Atn Loadman: MaLa high resolution Layout 1280x1024 is rare! Modified "RetroGUI"

[mrclean]

I dropped this into adobe illustrator and vecotored the image, not perfectly.. but good enough to suit those using a higher resolution, i really like this layout , so if anyone else wants the backgrounds for MaLa or just the Jpegs for any other FE they are 1280x1024, and also set up for verticle monitor 1024x1280!..





on Jpegs Just right click save as. if you want the AI files let me know can be scaled to any resolution that fits your monitor rather than the restricted 640x480

[Blanka]

It is better to save images like this in PNG or GIF. Those formats handle big-face/low-colour bitmapped vectors way better in relation to filesize. PNG is lossless AND smaller where JPEG always introduces compression artifacts, which can be easily visible on the 1280x1024 LCD's.

[mrclean]

It is better to save images like this in PNG or GIF. Those formats handle big-face/low-colour bitmapped vectors way better in relation to filesize. PNG is lossless AND smaller where JPEG always introduces compression artifacts, which can be easily visible on the 1280x1024 LCD's.

well here are the .ai files should you wish to scale etc..

File 1... http://www.sendspace.com/file/q7a5xk
File 2... http://www.sendspace.com/file/o4fgey

[lettuce]

Can u upload these again??

[mrclean]

http://www.sendspace.com/file/4c7tro

[lettuce]

Cheers Mrclean, did you edit these yourself? Dont surpposed you could redo one for 800x600 and have the arcade cab so it isnt in the way of the snap shot and video box could you?

[mrclean]

Cheers Mrclean, did you edit these yourself? Dont surpposed you could redo one for 800x600 and have the arcade cab so it isnt in the way of the snap shot and video box could you?

I didn't edit them other than scaling them my photoshop skills are limited id like to see the complete set vectorized, but i'm anxiously waiting for hyperspin to come out. Currently MaLa has been more stable, I'm going to just have to wait and see what Hyperspin is going to bring to the table

[loadman]

Great Work   

When finished please upload to website malafe.net

[driph]

Not to dig up an old thread or anything...

...but does anyone happen to have the AI files from this or any other version of retroGUI? I'd like to build a higher rez/widescreen version, but nexus (the original creator) lost his files in a drive crash some time ago. The backgrounds would be easy to recreate, it's the cabinet/console icons that will be a bit of work if I have to rebuild something from scratch.

[mrclean]

I'll look for the files, I doubt I still have them as my other computer crashed, and then my MAME PC I went from MALA to Hyperspin... but i'll check.. other wise just see if mala's website has the smaller size, just drop the files into vectormagic and you should be able to get your .ai file / vector to scale.

[Flip_Willie]

I vectorized the background for you. Perhaps that will help out.

Flip_Willie

EDIT: The .ai file is in the zip. The .jpg is just for demonstration.  For some reason, I can't download my zip file when I attach it to the message. For now, you can get the file here.

[SavannahLion]

I vectorized the background for you. Perhaps that will help out.

Flip_Willie

EDIT: The .ai file is in the zip. The .jpg is just for demonstration.  For some reason, I can't download my zip file when I attach it to the message. For now, you can get the file here.

Don't forget to let Saint archive that website. 

[Flip_Willie]

I vectorized the background for you. Perhaps that will help out.

Flip_Willie

EDIT: The .ai file is in the zip. The .jpg is just for demonstration.  For some reason, I can't download my zip file when I attach it to the message. For now, you can get the file here.

Don't forget to let Saint archive that website. 

Haha, well... that file I just linked is only arcade related file on my geocities account, so it probably wouldn't be of much use to the arcade community.

[Flip_Willie]

Well, I got a little bored, so I went ahead and vectored several of consoles as well. If I missed anything you wanted, just tell me, and I am sure I can whip it out.

You can download the .rar here:  Click Here!

I have attached some samples. (For your viewing pleasure!) The .rar file contains several more than just these.

[saint]

Should I put up a section on the File Repository to host these?

[Ginsu Victim]

Those are nice! I only need a Sega Genesis/Megadrive and I'll have my frontend completely covered.

[Flip_Willie]

All right,

I have added Sega Genesis, Sega Master Drive, and Atari 2600 to the .rar file. Once again, you can download it here!

Should I put up a section on the File Repository to host these?

