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viking

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Posts posted by viking

    COLORFUL bigbox theme

    in Big Box Custom Themes

    Posted

    The problem with the colors seems to come from the interpretation of the video player used. From what I've understood, it depends on the computer's graphics hardware, driver settings, etc. The best I can do (and have done) is to adjust the tints on the basis of my setup. 
    But that's not enough.
    We're working with Faeran on v3 of the theme, which is a total overhaul in the same DNA.
    This particular problem will be overcome by no longer superimposing any flat color with the video. Some color differences will certainly persist. But since these areas are no longer in contact, they shouldn't hurt the eye. 

    • Like 3

    COLORFUL resources

    in Third-Party Applications and Plugins (Released)

    Posted

    On 1/27/2025 at 9:23 AM, vahacris said:

    1. what version of After Effects are You using? I use the newest one (2025) and when I import Your aep file for Category Favorite, there's an info about program version mismatch and rendered video have has shifted videosnap in relation to the background with monitors. I try to make Category video for Collections and genres but I'm not an advanced user of After Effects and my only option is to edit existing aep files

    I'm using an old version, CS6. (No need to pay a subscription to keep up to date) So I'm surprised that there's a compatibility problem with a recent version. Especially since I've taken care not to use any third-party plugins, precisely to avoid compatibility problems.
    In my “old” version, the final rendering of the video is managed directly from AE.
    I believe that in the latest versions, the rendering part is sent to an Adobe satellite app that handles this. Maybe that's your warning? If so, I imagine the rendering will be fine?

    On 1/27/2025 at 9:23 AM, vahacris said:

    2. Could you please share the psd and aep resuorces of Favorite video (screenshot below). I think you are using static picture with additional effects (old crt, vhs glitch) in After Effect. If I have the resuorces I could swap the static picture with genres picture (platform, adventure, etc.) and make a videos for Category Genres easly.

    For this short video, I used a small .AEP scene found on internet. (For the VHS effect)
    For the artwork I created, I don't have the PSD. But it's a very simple image. (If you want, I can make a new template for this)
    Here's the archive containing the web template + my 2 images: VHS Overlay for After Effects.zip

     

    On 1/27/2025 at 9:23 AM, vahacris said:

    3. Could You add to your ToDo list the category video for Virtual Machines/Game Engines (ScummVM, OpenBOR, Pico-8, MUGEN, etc.)? There's so much of them and it would be great to keep them separated from Consoles/Computers/Handhelds category. 

    Great idea! I'll add it =)

     

     

     

    In general, I know it's been a while since I've posted. But I haven't given up! 
    The major renovation work on my house isn't finished and I'm still waiting. Hopefully soon! 

    Thank you for your patience =)

    COLORFUL resources

    in Third-Party Applications and Plugins (Released)

    Posted

    Very very cool!!! Thanks for the work!
    Just 2 comments: 

    1. mac: Maybe take the latest one. With a background matched to the hardware color. Your visual will age better I think!
    2. PNG: can you remove the white halo from the backgroud on PNGs? The whole series is really transparent. It's going to mismatch with the rest of the series.

    COLORFUL bigbox theme

    in Big Box Custom Themes

    Posted

    15 hours ago, Light Sock said:

    @viking I would be interested in customizing this theme to my liking.

    Can you please update those links? Thank you!

    @faeran do you have any more recent sources to share? thx!!

     

    Sorry for my silence lately.
    A lot of work IRL since Christmas + the kids + renovations in my house.
    Don't expect any update very soon. Sorry for the inconvenience.

    But I haven't given up!
    I still have the theme v3 in mind. And once it's developed, I'll go back to creating platform videos.

    Thanks for your support and patience! <3

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 2

    COLORFUL resources

    in Third-Party Applications and Plugins (Released)

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Khaar said:

    @viking Is there any chance you could share the resource files for MS-DOS with us, but with the graphics you used back in Nostalgia? I prefer the more modern hardware for MS-DOS and would like to create a platform video with it.
    Thank you in advance, and best regards.

    You're in luck because I don't have many sources left for my Nostalgia set =D
    here's all I've got: 

    MS Dos.psd

    • Thanks 1

    COLORFUL bigbox theme

    in Big Box Custom Themes

    Posted

    14 hours ago, uchuskies921 said:

    Hey @viking just out of curiosity - you guys going to incorporate the new discovery center?

    Can't wait to see what you guys come up with, Colorful is by far the best theme for Launchbox, been using it for a couple years now.

    Yes, we working on it  =)

    • Like 5

    COLORFUL bigbox theme

    in Big Box Custom Themes

    Posted

    On 10/7/2023 at 12:02 AM, marph said:

    @viking: Another thing: While looking for a solution for my afore mentioned problem, I've discovered some images that are missing in your theme (Media\Hardware Set):

    - Categories: Computers.png, Consoles.png and Handhelds.png - and the Arcade.png does not match your video (Arcade.mp4)

    - Platforms: NEC SuperGrafx.png and Windows 98.png

    Would be great if you could add these as well🙂

    These images are already in place, but it's possible that you're not using the same names.
    PNG files must be named exactly like your platform/playlist/category.

