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View Full Version : xTV List view mod w/fanart

Scott R
2009-02-05, 21:43
Background:
Inspired by Kris_Toff's xTV Wrap view w/fanart mod, I've been messing around with creating a List view mod w/fanart. Here's what I've come up with...

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6223/xbmclistfanart4sn0.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xbmclistfanart4sn0.jpg)

* Note: The screenshot above isn't completely accurate. The latest version of this mod uses a slightly larger font for the list and only shows a list of 18 movies. The screenshot above has a list of 21 movies, but the font was too small, making readability difficult for all but the largest of screens.

Instructions:
Note: Make backup copies of the files you'll be working with (or a backup of the entire xTV skin).

In file \xTV\PAL\includes.xml replace the section <include name="ListView-Icon"> as follows:

<!-- SLR - DVD coverart used in List view (supersize coverart, but only show if no fanart exists) -->
<include name="ListView-Icon">
<control type="image">
<description>list item icon</description>
<posx>0</posx>
<posy>50</posy>
<width>450</width>
<height>450</height>
<info>ListItem.Icon</info>
<aspectratio>keep</aspectratio>
<visible>IsEmpty(listitem.property(fanart_image)) + Control.IsVisible(50)</visible>
<animation effect="rotatey" start="-20" end="-20" time="0" condition="Skin.HasSetting(tilted-icons)">Conditional</animation>
<include>list-fade</include>
</control>
<control type="image">
<description>list item icon reflection</description>
<posx>0</posx>
<posy>500</posy>
<width>450</width>
<height>450</height>
<info>ListItem.Icon</info>
<texture flipy="true" diffuse="fade2.png">-</texture>
<aspectratio>keep</aspectratio>
<visible>IsEmpty(listitem.property(fanart_image)) + Control.IsVisible(50)</visible>
<animation effect="rotatey" start="-20" end="-20" time="0" condition="Skin.HasSetting(tilted-icons)">Conditional</animation>
<include>list-fade</include>
</control>
</include>


In file \xTV\PAL\MyVideo.xml add the following right after the line <include>background</include> (line 6):

<!-- SLR - Fanart image for List view ... -->
<control type="image">
<posx>10</posx>
<posy>60</posy>
<width>475</width>
<height>380</height>
<visible>!IsEmpty(listitem.property(fanart_image)) + Control.HasFocus(50)</visible>
<animation effect="fade" end="0" time="200">WindowClose</animation>
<animation effect="fade" start="0" end="100" time="200">VisibleChange</animation>
<texture>$INFO[listitem.property(fanart_image)]</texture>
</control>
<!-- SLR - Reflection of fanart ... -->
<control type="image">
<posx>10</posx>
<posy>440</posy>
<width>475</width>
<height>200</height>
<visible>!IsEmpty(listitem.property(fanart_image)) + Control.HasFocus(50)</visible>
<animation effect="fade" end="0" time="200">WindowClose</animation>
<animation effect="fade" start="0" end="100" time="200">VisibleChange</animation>
<texture flipy="true" diffuse="fade.png">$INFO[listitem.property(fanart_image)]</texture>
</control>


In file \xTV\PAL 16x9\CommonViewTypes.xml replace section <include name="ListView"> with the following:

<include name="ListView">
<control type="list" id="50">
<!-- SLR - List text positioning ... -->
<posx>485</posx>
<posy>90</posy>
<width>285</width>
<height>430</height>
<onleft>2</onleft>
<onright>23</onright>
<onup>50</onup>
<ondown>50</ondown>
<include>list-fade</include>
<scrolltime>1</scrolltime>
<viewtype label="List">List</viewtype>
<pagecontrol>23</pagecontrol>
<itemlayout height="24">
<control type="image">
<width>285</width>
<height>30</height>
<posx>0</posx>
<posy>1</posy>
</control>
<control type="label">
<posx>13</posx>
<posy>-4</posy>
<width>253</width>
<height>32</height>
<font>font8</font>
<align>left</align>
<aligny>center</aligny>
<textcolor>button-text</textcolor>
<selectedcolor>listselectedtext</selectedcolor>
<info>ListItem.Label</info>
</control>
</itemlayout>
<focusedlayout height="24">
<!-- SLR - This positions the "highlight" box behind selected list item ... -->
<control type="image">
<width>225</width>
<height>32</height>
<posx>5</posx>
<posy>-4</posy>
<texture>default-button.png</texture>
</control>
<control type="label">
<posx>13</posx>
<posy>-4</posy>
<width>253</width>
<height>32</height>
<font>font8</font>
<align>left</align>
<aligny>center</aligny>
<textcolor>button-text</textcolor>
<selectedcolor>listselectedtext</selectedcolor>
<info>ListItem.Label</info>
</control>
</focusedlayout>
</control>
</include>
Scott R
2009-02-05, 23:24
Well, I made good progress. Here's what I've got now...

