Hi
I've been promising to start to work on the standard skins for some time now.
I have made up a few buttons just to get some ideas going. I'll keep on updating the first post by adding new button ideas as time goes by.
It is very important to get your input as you will be the ones using them. I was thinking of doing 5 different skins (5 colours), so the buttons doesn't have to be the same for all the skins.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/StandardSkinButtonSamples1.jpg)
As you can see, I've played with some fire in the first 3 examples. ;D
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/StandardSkinButtonSamples2.jpg)
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/StandardSkinButtonSamples3.jpg)
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/StandardSkinButtonSamples4.jpg)
Try-outs sedgested by users.
This one by Bzpilot
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Tryout1.jpg)
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Tryout2.jpg)
Really cool buttons!! I really like the fire ones. Would be good to use for a Hot 10 button for the Top 10.
Yeap, I think you had a post about it once. It will look awesome.
Would really be cool if Barry would be able to allow the buttons to be animated gif's. This would look awesome as the background for the Hot 10 button
(http://www1.bestgraph.com/gifs/paysages/flammes/flammes-22.gif)
I have allready asked him for something similar but he says he would need to re-code E-Touch from scratch. It just to much work for 1 or 2 features.
More buttons added. :D
Coffee, they all look great. I prefer red and metal/chrome because it matches my juke, but any of these buttons would do. The flames are cool.
Thanks Bro.
I just added another set.
These are outstanding!
Brad
Wow, these definitely all look great!
Could you show what #3 would look like with the border as in #6 and #18?
Could you show what #18 would look like with the border from #6?
Thanks.
Here you go. ;)
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Tryout1.jpg)
they all look great! would look great if each button had it's own colour, say like the style of 4, 6, or 10 with the colours of 4, 5, 7, 10, 16, 17 & 18 etc...colourful is good! I especially like the texture of 17 & 18...looks cool - very liquid like!
Quote from: coffee on October 22, 2009, 05:42:54 AM
Here you go. ;)
Thanks. T2 and T4 are my favorites. I'm thinking T4 would be a good look for a standard skin.
As for T2 I've got a skin idea. I work part-time as a firemen and have some pretty cool pics I think I can make into some unique page backgrounds. Ahhh.....I see a few late nights in my future!
Thanks again for mocking those up.
Question: On your 2 recent skin releases (RusticCoffee & CoffeeShop) did you change the album display sizes on the main page from what exists on the standard skin? (Why - because it looks like your album covers are more square than what the original standard skin which is at 140x160) Did you not use the null.jpg overlay? (Why - because in doing this it allows for a larger area at the top left of the screen to for a jukebox tag/logo)
Just some questions as I delve into the realm of skin creating.
QuoteAs for T2 I've got a skin idea.
Please create a skin for us. It sounds like you have a good idea. I'll be glad to do a button set for you.
QuoteQuestion: On your 2 recent skin releases (RusticCoffee & CoffeeShop) did you change the album display sizes on the main page from what exists on the standard skin? (Why - because it looks like your album covers are more square than what the original standard skin which is at 140x160) Did you not use the null.jpg overlay? (Why - because in doing this it allows for a larger area at the top left of the screen to for a jukebox tag/logo)
I've created all the images from scratch. I guess I made an error somewhere. Other than that there are no specific reason.
QuoteI'm thinking T4 would be a good look for a standard skin
I take it that is the first vote to use T4 for the standard BnB skin.
Coffee
i agree, i think t4 would look great with the bnb skin! wish i could do skins - i'd love to be able to pull off some of the art you guys do!
Set #4 added.
T4 looks good and might work with the BnB skin.
4 votes for T4 to be used with the BnB skin. I guess I can start with the BnB skin this weekend. Don't forget we need something for the BnR skin as well.
Can I just change the buttons and keep the original background pages in the BnB skin or do you guys think I have to redo them as well?
The buttons look really good, remember you also will need to do arrows :beer
Quote from: coffee on October 22, 2009, 05:00:50 PM
Can I just change the buttons and keep the original background pages in the BnB skin or do you guys think I have to redo them as well?
The color should match great. I just checked by doing some cutting and pasting. The only thing that i might recommend is changing the reflection a little. I see in T4 you have a combination of reflections. As I viewed it in my mockup it might be a little too much. My opinion would be to go with the reflection as seen in T1 and drop the reflection as seen in 4. Might be easier for some people to see if you mocked them up - but to me it seemed like the reflection was a little too much and would fit in better with the current backgrounds if it was cut back a little especially on the album page with so many buttons.
The arrows might look good with a diamond plate effect. As for changing the page backgrounds that's up to you. As I looked at it i thought maybe having the border around the buttons replicated around the A-Z Slider area (and just have a smooth chrome around the slider itself) . It would probably be too much having the border replicated around all the album covers.
As I look at it just the button change is going to do wonders for the standard skin, not to mention making FanArt actually usable too!!!!
You know what they say about opionions ...... :beer
I think t2 or t3 would suit bnr perfectly...
Hi Guys
Thanks for your input. That is what we need on this build. T4 was a quick sample and it has a double reflection. I will post up the new ones later today with some sample album backgrounds and sample arrows. So keep watching this post cause I would like to get your input before starting with the BnB skin this weekend.
QuoteYou know what they say about opionions ......
