After experimenting with the WeakAuras 3D model type in a previous UI (Kait:Auras - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hdQhY... ) I thought I'd try to integrate some eye candy into a proper raiding UI. That meant creating more normal unit frames and using bars for DPS timers etc, so all the sparkly bits had to fit within those constraints and had to indicate practical things.
I realised a while back that WeakAuras could perform all the functions needed to create a Balance power bar, which I was keen to do as all the Balance addons I've come across seemed to lack the level of customisability I wanted. When i got stuck into creating it I discovered that with the easy-to-use multiple conditions in WeakAuras I could make really useful additions like showing how much of the bar represents the final cast of Wrath or Starfire, and have them only show when in the relevant part of the cycle. I also did things with the cast bars so that the spells that affect the position of the balance bar appear to be pushing it in the appropriate direction.
All these techniques involved creating a large number of auras, but when the auras are all grouped together it's still quite manageable. When I began I said to myself I'd stop when it started to affect the performance/framerate of the game, but it never did. I guess WeakAuras is a very well made addon :-) I'm sure all the features I made could be done with less individual auras and more custom lua code, but it wouldn't necessarily make for less work for the author and it would prevent non-coding users from editing a lot of things.
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Track is "Organik Funk (Dillinja Remix)" by Lemon D (thanks for the spot Scott :-)
