INTERACT FORUM
Windows => Third Party Plug-ins, Programs, and Skins => Topic started by: Beatnik62 on May 01, 2006, 09:22:41 am
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That's what I'am currently working on. I'am not realy happy with the name, maybe it will change. Until the end of this week you will find a Link here to download the skin and test it by yourself.
Any comment is welcome. What do you think, is it worth to release ?
-- Edit by Beatnik (4.5.2006) --
Based on your comments, suggestions and wishes I made some changes on this skin. Please have a try and have some fun.
@JRiver
I need some help. There is a issue with the Main Window control button : For example, when the mouse pointer touched the close button he change his shape into the resize shape, but when I click on the close button MC will shutdown. The function is right, the mouse pointer shape is wrong. Do I have any prospect to fix it by myself ?
-- Edit by Beatnik (7.5.2006) --
I've made some small fixes and changes on the tree section. A different Tree selection bar, background color for the tree section. Added slider bitmaps for the EQ and Thumbnail resize slider.
[ old version removed ]
-- Edit by Beatnik (30.5.2006) --
The changes are :
- Redesign of the Action Window
- different button style
- redesign of the option dialog window frame and style
- again changes of coloring
The problem with the main window control buttons is still there. It seems I couldn't solve it within the skin, so I will redesign this area too.
[ old version removed ]
-- Edit by Beatnik (10.6.2006) --
So, now I think this could be the final version of Backlight. ;D
The changes are :
- Redesign of the main window control buttons
- Redesign of the scrollbars
- again changes of coloring
- Redesign of the thumbnail / DSP equalizer sliders
(http://www.geocities.com/c_steudte/MC/Preview_5_small.jpg)
Click here to zoom >> ::: Zoom ::: (http://www.geocities.com/c_steudte/MC/Preview_5.jpg)<<
Click here to download >> ::: Download ::: (http://www.geocities.com/c_steudte/MC/Backlight_RC.zip)<<
Have some fun with my artwork.
Beatnik
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I like the header and colours too much, very original!!
Itīs not possible to make all menus and buttons like the header?, like that:
(http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/5215/plantilla5qc.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
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I like the header and colours too much, very original!!
Itīs not possible to make all menus and buttons like the header?, like that:
(http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/5215/plantilla5qc.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Very nice! I look forward to seeing it live
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Awesome, If you could make the whole thing look like the header, and trim that up to be like the size of the aruba skin for maximum browsing space, I am sold forever!
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I like :)
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I like it :) please release a beta ! ;D
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well....
I quite like the look of this:
(http://www.theganghut.co.uk/pics/ia/like.jpg)
but really don't like the look of this: (it seems to be way too 'chunky' for my liking.)
(http://www.theganghut.co.uk/pics/ia/dislike.jpg)
imo, the menu bar should be as skinny as is absolutely possible.
the colour scheme appears to be pretty pleasing. I would like to give this one a spin, just out of curiosity, but I think the chunky menu bar could turn me away. if you release it, I will let you know for sure :)
-marko.
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My vote for Marko post
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well....
I quite like the look of this:
[...]
but really don't like the look of this: (it seems to be way too 'chunky' for my liking.)
[...]
imo, the menu bar should be as skinny as is absolutely possible.
[...]
-marko.
my vote for marko, too!
Absolutly excellent skin!!!
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Lots of promise...I agree with the others, stick with that "digital screen" look wherever possible.
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Thanks for all your input. I will try to met your taste. In the first topic you will find the latest version of this skin. Try it and I hope you will be amazed.
@ferent
In the next build I will try to create the requested alternative ActionWindow control button and a different Tree Selector Bar.
@Marko
I hope the topbar is now slim enough and your will be happy with the rest of the skin.
@datdude
I have tried do give the user the maximum of browsing space, please try the skin and have a look on it.
Thanks again for all your comments.
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@ferent
In the next build I will try to create the requested alternative ActionWindow control button and a different Tree Selector Bar.
I would like to see the new buttom in all the skin, not only in the action window... Itīs possible?
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@fernet
.... hm .... possible .... I think it must be, but it's a lot of work. In the meantime you may have a try with the current version of Backlight. ;)
Beatnik
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Good job, excellent skin!!
I note two things:
1š In the previus version the progress bar has lines I like:
(http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/3393/aa9jn1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
2š The thumbnail slider bar for resizing isnīt
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The trimming is perfect! ;D
Colors.
In my opinion, the background color of the library and list views should be darkened to what it would look like if all files or tiles were highlighted. To me the contrast is much better (less strain) and matches the header perfectly.
The search box could be rounded like the rest of the trim is.
The volume and position bars in the header could be a bit brighter.
Great job btw, I am close to switching from Aruba.
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The trimming is perfect! ;D
Colors.
In my opinion, the background color of the library and list views should be darkened to what it would look like if all files or tiles were highlighted. To me the contrast is much better (less strain) and matches the header perfectly.
The search box could be rounded like the rest of the trim is.
The volume and position bars in the header could be a bit brighter.
Great job btw, I am close to switching from Aruba.
My vote for that!!
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The only glaring fix is the thumbnail slider bar, yet I almost prefer it hidden for some reason.
Think of your skin as an awesome start, that will only get better just like MC, which will forever be in beta ;D
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The right side of the volume scaler is hidden. Click the mouse slightly in font of it and you will see what I mean.
I see what is going on, it is still a slider on the volume bar, but Beatnik disguised it!
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Looks really nice in use. Good color scheme.
The font used for the Media Center logo (in the upper left corner) is kind of frumpy though. It's just such a techy looking skin and then that dull font...they don't match.
