The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Front End Support => MaLa Frontend => Topic started by: Organic Jerk on October 21, 2007, 11:13:51 pm

Title: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Organic Jerk on October 21, 2007, 11:13:51 pm
I've been meaning to give this out for awhile, but could never decide if it was "finalized" or not..

Not sure if it's finalized now, but thought I might as well put it out there.

If you decide to download, definitely hit me up with input...


Quote
Pixel Assault Prerelease MaLa Layout
By OrganicJerk

http://www.organicperception.com/pixelassault/
organicjerk(a)hotmail.com



Introduction
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a generalized version of the layout I created for my
"Pixel Assault" Arcade project, which is currently ..."in progress"..
I have removed my project specific information,and have only left
my rather general "instructions" on the top bar to give you a general
idea of how I created it to look.



What's Included
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Three versions of the layout with backgrounds  and loading screens
at different resolutions.Although all three of them are 4:3 scalable,
I made them seperate so the background images would all look their
best at their natural resolutions

* Blank images of the CP, Marquee, and Snapshot areas to make creating
custom "transparent" ones easier. (I know that MaLa has limited
integrated transparency support, but I'm not a fan of the pixellation)

* A layered PSD (Adobe Photoshop) file that contains all of the major
layout sections as seperate layers to edit/change them.  This will allow
you to create custom "instructions" or "notice" messages as you see fit.
(A great free editor that can open PSD files is GIMP.
http://www.gimp.org/)

* A collection of "snapshots" I edited for my MaLa Tree.  Although
I had more, I used graphics that I do not have permission to release. 
If I ever get permission I will do so.


Acknowledgements
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Swindus, creator of MaLa
(http://mala.arcadezentrum.com)

The Creator of the GameEx-based layout, which I used as a conceptual
base to this layout
(http://mala.arcadezentrum.com/layouts.html)


Download Here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?1p9zszwmgnm (http://www.mediafire.com/?1p9zszwmgnm)


Thanks for checking it out!
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: jaquer on October 22, 2007, 12:17:35 am
Very, very nice. Personally I'll modify it to add the name of the game list. Was that an oversight?

Do you have any sounds to go with it? I'd be interested on the whole package if you do.

Thanks for sharing it. It might just make me switch to MaLa (currently I use Game Launcher).
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Warborg on October 22, 2007, 05:38:16 am
Damn, that's sharp!  Very nice work...   :applaud:
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: shock_ on October 22, 2007, 09:23:44 am
 :notworthy:  :notworthy:   :notworthy:
 :notworthy:  :notworthy:
 :notworthy:
When I saw you post this a few months back I was most impressed with it.  It's a pain making your own personalised layout generic enough to release - well done !!
 :cheers:
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: loadman on October 23, 2007, 08:01:04 pm
 :notworthy: 

Please send to Swindus to post on his website...   :)
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Organic Jerk on October 25, 2007, 04:23:12 am
Thanks for the kind words guys... :cheers:

As far as making it generic, I really didn't change much aside form removing my logos,.. :P

I'll definitely send it to Swindus but I'm not sure it's up to any snuffs yet...

Personally I'll modify it to add the name of the game list. Was that an oversight?

Not really... I use a personal naming convention on my gamelist files so they make sense to me and don't seem confusing, but they make more sense as filenames and not "title" names, so it wouldn't look pretty up in that area..


Anybody use it?  Any comments, complaints or suggestions?
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: HairyDVD on October 25, 2007, 05:13:43 am
I am a new frequenter of these here boards and I am getting as much knowledge and experience before I take the plunge and start "cutting wood".

I must say that Mala is an excellent program and out of all the layouts - I like this one the best.  After I get used to the program more, I will certainly be modifying this one for my requirements.  Keep up the good work - much appreciated !   :applaud:
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: specialmoose on November 01, 2007, 04:50:34 am
Holy crap you just saved me $25!

I was going to purchase Maximus Arcade but your MaLa layout is exactly what I was looking for. I'm going to go tinker with my arcade and try and get MaLa to work again.
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: ha-Y-n on November 01, 2007, 06:43:11 pm
excellent looking layout, nice job.  :notworthy:
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Franco on November 17, 2007, 02:56:16 pm
Thanks for sharing this, im sooo going to use this on my cocktail  :)

I had a quick go setting it up tonight and I came across a small problem. I located the layout files (pixas_1024.mll etc) in the Mala Layout folder and installed the fonts as instructed but when I run Mala the game titles are not in line with the bars behind them. It looks as though i need to make the font bigger or increase the spacing so that they line up properly.