That is exactly what I need cause my taste is not allways spot-on.
Quote from: leeclark2612 on October 23, 2009, 07:07:41 AM
I think t2 or t3 would suit bnr perfectly...
Thanks for the vote. I was also thinking of using a bit of blue flames on the Top 10 buttons in the BnB skin as you guys proposed. I think it would be cool.
Any other sedgestions are welcome.
Coffee
Hi Guys
The first one T5 is with a reflection and the second T6 is without any reflection. I'm busy with the other stuff like the arrows and background so I will post them shortly.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Tryout2.jpg)
A1 and B1 is samples for the arrows and the album backgrounds.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Tryout3.jpg)
More arrows.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Tryout4.jpg)
The A2 arrow is nice, I was wondering if you could try the blue button with the transparent ring around it like you have in the #1 button in your first post.
Button 4 in stead of T5 or T6 would work with B1 and A4 i think to create a uniformed look.
I'm a fan of T5. A smooth chrome ring around it as Barry suggested wouldn't be bad either.
As for the album background, I personally am a fan of just black. I think the most important thing for me is that the text sticks out more than anything. I also think it makes the album art pop more. It seems when you start to change background colors its hard to get the text to be as vibrant as it should be.
So many good options here!
I think if we can just nail down a good standard to package with E-touch that should be the first step. Then if you want you can just offer some of your other button and/or background options for the standard skin to download after if people are interested in customizing their own jukeboxes a little differently.
Hi Guys
We had one hell of a electric thunderstorm here in Africa last night and the power was out for 3-4 hours. This means I a bit behind with this skin. I was hoping to get this finished today.
I've made the sample to show you the arrow, button and background together.
My vote are for B2. After what Bzpilot said about the background I have to aggree with him. The black background behind the album covers does look better. Another reason is skin size. The more detail the bigger the final skin so using B2 will save space if Barry wants to include this with the E-Touch download.
Eist the button with the transperent border doesn't look nice with the black backgroud but I will maybe post a sample later.
I need your vote on this and if I can go ahead and create the complete BnB skin. I just want to get the first skin off the ground so you can play around with it, then we can tackle the BnR skin and the other ones.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Tryout5.jpg)
Coffee
I definitely like the look of B2. A4 looks good too. If you could show T7 with and without a reflection that would be good (I prefer the vertical reflection over the horizontal one, but these buttons will also look great without a reflection).
I think you've got it nailed down pretty well. See what other opinions may pop up.
Hi Bzpilot
Here are the buttons with and without the reflections. My vote is T9.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Tryout.jpg)
Coffee
I agree T9. The way the button is already it almost has a reflection across the whole thing.
Hi Guys
I went ahead and start to work on this skin and here are a preview. I still not to sure about the Top 10 button but I tought you could point me in the right direction.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Preview1.jpg)
Nice going coffee, can you make the Top 10 blue flames instead of red? I know you said you were thinking of that.
Looking great! Just a couple things.... Possibly increasing the font size on the Playlist button and History button (it looks like it's the same size as the original skin but you might be able to increase it little).
Not sure where you plan on placing the Filter box but in my opinion the best place is right over the "Newly Added" and "Most Played" buttons. I see on other skins it being placed over the albums, when really "Newly Added" is a filter in itself so if there is another filter active you wouldn't be using it and "Most Played" wouldn't be used with a filter active either. Why cover the albums if you don't have to? - I know it's something small but everytime I put a skin on my jukebox that's one of the first things I do is move the box because it usually obscures the last 2 album names on the page.
Can't wait to see this skin in action!
Quote from: bzpilot on October 25, 2009, 04:15:54 AM
Looking great! Just a couple things.... Possibly increasing the font size on the Playlist button and History button (it looks like it's the same size as the original skin but you might be able to increase it little).
Not sure where you plan on placing the Filter box but in my opinion the best place is right over the "Newly Added" and "Most Played" buttons. I see on other skins it being placed over the albums, when really "Newly Added" is a filter in itself so if there is another filter active you wouldn't be using it and "Most Played" wouldn't be used with a filter active either. Why cover the albums if you don't have to? - I know it's something small but everytime I put a skin on my jukebox that's one of the first things I do is move the box because it usually obscures the last 2 album names on the page.
Can't wait to see this skin in action!
I agree completely about the filter active button. I move it down to cover the most played and newely added buttons also. I really don't like it covering the album pictures/names..
coffee that skin looks great! i'd go with blue flames too, ties
in with the rest of the skin better. good job tho!
Hi Guys
Here are the test skin for you guys to check out if everything is in order. I throw in a few features and I am excited to hear what you think about it. Let 's see who can see it first.
This is still only a test skin.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/preview2.jpg)
Download: 3.5MB
http://www.coinplaysa.com/skins/Black_and_Blue_gif_V5.4_Beta_Final(1024x768).rar
Coffee
Dead link dude?
Sorry, I had a space in there. Try again.
Looking great!!! Love the brushed aluminum text!
Quick work with the "Playlist" and "History" buttons - I think they look alot better with the larger font.
1) I'm sure you know the "Video" button is either missing or has issues
2) I would match the YEAR font to ARTIST and GENRE on the Filter Page.
3) Might want to reduce the size of the font on the QUEUE and TOP 10 to match the other buttons on the album page. If you do that and put TOP 10 all in one line it will show more of the blue flames also- which look great.
