Author Topic: New version of Kymaera.... please! (Read 9374 times)

Fandenivoldsk · « **on:** June 09, 2005, 12:23:57 pm »

Hi PacManFan!

How is the next version of Kymaera coming along? I'm hoping for the submenu feature... please don't stop working on Kymaera!

Katana Man · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2005, 01:32:39 pm »

Here Here! I second that!

PacManFan · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2005, 10:05:41 am »

It's coming, I promise! I'm trying to figure out how many changes to put into this version.

I've got the whole list/sublist thing working, you can use one button as a "select" button. If you select a game, it launches, if you select a sub-list, it'll change to that sub-list. There is also now a "back" button to return from a sublist.

I'm debating whether or not to put in a "emulator select" screen for this version or the next.

I still need to make a few changes to the list creation tool to allow you to insert sub-lists into lists.

Have you created any other skins for Kymaera? I'd like to include several more skins and emulator config files with the next release. If you've created some, PM me (or email me), I'd like to distribute them with the next release.

If you've got any more feature requests, I'd like to hear them.

-PMF

Scoobie · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2005, 11:03:56 am »

Quote from: PacManFan on June 10, 2005, 10:05:41 am

If you've got any more feature requests, I'd like to hear them.

-PMF

It would be great to be able to scroll through the games list much faster than is currently possible (both with a trackball and joystick).

Thanks!

Buddabing · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2005, 11:08:35 am »

Quote from: PacManFan on June 10, 2005, 10:05:41 am

It's coming, I promise! I'm trying to figure out how many changes to put into this version.

I've got the whole list/sublist thing working, you can use one button as a "select" button. If you select a game, it launches, if you select a sub-list, it'll change to that sub-list.

Katana Man · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2005, 01:38:41 pm »

PacManFan,

PacManFan · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2005, 01:40:12 pm »

Buddabing ,
I'd love to put some code in to supprot the LED API, I've currently got code in Kymaera to support flashing keyboard Leds, so the framework is there. Once you get a good API (lib and header) or open-source files, let me know and send a link. I'd be more than happy to put it in.

-PMF

PacManFan · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2005, 02:21:23 pm »

OK, I just made the mouse scroll speed much better, if you spin the mouse wheel fast, it'll skip a ton of games. What I was doing before was detecting if the mouse moved by more than 3 mickeys, I would move to the next/ prev game. Now, for every 3 mickeys, it'll skip that many games. So if you move your mouse up or down fast, and lets say you move 30 mickeys, it'll skip 10 games,

I just also put in support for short lists, so if you don't have too many items in a list, it won't keep repeating on screen.

I'll work on a few more things, including a redesigned game list editor and then I'll make a release. <loudcaps> SEND ME SOME SKINS AND SOME .EMU CONFIG FILES IF YOU'VE GOT THEM </loudcaps>

-PMF

Buddabing · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2005, 02:23:51 pm »

Quote from: PacManFan on June 10, 2005, 02:21:23 pm

OK, I just made the mouse scroll speed much better, if you spin the mouse wheel fast, it'll skip a ton of games. What I was doing before was detecting if the mouse moved by more than 3 mickeys, I would move to the next/ prev game. Now, for every 3 mickeys, it'll skip that many games. So if you move your mouse up or down fast, and lets say you move 30 mickeys, it'll skip 10 games,

I just also put in support for short lists, so if you don't have too many items in a list, it won't keep repeating on screen.

I'll work on a few more things, including a redesigned game list editor and then I'll make a release. <loudcaps> SEND ME SOME SKINS AND SOME .EMU CONFIG FILES IF YOU'VE GOT THEM </loudcaps>

-PMF

I forgot to ask for more example skins. I guess you're working on that.

I really want a very simple skin with just game list and movie preview.

SirPeale · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2005, 09:28:19 am »

Arcade graphic modes fixed!

Fandenivoldsk · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2005, 12:52:47 pm »

Great to hear it's being worked on again!
I'll try to run through all the things I'd like to see in future versions of Kymaera...:

1) Sounds to me that you got the right take on how to implant the list/sublist into Kymaera. Minor idea: please add some space between the sublist link and the whole gamelist so it's easier to spot each one right away.