Any ideas where I am going wrong or what I can do to correct this?

Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: shock_ on November 17, 2007, 04:45:19 pm
Judging by that screenshot (or rather, the dimensions of it) you're running the layout in 1280x1024, which is a 5:4 ratio.

The layout is designed for 4:3 hence the misalignment between the location of the screen elements and the background image.

Change your display resolution to 1280x960 and it should work.  If you're using an LCD and that makes it look terrible, you probably need to modify the layout either to stretch it to 1280x1024 (which will wreck it a bit, imho) or modify the layout image to use a letterbox.

As I said, easiest to just tell MaLa to run in 1280x960.
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Franco on November 17, 2007, 05:34:24 pm
Thanks for the help.

I dont seem to have that option, either in Mala or in the Windows display properties. Guess that means Ill have to try and change the layout (not that I have a clue on that one either  :P)
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Organic Jerk on November 17, 2007, 09:26:40 pm
Franco,

If this is the problem, you can change the resolution in MaLa in the Display subtab of the GUI tab...

Unfortunately I made the layout at 10248768, so anything larger won't really look as crisp...

Why are you runnng at such a high resolution?
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Organic Jerk on November 17, 2007, 11:26:21 pm
OK, Screw it.  ;D

Attached you will find a basic version of the Layout at 1280x1024..

The screenshot images I included in my first post do not work with this layout, and I left the top area blank since the PSD file does not apply either (you can just type what you want up there)..


Click to Download (http://www.mediafire.com/?dmdqz0yhmwz)
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Franco on November 18, 2007, 02:17:37 am
Sir, you are a scholar and a gent!  :notworthy:

I will give it a go when I get home from work today.

I have no particualar reason for running at such a high resolution, its just what my monitor/PC is set at at default.

Thanks again :cheers:
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Franco on November 18, 2007, 08:00:58 am
Just tried it out and it works perfectly  :D

Thanks again buddy! (http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/images/smiles/fing34.gif)
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: jrmitch on November 19, 2007, 10:58:31 pm
This is the best front end I've found, and believe me, I've looked around!  I wasn't committed to Mala either.  This sold me.  Excellent job! 

Have you created a customized windows loading screen to match this sweet layout?
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Circo on November 20, 2007, 11:16:30 pm
Very nice and proffesional layout.   :cheers:  Honestly one of the best that I have seen!
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Organic Jerk on November 23, 2007, 02:30:35 pm
Thanks again buddy! (http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/images/smiles/fing34.gif)

No prob dude..

Have you created a customized windows loading screen to match this sweet layout?

I have boot and windows loading screens that just have my logo with prominence and "messages"(of which I think theres an example of in the PSD..)

(http://www.organicperception.com/pixelassault/wp-content/gallery/9_GUI_Progress/bootwip03.jpg)

You can use the PSD to create whatever seamless boot experience you want..


It's great to see people actually enjoying my layout!  ;D

Are there any changes/improvements that people would like to see?
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: TheBrokentoken on November 25, 2007, 01:18:13 pm
Many thanks for releasing such a nice layout (and source files) into the community!  I'm really impressed with your graphic skills - defintely looks top-notch.

BTW, do you use GIMP to do all of your .PSD manipulation?
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Mr Wilson on November 27, 2007, 03:00:49 pm
thanks it looks great  ;D but on the bottom line is the any way of showing what game list your on? fighters, shooters etc...
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Organic Jerk on November 29, 2007, 10:59:08 am
BTW, do you use GIMP to do all of your .PSD manipulation?

Not at all, but I wanted to make sure there was a free option available so my releasing a PSD wasn't totally useless...

thanks it looks great  ;D but on the bottom line is the any way of showing what game list your on? fighters, shooters etc...

Well ideally you can edit the skin any way you want via the "MalaLayout" application located in your program directory.  Adding textboxes and such are pretty simple once you navigate around the app and get a feel for it.
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: ivwshane on January 29, 2009, 09:17:54 pm
Why isn't this on the mala homepage?  This looks great!! Even after two years!
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: loadman on January 30, 2009, 12:10:02 am
Why isn't this on the mala homepage?  This looks great!! Even after two years!