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The only glaring fix is the thumbnail slider bar, yet I almost prefer it hidden for some reason.
Think of your skin as an awesome start, that will only get better just like MC, which will forever be in beta ;D
Oops, I forgot to include they into this build. The next version will be, hopefully, complete. But that's the porperty of a pre-beta, you know. ;)
Thanks for beta testing my skin.
Beatnik
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Are the MC icon and text really needed? Aruba does not have a logo. Less can sometimes be more.
(http://kotisivu.mtv3.fi/alexb/pix/backlighttop.png)
How about something like this? Perhaps make a clearly visible gradient from grey to black on the topmost part. (This mockup has lost the cradient completely)
EDIT
I forgot to add that it seems to be a very nice skin. Thanks!
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My mates got a really expensive all in one remote control
which lights up when you pick it up. This one reminds me of that!
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Are the MC icon and text really needed? Aruba does not have a logo. Less can sometimes be more.
(http://kotisivu.mtv3.fi/alexb/pix/backlighttop.png)
How about something like this? Perhaps make a clearly visible gradient from grey to black on the topmost part. (This mockup has lost the cradient completely)
EDIT
I forgot to add that it seems to be a very nice skin. Thanks!
It's too bad we can't get rid of the menu bar altogether (or can we?). The player bar on this skin looks so good, the black bar just detracts from it, IMO.
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Looks good... The Tree is kinda hard to read though.
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Looks good.
I agree with the comments about making the rest (Action Window, etc) match the style and colours of the player bar - that part looks awesome.
No need for the AW to stand out that much. Anyone advanced enough to download a new skin will know that the AW is there and meant to be there.
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The skin has got a update / improvement. Please feel free for a test.
Beatnik
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nice work there. you got me for another while. this afternoon I switched away from the first release back to opus mc because the tree was just too hard to read.
this release is so much better in that respect. I'm still not sure about the MC brand in the top left corner, though it is 10x better than the first release, and is quite bearable as it is.
I'll need to use it some more before offering more feedback, but my first impression is that action window still looks 'out of place' somehow, I'm just not sure why yet. If I can formulate some constructive words in that area, I'll post back, until then though, I will enjoy testing this version for you.
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Really good job!!
I donīt know itīs possible, but I think the skin would be pretty whitout the black bars:
(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3852/aaq2qu.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
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Very nice skin ! :o :D
Thanks very much Beatnik62.
Note : the link "Contact Author" is unavailable in the Skin Manager (I know, it's a beta... ::))
Note 2 : Negative skin effect looks good.
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Very nice skin, thanks!
Hope you can work out why the mouse pointer acts oddly when over the min/max/close buttons.
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nice skin.
at first glance, it's not that much different than any of the other skins out there. on closer inspection, you did a great job blending the colors and the parts where there are 3d effects are very well done also. there are a lot of subtle things about this skin that make it very fresh and interesting!
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First of all I would like to thank you all for the input and remarks / commentary. Great, it seems that there is some interrest on my artwork. That's a good feeling. As you maybe already recognised, I've uploaded a update of my skin "Backlight" in the first topic of this thread. Please feel free to test and use it.
Beatnik
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Wow!!!!!! I like all!! I like the alerts, I like the new buttons...
Consider redesign the scrollbars, I think you havenīt got too much quality.
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Very pretty, beautiful! Thank you very much Beatnik62. :D
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Just want to announce, there is a new version of Backlight in the first topic available. Try it and enjoy your MC ...
Beatnik
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I think is perfect for me. You've done a great job. Thanks!!
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Love the new buttons =)
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Beatnik,
Your work on "the skin scene" is very nice. I quite like the top of this skin!
However, it would be nice if the background color of the sidebar could be changed to match the background color of the main window. Can one do this easily? Fx by editing the main.xml?
Thanks,
Rasmus
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Beatnik, this is a great looking skin and has been my default since I noticed it was available. Super job!
I did notice a minor bug I thought you would want to know about. When burning a CD, next to the check box, the words "Close disc" are very difficult to see.
Action Window->Burn CD or DVD->dialog box
Hope this is helpful. Thanks for your great work.
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Beatnik, this is a great looking skin and has been my default since I noticed it was available. Super job!
I did notice a minor bug I thought you would want to know about. When burning a CD, next to the check box, the words "Close disc" are very difficult to see.
Action Window->Burn CD or DVD->dialog box
Hope this is helpful. Thanks for your great work.
Hi BullishDad,
it make me happy that you find my skin Backlight useful. It's very time consuming to create a skin for such a program like MC. There are dependencies in coloring and some picture parts are used twice. Comments like yours give me the felling that I don't waste my time by playing around in Photoshop. However I've tried to fix the bug you've found. Please try this one and if you find something else or is not working well, let me know. Than I'll try to fix it ... if possible :)
Click here to download the fix >> ::: Download ::: (http://www.geocities.com/c_steudte/MC/Backlight_fix.zip)<<
Btw.: The skin is not completely MC 12 compatible. I will work on that when I get access to the Beta Forum again to pickup the current version of MC 12.
Beatnik
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Beatnik, the fix worked perfectly. :)
Thanks for your quick response. I can tell you take pride in your work and it shows. One of the reasons I enjoy MC so much is because of the great skins and plug-ins that enhance the product and how people can communicate thru the forums.
Your other skins are excellent too. It took me a while to decide among them. Thanks again.
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This skin is my new default!!! It's great on MC12. I run all my skins using grayscale, and it look even better that way. The only thing I wish is that it was a little "lighter" on grayscale; maybe the volume slider and song progression slider could be whiter. As it is now (using grayscale) they are barely visible.