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

[fud]

Crypton, you inspired me. I spent a good portion of the morning adjusting/tweaking the different files (in the search of what changes what).

What I came up with was this:

Main menu while docked (not a whole lot different than yours):

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This one shows the messages/etc (would be the same for the script editor viewing):

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This shows a different version of the command/trade menus, etc. The blue sorta fits the theme with the other blue bits (in the following pictures):

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Sector map to show the colors. I changed the green and red to be a bit brighter. The background "black" was also darkened a bit. I also changed the vertical slider (on the right) "guides" to blue, as well as the division markers (horizontal blue line between the different groups):

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Universe map to again show the blue theme:

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BBS shot to show the blue button (easier to see imo):


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I went for more of a gray-scale theme (sorta). I find it very easy on the eyes, and reading messages/SE in front of suns/planets is a little easier too. I also changed the colors of the buttons to fit the theme better. I think it all ties in pretty good.

Not treating this like a contest or anything, I just thought I'd have a go with it. As it turns out, I like the results I got. I may change the blue backgrounds to something else, dunno.

This is rather fun.

[russbo]

fud, please share. Very nicely done.

Oh, any chance this could cause a CTD? These files are 11 for me. Just curious, had one this evening, on my usually very stable game.

[fud]

Odd. I can't really see how a graphical file would cause a CTD. At the very least, it'd screw up the GUI in a way you couldn't see/use anything. For what it's worth, I'm up to 16.cat in my folder.

I've had that happen before (in my tamperings:)), but it still loaded/etc.


Want to see what Crypton says before I throw up a link to the files. I don't want to step on his toes. I was just somewhat bored this morning (and hungover), so I messed with a few things.


One thing should be noted about mine tho, my master_gui is slightly different, due to the fact I've added gun icons for a GHEPT, GPAC and another weapon I was working on. There's also a couple extra missle icons for my own future use. This shouldn't make any difference to anybody but me, because you'll never see it in game. I've also changed the graphic for the speed bar on the HUD, as well as the energy level bars.

I can get you a couple more screens if you want to see those differences. They're subtle at best.

[Northstar]

They look excellent guys, very smart and very much needed imo.

[Cycrow]

ii like the blue, makes it easier to read i think

[DarthVain]

Yes, much easier to read

[Nanook]

Beautiful work, both Crypton and fud.

I had no idea this could be modded. I hate the tranparent windows in stock X3. It still puzzles me why Egosoft didn't include the tranparency options in X3 like they had in X2. I always used the darkest setting.

BTW, I really, really like the blue in fud's version.

[russbo]

It's all very nice.

We anxiously await all of the updated files from both of you!

[Crypton]

Crypton, you inspired me. I spent a good portion of the morning adjusting/tweaking the different files (in the search of what changes what).

What I came up with was this:

Main menu while docked (not a whole lot different than yours): * SNIP *

Good stuff

Did you download the latest version I had posted yet? The DarkTheme? With the orange accents?

Was thinking about doing something similar, but trying to get away from the blue altogether. Problem atm is, Orange does not make it any more readable, so I left mine black (where yours are blue I left mine black is what I mean)

I may not be done with DarkTheme though, still have some idea for it to make it better, but have been busy tryin to build up my empire again Had to take a break for a from X3 for a couple months as I have a new addition to the family when I came back to play a bit, had to update alot of mods, ect.. and add some new ones, ended up getting a corrupt savegame Man I had a huge empire built. Now it is square one.

Anyhow, looks great m8, will definately be good to have a variety for peeps to use

I do have an idea for another theme, probably will not appeal to alot, but .. I am brainstorming and have colors flying in my head atm LOL

** Updated, added Deep Purple theme and Default Theme with Amber colored Hud **

[fud]

I like the purple too.


I'm still mucking around with things, a lot of which are in the master gui....

It'll have to wait tho, the French GP is on.

[chilipalmer]

purple one is nice, still like the darktheme more though.

dammed if i can figure out how to actually edit my colours

[fud]

Just spent the last 4 hours screwing around with different ideas. This is what I came up with at the end.



