Frame Creation "Challenge" [Archive]

Cranial

2009-02-04, 03:13

I'm starting this thread in the hope of getting some people working on frames for Horizonz.

The idea is that a few, maybe many people, design their own frame ideas and then post them back here in this thread. Once we get enough different options I can package them back up in xpr's and do some screenshots, then everyone can vote on them and pick the best one to package up with the Horizonz IV release.

This link is to the basic frames I used in this thread: http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=44793. They're a good start for size and shape basis.

Frame download here: Frames (http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/318691/Frames.zip)

Have fun with it, no ideas rejected.

Rocky5

2009-02-04, 04:39

Here is one i just whipped up think it looks sleek.
http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot000-20090203203849.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot000-20090203203849.png/view/)

strangedaze39

2009-02-04, 04:52

Rocky5

2009-02-04, 05:31

Looks great guys! I like Rocky's a little more but that could be because it's a little wider. Would be amazing to switch frames inside skin settings, that would take some far more heavy work though. Thanks for posting these.

On a unrealated question, I figure I'd ask because it seems like you guys are pretty handy. While using mediastream, I choose "movies" it brings me to my movies library. Then when I'm done I press menu (on remote same as esc for keyboard) and it brings me straight to the main menu. On horizons or aeon, it loads into movie library view fine but when I push menu to exit it, I get dragged through a few extra menus. I just want to go straight to main menu (instead of title/genre/etc. folder selection then main menu)

Thanks again! Hopefully I'll have something to contribute ASAP.

You need to edit some XML files and add in ,return

edit homescroller.xml and look for this
<onclick>XBMC.ActivateWindow(MyVideoLibrary,movietitles)</onclick>
and add ,return before the last )

same for tv shows add ,return before the )

Also here is i think the finished version of my icons now to do all the rest.
http://s3.supload.com/files/default/New_Frames.png (http://www.supload.com/)

strangedaze39

2009-02-04, 05:45

Thanks Rocky, very much appreciated. Honestly it's such a small thing but it was a total pet peeve. So you really helped on that one. I haven't tested it yet but I'm sure it'll work if I do it correct (I'll check back as soon as I have a chance to test)

BTW your new frames are extremely good looking! I can't wait for the release. Also with that version does that icon in the lower left (believe it's the watch/unwatched icon) fit inside that frame. Or did you plan on leaving it, or turning it off?

Cheers!!

Rocky5

2009-02-04, 05:53

I could rap the frame round it but then it would look off in other menus as the frames are used in other places.

so am just going to leave it the now.

Update:
Finished them here are my new Frames. (Click image to download) also included are the dialogue fixes.
http://s3.supload.com/files/default/New_Frames.PNG (http://www.sendspace.com/file/hbjkui)

Note: the textures are the correct sizes its just some textures are used more than once in the skin and are not set correctly in the xml files.

Preview.
http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot000-20090203230848.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot000-20090203230848.png/view/) http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot001-20090203230848.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot001-20090203230848.png/view/) http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot002-20090203230849.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot002-20090203230849.png/view/)

Cranial

2009-02-04, 11:19

Looks good Rocky. And looks like no-one else is stepping up to the plate, so we might have a winner ;)

When I'm home I'll wrap them up and see how it all looks, unless you've made an xpr already?

pletopia

2009-02-04, 11:25

Cranial .. i liked your frames from the other thread .. very subtle look .. gonna test both out later

okay .. took a look at your frames .. and i like them .. but they need some tweaking i think .. they are a bit too big for episodes .. they should "hug" the image better so the background doesn't peek through

HexusOdy

2009-02-04, 12:18

I was up for the challenge but I was aiming for something similar to Rocky so won't bother!

brownstein

2009-02-04, 13:25

Do we just rename "New Frames.xpr" to "Textures.xpr" and replace the old file with it?

Rocky5

2009-02-04, 13:52

No you just change it to New Frames in the settings menu.

I have also been tinkering with the outer outer border ( Made it 25% transparent ) and added a slight gradient to the top and bottom of the outer border but not sure it looks nice in the skin.
http://s3.supload.com/files/default/videos_bigframe2-20090204055434.png

Doraemonn

2009-02-04, 14:57

I could rap the frame round it but then it would look off in other menus as the frames are used in other places.

so am just going to leave it the now.

I really like these, thank you! If you do get round to fiddling with them some more, may I suggest a 'high gloss' version? As opposed to the corner gradients - the current v IV frames do the high gloss effect very well.

Rocky5

2009-02-04, 15:18

I really like these, thank you! If you do get round to fiddling with them some more, may I suggest a 'high gloss' version? As opposed to the corner gradients - the current v IV frames do the high gloss effect very well.

How do you want the high gloss effect.
diagonal or curved across

Cranial

2009-02-04, 15:19

No you just change it to New Frames in the settings menu.

Where's this setting located Rocky5 ?