I certainly don't mind if you do; however I am simply vectorizing Nexus's original layout. So, this isn't my design -- I am just tracing his stuff so that people have it in vector format. However, a while back, a member here wanted some extra consoles to go with this layout. So I vectored dreamcast, PC, jukebox, playstation, laserdisc, and Mugen icons and put them on Nexus's background.


Flip_Willie

[Ginsu Victim]

Thanks, you're awesome!

[driph]

Awesome, thank you Flip_Willie, that definitely saves some time. :]

I'm slammed right now, but I'll dive in and start some layout work with your pieces shortly...  for everyone else reading this, what other consoles would you like to see drawn out and added?

[preset]

love your work Flip_Willie!

the retro gui is definitely a fave on my cocktail table!!

is there any chance you could put together layouts for the C64 and the Commodore Amiga 500?

[Chris]

Pinball... definitely pinball!

[Flip_Willie]

Okay,

I worked some on the Amiga and Pinball. I did the Pinball from scratch. Tell me what you think.

For the Amiga, I just copied what Nexus originally drew. Personally, I don't have a really good idea of what the Amiga looks like; so that one may or may not be what you were looking for.

Same goes for the C64. Unfortunately, Nexus didn't draw one for that, so I have nothing to copy. Preset, if you don't mind, could you find a reference picture of the C64 for me? (Preferably at the correct angle).

Thanks.

[Chris]

Something like this, maybe?

[Chris]

Or this:

[Flip_Willie]

Something like this, maybe?

Thanks, Chris. That worked well.

Here is what I got.

Also, I have attached the whole series in two zips. The first in this post, and the second in the next.

[Flip_Willie]

Second Zip.

[Chris]

Something like this, maybe?

Thanks, Chris. That worked well.

Very sharp rendering... well done!

[preset]

Heya Flip,
sorry bout the slow reply..

looks like you've totally nailed it again!!
thanks for your sterling efforts

the retrogui now looks complete 

[BobA]

Great work Flip_Willie

Thanks 

[Flip_Willie]

Heya Flip,
the retrogui now looks complete 

I am going to go ahead and finish vectorizing all the original artwork done by Nexus. I only have a couple of consoles left to vectorize. Once I am done, I will upload the entire package again.

Unless there is something else someone wants done, I will probably be done with it then.

[driph]

Heya Flip,
the retrogui now looks complete 

I am going to go ahead and finish vectorizing all the original artwork done by Nexus. I only have a couple of consoles left to vectorize. Once I am done, I will upload the entire package again.

Unless there is something else someone wants done, I will probably be done with it then.

Thank you! Great work on the vector consoles you've posted.

[Flip_Willie]

All right,

I just finished the Gameboy and PC Engine layout from the original package. That finishes off everything that was original.

I suppose I am done with it then.

EDIT: The entire re-worked package is now 4.5 MB zipped. So I cannot really attach it to the thread anymore. I will see if I can upload it to the file repository.

[wolfsoft]

*great*
Retrogui is one of the best Layout for mala and I am using it @640x400.
Higher resolution is great!!!
I am using MaLa with a rotating screen. Is it possible to do the vertical Layouts too, because after exiting a vertical game
the Layout goes to vertical and if there is no design it looks really bad.

look here:

[wolfsoft]

Here is my wishlist ;-)

Do you have all "old" vectorized ?
like:
atari 5200
atari 7800
Colecovision
Nintendo64

It will be beautyfull if you can add the following

Atari 800
Sega Model 2 Emulator
NeoGeo CD
Vectrex
Atari ST

More Systems in mind:

ColecoVision
Intellivision
ZX Spectrum
Playstation 2 (I don't know how good emulation works)
GameGear

[Flip_Willie]

*great*
Retrogui is one of the best Layout for mala and I am using it @640x400.
Higher resolution is great!!!
I am using MaLa with a rotating screen. Is it possible to do the vertical Layouts too, because after exiting a vertical game
the Layout goes to vertical and if there is no design it looks really bad.

I don't think that would be very hard. I will look into it at sometime. It will double the file size of the layout though.  

@wolfsoft

Yes, I have everything that was old vectorized.