This shows the new bars, as well as my slightly altered "speed" bar (shown in the target monitor):

[ external image ]



Took this one to note the slight colorization change of the weapon area of the HUD:

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This again, to show the freight window of the targeted ship:

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Message log shot:

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Universe map:

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Sector map (picked one to show all three (red/blue/green):

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New menu buttons:

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Finally, script editor opening page:

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[Mike.Galaxy]

Good job, Fud
Like the blue one

[Crypton]

** Updated **

Added: Shades of Gray

Enjoy!

[fud]

No screenies (at work), but I flip-flopped the colors. Meaning, now the item/ship you have highlighted is now a slightly lighter shade of red/green/blue. The version above is the opposite.

I also completely re-worked the speed bar and gun energy bars. I'll take a few screens when I get home. The changes are very subtle, so much so that some people may not even notice the difference.

I'm also going to re-work the main menu buttons.


Does anyone have the X2 master_gui (if it's called that). I was gonna have a go at that. That should be the only file I need for it. I did go thru and edit most/all the ship icons, but wasn't happy with it.

[chilipalmer]

here is my small contribution a "free" util to convert dds files into other formats for editing purposes.

dds converter 2.1

http://eliteforce2.filefront.com/file/D ... rter;29412

if anyone can give me some advice on how to actually tweak the colours etc i'd be really gratefull.

an idiots step by step guide


thanks

[Serial Kicked]

[ external image ]

You should avoid "Red", "Green" and "Blue" backgrounds in your themes, as those colors are usually used by scripters to make texts easier to read (BBS Missions or RRF ship names by example).

[fud]

The only red/blue/green are the actual bars/buttons for the maps/etc. I've got an idea on something new to try, which is why I haven't bothered throwing a cat file online yet.


The word "background" is prolly not the right one I should have chosen. I've got new purpose now, as I want to get this sorted. A couple ideas popped up today that I want to try. If they work, it should be rather good.

Edit: I would depend on the shade of the colors I suppose. Personally, I like the look of the three colors in the sector map. But, having said that, I did notice the blue the game uses for the numbers on the ship comands (for example), makes some of it somewhat hard to read. The sector map, freight stuff is all an off-white/white text, so it's not too bad at all.

Like I said, I'm still throwing a few different ideas around to find a balance. I'm pretty sure actually editing the color of the text isn't possible, so it'll have to be done with the bars.

[Crypton]

here is my small contribution a "free" util to convert dds files into other formats for editing purposes.

dds converter 2.1

http://eliteforce2.filefront.com/file/D ... rter;29412

if anyone can give me some advice on how to actually tweak the colours etc i'd be really gratefull.

an idiots step by step guide


thanks

Advice, don't use the converter, edit the dds directly using Photoshop and the DDS Plugins (posted links in previous post on page 1 of this thread)

You can edit and change anything you want directly, no conversion needed. Unless of course your using another paint program, in which case you can check for some dds plugins for it (ex. GiMP, Paintshop Pro)

[fud]

After 4 days, and 40 hours on it.....


Shots:

Sector map:

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This one shows the difference between the blue and the blue highlight:

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...and the differences in red (note the ST on the higlighted bar. I may reverse them so the brighter red is the default and the darker is the "selected"):

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...and, the good ole script editor:

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I again went an entirely different route with the "theme". I decided to give it a more modern "high tech" sorta deal (thus the satin-like bars/buttons).



Now, a couple teaser shots of the other thing I've been playing with:

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I've still got some more in mind, just need to take a deep breath and start fiddling. I didn't notice any sorta of performance hit on it, tho I have a somewhat stout machine. I'd be interested if it did have some issues on some other machines tho. It's a quasi-minimal hud sorta thing. There's no boxes around anything in space, unless it's tagetted. I also completely re-drew ALL the icons (asteroids, ships, containers, etc, etc, tho my space suit ended up looking like a guerilla).

All I gotta say is, the work involved for the above two pictures were a colossal pain in the ass. There's nothing real fun about editing at 1600%, pixel by pain-staking pixel.....


Constructive criticism is encouraged.