[Community Theme Creator]

8 hours ago, skizzosjt said:

hi @y2guru! I am either reporting some bugs, or asking for some help if they are not bugs. I've noticed a few issues in recent months (sorry I am taking so long to report anything). I am on latest 3.3.2 and notice that images used in platform wheels and game wheels do not maintain their aspect ratio if said aspect ratio is very large. As in much wider than they are taller. Take the Nintendo GameBoy Advance logo, and Sony Playstation 3 logo as examples. Both of these are squished in height, being shorter than they should. That is an assumption on my end, they could in fact be stretched to be wider instead but either way it creates the same distorted aspect ratio.  I notice the same with some game clear logos too like Shadow of the Tomb Raider which also has the same sort of aspect ratio of being much wider than taller.  I assumed I had either distorted images or a funky setting used in CTC but neither is the case. The images look fine when viewed outside of CTC, and if I use the images as an image element inside CTC, they look fine. Only within the wheels do they look wrong.  Something seems to not be treating aspect ratio properly when above/below a certain threshold.

 

Here is an example of the Nintendo GameBoy Advance logo. As you can see from comparing them, the one in the wheel looks squished in height compared to the same image directly above it. I have also the exact same image as an image element directly above it and sizing it to be the exact same width. All other clear logos visible in the wheel look OK, so it's not a problem that impacts all images. With the evidence in front of me it seems this only impacts really wide aspect ratio images. 

Note this is the first time I thought to test this on a horizontal wheel too and the problem persists. I use a vertical wheel instead and I just want to clarify that regardless of using a horizontal or vertical wheel, this issue is present. 

 

 

 

The second issue I have noticed is the game wheel index is all funny looking only once published. The wheel index looks perfect in CTC, but once published it is not using proper sizes or scaling for something. The letters and magnifying glass for search for example look larger and/or off centered. I noticed this code has changed compared to old versions and I have figured out how to manipulate some margins in the XML file after publishing to make things visible, but my point here is there is something wrong on CTC's end with making it wrong from the get go.

 

Here is an example showing the clear logo looking like it is squished on the game wheel also. I have the exact same image as an image element right next to it for comparison and it looks correct. Just showing this issue is present on all wheels, not just a platform wheel. 
Also showing that the wheel index looks totally fine within CTC's editor. However, once I publish this theme, it looks funny in Big Box. It still functions as in selecting the letter does move the wheel accordingly, but parts of text/icons are hidden or covered up

 

Here is this test theme published in Big Box. The wheel index has all the individual selections like the letters and search and filter, etc, look too big or their viewing area is too small. Portions of them are all cut off and off centered

 

If I edit the game wheel index how I actual want it to look like, this problem gets worse.

Here it is in CTC. All I did besides change a color is make these corners rounded with a value of 20 in each field. I stuck in a rectangle behind the wheel index so you can actually see I did the round corners (hard to see black on black lol)

Now here it is published in Big Box.

 

Now I move the position around and change the font, and it looks noticeably worse. Here it is in CTC still looking OK within the editor

But soon as I publish, it looks all sorts of wrong in Big Box. It looks like the actual characters are all too large and are creating "..." in place of not being able to fit the character

 

 

Here is what I actually use which is a customized version of Colorful. The game wheel index looks fine as I want it to within CTC. Go to publish, and it's all sorts of funny looking in Big Box

 

Here in Big Box. It looks like the actual characters are all too large and are creating "..." in place of not being able to fit the character

 

I can see both of these above issues even when starting a brand new theme in CTC v3.3.2 so it is not anything related to some funky setting I have in an otherwise fully built up custom theme.  I'm talking brand new from scratch theme with nothing but a wheel and index element in it and these problems still exist. I do not use any scaling. My resolution is 4K (3840 x 2160) and 100% scaling/DPI.

 

I've found that messing around with these values were the quickest way for me to fix the issue in the meantime. This is a screen shot of the XML file once published. The highlighted line regarding margins I change to this instead....

Margin="-40,-10,-45,0">

 

 

However, seems to be another issue on top of this. Why doesn't all aspects of the game wheel index scale properly with different resolutions and DPI/scaling options? I do test my theme against other resolutions and scaling and the game wheel index selections like the letters/characters and the magnifying glass etc, they all get smaller as I increase DPI/scaling. So for ex, 300% scaling makes it so all these letters and images are visible, but they are much smaller than I want. This really shouldn't be happening, changing scale/DPI should not impact the visual size of this stuff, it should look the same exact size regardless of scaling/DPI used. I notice the round corners change appearance (larger or smaller radius) when I change resolution and/or scaling/DPI

When I change resolution this also makes a difference. I am building everything, and use everything, at 4K and 100% scaling. However, if I change my desktop resolution to 1920 x 1080 and continue to use 100% scaling and then launch Big Box.....now the game wheel index looks like it does in CTC. This behavior makes me think something is wrong regarding the game wheel index and its scaling per the users resolution and/or DPI/scaling.