Your wishlist:
atari 5200---------(Already Done)
atari 7800---------(Already Done)      
Colecovision-------(Already Done)
Nintendo64--------(Already Done)
Atari 800----------(*)
Sega Model 2------(*)
NeoGeo CD--------(Completed)
Vectrex-----------(Completed)
Atari ST-----------(*)
ColecoVision------(Already Done)
Intellivision-------(Completed)
ZX Spectrum-----(Completed)
Playstation 2-----(If emulation doesn't work, why do you want this?)
GameGear--------(Completed)

*For the consoles I put an asterisk by. Two problems with these. First, I am unfamiliar with what they are supposed to look like. Google search usually works, but sometimes it brings up lots of variations. Second, from what I did gather looking these up, most of these are just "keyboards". I already did keyboard designs for the Amiga and Commodore 64.

If you don't mind, find me some images so I can get an idea of what the consoles look like.

[Flip_Willie]

Is it possible to do the vertical Layouts too, because after exiting a vertical game

Try this. If this works well for you, then I will update the rest as well.

[driph]

Okay, recognizable images of the Vectrex, Atari ST, and Atari 8bit comps attached.

As far as Sega Model 2 goes, that's arcade hardware... maybe easier to just use the generic cabinet?

[wolfsoft]

atari st from right view:

[wolfsoft]

vectrex right view

[wolfsoft]

Great, Wonderful

Is it possible to do the vertical Layouts too, because after exiting a vertical game

Try this. If this works well for you, then I will update the rest as well.

[wolfsoft]

is there a way to use the emumovies e.g. for mame instead of screenshots?

[Chris]

Do people really put Atari 800/ST emulators in their arcade cabinets where they would need these, or are we trying to add them just for the sake of being complete?

[wolfsoft]

Atari 800 was my first computer after the atari 2600.
And yes I play it on my cab :-)
I have a trackball and its possible to use amiga, atari st

[driph]

is there a way to use the emumovies e.g. for mame instead of screenshots?

Yes, that's actually pretty easy to do... you'll just need to edit the layout in the MALA editor (check the wiki and other threads for details).

[Flip_Willie]

Three more. Vectrix, NeoGeo CD, and Gamegear.

EDIT: Changed "Vectrex" title, and changed grid on screen. I kind of figured the grid was probably game specific, but I was afraid it would look a little bland without it. Anyway, I updated it.

[Flip_Willie]

Two more.  Intellivision and ZX Spectrum.

EDIT: Changed a little bit on the Intellivision.

[wolfsoft]

great work
many thanks

I have one more in mind

3DO

http://www.videogamegazette.com/3do/3do3c.jpg

[Chris]

Three more. Vectrix, NeoGeo CD, and Gamegear.

Minor notes: It is Vectrex, not Vectrix, and the grid on the screen is actually on an overlay that is only used for one particular game, not part of the unit itself.  (Each Vectrex game came with its own overlay; here are some examples:)

[Flip_Willie]

Two more: 3DO and Atari ST.

I got a little lazy on the Atari ST. I didn't draw each key like I did for the commodore 64. Oh well.

Minor notes: It is Vectrex, not Vectrix, and the grid on the screen is actually on an overlay that is only used for one particular game, not part of the unit itself.  (Each Vectrex game came with its own overlay; here are some examples:)

Thanks for the note. I fixed it above.

[wolfsoft]

sorry I found some more:

Sega Dreamcast
Sega Saturn

[Chris]

sorry I found some more:

Sega Dreamcast
Sega Saturn

You have a lot of emulators in your cabinet.

[wolfsoft]

I wan to make the collection complete ;-)
[/quote]
You have a lot of emulators in your cabinet.
[/quote]

[Chris]

But you are not the one doing the work.

[wolfsoft]

thats right, but I offer Flip_Willie some free stuff for the great work

But you are not the one doing the work.

[Flip_Willie]

Hello everyone,

Here is what I have finished with. Unfortunately, I really have no more time to devote to this project, so I hope it is enough.

First off, I haven't done any work incorporating these artwork files into Mala. I have just done the artwork. I know several people are using this layout for Mala. If anyone ends up setting up Mala for the artwork, please let me know. Wolfsoft has expressed to me that he needs someone to look into setting up the artwork in Mala. Personally, I have never used Mala, so I do not know what goes into setting it up.

Download
Although it is only temporary, you can download the entire package here.

Resolutions
-> 640x480, 1280x1024, 1600x1200 Horizontal and Vertical layouts for every console.
-> 1920x1080 (Widescreen) Horizontal and Vertical layouts for every console.