    Computers.png  >> Are named as >> Category Computers.png
    Consoles.png >> Are named as >> Category Consoles.png
    Handhelds.png >> Are named as >> Category Handhelds.png
    Arcade.png >> Are named as >> Category Arcade.png   (The problem here is that the category has exactly the same name as the platform. So LaunchBox makes a mistake and always uses the platform first)
    NEC SuperGrafx.png >> Are named as >> PC Engine SuperGrafx.png
    Windows 98.png ... Is correctly named. Did you download the latest set on the dedicated page?

    Just rename the PNG files as you named your platforms and it should work =)

    COLORFUL bigbox theme

    in Big Box Custom Themes

    Posted · Edited by viking

    32 minutes ago, marph said:

    Thanks again for your quick answer.

    I am not sure if I understand you correctly. So "simple gamplay video" is the same as "video snap"? And depending on which kind of videos actually exist and which priority I've chosen in the settings, Bigbox will show a different video?

    You're right, I'm talking about "video snap". Sorry, I'm tired ^^
    Yes, LaunchBox makes the difference, as long as the files are properly organized/tagged.
     - If you're using Colorful, setup Video Snap first.
     - If you're using other theme, setup Theme Video first.
    No need to download files again.

    I couldn't make a custom version of my theme just for you.
    @faeran (who developed the theme) won't do it either (?)

    You can download and install the Comunity Theme Creator. Then download the theme source files. Then try adapting it to your needs.
    Personally, I know too little about CTC. I won't be able to help you any further on this subject. 

    COLORFUL bigbox theme

    in Big Box Custom Themes

    Posted

    13 hours ago, marph said:

    Thanks for the hint @viking.

    Well, the problem is that I don't have other good gamplay videos which I could use instead. And I like these arcade playlist videos by RetroHumanoid pretty much. So it would be nice if I could show them in full width. But I figure this is not supported by launchbox (as you said), even if you would like to implement an option like this into your theme, isn't it?

    So there are two things here: 

    You can have 2 types of videos at the same time in LaunchBox.
    "simple gameplay video" or "theme video".
    In the settings I suggest, you can choose the priority order to display, in case a game has several videos. Apart disk space, this has no other impact.
    If you want to use the Colorful theme, I suggest you use the "simple gameplay videos". It'll be much more elegant.
    Some other themes work better with "Theme Video".

    Technically, in the Colorful theme, the gray band on the left of the screen passes over the video. The video is not cropped, but masked.
    To see more of your video, you need to reduce this band.
    This will force you to replace all the UI elements and recenter the video.
    If you wish, you can try to modify this with the Community Theme Creator. Colorful Theme Source Code available in the download page 

    COLORFUL bigbox theme

    in Big Box Custom Themes

    Posted

    Um, no. Your disk is fast enough. It didn't come from there.

    Have you tried the HD video set instead of 4K?

    Otherwise, I'm not sure. Media seems to take 1 second to load.
    In the next version of the theme, I'll try to simplify this. It'll be much simpler, stable and snapy I hope!

    COLORFUL bigbox theme

    in Big Box Custom Themes

    Posted · Edited by viking

    @Margo From what I see of your video:

    Black screens are not normal. Is the disk on which LaunchBox is installed fast or slow (SSD or old HDD)?
    I also have the impression that you validate (hit enter) during the selection wheel. When the image is on the left.
    When you validate a platform, you go directly to the GamesView. 
    To see the platform animation, don't touch anything and wait.
    It's a design problem on my part: the animation is too long and when you use it, you stop waiting for it. I'm working on this for the next big theme update. Finding the right compromise between design and usability.

    COLORFUL bigbox theme

    in Big Box Custom Themes

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Margo said:

    Hi!

    I got BigBox; seeing how amazing this "COLORFUL" theme looks from youtube videos was a significant incentive! Thank you to anyone who contributed to this theme; it's so awesome.

    I am encountering some errors at the moment in setting it up. I figure there may be a step in setting this up I have missed; attached are two screenshots of two different issues I noticed.

    1st screenshot: When scrolling through platforms, the view seems off. Platform names are at the top with a green highlight rather than as appeared in other online footage. 

    2nd screenshot: When selecting a platform, the transition takes a moment before displaying the proper platform background color. Before the proper color does appear, it is pitch black.

     

     

    That's because you're using the wrong theme view.
    In the BigBox display options, change the platform view. You can also assign a key to this action.

    Another point, platform videos.
    Too heavy to be included in the theme archive, you can easily download them from LaunchBox > Tools > Download > Platform/Playlist Theme Videos.
    Here, select "Colorful" (HD or 4K) and validate each option by platform.

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