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The Papaw

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Everything posted by The Papaw

  1. Simple Touch & Simple Desktop View File I wanted to change the theme to a more Retro look in Version 4. See changelog and last 4-5 screenshots. I will be updating Simple Touch to match Simple Desktop and will leave the v3 online, but to much to keep up with the dark versions. Simple Desktop v4 - Uploaded Simple Touch v4 - Uploaded (last 2 screenshots) Simple Desktop v3 (light) - FINAL Simple Desktop v3 (dark) - FINAL (screenshots close to end) Some of the features: smaller in size device bezels for game videos (200+ platforms) - (special thanks @Duimon for many of them). Also extra ones in a folder named "unused" and a psd template added Partial Gamepad badge support like Steam does (add a custom field in LB named "Partial Gamepad Support" with a value of "Yes") displays nice little message when no game notes are present (see screenshot 5) displays colorful "No Video image" when no game video is present in the bezel ability to choose scratches & smudges on game videos (delete "Scratches.png" file in ..\Themes\Simple Desktop v3 (light)\Media\Overlays) font changes for better visibility colorful 3 second popup for games marked as Completed, Broken or Not Installed in Horizonal & Wall views (see screenshot 7,8,9) *updating videos and screenshots I update them 5 versions to choose from. "Simple Touch" (light or dark), "Simple Desktop" (light or dark), and a "Simple Touch Vertical". * Simple Touch Vertical (vertical version) This one is more of a test version. It's made using 3:4 aspect ratio per request. I had to re-size some things and move a few things around a bit, but pretty much the same. I have nothing to test it with, so not sure how well it will look or work on a actual vertical screen. If you give this one a try, feedback would be awesome (especially some screenshots or a video). Clean, with a modern look. Works well with all the screen sizes I have been able to test, including large screens and 4K TVs. Responsive and simple, thus "Simple Touch". Audio announces 200+ Platforms now. * (you can disable the audio by renaming or deleting the Audio folder within the ..\theme name\Media\Audio folder. If you want to remove the family logo image in the settings page, you can do the same thing with it, located in the ..\theme name\Media\Images folder) I needed this for a A-I-O Touch Screen PC I will be installing in a false wall soon. I'll be doing a home remodeling project soon and thought a touch screen jukebox in the wall would be a cool look. I found a great deal on a Lenovo 700 22ish touchscreen on ebay and have been setting it all up before I start the remodel. I wanted to create a BB theme with a similar look to the Jukebox (media center) software I put on the PC. (Most of the Platform videos in the videos in v3 and previous were the Bigbox Cinematic videos, in v4 they showcase the Colorful videos with a few I made) VIDEO: Simple Desktop v4 (11-04-22) VIDEO: Simple Desktop v3 Light (10-07-22) - Sorry it's so long, I was trying to show all the bezels I used to show the game videos for all the platforms. VIDEO: Simple Desktop v3 Dark (10-13-22) Here is the dll file for adding the "Touch Badge" in Launchbox. Drop it into your ..\Launchbox\Plugins folder. (not required, just shows the Touch Badge in Launchbox) Badge Touch.dll Startup Videos: (10 seconds) NEW - Simple Desktop (available in 1080 & 4K) BigBox Simple Desktop (3840 × 2160 px).mp4 NEW - Simple Touch (available in 1080 & 4K) COMIN SOON As always, special thanks goes out to: @JoeViking245 for helping me with the touch issues @y2guru for sharing CTC with us, thank you @faeran for allowing me to use a bit of his code @Johnny T for all the MFME Fruitbox Machine help @viking for the awesome Colorful stuff and sharing some of his knowledge with me ALL THE USERS Don't forget to leave feedback, post comments, questions or suggestions. Will do the best I can to get back. - Enjoy! BigBox Simple Desktop (1920 × 1080 px).mp4 Submitter The Papaw Submitted 06/09/2022 Category Custom Themes  
  2. Version 4.0.2

    636 downloads

    I wanted to change the theme to a more Retro look in Version 4. See changelogs and last few screenshots. I will only be going forward with the two v4 version as it has been to much to keep up with all the versions. I will try to update most of the screenshots soon. I plan on adding vertical and coverflow views soon. I'll leave v3 online as they look quite a bit different. Looking back, I probably should have separated them as different themes Simple Desktop v4 - Uploaded Simple Touch v4 - Uploaded (last 2 screenshots) Simple Desktop v3 (light) - FINAL Simple Desktop v3 (dark) - FINAL (screenshots close to end) Some of the features: New custom Neon platform, platform categories and few playlist Clear Logos (close to 200 of them). Also available in separate DOWNLOAD now. device bezels for game videos (200+ platforms) - (special thanks @Duimon for many of them). Also extra ones in a folder named "unused" and a psd template added Partial Gamepad badge support like Steam does (add a custom field in LB named "Partial Gamepad Support" with a value of "Yes") - dll file below displays nice little message when no game notes are present (see screenshot 5) displays colorful "No Video image" when no game video is present in the bezel ability to choose scratches & smudges on game videos (delete "Scratches.png" file in ..