Author Topic: Coin Be Gone FE - Video/GUI Test (Read 4477 times)

DinoRoger · « **on:** September 05, 2003, 11:31:28 pm »

Trying to perfect the video/GUI portion of my new front end before I plug in the emulator functionality code. Was hoping I could get some forum users to test and find problems with the current GUI layout.

Download Link = http://67.9.152.62/cbg.zip
(This is a early beta version for testing only - currently not usable FE worthy).

CURRENT FEATURES:

Resolution Chage (1024x768, 800x600, 640x480). You can change just the GUI layout resolution or the screen resolution with the GUI resolution.
Pixel Up, Down, Left, Right shift to help center the GUI on your screen.
Can change list from 1-30 items.
All text colors, background colors can be edited.
Title, and list fonts can be edited.
Background images can be set.
You can setup screen shot settings and test images will appear in this test version.

Notes:

If you increase the list count you need to adjust the fonts or/and vertical spacing to view them all. This allows more customization on how many games you would like to view on the screen at once. Different resolutions may not allow as many games on the screen at once.
List scroll and menu selection is not currently coded on this version. I am designing a systems that will allow unlimited menus.

Please reply back with suggestions, video related features, or problems you are able to reproduce.

Birdtales · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2003, 12:01:08 am »

Vertical spacing changes signifigantly with only one click of the mouse. I assume this is because the number in the window starts with 25 even though the spacing is actually not 25.

Do this... set up a background, screen shot what ever. Then save...exit...when you come back all is saved as it is supposed to be. Now adjust vertical spacing and click the close button on the config without saving settings...open back up config and adjust vertical spacing again and save the settings...exit the FE...when you come back the whole config is reset to square 1.

DinoRoger · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2003, 01:55:06 am »

Quote from: Birdtales on September 06, 2003, 12:01:08 am

Vertical spacing changes signifigantly with only one click of the mouse. I assume this is because the number in the window starts with 25 even though the spacing is actually not 25.

Do this... set up a background, screen shot what ever. Then save...exit...when you come back all is saved as it is supposed to be. Now adjust vertical spacing and click the close button on the config without saving settings...open back up config and adjust vertical spacing again and save the settings...exit the FE...when you come back the whole config is reset to square 1.

Good finds. Re-downloaded and try again. Looks like I was able to fix the problems. My fix probably caused 10 new problems.

HEHE, I hope not but keep testing. Thanks.

Also when trying to tell if vertical spacing is only doing one pixel pay attention to Choice 1 and Choice 2 distance. If you look at the bottom choices they are moving more that one pixel to keep the distance ratio. For example:

Choice 1
(1 Pixel Down)
Choice 2
(2 Pixels Down)
Choice 3
(3 Pixels Down)
.......

This way all choices will have the same distance between each other even though you may have chosen only to space an extra pixel.

DinoRoger · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2003, 02:04:43 am »

This is something cool you can do with backgrounds. Add a border effect to the thumbnails or entire image. Heres a very basic design of a background image that has a gray border. It makes it look like the thumbnail apears in my created border.

Im thinking background themes for the FE.

Birdtales · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2003, 02:38:44 pm »

Yep works now. I'll keep trying to break it.

Birdtales · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2003, 02:41:08 pm »

By the way you spelled underline wrong on the font/color page.

Birdtales · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2003, 02:45:47 pm »

OK here's the next one. I have my resolution set to 1024X768. I set CBG res to 800X600 and saved. Worked fine in a 800X600 section of my screen. Then check the set system res selection and CANCEL. It set the system res anyway even though you cancelled.

DinoRoger · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2003, 03:45:18 pm »

Quote from: Birdtales on September 06, 2003, 02:41:08 pm

By the way you spelled underline wrong on the font/color page.

Fixed - not uploading new version for minor change. Thanks

DinoRoger · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2003, 03:45:40 pm »

Quote from: Birdtales on September 06, 2003, 02:45:47 pm

OK here's the next one. I have my resolution set to 1024X768. I set CBG res to 800X600 and saved. Worked fine in a 800X600 section of my screen. Then check the set system res selection and CANCEL. It set the system res anyway even though you cancelled.

Fixed - not uploading new version for minor change. Thanks

Birdtales · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2003, 04:01:15 pm »

I've been twisting on it for a couple hours now and can't find any more bugs. I would like to say that the shrinking/resizing of the screen everytime you open or close the config menu is annoying. Other than that it's coming along nicely. Looks so far like it will be a great one for the newbs.

DinoRoger · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2003, 05:07:27 pm »

Yep I noticed the refresh thing too when coming from the config to FE. Don't think it will be worth trying to code around since once the FE is configured you should no longer need to re-enter the configuration screen. I tried to design the configuration screen as dynamic as I can so you can see the changes when you make them on the background FE. Because of that I have to revert all settings back if the setting are not saved causing everything to refesh.

EndTwist · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2003, 09:06:12 pm »

Seeing as how you used VB to program it, you may not have too much fun programming the list scrolling code. I myself have been trying to figure it out, and even emailed & pm'ed Minwah (no response btw!). I have a couple of ideas to work on, but if you get it, give me a PM/email!

