User Interface (UI) Design Suggestions

[Wohlstand]

Hello, I've heard that some people are not satisfied with the UI (User Interface) of the editor, which they say is "not good".

Feel free to DRAW your suggestion in an image or a screenshot, or you can send an alternate icon image to replace an existing one/add an icon to a feature which doesn't have an icon yet.

Don't forget to download fresh builds from the laboratory page, because the UI may change during the course of development.

[Squishy Rex]

I'll mess around in Paint.NET and see what I can come up with. Though before I start I have a few questions:

1. Can the SMBXtended version of PGE use "Mario" type icons like Lunar Magic for instance, or will SMBXtended use icons not affiliated with Mario like the main non-Mario PGE.

2. What size must the icon image be to fit the UI.
Example: 16 x 16 pixels
8 x 8 pixels

[Kevsoft]

1. Can the SMBXtended version of PGE use "Mario" type icons like Lunar Magic for instance, or will SMBXtended use icons not affiliated with Mario like the main non-Mario PGE.

There are two ways we might can implment it: Either we bind it to a config, or we make it config independet, like a own skin config.

2. What size must the icon image be to fit the UI.
Example: 16 x 16 pixels
8 x 8 pixels

Most of them are 24 x 24. There are also some 16x16 version which are provided as window icon for dialogs.

[Squishy Rex]

Alright then.

For the Mario type icons, I'll make those, plus I'll also make ones that are not Mario affiliated, that way we have the best of both worlds. Also a custom skin config would be pretty cool. I never really thought of that, but with the amount of SMBX users doing it with the Hard-Coded GFX Tutorial by Darkchao, it might be something worth thinking about.

As for the sizes, thanks, for now I'll just make all of the toolbar icons that run the length of the top of the screen. Once I've got them finished, I'll have a look at the ones used for the dialog windows.

[Kevsoft]

Great then ;). But I plan to develop that after the first beta comes out, I don't want to develop anything major before the beta release.

[Squishy Rex]

Yeah, I don't think you'd want to get too far ahead of yourself, especially with the Beta just around the corner. But in any case, that will give me plenty of time to work on the icons.

[Wohlstand]

Icon sizes are 24x24.
Also I forgot about splash: I will made customization of the NOW by config, but UI icon customization will be easy too (simply load images and put them as icons)

[Squishy Rex]

Well I guess I can work fairly fast. Now I've made these ones so far that could be ones for SMBXtended if Mario ones are used as default or custom skins. Also I've tried to make them so only the small few with Mario related icons have to be altered for the non SMBXtended PGE version. So far I have New File - Quicksand Select. Each box is 24 x 24 pixels.
What do you think?



I still have a few left for SMBXtended, plus the ones for the non SMBXtended PGE version.

[Wohlstand]

Squishy Rex, good icons
When I make the icon customization, I will send you some properties and you can use them for testing

[Squishy Rex]

Squishy Rex, good icons
When I make the icon customization, I will send you some properties and you can use them for testing

Okay thanks, I'd be happy to test them.

Also, here's a quick mock-up I made in Paint.NET. I pasted the custom buttons over the current ones to see how it would look:

[Wohlstand]

Also, here's a quick mock-up I made in Paint.NET. I pasted the custom buttons over the current ones to see how it would look:

Great!
I will define the icon's customization in configs/<config name>/main.ini's section [icons]:
put icons into config/<config name>/data/graphics/icons folder, and in the main write paths:

Code: Select all

[icons]
new=graphics/icons/new.png
open=graphics/icons/open.png
file-level=graphics/icons/level.png
file-world=graphics/icons/world.png
file-npc=graphics/icons/npc.png               ;(Always use the UNIX slash "/" in the INI file)
etc...


And when I made icon customization thing, I will put your incons into SMBX 1.3 config pack officially
Oh, I will write the "readme" with credits for config pack, forgot

Remember: Each icon should have size 24x24px, I'm recommend to use the transparency color of background for escape color conflicts

[Squishy Rex]

Alright, no problem, I may as well make custom buttons for the 21 Sections and the Compass Button too, just to make it look complete. I'm also doing a quick proof read of PGE's built in Help Guide, (F1 Button) for any errors in the English version.

Also, what exactly is:

the transparency color of background for escape color conflicts

I just don't want to mess up the icons if I do the wrong thing.

[Wohlstand]

I just don't want to mess up the icons if I do the wrong thing.

I means THIS:
(Zoom to 1200% and try to disable/enable color layer)
http://wohlsoft.ru/docs/Collected/transparency_magic.pdn

to draw chameleonic fades, draw with brush and switch them into overwrite mode (use alpha-channel and PNG format)

Spoiler

Left - fades with Alhpa-channel, Right - fades WITHOUT alpha-channel

[Kevsoft]

Great!
I will define the icon's customization in configs/<config name>/main.ini's section [icons]:
put icons into config/<config name>/data/graphics/icons folder, and in the main write paths:

I would like to point out that this was not intended to do so!

I will reqoute myself:

or we make it config independet, like a own skin config.

Also a custom skin config would be pretty cool.

My presonal recommendation would be:
{Editor Dir}/Themes/{Theme Name}/config.ini
{Editor Dir}/Themes/{Theme Name}/*.png (or other picture type)

for configs/<config name>/main.ini
I would define:

Code: Select all

themepack={Theme Name}


In addition I would like to add color themes too. As I already mentioned, this is something I would like to add AFTER the first BETA RELEASE. As it is something bigger and right now it should only be bugfixes.

PS: Squishy Rex, you iconset looks great !

[Luigifan2010]

What do you think?

OH MAMA MIA I LOVE THOSE!
I always thought open source iconsets were kinda meh honestly, so its great to see we'll be able to custmoise those

[Squishy Rex]

What do you think?

OH MAMA MIA I LOVE THOSE!
I always thought open source iconsets were kinda meh honestly, so its great to see we'll be able to custmoise those

Thanks Luigifan2010!

I've nearly finished drawing up the last few icons, for the section numbers, the compass and those smaller window icons, like the coin. Once that is all said and done, I'll leave them here in a D-Link for when the time comes after the Beta release to add them to the editor as customs.

[CaptainSwag101]

Yeah, I think that would be a cool feature to add after Beta is released. Also Squishy Rex, I really like those icons!

[sky2]

Great and well made icons. I think they will fit perfectly

[xxxzzz1]

As long as the block choosing tab is near identical (same layout) to SMBX's, I'll be happy

[darkhog]

I think you should draw inspiration from RPG Maker. Although, as it name suggests, it is made mostly for RPGs, it has one of best tile-based map/level editors I've encountered.