I Agree
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: wooowman93 on January 31, 2009, 09:13:40 pm
WOW that defines amazing

We need more
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: retrometro on February 01, 2009, 01:43:34 pm
Very nice. 
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: EvilTwin on February 04, 2009, 12:07:33 am
Great layout- I love this one, and I've been looking for a while.
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: evitagen on February 07, 2009, 06:12:14 pm
I'm so incredibly new to all of this, so I have a very ignorant question to ask about this layout.

I'm finally finishing up my cabinet and getting everything up and running... I notice on this layout that up top it says you can browse by letter by pressing left/right.  How do you enable this feature?

Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: system01 on February 08, 2009, 01:19:30 am
Gah-dam thats nice!  Like most your work.  Is there a version where it doesnt have the emu descriptor at the top?  Some people, like me, only use mame and dont need the "arcade" at the top.

Im gonna have to start using this as my regular every-PC version.
 :cheers:

<edit> Nevermind, I just re-read the thread. ::)
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Spinach on February 08, 2009, 03:47:37 pm
Is this thing on? 

This looks great, although 2 years old, so where do we find it?  The link seems to be bad and I don't see it on the MaLa Layout Page yet.

Spinach
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: ivwshane on February 09, 2009, 01:06:43 am
The link works for me still.
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Spinach on February 10, 2009, 07:56:59 pm
I'm clicking the "Download File Here" link.  I also visited the website.  I am just lost I guess.  Anyone want to point/hint me in the right direction?
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: ivwshane on February 10, 2009, 11:04:52 pm
PM me and I'll send it to you in an email.
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Organic Jerk on February 11, 2009, 03:13:15 pm
I didn't realize this layout was getting so much action!  Thanks guys  :)

The download is still up and working from what I can tell.

About the layout not being on the MaLa page yet... I've decided to leave it in "beta" mode until my cabinet is alot closer to being done.  When that work is completed, I'll finish up the layout and release a 'finished" version....

I've made a few changes since this version, with a large screenshot selection screen for system selection and stuff like that.

Cabinet first, though... have to teach myself to prioritize
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: ivwshane on February 11, 2009, 06:53:28 pm
No problem, take your time!

Do you have any updated snaps for systems? Also in your revision have you moved to a tree layout?
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: Organic Jerk on February 11, 2009, 11:36:53 pm
Well the thing is, the snaps I use for the systems choices on my personal system, I actually got from Maximus Arcade, so it wouldn't be right for me to release them in my layout, especially if mameseer took his time and effort to optimize them...

As far as using the Tree goes, I have been using the tree all along....  I don't get what you mean
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: JailDesigner on October 23, 2009, 04:24:59 am
Hi. I LOVE this layout, but i think i'm a bit late "The key you provided for file download was invalid. This is usually caused because the file is no longer stored on Mediafire. This occurs when the file is removed by the originating user or Mediafire." :(

Could someone help me? Thanks in advance :)
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: ivwshane on October 23, 2009, 05:51:38 pm
It's now located in the file repository located at the top of the page.
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: JailDesigner on October 24, 2009, 06:30:05 am
It's now located in the file repository located at the top of the page.

Thanks a lot :)
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: specialmoose on February 03, 2010, 07:21:20 pm
Anyone have a copy of this layout they could upload?

Thanks
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: ivwshane on February 07, 2010, 03:22:41 pm
Anyone have a copy of this layout they could upload?

Thanks

It's in the file repository at the top of this page.


http://files.arcadecontrols.com/categories.php?cat_id=36&sessionid=bd4831b5229ff1fff7fd093f68ee45a7 (http://files.arcadecontrols.com/categories.php?cat_id=36&sessionid=bd4831b5229ff1fff7fd093f68ee45a7)
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: botez on February 08, 2011, 05:50:47 pm
Does anyone have the PSD file for this layout.  It's not included in the file repository on the site here...
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: l0ck0 on November 14, 2014, 08:14:33 pm
 :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:
 :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Title: Re: MaLa Layout: Pixel Assault (Prerelease)
Post by: empardopo on December 11, 2014, 01:42:43 am
Is It necessary another user/password to access to File repository?