View Full Version : A Couple of ideas for PM3...food for thought...
MikeBeecham
2007-05-22, 02:03
I have been tinkering (again) with PM3, and I wonder what you guys thought of the following ideas in a future build...
When (for example) you are setting content for a folder, and you get that box in the middle of the screen, telling you that it is currently doing things...I reckon it would be nice to fade out and darken the background of XBMC whilst that small window in the centre is working...it would just give more emphasis to that window.
Second, I noticed on the xTV theme, that there is a fairly unique list view that you can use with your albums...you have the list on the right, text only, then on the left you have the album cover as a large icon...leave it a second and the icon shrinks slightly, giving you the album info.
I reckon these would be highly beneficial aspects to an already great theme.
What do you think? Worthy of implementation?
Thanks in advance.
MikeBeecham
2007-05-23, 00:37
Not good ideas then?
Sure I like the idea but the list view just wont work all that well in pm3 because it has limited width down the side the reason it works so well in xTV and Vision is they have no buttons down the side.
It might work in 16x9 but in 4x3 no way
MikeBeecham
2007-05-23, 01:10
what about the background fade when the small window comes up telling you it is fetching episode info?
At the moment when that window pops up in the middle, I just feel it all looks a little 'busy'...with a faded to almost black background would give more emphasis on the window that is up front!
I'd like to see that view... love it.
I think the way to solve the limited screen issue with PM3 is to have the left menu hide when not in use.
MikeBeecham
2007-05-23, 01:45
hmmm, that sounds nice
Not sure whether that would require a complete re-code though? Jezz?
I did it once, it wasn't that tough
http://www.mawman.co.uk/images/xbmc/myvideos.png
http://www.mawman.co.uk/images/xbmc/myvideosmenu.png
I tinkered with a few things and admittedly kind of lost the point of the pm3 skin a bit, but anyway the code for the sidebar was easy and it looked cool animating in and out too.
MikeBeecham
2007-05-24, 14:22
looks iight, and looks a promising possibility in the future?
its really no fun to use it makes the whole skin feel clumsy (imo ofc)
MikeBeecham
2007-05-24, 14:33
true, and not a feature that I think is necessary right now (especially after taking Jezz' comment on board)...however, I still stick by thought of fading out the background when an 'action' window pops up...it would give more emphasis on the window, rather than it being placed on top of lots of background text, and visuals.
Are you talking about the "Please Wait..." dialog if so I have to disagree on that too because basically it really only ment to be on screen for an average of 2 to 3 seconds depending on what you do of course and flashing/dulling the screen for 2 seconds would be silly
Freddo,
Do you mind sharing the code? I think the dissapearing side menu is a greqat way to reclaim space when navigating media.
Mike,
I like the background fade idea... even if the action pop-up only last a few secs it adds a nice polish to the skin.
MikeBeecham
2007-05-25, 10:16
Are you talking about the "Please Wait..." dialog if so I have to disagree on that too because basically it really only ment to be on screen for an average of 2 to 3 seconds depending on what you do of course and flashing/dulling the screen for 2 seconds would be silly
Not the 'Please Wait' screen...it's the bigger window than that...for example when it tells you that it is fetching episode information....depending on how many episodes it is fetching, it can be there for quite a while.
I really do think it would be a great addition to have the background fade out to almost black whilst the 'episode' window is doing it's thang!
Come on, you have to agree it sounds lurvly?
you need to update your XBMC that got changed to a small scan dialog (like music scan) in the top of the screen ages ago and runs in the background now so you can do other things while its scanning
here u go affini
http://www.mawman.co.uk/images/xbmc/sidebarmod.rar
was about this time last year I was working on it so i imagine it's not valid anymore , but the general jist of it should still be obvious.
Thanks Freddo... I'll check it out.
I'm hoping Jezz_X reconsiders making a hidden left menu... I think this would be sweet!
MikeBeecham
2007-05-26, 00:37
you need to update your XBMC that got changed to a small scan dialog (like music scan) in the top of the screen ages ago and runs in the background now so you can do other things while its scanning
I have that thanks Jezz, but I still get the episode information window, which I am supposed to I believe. I have the latest build thanks.
...I guess either I'm not communicating this very well, or it's not an idea that appeals!
I have that thanks Jezz, but I still get the episode information window, which I am supposed to I believe. I have the latest build thanks.
...I guess either I'm not communicating this very well, or it's not an idea that appeals!
we must ave crossed wires :oo: screenshot the sucker so I can know for sure what you mean
HarshReality
2007-05-26, 12:04
I am thinking he means the animation