In the new-filetype version, there will be a default style with objects that are used if a given style does not provide any object sprites of this kind itself. In this thread I want to discuss what sprite and animation to use as the default for one-way arrows. Note that this issue is completely independant of any custom designs, like the ones found in the Fire style or many of namida's LemPlus styles.
Currently the default one-way arrows are the ones found in the Pillar or Marble style, which wobble around like this:
These arrows look nice if they are used on large areas, but have problems if placed next to each other or when used in very small areas.
Therefore I propose to change the default one-way arrow to one moving continuously and slowly in one direction:
It's not (yet) as smooth as if could be, but it doesn't constantly catch the player's attention by a too wild movement while still being animated and signalling some special area.
I also experimented with some SEGA-style arrows:
They look a lot nicer than the bland arrows above, but have disadvantages: The movement is still too fast for my taste.
And more importantly, they cannot be recolored automatically to adapt to a given style. The uniform color of the arrows above changes depending on the color theme used by the primary style of the level, while these arrows always keep their reddish hue.According to namida, they may change their color depending on the color theme of the primary style used in the level (in the same way that the sprites above are able to). I just have to use different shades of gray instead of pure white in the sprite. I will have to experiment, whether this automatic recoloring produced good results and will post them here, once I finish my experiments.
I have created them by hand (not automatic recoloring!) in two more colors:
My suggestion would be to add all three SEGA-type arrows to the SEGA style, rather than to the default style.
I realize that none of the arrows above is perfect yet, so would like to hear about your preferences, ideas and wishes.