 

 

Can you please advise if these are in fact bugs and if so would they get added to a fix it list for a future CTC version? If they are not bugs, could you lend me a hand on what setting(s) I can change to resolve this stuff?

 

 

Sorry for the very long post. Only trying to be detailed to either help resolve a bug or get some help fixing whatever mistake I am making!

Not bugs, sorry

[Community Theme Creator]

1 hour ago, Madhead said:

@y2guru Hi, sorry mate i'm probably doing your head in at this point, but in my theme theres a video snap for the Nintendo DS and 3DS that used the video mirror for the bottom screen. I've noticed the option has been removed for the video mirror so I just used 'selected video item' again for the bottom screen. I know that adds a lot of performance overhead but it seemed like the only option. Anyway It all seemed to work inside the CTC preview and editor, but when I exported the theme to BigBox the bottom screen video didn't show. Is there a way to still use a video mirror or some other technique where showing both DS screen videos is possible? Thanks again.

Video mirror is gone, I noted that in 3.3 in patreon.   Add an image and set the image property to capture ui element, then select your selected item video

[Community Theme Creator]

5 minutes ago, Madhead said:

@y2guru I've downloaded the 3.3.1 update for CTT, and in the edit view the Elements Panel is constantly hidden. I try using Alt - Tab to bring it to the front but it disappears after flashing on screen for a second. It sometimes stays on screen but i'd say only in 1 out of 20 times.  I'm using Windows 10, it's fully updated and using the latest .NET version. Do you have any idea what it could be?

Download 3.3.2

[Community Theme Creator]

On 3/13/2025 at 2:22 PM, retrospace said:

Question: Should I buy the newest version of the program or there´s a free update from those that already paid ?

if you previously purchased the software, download the latest version for free using the download link above.

[Community Theme Creator]

10 minutes ago, Madhead said:

Thanks. Do you mind linking me to the post? Also how will it remember that I bought the post? I'm pretty sure I've reinstalled windows since I last got it.

Here’s the link

https://www.patreon.com/posts/community-theme-110306909?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

I have no idea how patreon tracks purchases, give it a shot though.

 

 

[Community Theme Creator]

5 minutes ago, Madhead said:

@y2guru I bought version 3.2.2 from patreon by buying the post page. Do I have to buy 3.2.6 update again or is there a way of getting it for free? Thanks.

You can visit the 3.3.1 post in patreon and you should be able to download for free.  (The post page is the original post page, just updated content)

[Community Theme Creator]

On 2/28/2025 at 7:05 AM, retrospace said:

HI team, good morning.

I have a question: 

How can I increase this font when I try to search for a specific game name ?  I coun´dt found the option .

Reduce the Margin

 

[Community Theme Creator]

50 minutes ago, The Papaw said:

@y2guru or anyone: When you choose to "collapse" or "hide" an item, are they both still being loaded with the view? I'm hoping maybe one of them isn't. I'm looking for ways to help with CTC created theme performance.

Both are loaded when the view loads.

 

[Community Theme Creator]

2 hours ago, retrospace said:

 

I VE made a video to explain my issue

 

this is the theme

 

 

 

Here you go, I modified one of the Style files and it works just fine in CTC 3.2.7 

and thank you for taking the time to put together a video!

Neon Deluxe Arcade Final - 4-3.7z

[Community Theme Creator]

1 hour ago, retrospace said:

 

I VE made a video to explain my issue

 

this is the theme

 

 

 

i know what the issue is, its the style used for the Text Lists (System Options, Platforms Filter and Text Games)  ill download his theme and send you back a modified version

[Community Theme Creator]

4 minutes ago, retrospace said:

no, Ive used my purshaded program put the ctc theme and edit 

Send me a link to the theme you edited and tell me exactly which view, element, property  you changed 

[Community Theme Creator]

On 2/6/2025 at 1:05 PM, retrospace said:

Hey Guys, I have a question:

I was trying to make some changes in some Themes shared in the community trying to adjust or my CRT cab.

But I cant export these changes, even using this Tutorial: 
 

Should I beeing a Patreon to use this full Theme creator software?

you can purchase without signing up on Patreon

[Community Theme Creator]

On 2/5/2025 at 4:57 PM, B-B-Lee said:

Hi, I just bought CTC 3.2.7 from Patreon (I bought the post) but I can not even try it... I fill my Author name, I browse for my LB directory and launch it... it's extremely low as soon as it starts and as I try to load the "_Theme Components" project and select a view to edit, the app stop responding and the only way out is force its termination... is there something I should know? Can be a problem a LB installation with a lot of games, a few platforms, platform categories and subcategories?

Thanks

did you unblock the .zip .7z file before extracting ?  how many games? ive had over 20,000 during my testing.

[Community Theme Creator]

On 2/11/2025 at 6:16 AM, retrospace said:

Hi guys, I have a question: 

I was editing the Retrolust 4:3 theme only to increase some fonts for my CRT Monitor. But now shows me this error message and the main menu shows default one. 

