Desktop Companion news & patch notes

Hey everyone,

This update introduces new feature called Presets and some small UI / performance adjustments.

Major Addition

• Presets — added a new system that allows users to save multiple companions into a single preset and deploy all included companions with one action. Presets can also be shared through the Workshop.

Changes & Improvements

• Updated the monitor selection interface to improve clarity and usability when configuring display settings.

• Reworked the Hotkeys settings tab. Hotkeys are now organized into categories for easier navigation and management.

• Added dynamic hotkey support for deploying presets directly from the keyboard.

• Optimized companion loading performance in both the Your Companions and Browse tabs.

• Removed padding from the currently selected companion preview to improve layout consistency and preview visibility.

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where deployment of 3D companions was not functioning correctly in certain situations.

Hey everyone,

This update introduces several new features, improvements to multi-monitor support, additional customization options, and various usability improvements across the application.

Major Additions

• 3D Environment Editor — added a new editor for configuring how 3D companions are rendered. Users can customize up to 4 light sources, including color, intensity, and angle, as well as adjust model scale, vertical position, quality settings, shadows, and other rendering options. Settings can be configured globally or individually for each 3D companion.

• Multi Window Mode — added a new rendering mode that uses a separate transparent window for each active monitor. This improves performance and compatibility in multi-monitor setups.

• Hotkeys Support — added keyboard shortcuts for common actions, including showing or hiding companions, deploy and undeploy actions, opening settings, enabling click-through mode, and playing animations.

Added

• Window Glow Effect — added an optional glow effect around application window.

• Screen Wrap — added an option that allows companions moving beyond a screen edge to reappear on the opposite side of the screen.

• GIF Mode — added animated GIF previews for companions in the Your Companions and Workshop Browse tabs. Available modes include Disabled, Hover Only, and Always Visible, with configurable limits for the number of simultaneously animated previews.

• Added the ability to submit Workshop companion ratings directly from the companion preview in the Browse tab.

• Added a context menu for companion tiles in the Your Companions tab, providing quick access to Deploy, Share, and Remove actions.

• Added support for WEBP files.

• Enabled customization tools for all supported 2D companions types.

• Added manual background editing tools, including an Eraser Brush for removing selected areas and a Restore Brush for restoring previously removed regions. Added background color previews to assist with edge cleanup and detail inspection.

Changes & Improvements

• Updated the monitor selection interface to improve clarity and better handle complex monitor configurations.

• Updated text display visuals throughout the application for improved consistency.

• Adjusted the layout and appearance of the Animations tab.

• Added a smooth scrolling option for interface navigation.

• Changed the behavior of the Always On Top setting. It now applies only to deployed companions rather than all application windows.

• After resizing or cropping a 2D companion, the resulting dimensions are now automatically saved as the default size for that companion.

• Replaced confirmation popups in the customization window with toast notifications for completed actions.

• Updated 3D companion hover outlines. Borders are now visible when hovering around the entire model rather than only along the top edge.

Fixes

• Fixed popup notifications appearing on the wrong monitor in multi-display setups.

• Fixed customization tools when using GIF frame-by-frame inspection mode. Changes are now correctly applied to the entire animation.

• Fixed companion movement between monitors with different vertical alignments. Companions now transition smoothly when moving between screens at different heights.

Thank you for your feedback and for using Desktop Companion :)

Hey everyone,

This update introduces a major new feature along with many quality-of-life improvements and fixes. The highlight is a brand new, fully-featured customization window for 2D GIF companions.

Major Addition

• Full Customization Window for 2D GIF Companions - the biggest addition in this update. You can now edit your GIF companions directly in-app with powerful tools including cropping, resizing, advanced background removal, rotation, animation speed control, and color adjustments.

• To access the customization window: When adding a new 2D GIF companion, click the Customize button. For existing companions, go to the Animations panel and click the wand icon in the Idle animation box.