2. More gamescreens! If you select, say, Pac-Man, it would be great if it was possible to cycle through extra infoscreens about that game; one for boxart, movieclip, instructions etc. That would help to include more details, without having to have it all on the screen at once, which would be impossible on a small screenresolution. I know it's already in someway possible to do that in Kymaera, but I think it's only two screens, with the third being the screensaver (correct me if I'm wrong). What I would like, is a way to be able to add as many extra screen as I'd like to.

3. Right now it's only possible to display the "filmstrip" screenshots in a horizontal way, could you please make an option to have it vertical too? I think vertical direction would make it look/work better, because it could then have the same direction as the gamelist.

4. More precise skinning application, please. It would be nice to place the graphics by typing in x/y pixel values, like: screenshot h: 230, v: 150 etc.

5. Great to hear about the scroll speed for the gamelist has improved. It would also be nice if it was running more smoothly as well. Would that be possible?

6) You talked in a previous post about support for moving images (as seen in AtomicFE). This is something that would be cool if you were able to use a small graphic tile, repeat it into a pattern and then move it in one of eight directions (up, down, left, right, up left, up right, down right, down right) as seen in many arcade games background title/select screens.

Okay, that's all I can think of right now...

Glad to hear you're back!

PacManFan · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2005, 02:34:46 pm »

hey Fandenivoldsk ,

To answer your comments,

1) I'll probably make the sub-list items use a different color than the games

2) I didn't know anyone was using the multiple screens feature. I was considering dropping it. However, what I can do is allow users to create however many sub-screens you want through the skin editor, Then, you can put whatever controls you'd like on them and cycle through them using the next/prev screen buttons.

3) Last time I checked, Kymaera can do a vertical preview as well, In the skin editor, make the preview rectangle taller than wide, and it should automagically switch to vertival.

4) You and a bunch of other people have asked for this. I'll put in some edit controls so you can type in pixel values as well as width /height.

5) I'll see what I can do..

6) I'm still working this one out. It'll probably be in the following release after this one.

Thank's for all your suggestion and patience.

Again, if anyone has any skins or emu config files, send them to me so I can include them in the distro.

-PMF

Fandenivoldsk · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2005, 03:19:20 pm »

Hi PacManFan!

Wow! I'm quite impressed by all your answers... The next release should finally convince me to take the time to make some fancy graphics for skins!

Quote from: PacManFan on June 13, 2005, 02:34:46 pm

2) I didn't know anyone was using the multiple screens feature. I was considering dropping it. However, what I can do is allow users to create however many sub-screens you want through the skin editor, Then, you can put whatever controls you'd like on them and cycle through them using the next/prev screen buttons.

Great! Cycle with next/prev will of course do, but is there any chance for an option to assign certain keys to jump to specific screen? Like, press '1' for boxart, '2' for screenshot, '3' for ..... etc. The reason is that the graphics/skin could then show these options on screen, for easy navigation.

Once the next version of Kymaera is ready, I'll start working on a superb skin (I'm a graphic designer, and quite skilled btw

)

So good to have you back!!

Regards,
Fandenivoldsk

Katana Man · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2005, 08:02:11 pm »

PacManFan,
Any progress lately? Many of us are excited about your new version.

PacManFan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2005, 10:46:41 am »

It's still coming, I got sidetracked porting Quake to the PSP.

Basically, all the code is done. I'm just slasking on updating all the documentation.

-PMF

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2005, 11:01:39 am »

Here's a request that's probably completely impossible, but anyways...
Is there any way shockwave flash files (SWF) could be used as image elements in a skin? This would solve the 'moving images' request above and could make for some amazing skins.

PacManFan · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2005, 03:49:31 pm »

No, I can't use swf files (yet), but remember, you can use mpg or avi files anywhere on the skin for any image, including the background image. try it out!

-PMF

SirPeale · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2005, 09:24:59 am »

I *hate* asking about it, but how is the arcade monitor mode support coming? Or have you even looked at it?

Kymaera is my FE of choice! Snazzy MP3 support (with snazzy MP3s!) and the kids can't do too much damage to my system because there's only one key to exit, with no window switching!

jon2s · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2005, 12:02:04 am »

I really like Kymaera, and I am going to make a skin or two for it. Just want to make sure that they is nothing that will be in the next version that I should wait to build my skins for. I take it from some of your statements that existing ones will work, but if there is something way cool in the next version as far as skinning I don't want to waste a bunch of time.