4) I would see what it looks like uf you center the option buttons over the volume slider on the Album Page - may look a little better and use up a little more of the screen.
5) It might be a good time to look at redoing the the animated .gifs associated with the charts - New, Up, Down and Straight arrows. Their quality compared to the rest of the skin is not on par. I know you were just starting to look into the process of creating animated .gifs. I think unanimated gifs for now would look alot better and just add animation in a future release if you decide. - hmmm.....now that I think of it they aren't even associated with the skin but maybe they should be... Barry?
Alright time to go back and play some more.....
...it appears that the Album Art Boxes are slightly smaller (or you increased the text font size) than the original standard skin which does give some more room currently at the bottom of the page. In doing this it appears that there is less room for Album Name text under the Album art. There currently is not any room between the Album text and Album Art on the bottom side of the Album Art. If the Album art is light colored it makes it a little hard to read the text because it blends in together. It might be a pain to go back and redo but it might look better having a buffer around the text on the bottom the size of what is on the top side with the Artist text. - sick of me yet :tommy
Quotesick of me yet
No, but you're still missing something. :D
Hi Buzzy
Quote1) I'm sure you know the "Video" button is either missing or has issues
Mine is fine as you can see on the preview.
Quote2) I would match the YEAR font to ARTIST and GENRE on the Filter Page.
If the Album art is light colored it makes it a little hard to read the text because it blends in together.
4) I would see what it looks like uf you center the option buttons over the volume slider on the Album Page - may look a little better and use up a little more of the screen.
These I will redo.
Quote3) Might want to reduce the size of the font on the QUEUE and TOP 10 to match the other buttons on the album page. If you do that and put TOP 10 all in one line it will show more of the blue flames also- which look great.
I made the text as big as possible for each button for you to see it better. Some buttons has little and others much more text. If I would change the text to the smallest text used it would be difficult to read but I'll change these 2 for you.
Quote5) It might be a good time to look at redoing the the animated .gifs associated with the charts - New, Up, Down and Straight arrows.
I aggree and I will check if we can do something about it.
And you are still missing something. ;D
Quote from: coffee on October 25, 2009, 11:48:54 AM
Quote1) I'm sure you know the "Video" button is either missing or has issues
Mine is fine as you can see on the preview.
Yes, it looks like when I copied the skin over to the jukebox it just didn't transfer the file, looks fine now.
QuoteAnd you are still missing something. ;D
I notice that some of the buttons, specifically on the bottom of the Album page have an "animated pressed" look now when there are now pressed.
This is what you missed.
It's been a long time since you could choose your album layout. This skin has 4 COV files and here are some images.
6 Cover layout
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/6Covers.jpg)
15 Cover layout
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/15Covers.jpg)
20 Cover Layout
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/20Covers.jpg)
I'll do the changes and post V5.2 later tonight.
Didn't even think to check that out, looks pretty sweet! For those of us with huge collections these options will be great.
Barry:
.....just a thought here - as to the options button. What about implementing into E-touch itself a "hot corner" that exists on every page. Say the top left corner and if you hold a finger on it for say 3 seconds the options screen/or password input (however you have it set) comes up. This way you don't have an options button sticking out on the main album page. Another option I guess would be to just make the button all black and place it in the corner to. I think the time delay would be great so that it would never be activated by someone just trying to tap the filter button.
--- I guess currently there is never a button in the top right corner maybe that's a better place for it.
OK, I fixed the bugs Bzpilot mentioned except for the animations. I have a look at them when I have more time. Everything els should be OK now.
Download: 3.5MB
http://www.coinplaysa.com/skins/Black_and_Blue_gif_V5.4_Beta_Final(1024x768).rar
Coffee
That was quick work! The text looks great now around the album art on all cover layouts.
Just a couple other things....
1) The Filter box seems to have a white box shadow off to the bottom and right. Not sure if it was intentional or not. It might look a little better without the shadow and to have the box a little bigger so it completely covers the buttons underneath it.
2) The Filter pages seem to have more items than boxes on all three options. The last column seems to have some doubling up. (I can post a pic if needed) was corrected by updating E-Touch version
3) I would replace the animated "Now Playing" .gif with something similar to your non-animated "Select A Tune" on the Track Listing Page - it'll look much better with FanArt.
4) On the Play Options screen I liked how you had the "Video Available" button centered to the left of the Artist and Track in your CoffeeShop Skin - it seemed to make it stick out better there.
5) I also think switching the order of the buttons on the Play Options screen would be better for some commercial operators. Probably just swapping the last two would work - putting "Add To Queue" before "Add To Playlist". This way the 3 most likely used buttons for this page are always centered.
I think that's enough of my opinions for the day. Great work! :beer
love this skin and the 6 cover is my favorite is it possible to do page scrollers
below the covers like ecast style
:beer
Hi Bz
QuoteThe Filter box seems to have a white box shadow off to the bottom and right. Not sure if it was intentional or not. It might look a little better without the shadow and to have the box a little bigger so it completely covers the buttons underneath it.
Wow, I missed that one.
Quote3) I would replace the animated "Now Playing" .gif with something similar to your non-animated "Select A Tune" on the Track Listing Page - it'll look much better with FanArt.
If it is up to me I would scrap all animations but I will look into creating new animations this week.