Consoles
-> 3DO
-> Amiga
-> Amiga CD
-> Atari 800
-> Atari 2600
-> Atari 5200
-> Atari 7800
-> Atari Jaguar
-> Atari Lynx
-> Atari ST
-> Colecovision
-> Commodore 64
-> Dreamcast
-> Gameboy
-> Gameboy Advance
-> Gamegear
-> Intellivision
-> Jukebox
-> LaserDisc
-> Mame
-> Mame 2
-> MUGEN
-> NeoGeo CD
-> NES
-> Nintendo 64
-> PC
-> PC Engine
-> Pinball
-> Sega Genesis
-> Sega Master System
-> Sega Saturn
-> Sharp X86000
-> Super Nintendo
-> Templates (neutral layouts - Horizontal and vertical for standard and widescreen )
-> Vectrex
-> ZX Spectrum

Illustrator files
-> ALL ai files are included.

I have also uploaded some examples of my work. The last two images show my widescreen layout in vertical and standard orientations.

Flip_Willie

[driph]

Those are great, Flip_Willie, thanks much for putting together so many of the console images.

Have you been drawing the consoles by hand, based on the reference images, or starting with a live trace, or something else?

As soon as my finish my pin restore, the MAME cabs are next, so I'll start incorporating a lot of your artwork into an updated Mala layout.

[Flip_Willie]

Those are great, Flip_Willie, thanks much for putting together so many of the console images.

Have you been drawing the consoles by hand, based on the reference images, or starting with a live trace, or something else?

As soon as my finish my pin restore, the MAME cabs are next, so I'll start incorporating a lot of your artwork into an updated Mala layout.

Thank you very much. I have been drawing them by hand based on the reference images. Pretty much, all I do is trace the images. The only creative input I have is deciding which edges I should draw.

I did most of this artwork for Wolfsoft; however, it turns out he needed it to be set up for Mala. Unfortunately, I have never used Mala before, and I don't know off-hand how to set it up.

After a very brief look, it appears that each console in the layout needs its own .mll file. I would think that you could set up one .mll file for each of my four basic layouts (standard horizontal, standard vertical, widescreen horizontal, and widescreen vertical) and then copy paste for each of the consoles. I tried to keep the main layout exactly the same within the four basic layouts. The only thing I changed was the console image.

Flip_Willie

[raungst]

These are fantastic! Does anyone have these files who could upload them? This wasn't too long ago, but the file link has expired. Thanks!

[raungst]

These are fantastic! Does anyone have these files who could upload them? This wasn't too long ago, but the file link has expired. Thanks!

Gah! I found them. For anyone interested, they are here: http://files.arcadecontrols.com/details.php?image_id=3596&sessionid=4275afccad10ca46b9db7e853c07d959

[Chris]

That's an older version of it, the full package is ten times that size.

I have it, I'll see if I can upload it.

[Chris]

OK, I am uploading the full 40MB package to the file repository.

[Flip_Willie]

Haha, yeah. I still have all the files.

I tried to upload the entire package to the file repository a while back, but it must have hung up or something. Hopefully, it will work for Chris.

Just as it is,
FlipWillie

[Chris]

Haha, yeah. I still have all the files.

I tried to upload the entire package to the file repository a while back, but it must have hung up or something. Hopefully, it will work for Chris.

Just as it is,
FlipWillie

No, I had the same problem, it bombed out in the middle.

[Flip_Willie]

Haha, yeah. I still have all the files.

I tried to upload the entire package to the file repository a while back, but it must have hung up or something. Hopefully, it will work for Chris.

Just as it is,
FlipWillie

No, I had the same problem, it bombed out in the middle.

I see.

Well, I uploaded it here.

EDIT: It appears that GoogleDocs doesn't let you access the file unless you have a Google account (Gmail etc.) which isn't ideal. Unfortunately, I don't have a better way to upload it. Yousendit only keeps files for 7 days. Perhaps someone just needs to ask Saint why it isn't uploading to the file repository.

Just as it is,
Flip_Willie

[Chris]

I'm trying the upload again.  I just think HTTP uploads were never meant to deal with 40MB files....

[Chris]

It may have gone through... I don't know.  After the upload it went to a password recovery page, not an "Upload complete" page.  But the policy says "Uploaded files will not be visible or downloadable until verified and approved by an admin" so it may actually be there.

