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Author Topic: New graphical improvements (build 116)  (Read 2800 times)

park

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New graphical improvements (build 116)
« on: November 18, 2006, 01:39:05 am »

I think that they make selections much clearer and easier to understand. I didnt like the tiles at first, but they have grown on me. The subtle gradient from white to grey keeps it low key.

Things do feel a bit clunky though. A bit "XP". I kind of liked the subtlety of the design before. The worst example of this is multiply selecting files in the detailed list view. I liked it when multiple selections blended together. Now it looks very "outlook" like.
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glynor

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2006, 02:02:35 am »

I too miss the gridlines and the multiple-file selection thing is a bit much.

The new "3D" effect on the mouseover is nice though.  I did notice that (other than gridlines) you can apparently disable the new effects in the skin, as my old SolidNoire modified skin doesn't show the new effects.
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lalittle

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2006, 02:12:07 am »

I too miss the gridlines and the multiple-file selection thing is a bit much.

I thought that the lack of gridlines was a bug in this version -- is this not the case?  Is there a way to get them back -- i.e. some setting that I'm missing?  I have "Show Gridlines" checked in the options, but they're not showing up in this build.

I need gridlines -- it's just too difficult to view long lists without them, and I prefer the "list" views, so this really effects me.

Thanks,

Lary
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marko

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2006, 04:01:02 am »

I really can't make my mind up right now...

I *think* I might be able to live without gridlines. First impression is that the mouse over indicator, coupled with the small images to break a list into albums, might be enough... more time is needed....

There's a bug in there now because we can't drag a selection any more.

That bright blue is definately way too much for me. I tried using some black and grey...


I'm not a professional when it comes to digital images, so this is not perfect, but I think it's better than bright blue?

lalittle

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2006, 04:31:04 am »

I *think* I might be able to live without gridlines.

Not me -- I vastly prefer gridlines.  There's a reason gridlines are typically used for long lists containing numerous columns and rows -- they make it easier for the eye/brain to process accurately.  I respect that some people might not like them and should therefore have the OPTION to turn them off, but I don't see why those of us who DO like gridlines should have to be deprived of them completely.

Larry
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AoXoMoXoA

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2006, 07:46:04 am »

I too miss the grid-lines

am I correct that only the Noir skin is optomized for MC12 and thus the only one to show the visual enhancements or effects?
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KingSparta

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2006, 08:00:04 am »

Quote
I *think* I might be able to live without gridlines.

not me, it would be hard for me to view.
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Matt

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2006, 08:57:13 am »

It wasn't intentional for gridlines (alternating row colors) to go missing.  They'll be back next build.

The change is using images for mouse-over and selection where we used to just use solid colors.  This includes menus, trees, lists, and the options navigator.

The selection color in the Noire skin has always been blue.
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jgreen

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2006, 09:19:43 am »

I don't like the blue selections.  I do like the hover-over effect.  I know blue has always been the selection color, but it was much subtler.  I think if you faded the blue back by 50% vs the grey hover-over you would have something more in the Noire style.

Unfortunately, that still doesn't help the look of multiple selections, which are overly busy by a factor of 10.  I realize the grad is an image file, so this isn't possible, but wouldn't it be cool if a multiple selection were a single, larger gradient?   
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StFeder

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2006, 09:41:41 am »

[...]The worst example of this is multiply selecting files in the detailed list view. I liked it when multiple selections blended together. [...]
I fully agree with park! Something should be done in this point!

I like the bright blue selection color. But I agree with all the other: it doesn't really fit to the noire skin.

One question: where is the mouse hover effect for selected files??
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Matt

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2006, 11:20:01 am »

One question: where is the mouse hover effect for selected files??

I don't think we've ever shown a mouse-over effect for a selected file.  The mouse-over is denoting it's selectable, which is somewhat redundant if it's already selected.
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Matt Ashland, JRiver Media Center

Matt

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2006, 11:21:19 am »

A bit "XP". I kind of liked the subtlety of the design before. The worst example of this is multiply selecting files in the detailed list view.

Windows XP uses solid colors and Vista uses gradients.
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Matt Ashland, JRiver Media Center

StFeder

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2006, 11:50:40 am »

I don't think we've ever shown a mouse-over effect for a selected file.
I think you're right. But it would be nice to have this effect... I thought it would be the right time to ask.

Windows XP uses solid colors and Vista uses gradients.
Looks as if most like the WinXP style better... but Microsoft didn't ask.
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datdude

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #13 on: November 18, 2006, 12:10:13 pm »

I like all the 'intended' changes.

The one thing that has always prevented me from really really liking the noir skin, is it's washed out look which strains my eyes after a few minutes.  Maybe other's monitors are different, I don't know?
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lalittle

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #14 on: November 18, 2006, 06:04:12 pm »

The one thing that has always prevented me from really really liking the noir skin, is it's washed out look which strains my eyes after a few minutes.  Maybe other's monitors are different, I don't know?

I have a similar reaction to the Noire skin -- I find the darker Thunderstorm skin much more "pleasing" to look at for long periods of time.  I also really don't like the lack of a "stop" button in the Noire skin, but even if it had a stop button, I'd still prefer the Thunderstorm skin.

That said, I do like the graphical improvements in the Noire skin (which the Thunderstorm skin apparently does not utilize.)

Larry
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gpvillamil

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #15 on: November 19, 2006, 11:02:54 am »

The multi-file selection thing is a bit much, and messes up with the interface metaphor.

I understand that user-interface components should pretend to be 3D to indicate that they controls: buttons which get pushed, sliders which slide, etc.

Turning a filename into a 3D object when it is selected is just plain... wrong. I much prefer the flat blue highlight.
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StFeder

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #16 on: November 21, 2006, 09:11:19 am »

The one thing that has always prevented me from really really liking the noir skin, is it's washed out look which strains my eyes after a few minutes.  Maybe other's monitors are different, I don't know?

I always was wondering what you (and some others) are talking about. Now I by accident looked at my "skin effect". Now I see, why I never got your point: When I first started MC, I also was wondering about this strange look, this washed out look. But because I liked the new skin, I started to play with skin effects. Here is what I did:

Tools -> Skins -> Skin effects…
Select “Add color (high contrast)”
For me its perfect to set red, green and blue to “95”

Give it a try!
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glynor

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Re: New graphical improvements (build 116)
« Reply #17 on: November 21, 2006, 09:56:23 am »

I call it "muted" instead of washed out and I like it.   ;D
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