Marine Aquarium 3 Rumors and Speculation - Page 95

Jim Sachs · 08-27-2008, 06:34 PM

The general Forum is allowed to know where the program stands regarding moving into Beta testing. I was hoping to send it to the Alpha group yesterday, but this problem (and a couple of bugs) slowed me down a bit.

Also, I'm willing to accept suggestions regarding interface design from any source.

Ralph · 08-27-2008, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

The way I have it now, there is a chart of all the fish, and you can click on each one. Once clicked, you can increase or decrease the number of that type of fish in the tank. You can also include it in the random mix. There is a separate control to set the number of random fish.

It gets a bit confusing when a bunch of fish have been included as random possibilites, but the number of random fish is zero. Or, the number of random fish might be greater than zero, but no fish have been marked for possible inclusion.

Just a thought..
A chart / list (icons) of all the fish. a mouse over gives the name and as much detail as you want to divulge.
check boxes / radio buttons / spin box in line with icons, columns have options, always / random / never/ number of fish (spin box limits number)
Running total at bottom of chart. If maximum in any category is exceeded error message to that effect.

Jim Sachs · 08-27-2008, 09:24 PM

Wow, which of these buttons to I press to create all that?

Mith · 08-28-2008, 01:33 AM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Wow, which of these buttons to I press to create all that?

Jim Sachs · 08-28-2008, 02:50 AM

OK, I'm going to Staples tomorrow.

cjmaddy · 08-28-2008, 08:19 AM

Ok, if this one is causing so much trouble and delay, I'll ask the daft/obvious question. -

What's wrong with the 2.6 settings panel we use now?

..... that one seems to have worked....

Jim Sachs · 08-28-2008, 08:38 AM

There were only 8 fish allowed on the screen with 2.6. Now there are 30.

Stew2000 · 08-28-2008, 09:03 AM

30 little clownfish at once.
sounds like fun

cjmaddy · 08-28-2008, 09:06 AM

So, - where we now have one column of 8 fish names, in the box on the left, - couldn't we have three columns of 10 names in a larger box?

Or two columns of 15 names, with the 'Fish Info' box made wider but shallower?

Stew2000 · 08-28-2008, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by cjmaddy:

So, - where we now have one column of 8 fish names, in the box on the left, - couldn't we have three columns of 10 names in a larger box?

Or two columns of 15 names, with the 'Fish Info' box made wider but shallower?

Second.

Jim Sachs · 08-28-2008, 11:23 AM

It wouldn't fit on a 640x480 screen, plus I have to save some room to expand the fish chart when there are more fish available.

cjmaddy · 08-28-2008, 11:41 AM

A 640x480 screen!!! ... If there are any of those left, then they could use scroll bars or 'drag' it.

Room to expand the fish chart? ... The current fish chart already has scroll bars for 30 options, so no problem there.

That's it! ..... Job done! ..... Next problem.....

Jim, - I think you are looking for problems that aren't there!

Jim Sachs · 08-28-2008, 11:56 AM

My Sony Vaio runs the Aquarium best at 640x480 - gets about 20 fps, and doesn't look bad. Regarding scroll bars, a popup dialog box just pops up at however many pixels it was created. It doesn't know what the resolution is, or if half of it is off-screen. Scroll-bars don't just magically appear.

I've always hated the scroll-bars in the fish-chart on the MA2.6 interface. I always forget about that bottom row of fish.
All the fish show up on the new chart:

Ad_Enuff · 08-28-2008, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

I've always hated the scroll-bars in the fish-chart on the MA2.6 interface. I always forget about that bottom row of fish. All the fish show up on the new chart.

Me too! That's a nice fix in my eyes...however trivial and small. Cheers!

cjmaddy · 08-28-2008, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

.... Also, I'm willing to accept suggestions regarding interface design from any source.

..... But you've already made your mind up.

If you're not going to have scroll bars, then the icons are going to get very small when more fish and the creature packs are added.

I see nothing wrong with those scroll bars for the fish chart, - does anyone else?

However, I've tried my best, so I'd better leave it at that....

Jim Sachs · 08-28-2008, 12:44 PM

Yes, I've already made my mind up for the first release - it will look very much like the above pic. Suggestions are always welcome, as refinements or possibly a complete overhaul could be implemented fairly soon after the first release.

Regarding having room for new icons - This design can easily accomodate two more rows (12 critters), by simply narrowing the FishSetList window, eliminating the logo, and stretching the chart down. By slightly downsizing each icon (about like that 80%-size pic above), I could probably get another row of critters and it would still look pretty good. Any more than that would need a re-think.

rctneil · 08-28-2008, 12:47 PM

That screenshot looked pretty intuitive to me and the fish set idea is excellent. Yeh, just add a scrollbar for more fish and/or creatures. Us computer users are not afraid of them.

jedware · 08-28-2008, 01:11 PM

How about using Tabs on the dialog for the different fish sets?

Hot · 08-28-2008, 02:30 PM

Maybe Fish on one screen and critters on another
(fish in tank - critters in tank)

TheMethod · 08-28-2008, 02:31 PM

Oh dear, I have designed GUI's and logical layout for software in the past, as I'm a graphic designer myself - and I so badly want to help out, alas time is something I don't have for another project right now.