Quote4) On the Play Options screen I liked how you had the "Video Available" button centered to the left of the Artist and Track in your CoffeeShop Skin - it seemed to make it stick out better there.
Yeap, I liked it better like that too but I have another idea Iwould like to try.
Quote5) I also think switching the order of the buttons on the Play Options screen would be better for some commercial operators. Probably just swapping the last two would work - putting "Add To Queue" before "Add To Playlist". This way the 3 most likely used buttons for this page are always centered.
Good thinking there, it's been bugging me to. Witch buttons would you say is most important?
Scrap the animations? Why? I think they help the skin look less static.
Quote from: Barcrest on October 25, 2009, 05:20:29 PM
Scrap the animations? Why? I think they help the skin look less static.
Maybe scrap was the wrong word. I'm not into animations and it seems I will have to get up to speed with it to replace these ones in the skin and I don't know how they look with fanart cause my fanart is not working yet. I have a lot of work ahead to get my tags and everything els up to date. I'm just a bit frastrated with my tags right now. Seems I will never get it finished.
Quote from: coffee on October 25, 2009, 05:14:16 PM
5) I also think switching the order of the buttons on the Play Options screen would be better for some commercial operators. Probably just swapping the last two would work - putting "Add To Queue" before "Add To Playlist". This way the 3 most likely used buttons for this page are always centered.
QuoteGood thinking there, it's been bugging me to. Witch buttons would you say is most important?
Suggested order:
"Download Track", "Play Now", "Add To Queue", "Play Next", "Add To Playlist"
This way the "Add To Queue" is always centered which is probably the most popular and is also probably the only button that would possibly be there by itself. Then have it surrounded by the next two popular and most likely available options - "Play Now", and "Play Next". Then surround them with the least used options "Download Track" and "Add To Playlist". Possibly reorder the buttons on the album page with the same reasoning - maybe swap the postions of the "Filter By" and "Playlist" buttons. Maybe there are some other opinions on this.
On the Play options screen you might want to increase font size on "Available" on the "Video Available" button and same thing with "Download" on the "Download Track" button.
Quote from: coffee on October 25, 2009, 06:10:08 PM
Quote from: Barcrest on October 25, 2009, 05:20:29 PM
Scrap the animations? Why? I think they help the skin look less static.
Maybe scrap was the wrong word. I'm not into animations and it seems I will have to get up to speed with it to replace these ones in the skin and I don't know how they look with fanart cause my fanart is not working yet. I have a lot of work ahead to get my tags and everything els up to date. I'm just a bit frastrated with my tags right now. Seems I will never get it finished.
Yeah i now what you mean, i have started on the genres and years by fixing up the ones that were just odd characters first i still have a lot to do but i know it will be worth it in the end.
Coffee,
Nice job... I was wondering if you could make the Volume Bar look similar to the one on this skin (sloping upward). This might look a little better than the box.
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m153/bluemeanietsi/photo%20play/album_background7.jpg)
Also, another idea may be to re-add in the up and down arrows to the Top 10 screen and rename the button "Hot Hits: (with the flames) and with the arrows there can be more than 10 songs shown on that screen by using the arrows, hence the Hot Hots.
Hi Eist
I'll take a look at those. I was thinking of adding "volume" text and maybe sloping the text like in your image?
Hot hits would be cool too. I will add that. Just need to pick up those buttons again. ;)
I loved that skin, shame it never actually made it to release.
Are there any files available for the skin eist1 just showed? I have a friend of mine's son working on a skin and it's close to that one and I'd like to give him the files so he can take some of the ideas from that and add it to the one he's making. He actually has figured out the skin tool himself! :o
That was the problem none of us could create the graphics. We had a couple of skins in production but the lack of graphics led to them being canned.
Noticed that the back button seems to be in different locations on different pages. Might be worth going back and using the same position for it on all (or as many as possible) pages.
It can be visually distracting when you want to click back multiple times to get to where you want to be and the button moves on you. For instance when going from:
1) Track Options - Track Listing - Main Album Page
2) Chart Months or Years - Charts - Main Album Page
3) Load Playlist or Save Playlist - Playlist - Main Album Page
4) Search - Search By - Main Album Page (this one is almost unnoticeable)
There may be a couple other instances but these are the ones I saw. If it's in the same place on adjacent pages where the user may want to use the "Back" button multiple times in a row then it probably won't be noticeable. It may be just as easy to put in the same place on all those pages though.
bluemeanietsi was the one who was creating that skin, so if he is still around he may still have the files for this skin. Might try PMing him
Hi Everybody
I made some changes to this skin so I decided to post it for you to check it out.
Changes:
-The Filter box had a white box shadow off to the bottom and right. (Fixed)
-Resized the filter box to cover the buttons.
-Completely moved the buttons around in the Play Options screen.
-Fixed a problem with the 12-Cover file.
-Resized some button text.
-Added sloping volume text to volume bar.
-Moved the back button to the same position for each page.
-Complete redo of the Top 10 page. It is now called "Hot Hits". Added page up and down buttons.
-Redo the Top 10 button to say "Hot Hits" and redo the flames. Second "Hot Hits" button added in the
image file of the skin if somebody wanted a different style.
Still to do:
-Redo all the animations. I have made some progress with this and will hopefully be finished by the weekend.