\Themes\Simple Desktop v3 (light)\Media\Overlays) font changes for better visibility colorful 3 second popup for games marked as Completed, Broken or Not Installed in Horizonal & Wall views (see screenshot 7,8,9) Audio announces 200+ Platforms New matching neon "Startup" videos Clean, with a modern look. Works well with all the screen sizes I have been able to test, including large screens and 4K TVs. Responsive and simple, thus "Simple Touch". I needed this for a A-I-O Touch Screen PC I will be installing in a false wall soon. I'll be doing a home remodeling project soon and thought a touch screen jukebox in the wall would be a cool look. I found a great deal on a Lenovo 700 22ish touchscreen on ebay and have been setting it all up before I start the remodel. I wanted to create a BB theme with a similar look to the Jukebox (media center) software I put on the PC. (Most of the Platform videos in the videos in v3 and previous were the Bigbox Cinematic videos, in v4 they showcase the Colorful videos with a few I made) NEW VIDEO: Simple Desktop v4 (11-04-22) VIDEO: Simple Desktop v3 Light (10-07-22) - Sorry it's so long, I was trying to show all the bezels I used to show the game videos for all the platforms. VIDEO: Simple Desktop v3 Dark (10-13-22) Here is the dll file for adding the "Touch Badge" in Launchbox. Drop it into your ..\Launchbox\Plugins folder. (not required, just shows the Touch Badge in Launchbox) Badge Touch.dll Startup Videos: (10 seconds) NEW - Simple Desktop (available in 1080 & 4K) BigBox Simple Desktop (3840 × 2160 px).mp4 NEW - Simple Touch (available in 1080 & 4K) * (you can disable the audio by renaming or deleting the Audio folder within the ..\theme name\Media\Audio folder. If you want to remove the family logo image in the settings page, you can do the same thing with it, located in the ..\theme name\Media\Images folder) "Simple Touch v3" (light or dark), "Simple Desktop v3" (light or dark) are the older versions. * Simple Touch Vertical (vertical version) This one is more of a test version. It's made using 3:4 aspect ratio per request. I had to re-size some things and move a few things around a bit, but pretty much the same. I have nothing to test it with, so not sure how well it will look or work on a actual vertical screen. If you give this one a try, feedback would be awesome (especially some screenshots or a video). As always, special thanks goes out to: @JoeViking245 for helping me with the touch issues @y2guru for sharing CTC with us, thank you @faeran for allowing me to use a bit of his code @Johnny T for all the MFME Fruitbox Machine help @viking for the awesome Colorful stuff and sharing some of his knowledge with me ALL THE USERS Don't forget to leave feedback, post comments, questions or suggestions. Will do the best I can to get back. - Enjoy! BigBox Simple Desktop (1920 × 1080 px).mp4
  3. I may have ran into a issue with 12.12.3. I was replacing some images in ..\Launchbox\Images\Playlists\name of playlist\Device (and Clearlogos). When I run Bigbox, I go into the settings and refresh the cached images, it isn't working if I leave the old re-named images in the folder. I have to delete everything in the folder but the image I want, then do the re-fresh. Maybe someone can try it on their end?
  4. @JoeViking245 Dude, you are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes it worked for me as as well BTW, I just want to say, you are so incredible finding solutions in LB/BB
  5. I can't, that's the issue, no <ESC>, that's why I was asking how I might incorporate it in a theme. @Johnny T made a suggestion about a gesture software that might work, but not had a chance to install and look into it yet.
  6. I got a project going on and not sure if I should ask here or in the general threads. (I asked in CTC thread and Dave said it was more of a control issue) I am doing a home remodel project. I got the brainy idea to build a retro (digital) touch screen jukebox in a false wall I will be building. I started out with a Raspberry Pi, but I wound up getting a really nice 22" All In One PC. Then I got even brainier and thought it might be cool to add some slot machines that work with touch screens. I found a few of the old IGT games (old Windows) that work well. And of course I installed LB/BB on it to run the slot games and thought I needed to create a cool theme for BB to kinda match everything else. It looks and runs great. Got BB working well with the touch screen and all (enabled mouse in the BB config) Here is my problem and I'm really hope ANYONE, can tell me how I might be able to do it: I have NO way to exit BB without plugging in a keyboard to hit <ESC> Is there any way I can add something to the theme I created in CTC, that when touched (would be like a mouse click), would exit BB. I thought about maybe adding something like a fake game that runs a AHK or bat file or something, but don't know how I could do it without it being on the wheels. Any ideas or suggestions?
