Feature Request: Number Tool

[MystWalker]

Feature Request: Number Tool
I really love this game! I've really been impressed with how much the devs have improved the game over time!

I'd like to suggest a new tool to be added to the game to help with solving larger puzzles, or for simple accessibility.
Specifically, I'd like a Number tool to be added similar to what is available in Picross Quest (http://www.flonga.com/play/picross-quest.htm). This tool will help when the player needs to count spaces (basically all the time). I don't know if the numbers need to stay on the board, maybe it would be enough if you could click and drag to get a line of incrementing numbers.

If you think this is a good idea, please leave a comment saying so!

[Tomlab Games]

Hello MystWalker!

Thank for your feedback The link you give is flagged as "potentially malicious" by Steam, so I didn't click on it.

Have you tried the "Preview Filling" feature? When this option is enabled, a counter is diplayed when you drag lines (more info here)

It seems slightly different from what you are requesting, but it might be useful to you

[MystWalker]

Thanks, for the tip! I would not have guessed to try the Preview Filling option.

This is about right. There are a couple things I would change though.
I think it would be good to be able to cancel Preview Filling, so no changes are made. That way a user could quickly count the spaces of a marked group.
Also, you can't use Preview Filling to count spaces that you can't change with a particular action. For example, you can't X-click (default right mouse-button) on a filled space and drag to measure.

Both of these have to do with counting without changing the puzzle, but I think this might be an elegant solution:

1. Add the ability to cancel a previewed move, say by clicking a different mouse button before releasing the first.
   
2. Add the ability to count squares regardless if the move you are attempting is valid. To avoid confusion, only highlight valid moves.

It this way no new tools need be created, valid moves are highlighted, the user can cancel unwanted moves, and space-counting will always be available.

I still suggest you take a look at Picross Quest[www.google.com] (new link). The count numbers are left on each cell which is nice, but I don't think it's necessary. Maybe you'll see some other ideas I didn't!

As always, thanks for your wonderful game!

[Tomlab Games]

Ok, I understand! In the case of Pictopix, the counter was added for the Preview Filling (which works with the Fill, Cross or Mark action). So, it would be a new feature.

Someone else on the discord game has proposed something similar to yours, so perhaps I could mix your suggestions

[tealsummernights]

Just found this while searching to see if something like this already existed. This is definitely the number one feature I miss when going from Picross S2/S3 to this. Maybe you can take a look at how they've implemented counting there for inspiration? It works really well there.

[Tomlab Games]

Hi tealsummernights!

One day, I'll improve this feature. I'm playing various picross games like the ones on Switch and there are some interesting ideas

[okcomputing]

Feel like a bit of a grump asking for more in an already feature packed game, but nonetheless I wanted to give this a +1. Would love to see a ruler tool (separate from the preview fill, since you can't really count from a space that's already filled or crossed out with that.

Perhaps you'd like hold shown shift or ctrl and it starts counting from the square you're hovering over, and then displays the distance from that point as you mouse over squares along its associated column/row.

Maybe something for a sequel if there (hopefully!) is one?