Transmission from RustForge 🎙️
The next evolution of RustForge is here, and I’m inviting you to help shape it! Today, I am officially launching the Steam Beta Branch. This branch serves as a testing ground for experimental features, starting with a total overhaul of how the Crayon Eater mode handles brush movement, a brand new screen space math equation to handle widescreen resolutions and aspect ratios, as well as High Windows DPI Scaling values, a new window that lets you know when RustForge detects a widescreen, or high dpi scaled display and adjusts RustForge's internal screen space math to align with your screen coordinates with a notice and explanation on a fix if you still get tearing or unpainted specks. Because we’ve rewritten the math for how the mouse moves across Widescreen and High-DPI displays, I need your help testing these changes across as many different monitor setups as possible!
🛠️ How to Join the Beta:
Right-click RustForge Sign Painter in your Steam Library.
Select Properties > Game Versions & Betas.
Choose the Beta Branch, it will then update the app to the Beta build.
Beta Highlights
Crayon Logic v2 (The "Grit" Update)
Textured Strokes: Rewritten the engine to include non-linear point sampling and high-frequency jitter.
The "Wax Skip": Randomized micro-lifts now simulate the crayon catching on the "tooth" of the canvas, eliminating the "solid bar" look.
Pressure Variance: Micro-delays now simulate inconsistent hand pressure for a truly "hand-drawn" aesthetic.
Precision Screen Space Math
Widescreen & Multi-Monitor Fix: Reworked screen space equations using precision math to natively support 21:9, 32:9, and non-standard aspect ratios.
DPI Scaling Protection: I’ve implemented a new "Detection" system. RustForge now compares Physical vs. Logical resolution to identify Windows DPI scaling (125%, 150%, etc.).
Smart Scaling Notice: A new window will now inform you if DPI scaling is detected. This fixes most issues and it will explain how RustForge is adjusting its math to match your absolute screen metrics and provide instructions on how to override Windows scaling if you still see "pixel drifting."
Stability & UI Fixes
Image Loading Overhaul: Fixed the notorious "Missing Parameter" error. All image formats should now load into RustForge without issue.
UI Modernization: A complete refresh of the Help and Info windows with a cleaner, high-contrast layout for better readability.
Mouse Sync: Refined the Input Stability Buffer to handle the high-frequency clicking required for the new Crayon textures.
What we need to know:
Widescreen Users: Are your strokes perfectly aligned, or are you seeing "ghost lines"?
High-DPI Users: Does the new scaling detection properly align the canvas selection with your mouse?
Crayon Feel: Is the "Grit" too aggressive, or does it finally feel like a real crayon?
Performance: Does the new high-precision math impact your FPS during "Turbo" speed?
Fixes & Quality of Life
Settings Persistence: Your settings and Adaptive Palettes will carry over to the Beta branch seamlessly.
Optimization: Moved screen metric calculations to a cached state to reduce CPU overhead during high-speed painting.
Known Issues
DPI Override:
THIS IS ONLY IF THE NEW SCREEN SPACE DETECTION DOES NOT FIX YOUR UNPAINTED SPECKS OR TEARING ISSUE
For the absolute best results on scaled displays, we still recommend setting Windows Scaling to 100%. If that isn't an option, use the "Override High DPI Scaling" option in the RustForge.exe properties.