Thanks!

Scoobie · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2005, 09:48:30 pm »

PacManFan,
Any idea when the next release will be...well, released? Looking forward to it!

PacManFan · « **Reply #20 on:** July 22, 2005, 10:46:32 am »

It's coming, be patient...

-PMF

Katana Man · « **Reply #21 on:** August 23, 2005, 03:43:59 pm »

PacManFan,
You had mentioned that it's done minus the documentation. I'd be willing to take it without documentation. I promise not to bug you with any questions until you have released the documentation

Katana Man · « **Reply #22 on:** September 26, 2005, 12:48:26 am »

Is it still coming? PacManFan, it seems like you had a good run of development effort in the beginning, but apparently Kymaera has run out of steam.

Fandenivoldsk · « **Reply #23 on:** September 26, 2005, 07:21:33 am »

... and it's a crying shame!

SirPeale · « **Reply #24 on:** September 26, 2005, 07:59:43 am »

The source is available. Start programming!

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #25 on:** October 04, 2005, 06:32:11 pm »

Is there anyone out there that could add support for transparent PNGs to Kymaera?

I thought it already supported trans PNGs and I designed a kick-ass multi-layered skin, then realized that it wasn't supported when I went to layout the elements in the skin editor.
Right now Kymaera will display transparencies as 100% white and partially transparent sections as 100% opaque.

I've been playing around with skins for XBMC, and I've grown to depend on transparent PNGs a little too heavily.

Anyone?

PacManFan · « **Reply #26 on:** October 05, 2005, 01:39:15 pm »

Hey everybody,

By popular demand, and numerous email, I will get back into active development of Kymaera, I know I've been promising a new version(and it's just about done). I've been hiding out in the PSP developement scene for a while, but I still haven't forgotten about all the BYOAC'ers

I'll begin testing out my latest version tonight, and I'll have a download (minus good docs) version for BETA testing of the new setup program and new features hopefully in a few days.

I'll keep everyone posted.

-PMF

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #27 on:** October 05, 2005, 10:19:28 pm »

Here's a taster of the skin I'm working on. It's based on elements of Chokemaniac's Project Mayhem III skin for XBMC (used with his permission)

SirPeale · « **Reply #28 on:** October 06, 2005, 09:10:52 pm »

Quote from: PacManFan on October 05, 2005, 01:39:15 pm

By popular demand, and numerous email, I will get back into active development of Kymaera...

At laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast!

PacManFan · « **Reply #29 on:** October 07, 2005, 05:58:07 pm »

Alright everyone,
The moment you've all been waiting for has arrived.

I have just posted a BETA version of the new Kymaera to my web site. Here's a quick link:

http://home.comcast.net/~shernandez1337/distrib.zip

Here's a brief list of new features:

-anti-aliased text
-new setup program
-ability to add/remove/import/export screens in skin
-gamelists now support hierachical menus and submenus
-emulator select screen
-smoother scrolling text
A big change with this version is that the skin is now specified globally, instead of on a per-emulator basis, but don't worry, if you create a emulator-specific skin and name it the same as the emulator config file, it will override the default.

Another big change is that I've added a "select" and a "back" button to navigate though the menu system. Previously, I was useing "Next emulator", "Prev Emulator", "Next Catagory", "Previous Catagory", etc.. You can still use these buttons if you'd like, but they are not currently assigned to any keys currently.

I've also fixed the game/emulator listing so that it only shows the content once for short lists, previously, the list would repeat on the screen.

Keys:

ctrl = back
space = select
esc = exit
up arrow = up
left arrow = page up
right arrow =page down

PacManFan · « **Reply #30 on:** October 09, 2005, 12:28:05 pm »

cough cough
BUMP...

SirPeale · « **Reply #31 on:** October 09, 2005, 12:32:07 pm »

I liked it much better before when game select was P1, not space. I had installed it, but not tested it, so when I came home I found a very angry three year old that couldn't start his games. Changed it in a hurry.

How's the DOS 15KHz modes coming along?

AllisterFiend · « **Reply #32 on:** October 09, 2005, 01:22:07 pm »

Does Kymaera work with Johnny5?

I checked out a few threads and also tiger-heli's how to and could not find out if it will work or not.

Has anyone tried it yet?

