Feature Request Crystal and Clock - Page 2

cjmaddy · 11-19-2008, 11:58 AM

True! - I will probably always leave it there too!... But I also like that green coral, - and I think the left-hand end looks empty.

feldon34 · 11-19-2008, 12:01 PM

I should add that I have always had ideas about developing a Logo picker, loader, downloader for the Aquarium. I'll wait and see what MA3 does as far as interface for picking logos. The basic functionality of MA2.6 is --you just put the files in the Marine Aquarium folder and they appear in the Aquarium on a random/shuffle rotation.

Jim Sachs · 11-19-2008, 12:17 PM

I just wish I could think of an easier way to implement logos. Designing one takes a fair amount of knowledge regarding masks, Alpha channels, file formats, etc. I'm just finishing up a SereneScreen logo which took even me about an hour, and I've been doing computer graphics for over 20 years.

I'm also experimenting with different looks. The logo I'm working on is full color, and is applied right over the face of the crystal, like a sign painted on. There's also the etched look, like most of the logos you guys have done. A third possibility is "embeded", with a color logo underneath the first layer of the crystal.

rctneil · 11-19-2008, 12:32 PM

A place at the far left hand side of the tank would be great. Giving users a choice with all the settings is a massive plus in my book!

Dale · 11-19-2008, 12:36 PM

Originally posted by feldon32:

I should add that I have always had ideas about developing a Logo picker, loader, downloader for the Aquarium. I'll wait and see what MA3 does as far as interface for picking logos. The basic functionality of MA2.6 is --you just put the files in the Marine Aquarium folder and they appear in the Aquarium on a random/shuffle rotation.

And it's rather obvious that -- if the logo function in MA3 does not at least support that functionality, then somebody is going to have to write that part of the "upgrade" installation procedure.

And don't even consider having MA3 support two or more different ways of inserting logos - that's a nightmare to write, and hideous to support.

As a practical matter, you're probably stuck with that implementation.

Jav400 · 11-19-2008, 12:54 PM

Personally I'm in Morgan's camp on this one.

I haven't used the crystal that often, but ( and don't shoot me here ) I really don't like that finger coral that was there. I think allot of it has to do with that miserable green color. In this instance my preferences are to keep the crystal there regardless. Jim had originally said he might put it on the right, but I much prefer where it is now.

As for Logo's available, I am making a folder to contain all the decent looking logo's that I run across, and it will be on our server where anyone can get them. If there are any that anyone here would like to offer for that purpose let me know and I will add them to the selection.

feldon34 · 11-19-2008, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

I just wish I could think of an easier way to implement logos. Designing one takes a fair amount of knowledge regarding masks, Alpha channels, file formats, etc.

I realize you do not like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, but making a logo with them takes about 5 minutes.

With it, I can make etched, greyscale, or color logos with some or all of the logo transparent, translucent, etc.

Jim Sachs · 11-19-2008, 02:20 PM

Yes, it's the same process in PaintShop Pro, but have you ever watched someone's eyes glaze over as you tried to explain the concept of an Alpha channel?

Stew2000 · 11-19-2008, 02:26 PM

Just got Beta7a. the new logo looks excellent on the crystal.

This is going to be the best screensaver ever made

Jim Sachs · 11-19-2008, 02:29 PM

For those who haven't downloaded it yet, here's what it looks like:

feldon34 · 11-19-2008, 02:30 PM

In Photoshop, you don't do a separate Alpha channel. You just start with a 100% transparent layer and start painting on it. Then you export it as a 24-bit PNG with the Transparency checkbox toggled.

Awesome job on the logo by the way.

Stew2000 · 11-19-2008, 02:33 PM

That's the way I do it in Paint Shop Pro.

feldon34 · 11-19-2008, 02:34 PM

~~I believe Jim uses PaintShop Pro version 7, before they Photoshopified it.~~

Jim has tried the newest PaintShopPro and Photoshop. He was horrified with the interface.
Then again I tried an earlier PaintShop Pro and was equally horrified.

We just think differently I guess.

I do wish there was an easier, more user-friendly way to make logos, but people are going to get logos from all over the place, in various formats, most of them WITHOUT transparency. They will look awful when put on the crystal. I really don't have a problem with users having to take an extra step to get something on the crystal.

Stew2000 · 11-19-2008, 02:37 PM

I evolved from psp7 to psp8 to pspX.
I think one of my first was Corel Draw. XD

Jim Sachs · 11-19-2008, 02:37 PM

I use PSP 10.

Morgan - did you extract that logo PNG from the executable, or build it yourself?

Stew2000 · 11-19-2008, 02:41 PM

I've just remembered PSP is now owned by Corel. I've gone back in time

I wonder if we'll get back Windows 3.1

feldon34 · 11-19-2008, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

I use PSP 10.

Morgan - did you extract that logo PNG from the executable, or build it yourself?

From the SCR.

Jav400 · 11-19-2008, 03:04 PM

it works ok for me with one caveat, for awhile there in windowed mode my title bar would not disappear, it just greyed out and that was it. I can't reproduce it yet, so I am putting this one down to some strange occurrence for now.

fozzy · 11-19-2008, 03:29 PM

well, that was faster than expected

The crystal looks really good...

jroseone · 11-19-2008, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by Jav400:

Personally I'm in Morgan's camp on this one.

I haven't used the crystal that often, but ( and don't shoot me here ) I really don't like that finger coral that was there. I think allot of it has to do with that miserable green color. In this instance my preferences are to keep the crystal there regardless. Jim had originally said he might put it on the right, but I much prefer where it is now.

