New UI1 Orbiter skin

[DragonK]

Hi All,

Im creating a new UI1 Orbiter skin. I got a few pointers from the Devs, but I want to hear what the users would like to have in a Orbiter skin.
My way of contributing back to the project.  
I'm learning as I go along with the Orbiter skin design. The first time I opened HA Designer I thought WTF!? What do I do and Where?!
But then I stumbled across TSchak909's screencasts that explained alot about how HA Designer works.

The screencasts;
http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=5732.0
http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=5059.0

How to install HA designer;
http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Installing_HADesigner


When Im done with this Orbiter skin, I will make it available to all.
Any advice, pointers and suggestions welcome, however the end result might not include some of the suggestions.

I've attached some screenshots for thus far. I do this in my part time in the evenings, so it might be another few weeks from completion.

Karel

[Kooma]

Nice work. Have to say that the Dianemo WO2.0 looks especially appealing. I've though about (trying to learn enough to) make a similar default screen at some point for permanently installed wall orbiters.
I'm talking about this: http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Image:Web_orbiter_20_in_chrome1.jpg. Have you checked that out?

[DragonK]

Hi Kooma,

Yes I have seen theirs, and it was one of the reasons why I started to design my own.
It is still in the beginning stages, so there is alot of room for improvement.
I dont want to copy their look.

I'll go to the drawing board and see what I come up with.
Karel

[bongowongo]

They layout of the first screen is nice.
The colours hurt my eyes, if you see the colouring of the dianamo example, or our own standard screen, try to avoid to much hard contrasting colours.

[DragonK]

Hi Bongowongo,

Im changing the colors. So youre opinion about the the First screen is acceptable?
Round or square buttons?

Karel

[bongowongo]

Round, because it emphasises the curve in the buttons.

[DragonK]

Hi,

So I have redesigned my original designs. The round buttons are still in my design, but the colors have changed. The layout has changed too. The "Floating buttons in the middle of nowhere" wasnt the way to go. I wanted to do something different but that layout sux. Lets be honest.

My question now is that I want to reload my core/hybrid (new server hardware) but is it posible to transfer the work I've done so far to the new installation?

Will post some pics later.

Karel

[tschak909]

Did you do your work in a separate designobj folder?

-Thom

[DragonK]

Yes Thom.

I Created a new Designobj category and everything is in it.


Karel

[tschak909]

can you please check rendering the Basic and Titanium skins on one of your orbiters, to make sure you didn't accidentally mess it up?

-Thom

[DragonK]

Thom,

They still work, because I use them on other orbiters.
I did mess it up before but fixed it again. 

Karel

[tschak909]

okay, i will do a backup of our master database, and when we're ready, i'll look over your stuff and help check it in.

-Thom

[DragonK]

Thanx Thom,

But its not finished yet. I'm about 35%-40% complete with it.
I would love for it to be the "Default Skin" LinuxMCE ships with but I think I'm aiming abit high at the moment.

So the only way to get it onto my new installation is to "check it in"? If it is, then would everyone have my half completed orbiter skin?

Karel

[tschak909]

correct.

-Thom

[DragonK]

Thom,

Then I'll finish it first and then we can check it in. I'll keep my existing system as a "development box" then......

Thanx again.

Karel