I might sketch out some logical layout ideas for you though if you want to see visual ideas.

08-27-2008, 06:34 PM	#1881
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	The general Forum is allowed to know where the program stands regarding moving into Beta testing. I was hoping to send it to the Alpha group yesterday, but this problem (and a couple of bugs) slowed me down a bit. Also, I'm willing to accept suggestions regarding interface design from any source. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

08-27-2008, 09:24 PM	#1883
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Wow, which of these buttons to I press to create all that? Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

08-28-2008, 02:50 AM	#1885
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	OK, I'm going to Staples tomorrow. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

08-28-2008, 08:38 AM	#1887
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	There were only 8 fish allowed on the screen with 2.6. Now there are 30. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

08-28-2008, 11:23 AM	#1891
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	It wouldn't fit on a 640x480 screen, plus I have to save some room to expand the fish chart when there are more fish available. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

08-27-2008, 07:50 PM	#1882
Ralph Retired Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton Alberta Ca Posts: 2,443	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: The way I have it now, there is a chart of all the fish, and you can click on each one. Once clicked, you can increase or decrease the number of that type of fish in the tank. You can also include it in the random mix. There is a separate control to set the number of random fish. It gets a bit confusing when a bunch of fish have been included as random possibilites, but the number of random fish is zero. Or, the number of random fish might be greater than zero, but no fish have been marked for possible inclusion. Just a thought.. A chart / list (icons) of all the fish. a mouse over gives the name and as much detail as you want to divulge. check boxes / radio buttons / spin box in line with icons, columns have options, always / random / never/ number of fish (spin box limits number) Running total at bottom of chart. If maximum in any category is exceeded error message to that effect.

08-28-2008, 01:33 AM	#1884
Mith Registered Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 140	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Wow, which of these buttons to I press to create all that?

08-28-2008, 08:19 AM	#1886
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	Ok, if this one is causing so much trouble and delay, I'll ask the daft/obvious question. - What's wrong with the 2.6 settings panel we use now? ..... that one seems to have worked....

08-28-2008, 09:03 AM	#1888
Stew2000 Registered Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 89	30 little clownfish at once. sounds like fun

08-28-2008, 09:06 AM	#1889
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	So, - where we now have one column of 8 fish names, in the box on the left, - couldn't we have three columns of 10 names in a larger box? Or two columns of 15 names, with the 'Fish Info' box made wider but shallower?

08-28-2008, 09:08 AM	#1890
Stew2000 Registered Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 89	Originally posted by cjmaddy: So, - where we now have one column of 8 fish names, in the box on the left, - couldn't we have three columns of 10 names in a larger box? Or two columns of 15 names, with the 'Fish Info' box made wider but shallower? Second.

08-28-2008, 11:41 AM	#1892
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	A 640x480 screen!!! ... If there are any of those left, then they could use scroll bars or 'drag' it. Room to expand the fish chart? ... The current fish chart already has scroll bars for 30 options, so no problem there. That's it! ..... Job done! ..... Next problem..... Jim, - I think you are looking for problems that aren't there!

08-28-2008, 12:09 PM	#1894
Ad_Enuff Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: London, UK Posts: 99	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: I've always hated the scroll-bars in the fish-chart on the MA2.6 interface. I always forget about that bottom row of fish. All the fish show up on the new chart. Me too! That's a nice fix in my eyes...however trivial and small. Cheers! AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, 3600.0 MHz, 16Gb DDR4 RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 4Gb RAM, Windows 10 PRO 64Bit

08-28-2008, 12:20 PM	#1895
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: .... Also, I'm willing to accept suggestions regarding interface design from any source. ..... But you've already made your mind up. If you're not going to have scroll bars, then the icons are going to get very small when more fish and the creature packs are added. I see nothing wrong with those scroll bars for the fish chart, - does anyone else? However, I've tried my best, so I'd better leave it at that....

08-28-2008, 12:44 PM	#1896
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Yes, I've already made my mind up for the first release - it will look very much like the above pic. Suggestions are always welcome, as refinements or possibly a complete overhaul could be implemented fairly soon after the first release. Regarding having room for new icons - This design can easily accomodate two more rows (12 critters), by simply narrowing the FishSetList window, eliminating the logo, and stretching the chart down. By slightly downsizing each icon (about like that 80%-size pic above), I could probably get another row of critters and it would still look pretty good. Any more than that would need a re-think. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

08-28-2008, 12:47 PM	#1897
rctneil Registered Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 239	That screenshot looked pretty intuitive to me and the fish set idea is excellent. Yeh, just add a scrollbar for more fish and/or creatures. Us computer users are not afraid of them.

08-28-2008, 01:11 PM	#1898
jedware Registered Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 23	How about using Tabs on the dialog for the different fish sets?

08-28-2008, 02:30 PM	#1899
Hot Registered Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 17	Maybe Fish on one screen and critters on another (fish in tank - critters in tank)

08-28-2008, 02:31 PM	#1900
TheMethod Registered Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 12	Oh dear, I have designed GUI's and logical layout for software in the past, as I'm a graphic designer myself - and I so badly want to help out, alas time is something I don't have for another project right now. I might sketch out some logical layout ideas for you though if you want to see visual ideas.