Added

• 3 new primary theme colors

• 3 new secondary theme colors + adjusted existing ones for better UI harmony

• Disappearing border on 3D models for cleaner look and easier interaction

• Companion Tile Size setting - allows you to customize tile sizes in selection panels

• Show Companion Names setting - option to hide companion names in selection panels

• Improved search functionality in the Workshop - now works with partial names and partial matches

• Added missing translations across the application

Changes & Improvements

• Completely redesigned visuals of the Add Companion window

• Smooth scrolling implemented throughout the interface

• Major visual overhaul: sliders, scrolls, buttons, checkboxes and other components now feature smooth animations and a more polished, pleasing appearance

Fixes

• Fixed bug where opening the 3D model settings window would only affect the last model instead of the one you clicked on

• Fixed refresh button in the Your Companions tab that could duplicate Workshop companions when spammed

• Fixed 3D models border color resetting after app launch

Enjoy the new customization tools and the overall smoother experience! As always, feel free to share your feedback.

Hey everyone,

This update brings important fixes and improvements focused on Workshop usability. The goal was to make browsing, subscribing, and managing companions much smoother and more reliable.

Added

• Improved Workshop interface clarity with a cleaner user interface.

• Enhanced subscription management – subscribing and unsubscribing from Workshop companions is now more intuitive and responsive.

• Side panel with workshop item display instead of a popup window

Changes / Fixes

• Fixed a major issue preventing 3D models from displaying correctly in Desktop Companion.

• pagination issues in the Workshop browser to ensure pages load and update properly.

• Refined Workshop interactions for a smoother and more reliable browsing experience.

Hey everyone,

Some updates were made to improve stability, consistency, and overall usability of Desktop Companion. This version focuses on making the experience smoother and more responsive, especially when dealing with high-quality companions.

Added

• Added visual loading indicators to provide better feedback when opening large files.

• Implemented a new preview system in settings for much faster and smoother companion browsing.

• Added refresh button to Your Companions tab

Changes / Fixes

• Massively improved performance – the interface no longer freezes when loading large or high-resolution companions.

• Fixed animation flickering – switching between different companion states is now completely seamless.

• Enhanced system stability – fixed various crashes that occurred when clearing or switching between multiple companions.

• Polished UI and interactions – cleaned up hover effects and menu behaviors for a more streamlined feel.

Hey everyone,

Some updates were made to improve stability, consistency, and overall usability of the Desktop Companion.

Added

• Enabled setting negative taskbar height values for better customization and positioning flexibility.

Changes / Fixes

• Fixed Workshop uploading – Companions should now upload properly with a much higher likelihood of being accepted.

• Removed the Save button from Default Physics settings – changes now apply instantly when modified.

• Fixed issues when adding Companions to favorites.

• Corrected naming inconsistencies across the interface and settings.

Hey everyone,

Some small changes were made to the Desktop Companion to enchance performance a little bit and overall user experience.

Added

• Dynamic Sizing for 2D animations - companion sizes change automatically based on the animation gif size

• Companion Authors are now visible in the Browse tab, you can now check who uploaded the companion to the Workshop. It is also displayed in the details view under selected companion.

Changes / Fixes

• Caching Your Companions so that it doesnt load everytime you open the tab

• Removed Save and Restet buttons from Global Physics settings now they apply after changing the value

• Small UI changes for buttons

• adding to favorites should display the heart icon properly in Your Companions tab

Hey everyone,

The new update of Desktop Companion brings achievements into the app!

Achievements

There are now 18 achievements available for you to collect, with more to come in following updates. Some of them are hidden on purpose to surprise you when you get them. Tinker around in the companion's settings and try to unlock some of them!

Bug fixes

• Starting with the system startup should now cause the application to launch correctly

• Opening the settings window from right clicking companions and from the tray icon was crashing the application - it is fixed now

Desktop Companion - Version 1.1

Hey everyone,

With the new update for Desktop Companion you are now able to add as many companions to your screen as you want, each one with its own animations and physics!

Changes in deploying Companions

In the new update I've changed the way Companions are displayed. Previously you would click the Companion and it would automatically swap it with the newly selected one, now it sets it as selected and then you need to press the "Deploy" button below the companion preview image, for it to appear on your screen.

Deployed Companions Tab

Newly added Deployed tab displays every companion that is currently somewhere on your screen. From this tab you can remove companions through clicking the "x" button after hovering over the companions entry, or you can remove all by pressing "Clear all". In this tab you can also select companions in the same way you do in "Your Companions" tab.

Applying Changes to companions

If you have multiple of the same companions deployed, changes made to it will apply to every single one of them.

Thank you for using Desktop Companion!