[Mod]-[GUI] - X3: GUI Replacement (Updated 12-28-2006)

[Crypton]

Cryptons X3: Reunion GUI Replacement
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Main Download: DarkTheme 0.49MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): DarkTheme 0.49MB Zip File

* NEW * Main Download: DarkTheme V2 490.6 KB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): DarkTheme V2 490.6 KB Zip File

Main Download: Deep Purple 0.53MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): Deep Purple 0.53MB Zip File

* NEW * Main Download: Deep Purple V2 2.58 MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): Deep Purple V2 2.58 MB Zip File

Main Download: Shades of Gray 0.54MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): Shades of Gray 0.54MB Zip File

Main Download: AmberHud 0.33MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): AmberHud 0.33MB Zip File

(See Screens below)
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DarkTheme

-- Will put up new screens later --

Main Download: DarkTheme 0.49MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): DarkTheme 0.49MB Zip File

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DarkTheme V2 * NEW *

Click Images for Full View
[ external image ][ external image ][ external image ][ external image ][ external image ]

Main Download: DarkTheme V2 490.6 KB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): DarkTheme V2 490.6 KB Zip File

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Deep Purple
** Also note the target hud is a yellow tint **

-- Will put up new screens later --

Main Download: Deep Purple 0.53MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): Deep Purple 0.53MB Zip File

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Deep Purple V2 * NEW *
** Also note the target hud is a yellow tint **

** This version comes wtih 2 different cat/dats. Once with non-target huds and one without so you can choose if you want target huds around all ships or not **

Click Images for Full View
[ external image ][ external image ][ external image ]

Main Download: Deep Purple V2 2.58 MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): Deep Purple V2 2.58 MB Zip File

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Default + Amberhud

For those that like the default colors, but perhaps want a different target hud color, this one I did in Amber.

Screenshot:
[ external image ]

Main Download: AmberHud 0.33MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): AmberHud 0.33MB Zip File

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Shades of Gray

-- Will put up new screens later --

Main Download: Shades of Gray 0.54MB Zip File
Mirror (FileFront): Shades of Gray 0.54MB Zip File

[fud]

I'd be more interested in the process of editing it, personally. I've played with the gui.dds and have made new icons for some guns and missles (for future addons/etc), and I'm curious if the process is the same.

I'll grab the files when I get home and check it out.


I completely agree about the menus tho, why they chose a transparent background is beyond me. Getting a star/planet behind the window is crap.


Now, one question that does come up from me, can the actual physical dimensions of the windows be changed? ie, change the height of them, to allow for more on the screen with less scrolling needed?

[russbo]

Nice job with the gui. Looks great, I'm going to have to try this.
Fud has a good suggestion, is there a way to manipulate the size of these windows?

[Cycrow]

the transparecy quite be quite annoying especialyl when scripting, i have to make sure i park my ship in the right place so i can actaully c the scripting menus.

i dont think theres any way to actaully change the size or even position of things in the gui, jsut the way it looks.

might be good to start seeing different skins coming out for X3 thou

[fud]

I'm really doubtful ont he dimension aspect too, but it's worth a look imio. I'm just curious to see the mod files and see what you can do with it. I think variety would be a nice add-on to it.


I can't believe I didn't think of this before.

[Crypton]

I will be working on further releases more extensively, this one I did in some 10-15 minutes and is not a compelete remake of the origional GUI, more or less to make ingame text easier to read.

But I have plans for making some origionals and some others with variable color schemes. Hopefully I will eventually have something for everyone to enjoy.

[Dread]

Crypton - Great start to your mod mate.
I have one suggestion for your further tweaking, which is something I have brought up a few times in the past and generally ppl dont agree hah
Here goes. Ive always felt that X2 had a better feel as far as the GUI was concerned with the style of GFX that was used for all onscreen stuff like Target reticule, Target Lock (cant stand the plain square target lock that X3 has - cmon a bit more imagination, X2 had a slowl spinning tripod thingy target - X3 has a........ square box) Icons etc. What it is not only the style is boring (as I mentioned the square target Lock) but also the main problem is the GFX style. By that I mean that the GFX are the blue ut with a black outline which looks comical, gimmicky and cheap. X2 GFX style had the blue fading out, which gave an effect of a HUD that is projected onto the glass cockpit and was a lot more realistic looking and immersive.