Thanks for any info,

Allister Fiend

Fandenivoldsk · « **Reply #33 on:** October 09, 2005, 04:08:26 pm »

Hurrah!! Thanks PacManFan! Now I will start to make skins for this

PacManFan · « **Reply #34 on:** October 11, 2005, 09:30:22 pm »

Alright everyone, it's been a few days, has anyone had a chance to download and try out the new features? Comments? /Issues? /Suggestions?

Again the link is http://home.comcast.net/~shernandez1337/distrib.zip

Currently I'm working on moving/animating bitmaps. I was really impressed by the animated skins I saw in another front end (forgot which one), and I want the same thing. I think it should be a fairly easy add - on.

I'm also adding in true 32bpp color blending functions, so you can use the alpha channel in bitmaps when designing skins.

-PacManFan

PacManFan · « **Reply #35 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:30:57 pm »

SUCCESS!!!!

I've successfully put in true-color 32bpp support for alpha blended images! Now, you can use images (png's ) that have alpha channel information to blend against the background.

I'm still working out a few quirks.

Hopefully I'll have a build tommorow along with animated moving images. I've checked out a few xbox skin from the link that JoyMonkey provided, and they had some really nice bitmaps to put into skins.

More later.
-PMF

jon2s · « **Reply #36 on:** October 19, 2005, 01:53:57 pm »

Link is dead. =(

PacManFan · « **Reply #37 on:** October 20, 2005, 10:19:01 am »

Yup,
I had to move some things around off my site, I'll make a full release in a few days on the sourceforge site as soon as I get alpha channel fully implemented.

-PMF

Zipp · « **Reply #38 on:** November 07, 2005, 09:54:41 am »

Hi all I'm new here .

But just wanted to say that I'm a great fan of the Kymeara front end ---

Have had a few issues -- such as sometimes when exiting a game to return to the front end - i get a blank black screen

I then have to exit out of Kymaera completely into windows XP service pack 2 then execute the program again

very strange

Any news on the new version

cheers Zipp

ErikRuud · « **Reply #39 on:** November 08, 2005, 09:14:12 am »

Quote from: PacManFan on June 10, 2005, 02:21:23 pm

I just also put in support for short lists, so if you don't have too many items in a list, it won't keep repeating on screen.

Hoooraaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!!

retrokong · « **Reply #40 on:** December 19, 2005, 07:39:26 am »

Hi PacManFan!! When will we be able to download a new Kymaera build, with the alpha channel and the moving/animating bitmaps? We are a few here who really would like to get our hands on it! Hope you'll find time to upload it sometime...

Katana Man · « **Reply #41 on:** January 06, 2006, 12:22:46 pm »

Has the latest version been uploaded yet?

ErikRuud · « **Reply #42 on:** February 02, 2006, 01:43:35 pm »

Quote from: Katana Man on January 06, 2006, 12:22:46 pm

Has the latest version been uploaded yet?

NO!

I tried contacting PMF to see if I could help get the new version out to the public. His first reply stated that he was too busy working on PSP stuff. My followup emails have gone un-answered since then.

Did anyone manage to download the beta that was available for a short time?

I'd like to get a copy of it if anyone has it.

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #43 on:** February 02, 2006, 03:04:00 pm »

I think I downloaded the last version, but never got a chance to test it out. I'll see if I have a copy at home, but it's doubtful.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #44 on:** February 02, 2006, 03:23:42 pm »

Thanks!

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #45 on:** February 02, 2006, 09:05:28 pm »

I searched, but no luck. Sorry.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #46 on:** February 03, 2006, 08:06:32 am »

Thanks for trying.

Anyone else have a copy?

I am going to get Visual Studio setup so I can try and work with the latest source code that is still available through SourceForge.

mmmPeanutButter · « **Reply #47 on:** February 03, 2006, 03:32:49 pm »

I want it too.

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #48 on:** February 04, 2006, 07:21:01 pm »

Eric, if you do get to work on Kymaera, here's some new stuff I'd love to see in a new version:

Transparent PNG support (PacManFan was working on this last I heard)
Option to stretch artwork elements to 4:3 or 3:4 based on games orientation.
Coordinate display in the skin editor
Option to change text shadow color

I'd like to lend a hand, but I'd have no idea where to start.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #49 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:31:52 pm »

Joymonkey, I,m not sure I know what i am doing either.

