Annimations in MALA layouts

[mike boss]

New to Mala and checking into making some custom layouts.
I've got a couple done, but I want them more polished.
I saw you can do animations. However I am unable to move that box ?
Am I doing something wrong ?

[mike boss]

This is partially what I would like to do.
Id like the bird to go up and down.
And the Nintendo logo left to right (slightly).
Just to give it a lil more interest.



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[loadman]

MaLA is limited on layout animation, but you can only do two basic things:

1) Have up to 4 images 'drift' in any direction. In the layout editor you can specify up to 4 of these.

I don't have a video example of this.

2) Have 1 animated Gif for the layout. Use the LayoutEditor to specify an animated gif using 'Video2' Window

I'm sure a smart person like you could work out how to make it work.

It you case I would use method 1 I think.

[mike boss]

I don't know how to articulate this.
When I go into MALA and select that I want to do an animation it allows me to select my gif (bird 1/which is transparent).
But how do I select a start and stop point so it does not go beyond where I need it to go ?

[loadman]

Ahhh Not sure you can.


I'm sure a samrt guys like you can work out how to best use one of the above two methods   

[mike boss]

I got it work. But even messing with the settings it would appear all I can get is a constant stream of the character moving in the direction chosen.
I was hoping to get one image moving at the one time. None the less I got it to work.
Only other issue I have (and perhaps someone can help me should I be doing something wrong) is that it blows the image up to fit the entire screen.
I tried a few different sizes and file types but got the small result. I was not able to keep the animated object scaled with the rest of the project.

Lastly when selecting the option of making something transparent it removes all the white from the image.
Prior I had saved the image as a GIF with no background, however it made no difference. Am I forgetting something ?
Or can anyone make any suggestions as to what I could  try ?

**** I think I solved this by adding all transparent elements to a BRIGHT GREEN background, as per what I read MALA looks @ the bottom left pixel ? ***

I'd like to create a retro background with lots of depth and animation, however I am having some issues.

[loadman]

Have a look at the MaLa Wiki Page:

The section under 'Doing the graphics' lets you know the graphic has to be the same rez

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Mala_Layout

[mike boss]

Thanks loadman,

I actually read the page several times over. It was on the page I noticed the line regarding transparency and pixel color.
I guess I never noticed the notation regarding animation. I'll give it another try on Sunday and see how it works out.
Id like to get a really nice custom background done with some real depth!

Thanks again

[loadman]

Good Luck.

After you comment I added a note about using the bottom left pixel as the transparency color into the next version of the layout editor to make it more clear.   

FYI: I added the Video2/LayoutVideo some time ago hoping that someone smart and creative would utilize it to do something really clever. The Video2/LayoutVideo can continuously play a Video or Animated Gif in the layout reagrdless of what game is selected. In my head the layout designer would make it look like this Video/gif looked like part of the layout graphics. I would consider adding more Video/Gif windows I saw examples of layout(s) that used this effectively.

Anyway as I say that is just my idea. Good luck with your depth mission 

[mike boss]

I'm still going to use this idea as my go forward MALA layout.


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However for simplicity reasons I'm leaning towards a solid color background (at least for now).
The Nintendo logo I might make stand still, however %100 I want the bird to flow from top to bottom.
Ideal would be one image of the bird from top to bottom, but if its a stream so be it.

I would %100 use an animated gif if it went with the theme of the background. Be it a spinning barrel, or even a fire ball, any DK element....even the DK logo itself.
However I dont know how to make such an image. But perhaps I'll get to that next.

I've officially ordered my monitor for my DK project, so this will be a fixed resolution image suitable for wide-screen presentation.
I would be more than happy to share the final image with all fonts, etc.
For now I'm going to stick with my basic idea and perfect it.

But I can say for sure that I will try my best to post several classic themed layouts for use.
I cant lie, I think I have a lil OCD in me. I cant tell you all the hours I've spent the last few days working on this background. Making even the slightest of change. I even attempted and completed a simple Street Fighter layout for a friend.

I'm leaning towards a good ol PAC MAN layout , perhaps with moving ghosts ! That could look cool.

I thank you for your help and support, AWESOME PROGRAM!
Uncle T's install guide was awesome ! (as is his jukebox...........one day I'll finish mine!)

[loadman]

I thank you for your help and support, AWESOME PROGRAM!
Uncle T's install guide was awesome ! (as is his jukebox...........one day I'll finish mine!)

Yes Uncle T is cool.

I am building maing 3 Video jukeboxes myself. Touch Screen.

None of the software what I have seen does exactly what I want so I might write my own. 

I have not decided if it should be it's own program or a 'mode' I can put MaLa into?

[mike boss]

Still farting about with making a good looking layout with plenty of visual interest.
Animation issue solved, and I must say it's looking good.
Also found some sights that create the animated GIF's for me....so I'd say I should have a final layout in the next day or so.
I'll post the complete version with fonts, gif files, etc (even the PSD).

[artman]

I have one cuestion loadman, your front suports gif transparency???

[ivwshane]

I have one cuestion loadman, your front suports gif transparency???

Ooh, that would be awesome.

Loadman, do you know what if any performance hit one my take if they were to use a large animated gif (like say one that goes across the whole bottom of the screen).

[loadman]

I have one cuestion loadman, your front suports gif transparency???

Don't think so  

Loadman, do you know what if any performance hit one my take if they were to use a large animated gif (like say one that goes across the whole bottom of the screen).

Try it! It should be ok

Let me know how you go


also, Did you see this from the other Thread?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=108182.0

[PaTrYcK]

Hi, i have one problem, how i can change the resolution of the animation in malalayout?
In the photo is 512x240 (the size of my layout), i cannot change it...



Thanks  

[loadman]

That's right.

That is how it works.

You animation needs to be the same size as your Layout.

Have a look a the link to the Wiki reference link in this thread and the example Layout example that 'mike boss' made

[danny_galaga]

Seems to be a good thread for my question. Just having trouble understanding the parameters in the animation. After experimenting, STEP seems to be easy enough, looks like the number of pixels the picture will move each refresh. But what is INTERVAL? Is this the amount of time between steps? If so, is it miliseconds? Doesn't seem to say anywhere.

Also, a heads up. I thought I could type in the number I want either of those to be. but the setting isn't remembered if you type it. You have to hold the increase/decrease tab to adjust the number. Only just discovered that a few minutes ago (",) 

[loadman]

After experimenting, STEP seems to be easy enough, looks like the number of pixels the picture will move each refresh. But what is INTERVAL? Is this the amount of time between steps? If so, is it miliseconds? Doesn't seem to say anywhere.

Step is how many Pixels it moves at a time

Interval is how often (time) ms