The Orbs, a skin by KoTiX [Archive]

KoTiX

2005-01-27, 16:02

by animations i mean an intro movie for each section, as you see in the first 3 shots there are 3 frames of the small halo2 movie for "myprograms" section.
animations are avi files converted to gif images.
i'm still looking for small avi to use in myfiles, mypictures and settings, if anybody have an idea or a link for something usefull please let me know.
cheers. :thumbsup:

jamal

2005-01-27, 17:12

a great kotix :thumbsup:

Livin

2005-01-28, 00:29

now that is nice!

HarshReality

2005-01-28, 01:37

when is it you expect to have this one done?

BritneysPAIRS

2005-01-28, 08:08

kotix just finishing up new mameox and that looks great you look like you have time now and i will soon....hopefully we can do a skin sometime

KoTiX

2005-01-28, 08:39

when is it you expect to have this one done?

maybe in a week will be ready, but as always pal4/3 only.

Gamester17

2005-01-28, 13:06

nice, though suggest you add much stonger high-lights on the item selected or one won't be able to clearly see which item you're on when scrolling/browsing on some tv's

spiff

2005-01-28, 14:09

if your tv can't show the difference between a green 'ball' with an a in it and a blue ball with no 'a' in it i suggest you throw it away.. ;)

(sorry, couldn't resist)

C-Quel

2005-01-28, 14:22

it's a black and white tv set!

:nuts:

sorry me neither :joker:

Livin

2005-01-28, 15:11

the only suggestion i'd have is that having the rss feed inside the orb may make it difficult to read since the ares is so small in length... you may want to move the feed to th ebottom of the screen where you can scroll it the full length.

Gamester17

2005-01-28, 15:12

...and if someone, like my/your parents, don't know who or what ac/dc and master chief is, then how are they suppose to know the 'topics' intuitivly?, never assume anything :p

KoTiX

2005-01-28, 15:52

:) hahaha, is there anybody outthere who doesn't know angus? (just kidding)
i used those animations because they were the first avi files i found or i have at home, i'm still looking for something to use for myfiles and mypictures.(helps are appreciated)
for settings i'd like to use the original ms startup animation, what do you think??
the rss feed is not that much shorter then the project mayhem one.
does anybody think it's too bright?? on my tv the home page is fine but the other sections with almost the same background become almost unreadable.
p.s. i'm really happy that gif images don't take so much resouces now, you've got to see them! :)

C-Quel

2005-01-28, 18:17

sorry slight off topic what do you use to convert avitogif?

KoTiX

2005-01-28, 18:22

gif construction set pro, also remember that gifs background need to be set to "restore to background"
good luck :)

KoTiX

2005-02-01, 11:20

some improvements:
http://img172.exs.cx/img172/3166/screenshot0487dt.jpg
http://img172.exs.cx/img172/9672/screenshot0473og.jpg
http://img162.exs.cx/img162/6154/screenshot0467fw.jpg

Chokemaniac

2005-02-01, 18:26

hi kotix - looks really promissing - just one smal tip: dont over-do the bewel on the xbmc logo - i`d try either none or a slight pillow emboss ;)

oh and btw - your idea with the covers works out much better in your own skin - well done

KoTiX

2005-02-01, 20:35

hi chokey, tnx for the tip :p
your help is always wellcome :bowdown: :thumbsup:

Livin

2005-02-01, 21:36

all i can say... sweet.

...rare eh? :d

KoTiX

2005-02-02, 15:13

hereis a provvisory link for download:
here (http://leech.zapto.org/theorbs.rar) left click.
if anybody download it please have the courtesy to give me a feedback.

giorgioh_m

2005-02-03, 05:58

hey kotix,

i was just telling my friend the other day how nice it would be if xbmc played preview movies for games and other programs. it seems that you have discovered the next big thing - animated pictures.

so far your skin looks good, the only qualms i have with it are in aforementioned gifs. unlike other animations such as the one used for xlink and the background of project mayhem, your animated pictures are blatantly repetitive in that they don't loop well. sure, initially, i must admit that it was quite thrilling to see my personal favorites halo ii and matrix captured in mini clips, but this excitement quickly turns into disappointment and leaves me wanting more.

this is not to say that you should no longer use animated pictures in your skin, but instead modify the said animations so that they are as smooth and convincing as other examples seem to be.

a bit off topic, is there a way to assign an animation picture to each game? right now it changes depending on the selection you made at the main menu (my programs, my files, my pictures, etc.), is there a way for instance to play your halo clip when halo 2 is highlighted in the games page?

another idea - has anyone here ever played rise of nations for the pc? those of you who have, can perhaps remember the main menu screen. it had a gameplay movie that was lightened or darkened to mix with the background. it was a really nice effect, perhaps something of that nature can be introduced in your skin or your future creations. doing so might hide the fact that the picture is looping forever.

overall, your skin looks promising. i can't wait for the finished product.