I am a programmer, but C++/Windows is not my area of expertise.

I have setup MS Visual Studio 2005 on my laptop, and I am attempting to get a clean compile of Kymaera 2.02 using VS2005 and the newer Allegro4.2 library instead of VS2003 and Allegro 4.03 that PMF used.

Right now my problem is that I do not have the mmstream.h which I think is part of DirectShow.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #50 on:** February 08, 2006, 01:28:28 pm »

Things just got a lot better!

PMF came through and sent me the entire package. Source and executables!

I will have to wait until I get home to test it. I still need the DirectX SDK and the firewall at work won't let me download it.

screaming · « **Reply #51 on:** February 08, 2006, 01:49:08 pm »

Quote from: ErikRuud on February 08, 2006, 01:28:28 pm

PMF came through and sent me the entire package. Source and executables!

I will have to wait until I get home to test it. I still need the DirectX SDK and the firewall at work won't let me download it.

NICE!! I've been waiting patiently too... Here's the dx9sdk if you want (~222MB). I'll leave it up for a day or so.

screaming · « **Reply #52 on:** February 08, 2006, 02:06:38 pm »

btw, mind posting the package pmf gave ya?

ErikRuud · « **Reply #53 on:** February 08, 2006, 02:26:32 pm »

Thanks, I'll see if the version of the SDk will work for me.

The whole package or just the executables?

Either way, it will have to wait until later tonight.

screaming · « **Reply #54 on:** February 08, 2006, 03:16:24 pm »

The whole package includes all the dependancies, right? The last time I tried to get it going in VS I was drowning in dependancy hell and never made it out.

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #55 on:** February 08, 2006, 04:36:45 pm »

Nice!
I put a little more work into that ProjectMayhem3 skin last week (to get it looking nice at 640x480 on an arcade monitor) and it looks pretty good. If it could do transparent png overlays it would look

ErikRuud · « **Reply #56 on:** February 09, 2006, 09:36:25 am »

I do have space to store the package.

The package does not include dependant libraries. So far I have installed the latest Allegro library, the DirextX SDK (Thanks Screaming!), and now it appears I need the MS Platform SDK to get the DirectShow library.

When I try to compile in VS2005, I get a lot of deprecation warnings. I was also getting a lot of 64bit compatibility warnings. For the time being, I have shut off the 64bit checking.

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #57 on:** February 09, 2006, 09:55:54 am »

Can you post the binary?

ojelela · « **Reply #58 on:** February 12, 2006, 02:01:30 pm »

Looking nice, any idea on release date

Katana Man · « **Reply #59 on:** May 02, 2006, 04:40:16 pm »

Where are we at with Kymaera? Is it dead?

SirPeale · « **Reply #60 on:** May 02, 2006, 10:40:56 pm »

Quote from: Katana Man on May 02, 2006, 04:40:16 pm

Where are we at with Kymaera? Is it dead?

Never dead as long as source is available...

of course, finding someone to work on it is a plus, too.

spence · « **Reply #61 on:** September 07, 2006, 02:13:30 am »

Any advance on this FE?
The latest I can find is 2.0.2 at :- http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/kymaera/kymaera_setup_windows_2_0_2.exe?download

Or has any1 taken on the source and developed sumthin' else cool?

spence

Buddabing · « **Reply #62 on:** September 07, 2006, 09:31:16 am »

Quote from: spence on September 07, 2006, 02:13:30 am

Any advance on this FE?
The latest I can find is 2.0.2 at :- http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/kymaera/kymaera_setup_windows_2_0_2.exe?download

Or has any1 taken on the source and developed sumthin' else cool?

spence

Unfortunately, the version in your link does not include source code.

I have been playing with the source code for a while now. I don't know if a new version will be released. There appears to be quite a bit missing from the source code, including the entire skinner application. The config application is also a mess. The frontend itself was ported to use the Allegro game programming library. The Allegro API, however, has changed significantly since then. Also, the movie playing code is Windows-specific.

The plan is to rewrite the skinner and config app using the machine-independent wxWidgets library, and to make the frontend not dependent on Microsoft code or compilers.

SirPeale · « **Reply #63 on:** September 10, 2006, 08:35:50 pm »

Which would be fantastic. Esp. if a DOS port can be made to function with arcade monitor modes working.


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