Studio — Visual IDE

Desktop and browser-based visual development environment for HoloScript. Drag-and-drop scene building, real-time preview, and multi-platform export.

Overview

HoloScript Studio is a visual IDE for creating 3D worlds without writing code. Exports to any HoloScript format (.holo, .hsplus, .hs) or directly to target platforms (Unity, Godot, WebGPU, etc.).

Installation

Desktop (Electron)

# macOS / Windows / Linux
brew install holoscript-studio
# or download from https://studio.holoscript.dev

# Launch
open -a HoloScriptStudio

Browser

https://studio.holoscript.dev/  # No installation needed

Quick Start

Create New Project

1. Open Studio → File → New Project
2. Select template → Empty, Game, Marketplace
3. Set target platform → WebGPU, Godot, Unity, VRChat, etc.
4. Start building

The Workspace

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Menu Bar       File  Edit  View  Help    │
├──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────┐│
│ │ Assets │ │   Viewport   │ │Properties││
│ │        │ │  (3D Preview)│ │          ││
│ │ panel  │ │              │ │ panel    ││
│ └────────┘ └──────────────┘ └──────────┘│
│ ┌──────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Hierarchy / Timeline                  │ │
│ └──────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└──────────────────────────────────────────┘

Building Scenes

Add Objects

1. Click Add button → Choose shape
2. Drag into viewport
3. Position with mouse or properties panel

Shapes Available:
- Primitives: Cube, Sphere, Cylinder, Cone, Plane
- 3D Models: Humanoid, Robot, Vehicle, Building
- VR Objects: Grabbable cube, UI panel, trigger zone
- Advanced: Custom mesh, imported model

Applying Traits

Select object → Click Traits panel → Add:

Common Traits:
✓ @grabbable    (Make interactive)
✓ @physics      (Add physics simulation)
✓ @animated     (Allow animations)
✓ @networked    (Multiplayer sync)
✓ @audio        (Sound effects)

Setting Properties

Transform

• Position (X, Y, Z)
• Rotation (Yaw, Pitch, Roll)
• Scale (X, Y, Z)

Appearance

• Geometry: cube, sphere, etc.
• Material: Color, Emission, Metallic, Roughness
• Texture: Upload image or select preset

Physics (if @physics trait)

• Mass: 0-1000 kg
• Restitution: 0-1 (bounciness)
• Friction: 0-1 (grip)

Behavior

• Actions: Define triggers and responses
• Animation: Add keyframe animations
• Audio: Attach sound effects

Scripting

Visual Logic Editor

1. Select object
2. Click Actions tab
3. Add action → Choose trigger (OnGrab, OnCollide, etc.)
4. Add steps → Drag visual nodes to create flow

[OnGrab] → [Play Sound] → [Emit Particles] → [Change Color]

Code Mode

Switch to code editing:

composition "Game" {
  template "Player" {
    @grabbable
    @physics

    state { health: 100 }

    action attack(target) {
      target.health -= 20
    }
  }
}

Animation Timeline

Create keyframe animations:

1. Select object
2. Click Timeline → Add Animation
3. Drag timeline scrubber
4. Set keyframes for:
   • Position
   • Rotation
   • Scale
   • Color
   • Opacity
   • Custom properties

Easing options: Linear, Ease-in, Ease-out, Ease-in-out, Custom curve

Real-time Preview

Play Mode

• Play button → Test scene in editor
• Physics simulation runs
• Interactions work (grab, point, etc.)
• Network sync simulated
• Audio plays

VR Preview

• VR Preview button → Test on VR headset
• Use hand controllers for interaction
• See exactly how it feels

Multiplayer Testing

Start Test Server to simulate networking:

Players:
☐ Player 1 (you)
☐ Player 2 (simulated)
☐ Player 3 (simulated)

Sync Rate: 20 Hz
Network Latency: Normal

Asset Management

Import Assets

1. Assets panel → + button
2. Choose file: .glb, .fbx, .gltf, .png, .mp3, .mp4
3. Studio auto-converts to optimal format

Asset Library

Browse pre-made:

• 3D Models: Characters, vehicles, props
• Animations: Walking, running, gestures
• Audio: Sounds, music, voice
• Textures: Materials, patterns, effects

Code Generation

Export to Code

1. File → Export
2. Choose format:
   • .holo — Portable, AI-friendly
   • .hsplus — Full programming
   • .hs — Classic HoloScript

Export to Platform

1. File → Export
2. Choose target:
   • WebGPU, Godot, Unity, Unreal, VRChat
   • iOS, Android, Vision OS, OpenXR

Studio handles all compilation steps automatically.

Collaboration

Share Project

1. File → Share
2. Copy link or send to teammates
3. Others open in browser with:
   • View-only (spectator)
   • Edit (if invited)
   • Admin (if owner)

Real-time Editing

Multiple users can edit simultaneously:

• Each gets different cursor color
• Changes sync in real-time
• Conflict resolution automatic

Version Control

File → Version History

• Automatic saves every 2 minutes
• Restore to any point in time
• Diff view shows changes

Templates

Getting Started Templates

Templates:
- Empty Scene
- First-Person Shooter
- Multiplayer Arena
- Marketplace Showcase
- VRChat World
- Mobile AR Experience
- Godot Game
- Web Experience

Choose template → Start with structured project

Performance Optimization

Check Performance

Tools → Performance Monitor

FPS: 60
Memory: 128 MB / 256 MB (50%)
Draw Calls: 45
Triangles: 125,000

Optimization Tips

1. Reduce polygon count — Use LOD models
2. Batch objects — Combine similar geometry
3. Use InstancedMesh — For repeated objects
4. Remove unused assets — Studio shows what's not used
5. Optimize physics — Mark non-moving objects as static

Keyboard Shortcuts

R       Rotate tool
W       Move tool
S       Scale tool
P       Toggle play/pause
O       Toggle orbit camera
F       Frame selected
Ctrl+S  Save project
Ctrl+Z  Undo
Ctrl+Y  Redo
Delete  Remove selected

Troubleshooting

Scene won't preview

1. Check Console tab for errors
2. Verify all objects have valid geometry
3. Try Tools → Validate Project

Export fails

1. Ensure project is saved
2. Check target platform compatibility
3. Look for missing assets (red indicators)
4. Try Tools → Repair Project

Performance slow

1. Reduce object count
2. Lower quality settings
3. Check Performance Monitor
4. Use LOD Generator for distant objects

See Also

• Core Package — Under-the-hood compilation
• CLI — Command-line export options
• Compilers — Platform-specific export guides