KoTiX

2005-02-03, 12:39

tnx for the reply giorgioh, the gifs i have used are just the first i could find around and *i can change them whenever i want. they are looping now but i guess one loop will be fine.
btw the biggest problem with gifs animations is the memory load, the very first gifs i made up were smooth and longer in time but i had only 8 megs free and when i try to play a movie in overlay xbmc hangs.
ok now the skin is far to be complete but i have demonstrate that gifs can be used without loss of memory.
a bit off topic, is there a way to assign an animation picture to each game? *right now it changes depending on the selection you made at the main menu (my programs, my files, my pictures, etc.), is there a way for instance to play your halo clip when halo 2 is highlighted in the games page?

noway.
another idea - has anyone here ever played rise of nations for the pc? *those of you who have, can perhaps remember the main menu screen. *it had a gameplay movie that was lightened or darkened to mix with the background. *it was a really nice effect, perhaps something of that nature can be introduced in your skin or your future creations. *doing so might hide the fact that the picture is looping forever.
give me a link or send it to marcotix@libero.it, i'll surely use it in anyway.

cheers for now. :d

Modhack

2005-02-03, 13:06

hi kotix

nice work, dvd case looks fine with your skin
cya

modhack

KoTiX

2005-02-03, 16:47

here some new shots with the new color:
http://img225.exs.cx/img225/7516/screenshot0562yv.jpg
http://img225.exs.cx/img225/4625/screenshot0547mc.jpg

Nickman

2005-02-03, 20:04

i personaly like to old one better.

C-Quel

2005-02-03, 20:10

naaa... new one :kickass: old one to bright... this is slick!

axious

2005-02-06, 22:19

kotix - you need me to upload any new versions? if so, email me new one and i'll upload.

KoTiX

2005-02-06, 23:58

i'll try tomorrow to upload it after i finish up some small things, i can'y upload it on xbox-skins i'll email it to you.
cheers. :thumbsup:

KoTiX

2005-02-07, 18:16

new home amd new icons:
http://img170.exs.cx/img170/572/screenshot0651wr.jpg
http://img170.exs.cx/img170/6379/screenshot0706du.jpg
still missing the "myfiles" animation and some small fixes, but the pal version is almost complete so you'll have a 16/9 and ntsc version soon.

axious

2005-02-07, 19:11

updated - for latest build (http://leech.zapto.org/theorbs.rar) left click.

link (http://leech.zapto.org/theorbs.rar) :fixed:

C-Quel

2005-02-07, 19:32

links broken :sniffle:

2005-02-07, 19:33

axious,

i'm getting a 404 not found on your link.

axious

2005-02-07, 19:38

link (http://leech.zapto.org/theorbs.rar) :fixed:

C-5

2005-02-07, 23:17

wow, this is a great skin.

Nickman

2005-02-08, 13:20

can you make a dark version with the home buttons from the first brigth version ?

these buttons look like project mayhem. and don't fit the skin imho.

KoTiX

2005-02-08, 14:19

can you make a dark version with the home buttons from the first brigth version ?

yes but only for the home page, there is not enought room in the other sections.

finally i was able to upload the skin here: http://www.xbox-skins.net/index.php?download=3011
tnx blazed for the help. :thumbsup:

KoTiX

2005-02-12, 14:42

a small update for mypictures section:
http://img239.exs.cx/img239/394/screenshot0712qe.jpg

Livin

2005-02-12, 16:49

kotix,
very nice... keep up the great work! love seeing new ideas come to life!

The Dark Knight

2005-02-16, 12:24

should there be a animated gif for my files, cause im missing it?

KoTiX

2005-02-16, 12:46

not it this release, you'll have it in the next one, with some more stuff like weather, hdd space and ip address in the home page.

if anybody who like this skin have some a nice animated gif or nice icons to replace the existing ones please pm me, i'm always looking for graphical improvements.

