The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Front End Support => MaLa Frontend => Topic started by: Stormrider on March 20, 2009, 03:16:02 am

Title: My first layout, of course LOW RES
Post by: Stormrider on March 20, 2009, 03:16:02 am

This is the layout I've created in a couple of days with MALA. The linked video shows my first tests with the ArcadeVGA on a scart TV. Here you can see how it looks and works.

Features:

- Layout made for low resolution displays (368x240, fullscreen, non-interlaced).
- Minimalist design with all the information in just one screen: simple, clear and functional.
- All functions accesible with your control panel, including fast browsing with no delay, letter-by-letter browsing, random game selection...
- Instant switch between horizontal and vertical modes, with sepparate gamelists of available games.
- Textual information: manufacturer, year, category, resolution and MAME version.
- Visual information: in-game snapshot (stretched, filtered and with original aspect ratio) and cabinet picture (when available).
- Extra information panel (history.dat)
- On-screen controls description.
- Custom loading game screen.
- Sounds assigned to events: browse list, run game and orientation switch.
- Animated screensaver.
- And much more...

I hope you like it.

http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/temp/frontend.avi

(http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/temp/mala-layout.jpg)

Title: Re: My first layout, of course LOW RES
Post by: Stormrider on March 20, 2009, 06:57:23 pm

Updated.

Now I have two generic cabinet photos, which are displayed when no cabinet picture is available, so you don't ever see the blank space there.

(http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/temp/cabineth.jpg)

(http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/temp/cabinetv.jpg)

Also something for the missing snapshots:

(http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/temp/snapshoth.gif)

I've improved the loading screen with the MAME logo.

(http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/temp/loadingh.gif)

And I've finally found the perfect sound sample for list browsing!!

http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/temp/1.wav (http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/temp/1.wav)

Now I'd like to create something cool for a better screensaver...

Title: Re: My first layout, of course LOW RES
Post by: Stormrider on March 22, 2009, 07:08:24 pm

I've decided to redesing the layout in 320x240, which maintains the aspect ratio of the snapshots and all the pictures in general. I've also used a plugin for rom names speech. No really useful, but it's cool. I've added a very short video with the MaLa logo with fade in and fade out. I've also modified the vertical layout so that the pictures are larger. Finally, some cosmethic changes, and that's all. I don't want to break the kiss principle. Shots at 200%. Save to disk or drag to another window to view it fullscreen.

(http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/temp/frontend2.jpg)