DinoRoger · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2003, 09:21:36 pm »

Yep already got that part working. This is a 2nd rewrite to an already working version. This new version is including ideas , features and suggestions from a previous forum post.

The method I am using is creating static labels list that will read from a list box that was read from the menu#.ini file. The labels never move just are set with a new value wehen a key is pressed. This is the fastest methos I have found since you do not have to load allot in memory and no refreshing of the screen.

EndTwist · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2003, 11:10:12 pm »

If you wouldn't mind, could you PM me the code?

DinoRoger · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2003, 12:29:01 am »

Quote from: EndTwist on September 06, 2003, 11:10:12 pm

If you wouldn't mind, could you PM me the code?

Nope my code is scattered in different modules and is very unique to the design I am using. Just create a method using labels and hidden list boxes as mentioned above.

DinoRoger · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2003, 12:40:58 am »

Just added music support, key mapping, and screen saver launch features. Use same download link as above for new version. Let me know if you brake it and how.

jakejake28 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2003, 12:49:50 am »

question: is this gonna stay in the same layout, or are you ganna have a way to mix it up a little?

btw, pretty sweet lil thing to set up

DinoRoger · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2003, 12:57:19 am »

Quote from: jakejake28 on September 07, 2003, 12:49:50 am

question: is this gonna stay in the same layout, or are you ganna have a way to mix it up a little?

btw, pretty sweet lil thing to set up

With the configuration utility you can adjust the list count, colors, fonts, background image, and screen shot layout. The main format of the layout will remain the same. It was designed with a simular look of Game Launcher and looks really nice when using a TV.

jakejake28 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2003, 12:59:13 am »

Quote from: DinoRoger on September 07, 2003, 12:57:19 am

It was designed with a simular look of Game Launcher and looks really nice when using a TV.

actually, it looks pretty dam nice when using a pc moniter

DinoRoger · « **Reply #19 on:** September 07, 2003, 01:03:24 am »

Quote from: jakejake28 on September 07, 2003, 12:59:13 am

Quote from: DinoRoger on September 07, 2003, 12:57:19 am
It was designed with a simular look of Game Launcher and looks really nice when using a TV.

actually, it looks pretty dam nice when using a pc moniter

Coing Be Gone also supports Clear Type if enabled in Windows XP display properties and true type fonts are chosen.

DinoRoger · « **Reply #20 on:** September 09, 2003, 01:13:57 am »

Just uploaded new BETA version at 11:50 Centeral 9/8. Use link on first post. Added following features:

* Mouse scroll
* Up to 100 Menus
* Able to set all 100 Menu Titles via the configuration utility

Few problems or features I am currently working:
* Refresh when images on the screen
* Rest of not enabled key functions which include move to next/previous letter in the list
* Automated alphabatize list option
* Emulators automated list builder
* Manual list builder
* MAME rom info button

DAmnb · « **Reply #21 on:** September 09, 2003, 05:10:27 am »

Any chance of adding support using a joystick to navigate through the gui?

DinoRoger · « **Reply #22 on:** September 09, 2003, 09:13:57 am »

The front end is designed with keyboard and mouse to navigate. If your using arcade controls which it is designed for you just assign the same keys you use for your arcade joystick and buttons.

If your using a gaming joystick like a flight joystick it would only work if your joystick driver/software allows assigning of keyboard mapping.

DAmnb · « **Reply #23 on:** September 09, 2003, 09:24:53 am »

No luck then

DinoRoger · « **Reply #24 on:** September 09, 2003, 11:16:53 am »

It shouldnt be that difficult to add the x/y axis of a joystick for list navigation. Once all the main components are in place and working smoothly I will see about adding the bells and whistles like digital/analog joystick support.

Spaced Invader · « **Reply #25 on:** September 09, 2003, 10:19:50 pm »

Damnb,

Why not just use something like JoyToKey?

http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA016823/joytokey/english.html

Dariusz · « **Reply #26 on:** September 16, 2003, 03:49:20 am »

Hi DingoRoger,

I was wondering if you have made any more progress on your promising FE, as there has not been an update for a while.

Kind regards,

Dariusz

DinoRoger · « **Reply #27 on:** September 16, 2003, 05:14:36 pm »

Just working out the refesh kinks now. Hope to have a final BETA by next weekend.

Katana Man · « **Reply #28 on:** September 16, 2003, 05:50:32 pm »

Good work, I know I am not the only one who is very excited

Fuzzguitar · « **Reply #29 on:** September 21, 2003, 09:01:50 am »

I'm really exited about this FE too. Sounds like it might be ready about the same time as my new cab/pc so keep us informed!

Dariusz · « **Reply #30 on:** September 27, 2003, 08:18:58 pm »

Hi DinoRoger,

Any new when your final beta release will happen. I looking out to try it out.

Dariusz

Quote from: DinoRoger on September 16, 2003, 05:14:36 pm

Just working out the refesh kinks now. Hope to have a final BETA by next weekend.

Dariusz · « **Reply #31 on:** November 27, 2003, 06:47:05 am »

What's Happen with this Frontend?

Any News, has the project been scraped?


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