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3583/xbmclistfanart3mi1.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xbmclistfanart3mi1.jpg)
Scott R
2009-02-06, 07:03
I wasn't really happy with it. The fanart still felt too "covered over" and the list of titles, even with the gray translucent background, was no longer as readable as it used to be (with the stock List view), so I played around some more, and here's the latest version that I'm liking:
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6223/xbmclistfanart4sn0.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xbmclistfanart4sn0.jpg)
kizer
2009-02-06, 19:51
Me too. The 3rd image looks clean and well clean. ;)

Worst case you could rid of the reflection and put in the plot at the bottom stretched across since you have the room.

I think the abscense of the thumb looks really nice and clean. Lets face it you already know what it is because you can see the text.
Maxim
2009-02-06, 20:02
I like the third image, but it wouldn't seem to work with low res screen since the text would be smaller. Something is still missing from the background though. It's too solid, i'm not sure what can be done about that.
Scott R
2009-02-07, 00:20
Yeah, I have mixed feelings about the fanart reflection. I may get rid of that. I was also thinking about shifting the fanart upwards a bit more and using the extra space below to show the movie summary. And, yes, the fontsize was actually too small. It looked fine on my laptop up-close, but when I moved the skin out to one of my XBox's in my bedroom (hooked up to a 37" LCD viewed from about 10' away), it was a bit too hard to read. So, I made an additional update since the last screenshot above which makes the fontsize a bit larger (though it still is smaller than stock and so shows more movie titles than stock).

One thing you don't see in the screenshots above is that I also tweaked it so that if a fanart image is *not* available, it shows a large DVD boxcover in its place.

I'd like to see if I can consolidate the code to fewer xml files, and ideally create this as an all-new additional view, rather than taking over the stock List view. If I can accomplish those tasks soon, I'll make the files available for others to enjoy.
Scott R
2009-02-07, 00:27
One additional note...

I love the xTV skin due to its usability/simplicity/efficiency. Apple did a great job with the original AppleTV UI (which I think they made *less* usable by removing (?) the List view in the AppleTV update, so I think Chief's move towards the newer AppleTV is ill-founded, IMHO). But as much as I love the original AppleTV / xTV UI, I don't necessarily want it to look exactly like an original AppleTV clone. If I ever have the time and learn enough about skinning, I'd love to make an all-new UI which has all of the usability /efficiency advantages, but with its own look. The essence of this would be to possibly change the font, tweak the sound effects, and play around with some alternative background colors and icons.

But, IMO, the List view is the *best* view for movies, so as much as I love the eye-candy of some of the other XBMC skins out there, and the "fun" aspects of a Wrap or Coverflow view, the ideal new UI I envision might actually only have the List view.
kizer
2009-02-07, 09:39
Looking at the images I meant to say the 4th image. Being the last one with the black bottom. Sorry we didn't learn how to count past 3 when I went to school. ;)
nchall
2009-02-19, 19:57
Have you made any more progress on this?
batrad
2009-03-20, 20:49
the last one looks great ..

where i can download the script/mod?

Thanks
mique
2009-04-03, 20:54
Yes, Where can we download this from?
Nexxman
2009-04-07, 07:01
Yes, Where can we download this from?

I would like this too.

3rd pic is perfect....