See pics of X3 with the old X2 style HUD (which is a loading screen, but uses the same styke GFX as x2 of the fading out blue AND NO BLACK OUTLINE, oh yeah and a more impressive target reticule)
and the other pic os the shoddy crappy HUD we currently have

So my question is can you and will you make the HUD look more like what I am showing?

[ external image ]

[ external image ]

[chilipalmer]

i like what you have done buddy, this was one of my first gripes about the game, especially when docked in stations. i do however think it would look alot better if you could get the borders back around the tabs etc, rather than 1 colour
does that make sense ?

[fud]

After playing around with this a bit, I think I like the darker background page, but will leave the buttons/etc original.


Interesting stuff tho. Been playing with different color combinations to see what works, and what makes you go blind. I'm going to continue messing with this.

[chilipalmer]

they reakon that black background and green text is most pleasing to the human eye.

what do you use to edit the files ?

[Crypton]

Now, one question that does come up from me, can the actual physical dimensions of the windows be changed? ie, change the height of them, to allow for more on the screen with less scrolling needed?

Sorry for not replying to this sooner, but I am not sure, will look into it as I was wondering the same thing. Unless the positioning for the GUI is hardcoded into the exe or a dll then it really should be editable. *shrug* will look into it though.

they reakon that black background and green text is most pleasing to the human eye.

what do you use to edit the files ?

I am currently using Photoshop 9 CS2 with the nVidia dds plugs.

So my question is can you and will you make the HUD look more like what I am showing?

Will I, I can try (though let me finish my current GUI works atm first, dont want to get too many going at once lol) and, depends on how limited changing the GUI is, I may be able to get it close but if it is limited, I may only be able to get it partially the way the old one was. I plan on releasing many versions with diff colors, ect.. So I can try to do an old school X2 look as well.

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I am not sure how long it will take for me to get a few diff variations done, but I will be working on it any spare time I get (in between playin some X3 of course) I will most likely change the Black theme for example to have some different Dark Grey and such tones so it is not completly blacked out. Though I happen to think the menu bars are pretty slick looking, the buttons need some work on the color contrast though. But, it is beta

[chilipalmer]

can i be so bold as to ask for a brief explanation of how to view and edit the files you have posted for dowload ?
i have photoshop etc.

thanks

[Crypton]

Edting them is fairly easy.

You will need the following:
Adobe Photoshop Normal Map and DDS Authoring Plug-ins
X3 ModManager by doubleshadow

You need to unpack the cat/dat using the Modmanager. Then the dds files you can edit with PS after you have installed the dds authoring plugins.

[fud]

I've made a couple versions for my own amusement. Still need to figure out what changes what in game.


I found a blue theme that looks pretty good, but it needs some more refinement.

[Crypton]

Just added a Beta 2, slight variation of the black theme, but not as dark and easier to see what has been selected. See my origional post above for screens and download.

[chilipalmer]

ah now beta 2 is nicer

i had a go at editing the files, maybe i am thick but i did not have a clue where to begin i had these pages with icions and bars on them

[fud]

Ah yes. B2 is an improvement for sure. Good job.


Heh, I was thinking about trying a chrome theme. Mainly the top title bars/buttons. I get bored alot.

[Crypton]

aye, I didnt darken the center area enough though, kinda still hard to read in certain light and in some stations, going to darken it now and see how it looks.

Will release it soon will be beta 2 updated basically.

** updated, release "DarkTheme" **

Something that is complete and works as intended, looks decent and now.. I can play a while, then begin work on more extended GUI replacements.

ah now beta 2 is nicer

i had a go at editing the files, maybe i am thick but i did not have a clue where to begin i had these pages with icions and bars on them

yup, it is a dds image map, each of those icons and bars, ect.. is a part of the gui. It is much more sufficient to put the images in a single file which has transparency controlled on the alpha channel. This way, you don't have to have 500 seperate gif images for example and use a color index on each one for transparency. Take a look at the tutorials on nvidia site (same place you downloaded the plugin) You can find in their main section for the dds stuff some tutorials and docs outlining dds.

[russbo]

Nice job with the dark theme, I really find it appealing, especially the orange highlights that you've added.

[Crypton]

Thanks, hopefully many will find it useful in helping to see the text on the screen easier. The white text on a light blueish colored background with transparency just kills my eyes.