KoTiX

2005-02-16, 14:04

some more updates:
http://img233.exs.cx/img233/7001/screenshot0792cq.jpg
http://img233.exs.cx/img233/7642/screenshot0783ye.jpg

The Dark Knight

2005-02-16, 15:51

where did i download this update?

KoTiX

2005-02-16, 16:46

i'll probably upload it tonight on xbox-skins, but to run the skin you'll need xbmc of 13/02 or later, as the changes for weather, ip and hdd info aren't there in older version.

The Dark Knight

2005-02-17, 18:08

the missing my file gif is driving me crazy is it in the update and is the update on xbox-skins yet?

KoTiX

2005-02-17, 19:31

sorry no update downloadable yet, the gif is ready but i'm still working on the music and video overlay.
please be patience, i'll surely upload it this weekend.

KoTiX

2005-02-18, 22:21

ok update is out, download it here:http://www.xbox-skins.net/index.php?download=3105

axious

2005-02-18, 23:06

bug?
http://www.artnada.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/screenshot000.jpg

j_guzzler

2005-02-18, 23:47

hmm havent seen that one before, what resolution is that in?

KoTiX

2005-02-18, 23:53

that's the widescreen that is not finished yet.
only 4/3 sorry.
there is a small bug in the ntsc version too, i'll fix it tomorrow sorry.
if somebody want to do it by himself, look in the ntsc folder and edit the font.xml
the first font set need to be replaced by this:
<fonts>
<fontset id="default">


<name>font34</name>
<filename>common-font34.xpr</filename>



<name>font18</name>
<filename>common-font18.xpr</filename>



<name>font13</name>
<filename>common-font13.xpr</filename>



<name>font14</name>
<filename>common-font14.xpr</filename>



<name>font64</name>
<filename>common-font64.xpr</filename>



<name>matrix8</name>
<filename>matrix8.xpr</filename>



<name>font04</name>
<filename>common-font14.xpr</filename>



<name>font12</name>
<filename>common-font12.xpr</filename>



<name>font10</name>
<filename>common-font10.xpr</filename>



<name>font15</name>
<filename>common-font15.xpr</filename>



<name>fontkb</name>
<filename>common-font13.xpr</filename>



<name>font101</name>
<filename>common-font10.xpr</filename>



<name>timefont</name>
<filename>time-font.xpr</filename>


</fontset>

KoTiX

2005-02-19, 09:42

ok guys, i've updated again the skin with a fix for the ntsc font and for the widescreen (16/9) for the home and submenu.
the link is still the same.
http://www.xbox-skins.net/index.php?download=3105
you can find it on allxboxskins too but here the fixes will be there tomorrow maybe.

KoTiX

2005-03-03, 13:43

right now on allxboxskins there is the february 26 release and on xbox-skins.net the february 27.
the difference between them is the fix for the ntsc submenu.
sorry about it but on allxboxskins i can't delete my files and i don't want to upload dozens version of it.

Mausman

2005-03-04, 18:20

i love the skin, but now with the update of xbmc 04-03-2005 on every menuitem there is a big round cd visible.
it's possible to se the underground,like films etc.
how to fix it ??????? i am using pal

KoTiX

2005-03-04, 19:55

it's a bug of xbmc, i already posted it to developers and you'll find it fixed in next cvs.

tomorrow i'll probably upload an update that will include video preview in the top orb :)
http://img221.exs.cx/img221/2078/screenshot0144wc.jpg
http://img198.exs.cx/img198/8619/screenshot0151tp.jpg

and cover image in music visualization.

Mausman

2005-03-04, 23:43

sounds great

KoTiX

2005-03-05, 16:09

you have a new music visualization too:
http://img87.exs.cx/img87/6348/screenshot0178rm.jpg

and the update is uploaded here:

http://www.xbox-skins.net/index.php?download=3105

enjoy.

p.s. be sure to use the march 05 xbmc build.

dCypher

2005-07-03, 02:28

kotix,

great skin! i have been fighting with my gf over which skin we are going to permanently use. i love yours! she however prefers project mayhem iii ce 2. we agreed to the famous "compromise." i agreed to switch to pm iii ce 2 but she must let me use your dvd, program, music, etc images and sizing (i love the cases so much!).

however trying to incorporate it i have just messed everything up--i have tried several times. as it is, our compromise has turned in us using pm iii....which i am none too happy about.

any advice/help on how i can merge the two skins?

thanks and keep up the great effort!