Great work!!
rogue21
2009-04-07, 12:39
im a noob
batrad
2009-06-12, 18:46
I wasn't really happy with it. The fanart still felt too "covered over" and the list of titles, even with the gray translucent background, was no longer as readable as it used to be (with the stock List view), so I played around some more, and here's the latest version that I'm liking:
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6223/xbmclistfanart4sn0.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xbmclistfanart4sn0.jpg)

appreciate if you can share the code with us...

thanks
Scott R
2009-10-09, 18:01
My apologies for letting this thread die. I didn't subscribe to this thread (I'm used to forums automatically subscribing you to a thread you post in), so I didn't know when people were replying, and I got caught up with life/work, etc.

I've been using xTV on my XBox's with my fanart mod for a while now, but have been otherwise out of the loop with what others (including the original creator of xTV) have been doing lately. Is there still any interest in seeing my code?
blu5
2009-10-10, 02:31
. Is there still any interest in seeing my code?


Yes !!!!!!
batrad
2009-10-19, 00:37
Yes ... Please
Scott R
2009-10-21, 03:18
OK, I will try to get the details documented and/or files uploaded somewhere soon.
batrad
2009-11-03, 17:49
OK, I will try to get the details documented and/or files uploaded somewhere soon.

Scott,

Any updates ?

Thanks
Kavika
2009-11-04, 06:51
Hello... REALLY like that 3rd screen too!

Please share! :grin:
Scott R
2009-11-04, 22:03
OK, let me give this a shot. I haven't worked on this in a long while, but I think I made backups of all the files I touched and put comments in the ones that I did touch, so hopefully this covers everything. Let me know if you think I've missed providing you all with a setting or file somewhere.

*** Instructions moved to the original post in this thread ***
Scott R
2009-11-07, 14:15
So...have any of you tried this out?
batrad
2009-11-15, 20:44
Scott,

Thanks for the code

I'm unable to figure out what section in
In file \xTV\PAL\MyVideo.xml

I need to update. Unable to find a section with the same previous values as mentioned

thanks

OK, let me give this a shot. I haven't worked on this in a long while, but I think I made backups of all the files I touched and put comments in the ones that I did touch, so hopefully this covers everything. Let me know if you think I've missed providing you all with a setting or file somewhere.

Note: Make backup copies of the files you'll be working with (or a backup of the entire xTV skin).

In file \xTV\PAL\includes.xml change the following section as follows:


<control type="image">
<description>list item icon</description>
<!-- Prev values: 20, 100, 350, 350 -->
<posx>-20</posx>
<posy>400</posy>
<width>150</width>
<height>150</height>
<info>ListItem.Icon</info>
<aspectratio>keep</aspectratio>
<visible>Control.IsVisible(50)</visible>
<animation effect="rotatey" start="-20" end="-20" time="0" condition="Skin.HasSetting(tilted-icons)">Conditional</animation>
<include>list-fade</include>
</control>
<control type="image">
<description>list item icon reflection</description>
<posx>20</posx>
<posy>450</posy>
<width>350</width>
<height>350</height>
<info>ListItem.Icon</info>
<texture flipy="true" diffuse="fade2.png">-</texture>
<aspectratio>keep</aspectratio>
<!-- Prev value: 50 -->
<visible>Control.IsVisible(54)</visible>
<animation effect="rotatey" start="-20" end="-20" time="0" condition="Skin.HasSetting(tilted-icons)">Conditional</animation>
<include>list-fade</include>
</control>


In file \xTV\PAL\MyVideo.xml change the following section as follows:


<control type="image">
<!-- Prev values: 0, 30, 720, 546 -->
<posx>0</posx>
<posy>0</posy>
<width>400</width>
<height>303</height>
<visible>!IsEmpty(listitem.property(fanart_image)) + [Control.HasFocus(50) | Control.HasFocus(54)]</visible>
<animation effect="fade" end="0" time="200">WindowClose</animation>
<animation effect="fade" start="0" end="100" time="200">VisibleChange</animation>
<texture>$INFO[listitem.property(fanart_image)]</texture>
</control>