-Remove the animation from the Now Playing screen for better use of Fanart.
-Add "All albums" genre button in all the filter screens.
Question:
Should I add reflections for the album covers?
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/preview3.jpg)
Download: 3.5MB
http://www.coinplaysa.com/skins/Black_and_Blue_gif_V5.4_Beta_Final(1024x768).rar
Coffee
Damn that looks awesome!
Not sure about adding refections though. It might be a little overkill.
I was looking for the ability to change the number of albums displayed though. Is that in your latest release?
Cheers,
Brad
Lookin' good Coffee! I can't wait for this to get ironed out so BnR can come to life. :beer
Quote from: ecbrad on October 27, 2009, 11:16:42 PM
Damn that looks awesome!
Not sure about adding refections though. It might be a little overkill.
I was looking for the ability to change the number of albums displayed though. Is that in your latest release?
Cheers,
Brad
It looks as if the ability to change the # of albums displayed is there!
(http://www.ppcomponents.com/etouch/cover1.jpg)
(http://www.ppcomponents.com/etouch/20cover.jpg)
:beer
Fordman
Coffee,
Looking really nice the only other recommendations would be to actually slope the Volume background not just the text, and also keep the text the same size on each button rather than making the shorter words larger text and the longer words smaller text on the same button (other than the Filter button where there's not much choice). Here is a screenshot of the sloped volume background I edited quickly. And not sure if it's possible, but could the arrow buttons have more rounded edges rather than the pointed edges? I think they might blend in better with rounded edges. But again... Great job!
(http://www.iamkizer.net/freeboxjukebox/files/skins/V4skins/Updated%20Skins/Updated_Volume.JPG)
Hi Eist
Your suggestions are quite difficult for me to answer and I had to think about how to answer them today, but here it goes.
Quoteonly other recommendations would be to actually slope the Volume background not just the text
I will do it if you want but I'll include it in the image file so you can just rename the image.
I have a few problems releasing the skin like that for general use. The first is, it is a bitmap image so there are no transparency for the part that will be black.
Second issue for me is the slider button sticking out on the slider back at lower volume settings.
Third issue is I'm still working on a way to get all the black backgrounds to be transparent and I think I've cracked it. Still have a lot of testing to do and a lot of work in the INI files if this where to succeed. If I succeed with this you will be able to add any background to your skin just by replacing the page_main image. The black would then stick out like the buttons did with the fanart on the older skins.
Quoteand also keep the text the same size on each button rather than making the shorter words larger text and the longer words smaller text on the same button
I will admit there are some buttons that is a problem especially the ones in the tracklisting screen. I had all the text the same size when I first attempt to redo the standard skins but it looked crappy to me. For example if you make the text on the video, audio and karaoke the same size the audio and video text looks like it's lost inside the button. It will also take a lot of time to redo all the button text from scratch. If you can identify the ones you think is very important I can redo them only. As I see it the ones that are a bit off is the 4 buttons in the playlist, 2 in history, 3 in tracklisting and some in the play options. Another option will be to use the text of the original buttons? ??? Or someone can create the text for me and I'll redo all the buttons.
Quotenot sure if it's possible, but could the arrow buttons have more rounded edges rather than the pointed edges?
It is possible. I'll have to redo them as well but it is not a problem. Can you supply me with a clipart or just a black arrow of what you have in mind? I can then use that as an outline or basis for the arrows. Another option will be to use a blank round button and add the arrow inside it like I did in the CoffeShop skin? ???
I would really like to have more time to work on the skins but the last two weeks I was really very busy. It will go better from next week I think.
Coffee
It's Coming:(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Fire%20Quitar.jpg)
To start I have to say this skin is definitely the best skin that's been produced for E-Touch ever ......of coarse my opinion.
I do like both the volume slider and arrows as they are. The Filter box looks great now. The back arrows being in the same place really makes the page transitions alot smoother I think - it was a small change but I think it makes a difference.
Just a few things I wanted to mention:
1) The white border around the slider circle - can that be removed ar at least changed to black maybe?
2) It appears that you left track length off the track listing page, although I don't ever use it you might want to have it in there for the standard skin.
3) There seems to be an artifact near/under the back button on the search results screen.
4) May want to think about some sort of paging on the Chart Years page. In less than a couple months we will be at 2010 and need another line. Possibly up/down arrows or maybe just rearranging the page around to allow 2010's - but it's pretty crowded already.
5) I'd look at changing the font color / font brightness on the Charts pages. It is hard to distinguish between database matching tracks and ones that don't match - maybe brighten matching a little and dim non-matching a little.
Lookin' good! :beer
Coffee, no problem they were just suggestions. The sloping Volume background I guess is a hard one as it cannot be a transparent gif so the black sloping part would show while the Fan Art is showing (I made the sloping part black so it blended with the black background). The rounded edged arrows I was thinking of are like the ones in the current BnB skin. The rounded edges just go with the round/oval buttons better. I'm not sure about the other buttons, but the ones I was referring to were the ones on the Options page. I wasn't referring to any buttons that have single words on them like Audio, Video and Karaoke. Good job...
I too think the arrows need to be smoothed/rounded off. The points are too sharp and they don't seem to the look of everything else. This is still an awsome skin though, the gif's really make the fan art look a lot better.
