8 dev 6" +excerpt: Hotfix for macOS and Android +categories: [pre-release] +author: Thaddeus Crews +image: /storage/blog/covers/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6.jpg +image_caption_title: Acceptable Losses +image_caption_description: A game by Zann Archive +date: 2026-09-15 20:00:00 +--- + +"Another development snapshot already? Didn't they [just release one last Friday](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5/)?" + +Indeed, this is much sooner than usual. Even when taking into consideration how development snapshots become more frequent at their tail-end in preparation of feature freeze, less than a week means that exceptional circumstances were at play. Specifically: our previous development snapshot had multiple startup crash reports on macOS and failed to upload to the Google Play Store, which have both been rectified by [GH-123439](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/issues/123439) and [GH-123474](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/issues/123474) respectively. + +Shockingly, that doesn't mean that's all there is to see in this blogpost. While this'll be a lighter showcase than usual, we still have some new goodies we're excited to showcase! + +Please consider [supporting the project financially](#support), if you are able. Godot is maintained by the efforts of volunteers and a small team of paid contributors. Your donations go towards sponsoring their work and ensuring they can dedicate their undivided attention to the needs of the project. + +[Jump to the **Downloads** section](#downloads), and give it a spin right now, or continue reading to learn more about improvements in this release. You can also try the [**Web editor**](https://editor.godotengine.org/releases/4.8.dev6/), the [**XR editor**](https://www.meta.com/s/3yJ7i8kop), or the [**Android editor**](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.godotengine.editor.v4) for this release. If you are interested in the latter, please request to join [our testing group](https://groups.google.com/g/godot-testers) to get access to pre-release builds. + +--- + +*The cover illustration is from* [**Acceptable Losses**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3884200/Acceptable_Losses/?curator_clanid=41324400), *a command and management game set in WWI, where you lead your squads through a short, but brutal, 20 day campaign. You can buy the game or try the demo for free on [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3884200/Acceptable_Losses/?curator_clanid=41324400), and follow the developers on [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/jeffauger.bsky.social) and [Discord](https://discord.gg/yDMVs46E82).* + +## Highlights + +In case you missed them, see the [4.8 dev 1](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-1/), [4.8 dev 2](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-2/), [4.8 dev 3](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-3/), [4.8 dev 4](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-4/), and [4.8 dev 5](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5/) release notes for an overview of some key features which were already in those snapshots, and are therefore still available for testing in 4.8 dev 6. + +### Rendering: Add screen-space contact shadows for directional lights + +The past few rendering highlights have been very convenient for us to showcase, as they've consistently had concrete examples and presentations that we can pull from in addition to the writeup itself. Screen-space contact shadows for directional lights are no exception, as [Rudolph Bester](https://github.com/Rudolph-B) ended up using [Bend Studios' approach](https://www.bendstudio.com/blog/inside-bend-screen-space-shadows/) in his implementation with [GH-118045](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/118045). + +With these changes, a new option has been added to the environment resource and directional light node to enable screen space contact shadows (SSCS). It creates an R8 shadow texture for each directional light in the scene and blends them with existing shadow maps. This results in performant shadows that don't compromise their visual quality. + +| Disabled | Enabled | +| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | +| Showcasing a scene with screen space contact shadows disabled | Showcasing a scene with screen space contact shadows enabled | + +### Editor: Clean and simplify 3D toolbar + +Our third and final entry in [Jayden Sipe](https://github.com/jaydensipe)'s trilogy of [toolbar](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-1/#editor-docked-game-view-by-default-simplify-toolbar) [overhauls](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5/#editor-clean-and-simplify-2d-toolbar) arrived at last with [GH-121065](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/121080). Much like the game embed and 2D toolbars before it, the 3D toolbar has been given a fresh coat of paint, emphasizing visual clarity and usability above all else. + +| Before | After | +| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | +| | | + +### And more! + +There are too many exciting changes to list them all here, but here's a curated selection: + +- GDScript: Improve performance for Syntax Highlighting ([GH-123320](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/123320)). +- Input: Add `long_press` property to InputEventScreenTouch ([GH-122865](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/122865)). +- Input: Fix panning & touchpad scrolling on Linux & macOS ([GH-111305](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/111305)). +- Platforms: Android: Minor bug fixes for the Android XR editor ([GH-123474](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/123474)). +- Rendering: Metal: Fix crash on startup ([GH-123439](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/123439)). +- Rendering: Vulkan: Fix swapped swappy_mode cases in swap chain resize ([GH-123300](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/123300)). +- Thirdparty: SDL: Update to 3.4.16 ([GH-120373](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/120373)). +- XR: Implement multi-layer projection camera ([GH-116424](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/116424)). + +## Changelog + +**28 contributors** submitted **56 fixes** for this release. See our [**interactive changelog**](https://godotengine.github.io/godot-interactive-changelog/#4.8-dev6) for the complete list of changes since [4.8 dev 5](/article/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-5/). You can also review [all changes included in 4.8](https://godotengine.github.io/godot-interactive-changelog/#4.8) compared to the previous [4.7 feature release](/releases/4.7/). + +This release is built from commit [`8898c2b3d`](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/commit/8898c2b3db32adf6f92c694ffb6dac19af672e5f). + +## Downloads + +{% include articles/download_card.html version="4.8" release="dev6" article=page %} + +**Standard build** includes support for GDScript and GDExtension. + +**.NET build** (marked as `mono`) includes support for C#, as well as GDScript and GDExtension. + +{% include articles/prerelease_notice.html %} + +## Known issues + +With every release we accept that there are going to be various issues, which have already been reported but haven't been fixed yet. See the GitHub issue tracker for a complete list of [known bugs](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3Abug). + +- OpenXR Spatial Container integration had a regression starting with [GH-116424](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/116424); investigation into a solution is ongoing. + +## Bug reports + +As a tester, we encourage you to [open bug reports](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/issues) if you experience issues with this release. Please check the [existing issues on GitHub](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/issues) first, using the search function with relevant keywords, to ensure that the bug you experience is not already known. + +In particular, any change that would cause a regression in your projects is very important to report (e.g. if something that worked fine in previous 4.x releases, but no longer works in this snapshot). + +## Support + +Godot is a non-profit, open-source game engine developed by hundreds of contributors in their free time, as well as a handful of part and full-time developers hired thanks to [generous donations from the Godot community](https://fund.godotengine.org/). A big thank you to everyone who has contributed [their time](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/blob/master/AUTHORS.md) or [their financial support](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/blob/master/DONORS.md) to the project! + +If you'd like to support the project financially and help us secure our future hires, you can do so using the [Godot Development Fund](https://fund.godotengine.org/) platform managed by the [Godot Foundation](https://godot.foundation/). There are also several [alternative ways to donate](/donate) which you may find more suitable. + +Donate now diff --git a/storage/blog/covers/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6.jpg b/storage/blog/covers/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..b4e59af35a Binary files /dev/null and b/storage/blog/covers/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6.jpg differ diff --git a/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/3d-toolbar-new.webm b/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/3d-toolbar-new.webm new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..215bb2dbcf Binary files /dev/null and b/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/3d-toolbar-new.webm differ diff --git a/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/3d-toolbar-old.webm b/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/3d-toolbar-old.webm new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..e0c1095261 Binary files /dev/null and b/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/3d-toolbar-old.webm differ diff --git a/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/screen-space-contact-shadows-off.webp b/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/screen-space-contact-shadows-off.webp new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..50b96190e9 Binary files /dev/null and b/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/screen-space-contact-shadows-off.webp differ diff --git a/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/screen-space-contact-shadows-on.webp b/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/screen-space-contact-shadows-on.webp new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..812f8a6f2d Binary files /dev/null and b/storage/blog/dev-snapshot-godot-4-8-dev-6/screen-space-contact-shadows-on.webp differ