But, if I don´t make any chages, works normally.  HOw can I solve this ?

Did you modify the XAML files manually, if so i cannot assist you.

[Community Theme Creator]

4 hours ago, The Papaw said:

@y2guru I ran into an issue with the 3.2.6 update. I thought I would pass it along for you to do with it as you wish.

I have been working on a theme in 3.2.5 with a huge amount of conditioning in it, One of which was with the wheel item templates using a condition to display one of two images for the games media (disc, cartridge, etc.). They would both be collapsed to begin with, the first would become visible if no fanart image was found. The second would become visible if a fanart image IS found. All works fine in v3.2.5. However it will only work in v3.2.6 if I reverse these conditions making both images visible and collapsing them with the conditions.

This works in v3.2.5 but doesn't in v3.2.6

It displays correct here in v3.2.6

but this is how it turns out in v3.2.6

If I change it to this:

it sorta works in v3.2.6 displaying both images

fixed in 3.2.7 - i'll upload the new build later today (have to test it)

[Community Theme Creator]

2 hours ago, bundangdon said:

@y2guru is this update still available for a 1 time purchase?

yes it is, free upgrade to those that purchased 3.2.x

[Community Theme Creator]

58 minutes ago, The Papaw said:

@y2guru Shouldn't there be a "No Value" option in this (in game wheels)

Wheel item templates do not allow the use of convertors, so you are unable to use >, <, contains and *NoValue

[Community Theme Creator]

9 hours ago, The Papaw said:

@y2guru Is there a link on Patreon somewhere to get support? I don't know anything about Patreon and can't find anything there. Or is there something somewhere else? Thx

https://www.patreon.com/c/communitythemecreator/membership

Early Access

[Community Theme Creator]

3 minutes ago, Dedaloso said:

Okay, but I need my theme to work on LB 10.14 or 12.0 at the latest, since the PC running LB can't handle anything newer

Download a very old version of CTC, you will lose features obviously but that is my recommendation if you cannot upgrade launchbox 

[Community Theme Creator]

5 minutes ago, Dedaloso said:

I appreciate your help. I created a new theme with CTC 2.5.5, and this is what the readme.txt says.

COMMUNITY Theme Creator - Versione 2.5.5
Tema: TEST
Proporzioni: 4:3
Creato da: Dedaloso
BigBox Version: 13 o later

The error is still there.

I'm wondering: how can it talk about BB 13 or newer when CTC 2.5.5 is much older?

It should make themes for my LB 11.4, right?... I'm lost

You need launchbox 13 or later installed for the theme to work

[Community Theme Creator]

55 minutes ago, Dedaloso said:

Thanks for helping out, but I'm still getting the same error when exporting from CTC 3.2.5. Launchbox 12.10 is giving me the same message...

take a look at the readme in the published theme folder, it will tell you what version of BigBox is supported.

for example: CTC 3.2.5 supports BigBox 13 or later

 

[Community Theme Creator]

3 minutes ago, The Papaw said:

Does this mean that since we can't use the underscore as a substitute, like I have so often done in the past, that I'm just SOL with future releases of CTC or you still investigating?  Not sure since your replies stopped

I’ll fix it but this is not the forum for general support, crash issues I will investigate and respond to almost immediately.

[Community Theme Creator]

3 minutes ago, The Papaw said:

It shows Papaw's Favorite Games, but you can't use the apostrophe in CTC, the OK button stays greyed out. Kinda hard to see, but center of screen, (bottom left of dialog box)

Correct, you cannot use the apostrophe and that’s why you cannot hit ok

[Community Theme Creator]

1 hour ago, The Papaw said:

@y2guru Just want to add to my last post. I was using color conditioning in a Platform view. It isn't allowing me to use the "_" (underscore). I am using "platform name" and tried "is" as well as "contains". Contains will work if I remove everything after the underscore. The 2 examples shown in screenshot are actually playlists that show in Platforms in LB.

 

This does work, but is a problem, as some real platforms contain the word Gage (Nokia N-Gage) in them 

I suggest you add a Text Element to the view and select the metadata field "Platform Name" and that way you can see what the actual value is versus what you are comparing against

[Community Theme Creator]

1 hour ago, Dedaloso said:

Hi @y2guru I'm having an issue with a theme I'm creating: I have an older version of LB 12.10 installed on an older PC. This is the version that doesn't slow down on this machine, so I haven't updated the frontend. I'm creating a very simple theme with only two views, but when I launch it from Big Box, I get this error (attached) and the theme doesn't display. I've tried putting the theme on a newer version of BB and I have no problems. I've also tried exporting the theme from both the latest version of CTC 3.2.5 and an older 2.x version, but nothing changes.

What could be causing this?

Thank you for your help!

The 2.x version does not allow Force Aspect Ratio, that feature was introduced in version 3.0 of CTC