KoTiX

2005-07-04, 09:42

here is an explanation how to incorporate "myprograms" dvd covers to pm3:
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.p....3&st=15 (http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=399243&st=15)

look for xr8d post.

for other sections like music or videos you need to edit in the same way the thumbpanel in the respective xml and add the png file in pm3 media folder (folder-cd-focus, folder-dvd-focus, etc.)

i hope this help you out :)

stryfe2010

2008-01-24, 06:09

I use to use The Orbs and really liked how it looked, could someone tell me how I could go about making it compatible with a newer version of xbmc?

QuakeShambler

2008-04-02, 21:07

Im trying to use "The Orbs" (d/l'd from the 2.0 compatability list) on the latest t3ch build of XBMC, but i have no text appear, at all. full graphics, but all text is missing (menus etc)

any ideas?

btw am running at PAL 4:3, my options for resolution (Screen & Video) are 4:3 Or Auto, so 16:9, not an option

hicaow

2008-04-03, 00:47

the skin isn't updated to work with newer XBMC .. that list is not a good start .. use the XBMC Skin Manger to get up to date skins ..

http://s205077464.onlinehome.fr/index.php

Jezz_X

2008-04-03, 00:58

It has no text because it still uses XPR fonts which support for has been removed since the skin should be compatible with version 2.0 of xbmc anything newer like SVN versions it wont

QuakeShambler

2008-04-04, 22:13

So I Guess I Have 2 Options...

Wait For "The Orbs"'es (how the hell do you add belonging/ ownership " 's " to that?) Owner to Update,

Or Update It Myself...

Any Idea How To Do The Second? Can I Just Put A Font File In The Font Folder And Hope For The Best?

Rookie

2008-08-01, 23:07

Gamester17

2008-08-02, 01:02

This is the reasons why all skinners should make their skins open source and host them all in one location ;)
http://sourceforge.net/projects/xboxmediacenter
http://sourceforge.net/svn/?group_id=87325
http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org
http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=Skinning_XBMC
http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=Category:Skin_Development

CHI3f

2008-08-02, 05:58

Any chance Of bringing back The Orbs?I would love to see the same concept put back into action.I'm sure somebody other than me would want to see this happen.

I bet a new and improved would look very nice.What do you guys think?

I actually have all the source images and have allready started updating the skin. Have been doing it for months now actually but work has been slow do to lack of free time. I have done alot of the major skin engine changes and cleaned the xmls. I could put it in an svn and let others work on it since I have a lack of time and any time I do have to do skin work is spent remaking xTV.

UND3R ACHI3V3R

2008-08-02, 07:28

What a great idea CHI3F!

Competes2win

2008-08-02, 09:32

This skin looks nice, I wasn't a part of the xbox scene while this skin was popular so have never used it... I was wondering how the skin's video previews function worked, could you just set the focus on an item and it would play? Is this function still available, and if so what control is required? Just wondering and thanks.

CHI3f

2008-08-02, 14:05

I was wondering how the skin's video previews function worked, could you just set the focus on an item and it would play? Is this function still available, and if so what control is required? Just wondering and thanks.

It did not have a video preview function. It had multiimages that played in the orb but they were only window dependent and never changed.

Rookie

2008-08-08, 19:16

Can somebody put up a snapshot of a newer build of this skin to let people see more of the potential it has?I would love to see this on the SVN,but if enough people are not interested it likely won't happen.

UND3R ACHI3V3R

2008-08-09, 00:57

+1 For intrest!

CHI3f

2008-08-09, 13:40

When I get back home I will make up some screenshots and put it in the xbmc skinning svn. Until then you can check out what I have done in the google code svn. (http://code.google.com/p/not-the-orbs/) I am not sure if it is up to date with what I have done but it will give ou and idea. It is the half life 2 version of the skin. I have been trying to keep it as original as possible, just making slight changes.

Rookie

2008-08-09, 19:01

Thanks ChI3f.

CHI3f

2008-08-11, 02:35

The skin is now in the skinning project svn. It is the Half Life 2 version of the skin. It includes full animations resized to use less space than before. It does not support 16x9 but does not look horrible streched to 16x9. I have gotten it pretty functional aside from dialogs. I will work on it some more when I get time.

Here is the checkout address (https://xboxmediacenter.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/xboxmediacenter/TheOrbs)