Rocky5

2009-02-04, 15:29

Where's this setting located Rocky5 ?

press up then goto Screen then its under appearance.

Here is the diagonal version suggestions are welcome.
http://s3.supload.com/files/default/videos_bigframe2-20090204072646.png http://s3.supload.com/files/default/videos_bigframe2_copy.png http://s3.supload.com/files/default/videos_bigframe2-20090204090146.png

Cranial

2009-02-04, 16:12

I'm liking that one mate. Maybe a little more opacity on the diagonal?

Does XBMC already add it's own overlay to posters too? Can't remember.

pletopia

2009-02-04, 16:51

don't you think it should be a bit more transparent ??

Rocky5

2009-02-04, 17:00

Ok softened the sharp edge and made it more transparent.

its in the previous post.

noreason4nothin

2009-02-04, 17:09

i prefer the middle one :) Great work! Btw.. what happend to the old ones that were like BluRay Cases? Isnt there a way to get those back in Movie Section and use those above for anyhting else?

Rocky5

2009-02-04, 17:12

i prefer the middle one :) Great work! Btw.. what happend to the old ones that were like BluRay Cases? Isnt there a way to get those back in Movie Section and use those above for anyhting else?

Yeah i put the old ones back in as people wanted it you can get it here.

http://xbmc.org/forum/showpost.php?p=277944&postcount=14

OK here is a update these frames have a gloss over them like in the pics above.

New Frames with Gloss (http://www.sendspace.com/file/umabtm)

http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot000-20090204095242.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot000-20090204095242.png/view/)

noreason4nothin

2009-02-04, 18:17

cool thank you :) i will add all 3 and decide later on which ones are best :)

Doraemonn

2009-02-04, 18:56

Yeah i put the old ones back in as people wanted it you can get it here.

http://xbmc.org/forum/showpost.php?p=277944&postcount=14

OK here is a update these frames have a gloss over them like in the pics above.

Awesome work. I personally would have gone with the ultra-crisp first example, but the new one is definitely very nice. Thanks!

HexusOdy

2009-02-04, 19:01

Personally I think a "Black glass" instead of the frosted frame might be cool. The theme uses alot of black and I think it might tie in well.

How about a darker version? :)

Rocky5

2009-02-04, 20:24

Personally I think a "Black glass" instead of the frosted frame might be cool. The theme uses alot of black and I think it might tie in well.

How about a darker version? :)

Will do that later off out to see Valkyrie.

also will do the sharp version of the gloss to later.

Doraemonn

2009-02-04, 20:38

You do Rock!

pletopia

2009-02-04, 21:30

i'm confused .. how come the 2 xpr's that Rocky5 posted are like ~200k while the originals and cranial's xpr are in the 14-15mb range ??

hikaricore

2009-02-04, 21:46

You don't replace the OLD xpr with the new ones.
Just simply place them in the media directory inside the skin's directory.

HexusOdy

2009-02-04, 21:47

You need to get XPR express. Unpack the textures.xpr, copy over the new frames from Rocky's zip then rebuild a Textures.xpr. Make sure you have quality set to Max.

paul

2009-02-04, 22:50

You don't replace the OLD xpr with the new ones.
Just simply place them in the media directory inside the skin's directory.

That's true but failed to mention he has to select that as a sub skin under the appearance panel
then it will use whatever files are in there instaed of the default ones.

But the better option is to unpack the both .xprs and combine the files then repack them into one texture.xpr
as you said xprexpress assuming the files have not been locked

strangedaze39

2009-02-04, 23:24

Those just keep getting better and better! Thanks for doing these :cool:

Here's my first attempt, it's not that great and I haven't even had a chance to test it out yet, I'll try and get a more refined version with a test shot in xbmc asap.

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/3889/vector2xpreviewdj0.png

@Rocky, you mentioned you didn't make them big enough for the watched/unwatched icon because they wouldn't look right in all views. What views are you talking about? So I know which ones to look at while testing

hikaricore

2009-02-04, 23:32

This was already covered by Rocky.

That's true but failed to mention he has to select that as a sub skin under the appearance panel
then it will use whatever files are in there instaed of the default ones.

No you just change it to New Frames in the settings menu.

press up then goto Screen then its under appearance.

strangedaze39

2009-02-05, 00:31

Kind of a silly idea, but here's a preview for kicks. Just FYI this probably won't work if you just threw the frame in there since one frame might be used for multiple things. It's possible to do something like this I imagine though.

Blueray Style
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1967/bdtemplatepreviewdd8.png
DVD Style
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/8567/dvdtemplatepreviewcx9.png
Note: This isn't my work I only cropped, fitted, and modded it to work with xbmc. Basically it's just a "port" but if there is any use for an idea like this I know the author and would be glad to ask for permission.

