Implement PreviewBody3D node for lightweight object previews#181
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Implement PreviewBody3D node for lightweight object previews#181
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Co-authored-by: krazyjakee <623463+krazyjakee@users.noreply.github.com>
…ntation Co-authored-by: krazyjakee <623463+krazyjakee@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: krazyjakee <623463+krazyjakee@users.noreply.github.com>
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[WIP] PreviewBody3D
Implement PreviewBody3D node for lightweight object previews
Sep 29, 2025
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This PR introduces a new
PreviewBody3Dnode that generates lightweight, non-interactive visual representations of existingStaticBody3DorRigidBody3Dobjects. This addresses the need for placement preview systems in level editors and in-game building mechanics.Overview
The
PreviewBody3Dnode automatically inherits meshes from a source body and provides customizable visual effects like transparency, color tinting, and wireframe display. It's designed to solve the common problem of manually duplicating and configuring preview objects for placement systems.Key Features
Automatic Mesh Discovery: Recursively finds and copies all
MeshInstance3Dnodes from the source body, maintaining their relative transforms and hierarchy.Flexible Collision Modes:
Visual Customization:
Performance Optimized: Preview meshes have physics simulation, shadows, and global illumination disabled for lightweight rendering.
Usage Example
Implementation Details
The node follows established Nodot patterns:
Node3Dwith proper@exportproperties for editor integrationStandardMaterial3Dfor consistent material handlingQuality Assurance
gdformatand syntax-validated withgdparseThis implementation eliminates the need for manual duplication of mesh/collider nodes and provides guaranteed visual consistency with source objects, making it ideal for placement systems, building mechanics, and interactive visualization tools.
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