  7. I was thinking I would have to use a user source code in CTC somehow to accomplish it. That is what I thought you did., I just don't know the code. I kinda borrowed some of what you did in Retrofresh to accomplish it, if that's okay?
  8. There is a setting in BB for videos to do a Horizontal Flip or Cube transition when navigating. It only flips one way though. I have seen themes that will flip an object two ways depending on the direction you navigate, even the default theme does it. How would I implement that into a theme I created in CTC that could still be edited in CTC? I don't see a simple way to accomplish this in CTC, thought maybe I could do a hybrid like @faeran did with Retrofresh with the notes in the horizontalgameview. All replies appreciated
  9. Have you considered uploading them to the LB Databse as Fanart - Box - Front?
  10. The Game Zone (Multiple BB Instances via AHK script) View File Allows you to Easily use multiple instances of Bigbox on each PC to improve speeds in navigation by splitting up platforms and running them from a single app. Also allows you to customize each instance to use different themes, platform videos, etc.. Includes a ReadMe in the folder I wrote this AHK script to make it easy to run multiple instances of Bigbox on the same PC. The reason I did this was I noticed my main LB/BB rig was getting so big that navigation was starting to slow down, especially in arcade using the newer themes. It was even worse on the older PC's thoughout he house. I got the idea that maybe if I split the platforms up into different copies of LB/BB I might get a smoother experience, especially on older PC's and it worked. The script can be easily changed and customized to your needs. It's simple to change the images, background, layout, number of instances, etc. with much more than Notepad++. It takes a little work to set things up, but works pretty well after your done. Just extract it and put the "The Game Zone" folder where you want. Here is what you need do to Prepare: - this is most of the work 1. Make a copy of your Launchbox folder before doing anything just as a backup in case you have a boo-boo and something gets messed up. That makes it easy to go back. I'd leave it alone until finished. 2. If your game media, including roms, (images, videos, music, manuals) is within your Launchbox folder, you will need to move or make a copy of it all to a centralized location Outside the default Launchbox folder. This excludes your Platform Categories, Platforms, Playlists folders and startup videos. Mine is actually on a shared NAS folder. This keeps you from creating and having multiple copies of your roms and game media in a later step. 3. Next, you need to edit the paths to each of them in the "Folders" section of Launchbox by right clicking on a platform, then Edit > Folders (tab) and navigate each of them to where you put the media OR edit the Platform xml (../Launchbox/Data/Platforms) files with Notepad++ so Launchbox uses the new centralized media locations. Notepad++ is faster and easier, but more chance of errors. 4. After your media is in a centralized location, you can delete it all from your default Launchbox folders. 5. Next, make multiple copies of your edited Launchbox folder and rename them the following (only if you wish to use the script "As Is"): LB-Arcade LB-Retro LB-Modern by default the script uses your normal Launchbox instance for the Master system. 6. Lastly, you will need to edit the AHK script to match the different path instances that you have chosen. Mine are as follows and what the script is using by default: D:\Gaming\Apps\LB-Arcade D:\Gaming\Apps\LB-Retro D:\Gaming\Apps\LB-Modern D:\Gaming\Apps\LaunchBox (master system with all platforms) After everything is all set up and working, you can play with modding to your taste and needs. TIPS: I do all my maintenance work in my master instance and use Syncthings to copy the appropriate platform xml files to the appropriate LB instances, that way I do the work once and the other instances are updated automatically. Yep, I'm lazy! There is a shortcut in the folder to drop on the desktop. You might have to fix the icon for it (copy of it in the "The Game Zone" folder), since my paths may be different than yours. I think that's it. This is my first AHK script and was fun learning about AHK. You can do much more with it than I imagined. Feel free to post questions, comments, suggestions and share what you come up with. -Enjoy Submitter The Papaw Submitted 05/25/2022 Category Third-party Apps and Plugins  
  11. Version 1.0.0

    47 downloads

    Allows you to Easily use multiple instances of Bigbox on each PC to improve speeds in navigation by splitting up platforms and running them from a single app. Also allows you to customize each instance to use different themes, platform videos, etc.. Includes a ReadMe in the folder I wrote this AHK script to make it easy to run multiple instances of Bigbox on the same PC. The reason I did this was I noticed my main LB/BB rig was getting so big that navigation was starting to slow down, especially in arcade using the newer themes. It was even worse on the older PC's thoughout he house. I got the idea that maybe if I split the platforms up into different copies of LB/BB I might get a smoother experience, especially on older PC's and it worked. The script can be easily changed and customized to your needs. It's simple to change the images, background, layout, number of instances, etc. with much more than Notepad++. It takes a little work to set things up, but works pretty well after your done. Just extract it and put the "The Game Zone" folder where you want. Here is what you need do to Prepare: - this is most of the work 1. Make a copy of your Launchbox folder before doing anything just as a backup in case you have a boo-boo and something gets messed up. That makes it easy to go back. I'd leave it alone until finished. 