[Blanka]

The Gamegear has 2 speakers holes too many. The upper right and the lower right are not there.  

I also see the widescreen versions suffer from the Illustrator round-corner-BUG. Rounded corners on rectangles stretch when you alter the size of the rectangle. In Freehand they don't. There you can stretch as much as you like, but the corners remain the same. Also you can alter the radius at any time. The solution in AI to stretch a rounded rectangle is to convert it to a path first, and then stretch the 4 corner points on one side, but for different radius-es you need to draw a new rectangle. Really annoying bug.

[Flip_Willie]

The Gamegear has 2 speakers holes too many. The upper right and the lower right are not there.  

Haha, I give you permission to subtract or add as many holes as you want. 

I also see the widescreen versions suffer from the Illustrator round-corner-BUG. Rounded corners on rectangles stretch when you alter the size of the rectangle. In Freehand they don't. There you can stretch as much as you like, but the corners remain the same. Also you can alter the radius at any time. The solution in AI to stretch a rounded rectangle is to convert it to a path first, and then stretch the 4 corner points on one side, but for different radius-es you need to draw a new rectangle. Really annoying bug.

By the time I got to the widescreen versions, I was rushing. Even if I knew what the round-corner-Bug was at the time, I probably wouldn't have spent the time to fix it. Also, at the expense of sounding stupid, I can't tell any difference between the widescreen and standard version.

Flip_Willie

[Blanka]

The corners in the normal version are well rounded, same width as height, in the WS version, the cornors are stretched and ellipse like instead of quarter circles.

[Chris]

Wow, you really have to look at that closely to see it.

Fortunately, the vector files are there so you can re-draw them

[lettuce]

Where can i get a download link for all these fantasic layouts??

[Flip_Willie]

Where can i get a download link for all these fantasic layouts??

Does this link work for you?

I think you may need an account with Google. If that doesn't work, let me know and I can find another way to get it to you.

[lettuce]

Worked a treat man thanks!

[lettuce]

quck questtin, how do i get these layouts to show up in MaLa, as i noticed in the widescreen folders for mame there is the 2 picture files (vertical and Horizontal) and 2 .ai files, but Mala requires a .mll file for the layout doesnt it??

[lettuce]

quck questtin, how do i get these layouts to show up in MaLa, as i noticed in the widescreen folders for mame there is the 2 picture files (vertical and Horizontal) and 2 .ai files, but Mala requires a .mll file for the layout doesnt it??

Can anyone help with this how do i get this layout to work if there is not .mll file and only a .ai file?

[Flip_Willie]

quck questtin, how do i get these layouts to show up in MaLa, as i noticed in the widescreen folders for mame there is the 2 picture files (vertical and Horizontal) and 2 .ai files, but Mala requires a .mll file for the layout doesnt it??

Can anyone help with this how do i get this layout to work if there is not .mll file and only a .ai file?

I only made the artwork files (.ai files are just adobe illustrator vector format).

I have never used Mala, so I am not familiar with how to create layouts for it. I have, however, created some layouts for Mamewah, and in that case I just used the layout utility that came with it. I would suspect that Mala has something similar to produce layouts.

I believe another member (driph: Reply #55) mentioned that he might incorporate the artwork into Mala. You might try messaging him to see if he ever got around to it.

Sorry to not be able to directly help.

[lettuce]

Cheers Flip_Willie, got it setup correctly and working in Mala now. Have upload the layout with some added frames for 1920x1080 resolutions, all the files you need are attached below.

[raungst]

Flip_Willie, thanks for putting in all this work in modernizing a great MaLa theme. The google doc link even still works almost a year and a half later!

Would you (or anyone else) be able to make a Playstation in a similar style? Or even give some tips on how you made them?

Thanks again!

[Flip_Willie]

Flip_Willie, thanks for putting in all this work in modernizing a great MaLa theme. The google doc link even still works almost a year and a half later!

Would you (or anyone else) be able to make a Playstation in a similar style? Or even give some tips on how you made them?

Thanks again!

No problem. Glad you are enjoying it.

Hmm, Playstation 1 is already included in the RetroGui.zip! See, I new you would want that a year ago and anticipated!

Jokes aside, perhaps you meant Playstation 2? If that is the case and you have Adobe Illustrator, I included all the ai files in that zip. That should provide a good starting point for any future console you might want to add.