Rocky5

2009-02-05, 01:41

@Rocky, you mentioned you didn't make them big enough for the watched/unwatched icon because they wouldn't look right in all views. What views are you talking about? So I know which ones to look at while testing

OK this texture (videos_bigframe2) is used in nearly all menus with the poster view.

posterwallframe2 i haven't seen where this is used yet though i may have missed it.

also here is what the frames will look like if there black.
http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot000-20090204173702.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot000-20090204173702.png/view/) http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot001-20090204173702.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot001-20090204173702.png/view/)

Cranial

2009-02-05, 02:02

I'm liking the black look. It draws less attention away from the posters.

Also Rocky5, noticed with some of my Movie / TV posters and your frames, I'm seeing a small gap between the top of the poster and the frame. Anyone else getting this?

strangedaze39

2009-02-05, 02:27

The black is little dark, but I kind of like that. I'd have to try it out on my TV.

Here's a screenshot of the DVD style sleeve in XBMC, still need to slightly bump it down and it'll work perfect.

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7757/dvdframepreviewch6.th.png (http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7757/dvdframepreviewch6.png)

What ya think?

paul

2009-02-05, 02:41

Rocky5 any chance of you doing the videos_bigframe3.png frame for new frames gloss as i do like these frames
but i am stuck with the horrible default one at the moment i did try to modify one for the job but just made a complete mess of it
thanks

krypt2nite

2009-02-05, 04:16

OK this texture (videos_bigframe2) is used in nearly all menus with the poster view.

posterwallframe2 i haven't seen where this is used yet though i may have missed it.

also here is what the frames will look like if there black.
http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot000-20090204173702.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot000-20090204173702.png/view/) http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot001-20090204173702.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot001-20090204173702.png/view/)

Love the black frames. Looking forward to this one.

neurosis13

2009-02-05, 05:54

i still like the old frame the most,
its better than stark and verything else and it's the reason
why i didnt upgrade to Horizon IV

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n279/throughtheiris25/5-3.jpg

strangedaze39

2009-02-05, 06:06

@neurosis13: If you want you can easily transfer those frames over to IV. I think rocky might have even posted an xpr for it.

krypt2nite

2009-02-05, 06:20

@neurosis13: If you want you can easily transfer those frames over to IV. I think rocky might have even posted an xpr for it.

Here you go neurosis13

http://xbmc.org/forum/showpost.php?p=277944&postcount=14

I use the old frames with new version. Download them at that link.

pletopia

2009-02-05, 09:34

those dark frames are really sexy

minimalko

2009-02-05, 09:58

i still like the old frame the most,
its better than stark and verything else and it's the reason
why i didnt upgrade to Horizon IV

Something must be wrong with me as the old frames are the only reason I never used Horizons.

HexusOdy

2009-02-05, 11:00

The Dark frames look sweeeet. Get them posted Rocky ;)

devilrejects

2009-02-05, 13:49

Rocky5

2009-02-05, 14:37

I am re-doing them all lol fixing all the inconsistencies and gaps so it may be tomorrow there released as i am going to a my m8s gig tonight.

ok here is the new version it removes all gaps in the frames also here is what it would look like if i added some sort of outlet for the watched / not watched as you can see the frame is used in more than just movies and tv shows so it look off and i personally don't like it so i wont be adding it in sorry..

New Frame.
http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/screenshot000-20090205065459.png (http://s3.supload.com/free/screenshot000-20090205065459.png/view/)

New Frame with outlet.
http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/l-20090205065500.bmp (http://s3.supload.com/free/l-20090205065500.bmp/view/)http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/ll-20090205065517.bmp (http://s3.supload.com/free/ll-20090205065517.bmp/view/)http://s3.supload.com/thumbs/default/lll-20090205065533.bmp (http://s3.supload.com/free/lll-20090205065533.bmp/view/)

xb2iris

2009-02-05, 16:16

Hey dudes, thanks for the help... especially on the dialogs... will grab it and add it to the mix... as for the frames, their looking cool as shit... and definately thinking of similar ideas for volume v, coz that ones gonna look really different!!!!

tuckbodi

2009-02-05, 17:21

@xb2iris - dude, you are too kewl! Most people would feel a little toes stepped on but it just seems like you check the ego at the door and just shoot for what is best for Horizonz. It's why I religiously come here several times a day. You just never see the nastiness you see on other threads...just goodness.

@Rocky - I'm really diggin' the new darker frame. Can't wait to try it!

pletopia

2009-02-05, 17:33

took a look at the "new" frame with the dimple in the lower left corner .. not that convinced by it .. but i feel i need to see it on my screen to make a better decision about it

however i might have a proposition that might be a better idea and would use both your frameset's

what if we ditch the whole little thing in the lower corner since it kind of sticks out like a sore thumb when everything else about the skin and frame's now are very slick and instead have the "white" frame's for movies that are watched and the "black" frames for non-watched (or vice-versa doesn't really matter)