2. If your game media, including roms, (images, videos, music, manuals) is within your Launchbox folder, you will need to move or make a copy of it all to a centralized location Outside the default Launchbox folder. This excludes your Platform Categories, Platforms, Playlists folders and startup videos. Mine is actually on a shared NAS folder. This keeps you from creating and having multiple copies of your roms and game media in a later step. 3. Next, you need to edit the paths to each of them in the "Folders" section of Launchbox by right clicking on a platform, then Edit > Folders (tab) and navigate each of them to where you put the media OR edit the Platform xml (../Launchbox/Data/Platforms) files with Notepad++ so Launchbox uses the new centralized media locations. Notepad++ is faster and easier, but more chance of errors. 4. After your media is in a centralized location, you can delete it all from your default Launchbox folders. 5. Next, make multiple copies of your edited Launchbox folder and rename them the following (only if you wish to use the script "As Is"): LB-Arcade LB-Retro LB-Modern by default the script uses your normal Launchbox instance for the Master system. 6. Lastly, you will need to edit the AHK script to match the different path instances that you have chosen. Mine are as follows and what the script is using by default: D:\Gaming\Apps\LB-Arcade D:\Gaming\Apps\LB-Retro D:\Gaming\Apps\LB-Modern D:\Gaming\Apps\LaunchBox (master system with all platforms) After everything is all set up and working, you can play with modding to your taste and needs. TIPS: I do all my maintenance work in my master instance and use Syncthings to copy the appropriate platform xml files to the appropriate LB instances, that way I do the work once and the other instances are updated automatically. Yep, I'm lazy! There is a shortcut in the folder to drop on the desktop. You might have to fix the icon for it (copy of it in the "The Game Zone" folder), since my paths may be different than yours. I think that's it. This is my first AHK script and was fun learning about AHK. You can do much more with it than I imagined. Feel free to post questions, comments, suggestions and share what you come up with. -Enjoy
  12. np, thought a AHK script would go in the AHK thread...deleted it, sorry 'bout that
  13. Posted copy here for others to play with: The Game Zone.ahk
  14. Here is want I wound up with (still tweaking). I had no idea you could do so much as easily as you can with AHK. Definitely will be using much more in the future. Thanks again Joe for the support The Menu: Showing a confirmation prompt:
  15. I've got it all working pretty good now, doing artwork and layout. Will post screenshot when I get it done. Thanks for all the tips. I had done got on a roll before trying the program , will look at it later..
  16. Hey @Rincewind, If you'd like, I can maybe take my USA colored ones and see if I can find a good set of the Euro ratings that would go good with them, and see if I can make ya a set if you'd like.
  17. I'm making progress (one of the few youtube videos that is actually not affiliate crap yet.. ) and got one clickable, also found an old program to make AHK GUI's called SmartGUI. I might see what is does. Here's a copy of of it if you're interested in playing with it. smartgui.zip
  18. I got some png's working in it, now I am trying to figure out how to make them clickable, something to do with a "A g-label such as gMySubroutine may be listed in the control's options. This would cause the MySubroutine label to be launched automatically whenever the user clicks the picture.". -quoted from autohotkey.com Just getting things going, and I will probably find different images and maybe change layout, maybe 2 x 2 square instead of single line, maybe get rid of the buttons once I figure out how to make the images clickable???? Here is what I got so far:
  19. I've gotten busy and just getting back to playing with this. Been tinkering with AHK a bit this morning. Looking for a way to add an image to each menu now if you can, never tried before
  20. Looks so much better, what ya think?
  21. If you're interest in some USA colored ratings (they look good in your theme), here are some I made for a theme that you are more than welcome to use if you'd like. Or anyone else for that matters Colored Ratings.zip Here's what they look like:
  22. @Rincewind I just download the new 2.4 (blue) and got a couple questions, 1. Any way of resizing and moving the pdf image to better match the rest of the images? (see screenshot) 2. I am getting both US and Euro ratings, I assume I can replace them with my own without any issue if I match your sizes?
  23. Yes Sir, that is exactly what I am gonna be trying to do. I don't see a reason to use the /f switch as it LB appears to be closing well (at least with v12.12, I know these things may change with updates sometimes) Something I am not sure about is when LB/BB is opened, then closed, then re-opened again, it tends to run a bit slower if the PC isn't re-booted for some reason. Like maybe memory isn't cleared 100% from the previous run or something. Could be a windows thing, I really don't know. I think I can pull it off with bat or AHK I was wondering if something in Visual Studio or even something else might work and look better if you create it with a cool icon and make it an exe or something? Rather than having 5-10 script files. But never done anything with VS before. I assume you would use some type of invoke in it??
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