Hi Bzpilot and Eist
BzpilotQuote1) The white border around the slider circle - can that be removed ar at least changed to black maybe?
I got it black and it looks a lot better. It only shows a narrow white border while pressing the button, otherwise it's nice and clean now. There's a lot of limitations when it gets to that button.
Quote2) It appears that you left track length off the track listing page, although I don't ever use it you might want to have it in there for the standard skin.
Yeap, I didn't notice that. I will have to change the settings in the INI file to get that to work again.
Quote3) There seems to be an artifact near/under the back button on the search results screen.
Fixed.
Quote4) May want to think about some sort of paging on the Chart Years page. In less than a couple months we will be at 2010 and need another line. Possibly up/down arrows or maybe just rearranging the page around to allow 2010's - but it's pretty crowded already.
I think that Barry might need to take a look at that. Not sure if I can change that in the INI file. I'll have to take a look.
Quote5) I'd look at changing the font color / font brightness on the Charts pages. It is hard to distinguish between database matching tracks and ones that don't match - maybe brighten matching a little and dim non-matching a little.
That's a tough one. Also have to take a look at the INI cause from the skintool there's not a lot I can do except change the font colour. I would like to have it bold text.
EistQuoteThe sloping Volume background I guess is a hard one as it cannot be a transparent gif so the black sloping part would show while the Fan Art is showing
This is also bugging me and I wanted to change it to GIF but it is hard coded in freebox according to Barry. I have asked him once about it somewhere on the forum.
The only thing I think would make it a bit better is to make it narrower from top to bottom maybe?? ???
QuoteThe rounded edged arrows I was thinking of are like the ones in the current BnB skin. The rounded edges just go with the round/oval buttons better.
I see where you're going with this. I'll use those as a templet, maybe I can come up with something nice. ;)
QuoteI'm not sure about the other buttons, but the ones I was referring to were the ones on the Options page.
That has never been on top of my list cause that is the owners or operators section but I have some text to sort out.
QuestionAre you guys OK with the Button layout of the play_options page? I'm still waiting for feedback on this.
I'm really excited to start with the BnR skin. It is going to be a fire hazard. ;D
Coffee
I will add another row of buttons for the decades years to keep us going past 2010 and then maybe i'll find a better way to do it some point in 2010.
Hi Barry and Eist
Quote from: Barcrest on October 28, 2009, 08:58:40 PM
I will add another row of buttons for the decades years to keep us going past 2010 and then maybe i'll find a better way to do it some point in 2010.
Thanks.
I've made up a sample arrow which I think would work better with this skin. I have looked at the standard skin arrows to see it is actually sharper than the one I did. It has a rounded front edge and it is only the blue shadow that rounds it out. Please give me some feedback on this.
Here are the original one with the one I made.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/arrowtryout1.jpg)
Coffee - I don't use a lot of the features of E-Touch, but here are shots of my current button layout. Not sure if it will help, just my two cents.
(http://webpages.charter.net/dbeeks1/download/Main.jpg)
(http://webpages.charter.net/dbeeks1/download/TrackListing.jpg)
(http://webpages.charter.net/dbeeks1/download/Play.jpg)
(http://webpages.charter.net/dbeeks1/download/SearchResults.jpg)
Hi Beeks
Thanks for your input. We are having issues with available space. :D I did move the play options buttons like that, just on the left side of the screen. I'm still waiting for feedback on that.
A small button like the option button is becoming an issue now.
Coffee
Coffe,
The rounded arrows look good, a little better than the pointed edges. I think with the original arrows, the glow kind of gave the edges a rounded feel. I know you are trying to stay similar to how the current skin looks but you may want to try using the pop up menu option for the Album Page, as then the album frames could be spread out a little more and it would give it a cleaner look, not as crowded. That's probably something you could look at after you get everything figured out. Great job as always...
I've been playing with this for awhile and I'm running out of change suggestions!
As for the "Play Options" new button positions I like it. I think it also makes room for a Audio / Video / Karaoke label to placed underneath the track. I think it's been needed for awhile, but now with the "Video Available" option implemented it's almost necessary. I'm pretty sure Barry would need to add that label option to the page.
Audio:
(http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/484/audiou.th.jpg) (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/audiou.jpg/)
Video:
(http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7936/videogj.th.jpg) (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/videogj.jpg/)
A couple ideas:
1) History screen - I think it would look better if it was cut back to say 6 tracks per page. The 9 tracks is awfully crowded and album art looks pretty bad that small. With six on the page it'll allow for around a 70x70 album art (like the Queue) and more room to spread out text. Since there is already Paging & More buttons on the page you can still get through it quickly.
2) Queue Screen Option Request - (again this is more on Barry's programing side) To add an option to show the "Time Before Play". Might not be something that people on the commercial side would want but I think it would be a nice option for some. When the option is selected instead of just showing track length in the queue it would say something like "(3:55) Plays In (45:28)". I think adding paging buttons to the queue page would be good also.
3) Show time and date hasn't been available on the standard skin for awile , you could add that option back. Not much room anywhere but maybe placing it where the show credits is and non-commercial users can use one or the other or neither. Not sure if commercial users would want this option anyway, just like the "time before play" above.