As for Logo's available, I am making a folder to contain all the decent looking logo's that I run across, and it will be on our server where anyone can get them. If there are any that anyone here would like to offer for that purpose let me know and I will add them to the selection.

I made some NY sports logos here: https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=4574, feel free to use them, if the format is the same for MA3.

11-19-2008, 12:01 PM	#22
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	I should add that I have always had ideas about developing a Logo picker, loader, downloader for the Aquarium. I'll wait and see what MA3 does as far as interface for picking logos. The basic functionality of MA2.6 is --you just put the files in the Marine Aquarium folder and they appear in the Aquarium on a random/shuffle rotation. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

11-19-2008, 12:17 PM	#23
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,787	I just wish I could think of an easier way to implement logos. Designing one takes a fair amount of knowledge regarding masks, Alpha channels, file formats, etc. I'm just finishing up a SereneScreen logo which took even me about an hour, and I've been doing computer graphics for over 20 years. I'm also experimenting with different looks. The logo I'm working on is full color, and is applied right over the face of the crystal, like a sign painted on. There's also the etched look, like most of the logos you guys have done. A third possibility is "embeded", with a color logo underneath the first layer of the crystal. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

11-19-2008, 12:54 PM	#26
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	Personally I'm in Morgan's camp on this one. I haven't used the crystal that often, but ( and don't shoot me here ) I really don't like that finger coral that was there. I think allot of it has to do with that miserable green color. In this instance my preferences are to keep the crystal there regardless. Jim had originally said he might put it on the right, but I much prefer where it is now. As for Logo's available, I am making a folder to contain all the decent looking logo's that I run across, and it will be on our server where anyone can get them. If there are any that anyone here would like to offer for that purpose let me know and I will add them to the selection. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

11-19-2008, 02:15 PM	#27
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: I just wish I could think of an easier way to implement logos. Designing one takes a fair amount of knowledge regarding masks, Alpha channels, file formats, etc. I realize you do not like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, but making a logo with them takes about 5 minutes. With it, I can make etched, greyscale, or color logos with some or all of the logo transparent, translucent, etc. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

11-19-2008, 02:20 PM	#28
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,787	Yes, it's the same process in PaintShop Pro, but have you ever watched someone's eyes glaze over as you tried to explain the concept of an Alpha channel? Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

11-19-2008, 11:58 AM	#21
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	True! - I will probably always leave it there too!... But I also like that green coral, - and I think the left-hand end looks empty.

11-19-2008, 12:32 PM	#24
rctneil Registered Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 239	A place at the far left hand side of the tank would be great. Giving users a choice with all the settings is a massive plus in my book!

11-19-2008, 12:36 PM	#25
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by feldon32: I should add that I have always had ideas about developing a Logo picker, loader, downloader for the Aquarium. I'll wait and see what MA3 does as far as interface for picking logos. The basic functionality of MA2.6 is --you just put the files in the Marine Aquarium folder and they appear in the Aquarium on a random/shuffle rotation. And it's rather obvious that -- if the logo function in MA3 does not at least support that functionality, then somebody is going to have to write that part of the "upgrade" installation procedure. And don't even consider having MA3 support two or more different ways of inserting logos - that's a nightmare to write, and hideous to support. As a practical matter, you're probably stuck with that implementation.

11-19-2008, 02:26 PM	#29
Stew2000 Registered Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 89	Just got Beta7a. the new logo looks excellent on the crystal. This is going to be the best screensaver ever made

11-19-2008, 02:33 PM	#32
Stew2000 Registered Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 89	That's the way I do it in Paint Shop Pro.

11-19-2008, 02:34 PM	#33
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	~~I believe Jim uses PaintShop Pro version 7, before they Photoshopified it.~~ Jim has tried the newest PaintShopPro and Photoshop. He was horrified with the interface. Then again I tried an earlier PaintShop Pro and was equally horrified. We just think differently I guess. I do wish there was an easier, more user-friendly way to make logos, but people are going to get logos from all over the place, in various formats, most of them WITHOUT transparency. They will look awful when put on the crystal. I really don't have a problem with users having to take an extra step to get something on the crystal. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

11-19-2008, 02:37 PM	#34
Stew2000 Registered Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 89	I evolved from psp7 to psp8 to pspX. I think one of my first was Corel Draw. XD

11-19-2008, 02:41 PM	#36
Stew2000 Registered Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 89	I've just remembered PSP is now owned by Corel. I've gone back in time I wonder if we'll get back Windows 3.1

11-19-2008, 02:43 PM	#37
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: I use PSP 10. Morgan - did you extract that logo PNG from the executable, or build it yourself? From the SCR. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

11-19-2008, 03:04 PM	#38
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	it works ok for me with one caveat, for awhile there in windowed mode my title bar would not disappear, it just greyed out and that was it. I can't reproduce it yet, so I am putting this one down to some strange occurrence for now. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

11-19-2008, 03:29 PM	#39
fozzy Registered Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 32	well, that was faster than expected The crystal looks really good...

11-19-2008, 08:50 PM	#40
jroseone Registered Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 93	Originally posted by Jav400: Personally I'm in Morgan's camp on this one. I haven't used the crystal that often, but ( and don't shoot me here ) I really don't like that finger coral that was there. I think allot of it has to do with that miserable green color. In this instance my preferences are to keep the crystal there regardless. Jim had originally said he might put it on the right, but I much prefer where it is now. As for Logo's available, I am making a folder to contain all the decent looking logo's that I run across, and it will be on our server where anyone can get them. If there are any that anyone here would like to offer for that purpose let me know and I will add them to the selection. I made some NY sports logos here: https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=4574, feel free to use them, if the format is the same for MA3.