Legacy GM [SOLVED] Draw to surface in STEP event or DRAW event?

[Nathan Laing]

Greetings,

Is it best to draw to a surface in the step event, and then draw that surface to the screen in the draw event?
or
Is it better to draw to a surface in the draw event, and then draw that surface to the screen in the draw event?

Cheers,
Nathan

 

[Simon Gust]

It would be better in the draw event but the difference is so small that you should put it where it is the most convenient.

 

[Guest]

Third, you should try to draw to surfaces in the draw event. This is not always possible, but due to the optimised way in which GameMaker Studio 2 draws to the screen, it is recommended that you keep all draw functions within the draw event (this includes clearing the surface when it is first created).

http://docs2.yoyogames.com/source/_build/3_scripting/4_gml_reference/drawing/surfaces/index.html

 

[Simon Gust]

Actually I'm going to test the speed difference right now, I'll tell you what it's like brb.

 

[Simon Gust]

I tested it drawing 2048 x 2048 draw_points on a surface

step event:
799ms
807ms
805ms

draw event:
801ms
800ms
795ms

code used:

//FUNCTIONS START 
    surface_set_target(surf);
    draw_clear_alpha(0, 0);
    for (var i = 0; i < 2048; i++)
    {
        for (var j = 0; j < 2048; j++)
        {
            draw_point(i, j);
        }
    }
    surface_reset_target();
   
//FUNCTIONS END

 

[Nathan Laing]

Thanks everyone. Simon, love your tests! As you said, it seems there is only a very minor difference. Perhaps depending on the kind of drawing taking place though, even larger differences might become apparent.