4) On the Filter page it would be nice to have a Slider as on the Album page for at least the Artist Filter. If you do that you'd probably want to move the buttons to the right side of the screen and call them page up and down (rather than more which I think makes more since when it is moving a line at a time and not a full page). I think you might want to change the more buttons to page up and down an the "Album Page" too, to better represent what they do.
Ok... How about 3 play options backdrops. 1 for audio, 1 for video and 1 for karaoke. It will load that backdrop depending on what it is showing. That means you don't need an extra label as it can be built into the back drop image. Personally i prefer the play options under the cover. Still in an idea world i think these could be more like accept track and cancel. I know it's nice updating the existing skins to have the gif buttons but i think a total new look with the popup menu maybe based on the ecast skin look.
Hi Barry
QuoteI know it's nice updating the existing skins to have the gif buttons but i think a total new look with the popup menu maybe based on the ecast skin look
Dude, I would never have imagined you would like the popup menu. Wow, it goes to show how wrong I can be. :D
Now that we are on the same page, I also like the popup menu and I would like to use the jump_to_letter popup menu again as well. The slider takes at least 10% of the album_view space. This would make the album_view screen much cleaner and we will have more space for future add-ons. Meanwhile I'll post up some ideas and questions around the ecast skin in the private skin section in "ECast Skin Idea" started by Eist.
The main issue is we need to vote on what is more important.
-My vote is to finish this skin and leave it like this for the moment. Then, do the BnR skin with a popup menu
so we can iron out smaller issues while I start to create awesome graphics for the ecast tipe skin. The
ecast tipe skin will take a lot of time to finish so in the meantime you guys will have 2 skins to work with.
I can't do all the skins at once so you guys has to tell my what you think about this?
Coffee,
That sounds like a great plan, and also what I was thinking. Just get the standard skins updated so they can be used with fanart and look good with the gif images. And then a new skin can be created, plus that will give more time to get it looking perfect without having to be pushed to get it done quickly. If you need any help let me know, but it look slike you are getting along just fine.
Thanks
The only thing bugging me right now is the "Make a Selection" animation. I've made all the images needed for the animation but I'm doing something wrong when compiling then. It works fine but the background has white spots in it. Maybe is a bug on the animation software or something.
Coffee
Have you tried Microsoft's GIF Animator? So Simple, it's almost gross. I love you work. Let me knof if I can help work this out. I totally agree that the "Make Selecgtion" animation is the last item that would make this skin perfect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_GIF_Animator
:beer
Hi Wlowman
Thanks, I have used it and now my animation is perfect. Seems there is a bug on the other software I used.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/MakeSelection.gif)
The background isn't transparent on that though it's still black or am i missing something?
Looks like he just changed the text to match the rest of the new standard skin. No FanArt on Album page anyway. If you were to use it on something other than a black background with another skin, yes it would be an issue then.
It appears to stay black for a little too long. I think it would be better to fade to almost black then come right back.
Shame it wasn't transparent because then the one on the now playing screen could also be done and not look too ugly with fan art.
Hi Everyone
I think this will be Version 5.4 Beta Final. If there are no big problems I will post the skin in "skin release" tonight.
Changes:
-Redo the "Make a Selection" animation. It still has a black background and I still trying to get the
background to be transparent. Problem now is when I make it transparent it fades out to white.
-Temporary removed the "Now Playing" animation and added the text to the background in order to have
fanart looking better.
-Redo all the arrows to have rounded edges.
-Changed the slider settings to remove the white ring.
-Edited the "Chart Years" background and skined the extra year buttons needed.
-Redo the volume, size and position.
-Redo 75% of the text to have a more uniform look.
-Added a new "Power Off" button.
-Added track lenghts for "Tracklisting" screen.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/preview.jpg)
Download: 3.5MB
http://www.coinplaysa.com/skins/Black_and_Blue_gif_V5.4_Beta_Final(1024x768).rar
Coffee
Quote from: Barcrest on October 29, 2009, 11:28:40 AM
Ok... How about 3 play options backdrops. 1 for audio, 1 for video and 1 for karaoke. It will load that backdrop depending on what it is showing. That means you don't need an extra label as it can be built into the back drop image.
I like the idea. I'm thinking if you could set it up similar to FanArt but with it's own transparency slider. So the option would be to "Use Play Options Backgrounds", then have a slider under it. Then you could have three files (audio.jpg, video.jpg, karaoke.jpg) of your own choosing that you could adjust the transparency of. I'm thinking for audio I would use series of musical notes across the bottom of the screen, for video a filmstrip across the bottom, and for karaoke .....hmmm not sure yet. This way it makes it completely adjustable from the user side. Would just need to decide where the 3 files would reside, may be just as easy to put them in the FanArt forder. Since the coding should be similar to FanArt it might not be to much of a pain to get it in there. I'm thinking doing it this way would also not require any changes in the skins.
Thoughts?
I know I'm late like usual.
Ok, now that you have the Flames on the one button I want images on all the rest. ;) Otherwise it just stands out all by its self and it needs some friends.
I know its some work, but I think it would give the Juke some more personallity.
Quote from: kizer on November 03, 2009, 10:32:50 PM
I know I'm late like usual.
Ok, now that you have the Flames on the one button I want images on all the rest. ;) Otherwise it just stands out all by its self and it needs some friends.
I know its some work, but I think it would give the Juke some more personallity.
I did think this would be cool but it's hard to thing of what images would work.