In file \xTV\PAL 16x9\CommonViewTypes.xml I think I made too many little tweaks to list, so you'll need to replace it entirely. You can download it from here:
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/2846849/CommonViewTypes.xml
Scott R
2009-11-15, 21:37
Hold off for a bit. I found another set of modified files on my computer, so I'm now trying to verify which is the newer set. I'll post back shortly with updated directions. wyrm has also been in touch with me and I'll be sending him my files for integration into his xTV mod.
Scott R
2009-11-15, 23:40
OK, I've cleaned up my files to remove unnecessary changes that were made in the course of prior testing. I've corrected my instructions and have put the instructions in the original post of this thread. Let me know if you run into any more problems.
wyrm
2009-11-16, 17:05
OK, I've cleaned up my files to remove unnecessary changes that were made in the course of prior testing. I've corrected my instructions and have put the instructions in the original post of this thread. Let me know if you run into any more problems.

Scott R,

Thank you for the files, have now merged your changes into my mod. I managed to shoehorn the fanart into the 4x3 list view. Have not checked just yet, but this may mean the look under 16x9 has changed just a little, hope you don't mind. Hopefully will be available to download by the weekend if I can sort out a couple of little issues with the skin.

Wyrm (xTV SAF)
Kavika
2009-11-16, 17:06
Thank you thank you!!

This is the smoothest working Fan Art mod for the Xbox i have seen so far!!!

Very, very well done!

Much appreciated!!!
Kavika
2009-11-16, 18:40
I was wondering if anyone else is having the alignment quite a bit off in the list view? The text for the directories isn't lining up on the right side of the fan art properly, and is about 10 letters into the right portion of the fan art picture...

Again, i love this mod and the Fan Art speed is perfect!

Thanks thanks!

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.74a928ef2b.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?74a928ef2b.jpg)
Scott R
2009-11-16, 22:41
I was wondering if anyone else is having the alignment quite a bit off in the list view? The text for the directories isn't lining up on the right side of the fan art properly, and is about 10 letters into the right portion of the fan art picture...
Can you provide a screenshot?
batrad
2009-11-16, 23:19
Scott & Wyrm

Really appreciate your efforts.

Thanks
Kavika
2009-11-17, 03:34
Can you provide a screenshot?

Updated my post with a ss.

Cheerz again!
wyrm
2009-11-17, 03:46
I was wondering if anyone else is having the alignment quite a bit off in the list view? The text for the directories isn't lining up on the right side of the fan art properly, and is about 10 letters into the right portion of the fan art picture...

Again, i love this mod and the Fan Art speed is perfect!

Thanks thanks!

Kavika and Scott R,

Yep, that was what I had until I reduced the size of the fanart image a little. I was working on the PAL 4x3 side of things, so when I move things over to 16x9 , I'm sure the image will not be as large as originally posted by Scott R. I don't have a 16x9 display here, so will have to run a 1280x720 window to see what it looks like. Will try to keep people posted until I release the next iteration of the skin mod.

Wyrm (xTV SAF)
Kavika
2009-11-17, 03:58
Good to know it isn't me! ;-)

I'm running on an Xbox hooked up to my HDTV.

i tried playing around with some of the numbers in the CommonViewTypes file, but haven't had any luck actually getting the text to change.

Ideally we want it Left-aligned with the little TV icon at the top of the screen
" .X. TV Shows".

Thanks again for the fast response!
Scott R
2009-11-17, 04:56
This is how it looks for me:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4111287682_042ed4cea6_o.jpg

What's the fancified background swirly thing you've got going on?

Note: Since cleaning up my files, I've only tested this out on my laptop. I will try to test it out on one of my classic XBoxes tomorrow, and will even try to test it out with one of my old-fashioned 4:3 TV's.
Kavika
2009-11-17, 05:10
LOL

Oh! The swirly stuff is just one of the "themes" you can download for this skin. I think this one is "AquaSomething" 8-)

Yeah... yours is exactly how it SHOULD look i imagine!
Anytime i have a LIST View though, whether it's movies, music, or tv shows,
i'm about 10 letters into the fan art picture....

Thanks much for your assistance!