Yeah I was at work trying to figure out which should be what. I'm thinking if we well just took a poll and let the users come up with ideas.
For instance I'll give it a whirl:
Search = ?
Charts = Maybe some lines that run straight up and down that resemble a chart
History = Could look like a book
Queue = Maybe lines that run sideways in a tabular fashion
Filter = could look like a funnel or a filter type shape
Spin on This = Should look like a big wheel. Kinda like that wheel on "Wheel of Fortune or The price is right" both Tv shows here in the US
Just some off the cuff without a lot of brain power into it thoughts. I'm guessing some images would be nicer to get the idea, but I'll try and do that later if I can. However I'm thinking the colors in the images should kinda flow with the rest of the skin. Meaning don't have a bright green button or a yellow one because it would be way off. Just like the flames, should be some what of what the rest of the skin looks like unless you add the same color to all of the buttons so they in a sense match and look like a group.
I agree with Kizer on this. Make the colors flow/match the skin. Don't go cartoony, as this will stand out too much. On the above picture, the hot hits button looks good because the colors match. If the flames were yellow/red, I think it would stand out too much. Just my opinion though.
I'll start on this tomorrow and post up some samples over the weekend.
I posted these in another thread, maybe the wrong place but here is some inspiration!
These are from a skin called FUG_1024x768
www.ppcomponents.com/etouch/FUG_1024x768.rar (http://www.ppcomponents.com/etouch/FUG_1024x768.rar) <-- Download here
(http://www.ppcomponents.com/etouch/85_black_marble_history_bevel.jpg)
(http://www.ppcomponents.com/etouch/85_black_marble_queue_bevel.jpg)
(http://www.ppcomponents.com/etouch/85_black_marble_search_bevel.jpg)
(http://www.ppcomponents.com/etouch/85_black_marble_top10_bevel.jpg)
These might inspire some designs for the buttons?
Fordman
Here are some samples.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Tryout6.jpg)
D1 - Air filter for filter by page
D2 - Chart Page
D3 - History
D4, D5, D6 - History.
Pretty cool ideas... The filter is pretty funny, but not many images to use to get the point across, maybe there is another word other than filter that can be used. Also, maybe on top of the image you could still have the name of the button but the font and location of the name can be different on each button similar to the History button that has history text on it. Because the Charts button would be pretty tough to figure out until opening it. Great job so far though...
Yes, it's very difficult to figure out what images to use but I think we need to have text on all of these buttons like in D5. I think that would be the safest option. Or maybe fade the original text over the image?
Might have an idea for filter. Instead of showing an image of a filter how about as the background have it say in large letters:
Genre
Artist
Year
And then put text over the top of it (maybe on an angle) that says Filter... The font could be different for both. Just an idea....
Hahah, I really like the Filter one. ;)
I as well like the search one with the Magnifying glass and the history one.
I see where you are going with the Chart one too, but it just doesn't catch my eye yet, but it looks good.
Hi
Here are a sample of a transparent animation. I want to know if I can do the animations like this?
Any animated gif will work so yes you could use that. Nice work on figureing it out.
(http://www.coinplaysa.com/images/Black%20n%20Green.jpg)
Any requests for another colour?
Do one up in Blue and maybe Orange!
Or if you care to share the .psd's, those of us with limited photoshop skills could change the colors ourselves!
The BnR's look fantastic!
:beer
Fordman
Would be nice to have the seach button have an image in it like the hot hits has the flames. I think the magnifying glass would work well for that. Have you thought of re-exploring that idea?
QuoteHave you thought of re-exploring that idea?
I did explore that last week and will try out some ideas and post it here before the final BnR release.
that black and green skin looks awesome! I agree with the orange and blue request...the last set of coloured skins was a good standard set!
How about a pink colour for any female e-touch'ers out there? (the g/f's request).
Quote from: andowhy on January 19, 2010, 01:21:56 AM
How about a pink colour for any female e-touch'ers out there? (the g/f's request).
An excellent request! I've got 3 daughters and they use my jukebox more than anyone. They'd love it!
my gf reckons pink with purple buttons would look good...or vice versa...
Odd colour(Pink or even Purple) but I might try it some time. ;)
Pink with hearts and cupids for valentines day next month LOL
Valentines should be Red, not?
Pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, green clovers, blue diamonds & purple horse shoes!
Just a little Americana humor!
;)
Fordman
lol @ fordman...
Sorry, Thats what I meant, for a valentines skin, pink backdrop with red hearts and purpple buttons (or another girly colour if purple wouldn't work)
your all scaring me now :o
no girly skin a just a nice orange and blue sounds cool
Don't forget unicorns and rainbows.
What the hell are you guys smoking, can I get some?
I was thinking just to take the BnR skin and colour it up with nice graphics like hearts etc. and use that as a valentine skin.
I'd be 100% happy with just a completed Red skin before we got distracted by pinks and purles. But that's just me :-)
Love your work, coffee. Etouch wouldn't be the same without your efforts.
Barry - your work is HUGELY appreciated as well :-)
i agree with coffee, BnR would pass as a perfect Valentines skin with a few mods...
Quote from: fordman on January 19, 2010, 08:03:08 PM
Pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, green clovers, blue diamonds & purple horse shoes!
Just a little Americana humor!
;)
Sounds like a box of Lucky Charms. hahaha
Fordman