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smeger · Jun 26, 2002, 08:30 PM

Howdy ThemeHeadz!

ThemePark 1.0b5 is just about ready to go, but since I've got a few days before 1.0b4 expires, I thought I'd post a few screenies and see whether anyone's got any advice. Please don't request drastic things - I've only got a few days before shipping.

Without further ado, pxm# editing:

<img src="http://www.geekspiff.com/misc/pxm-screenshot.png" alt=" - " />

This is now a browser view, so you can quickly look at different pxm#s without having to open a new window (although you can still open the editor in its own window if you'd like). Resizable columns, keyboard navigation, blah blah. I think Apple should use my browser view

The vertical header is slightly less ugly now. Zoom is controlled by the slider instead of by the window size. You can zoom from the actual widget size to the size of the columns. Make the browser column bigger to get bigger editor columns.

Column headers are changed to be slightly less confusing to theme newbies.

ppat editing:

<img src="http://www.geekspiff.com/misc/ppat-screenshot.png" alt=" - " />

The ppat zoom is controlled by a slider in the same way as the pxm#. It's in a scroll view so you can see the whole thing if you zoom huge. Zoom between actual size and 8x.

Note that keyboard focus is always shown (something that Mac OS 9 was finally starting to get right and that's pretty much disappeared in OS X).

A new feature is the tile view. You can see what the ppat looks like tiled in either a plane, a row or a column.

I'd like to get a search filter and column sorting worked in here before I release this. But I'm not sure how to implement the UI for 'em. Where should I put the text box for the search filter? If I do a toolbar, it'll be the only thing in it

I'll probably do the sort options as a contextual menu. Any other ideas? Eventually, I'll have a header in the browser column, but I can't do that quickly (tech: putting a non-scrolling element in a scrolling view is a pain).

I'll probably also put checkboxes in the list of resources. But they won't save, so you'll have to keep the file open until you're done editing it, or you'll lose your checkmarks. I'm not ready to implement state-saving yet, but it'll come eventually.

Hmmmm, anything else? I'm using Adam's spiffy icon ('twas a tough call between that and Mathew Bice's lovely groovage). Dragging onto the icon opens a file finally.

The next release after this one gets widgets organized into categories. That's what implementing the browser view is leading up to. That'll also be when I go 1.0 and start asking for $15.

That's it! Please let me know if you've got any small, quickly implementable ideas, and thanks in advance for your feedback.

[ 06-26-2002, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: smeger ]

Mac Guru · Jun 26, 2002, 08:44 PM

Man that is looking VERY nice. You've got my $15 the second you go 1.0.

One thing, I'm assuming by saying "The next release after this one gets widgets organized into categories." I'm assuming you mean isolating all the resources into Aqua and Graphite? Am I correct in assuming this?

I can't really think of anything quick you should add... this looks like it will be a great update. Keep up the good work, you're a great asset to this community.

Mac Guru

smeger · Jun 26, 2002, 08:53 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Mac Guru:
One thing, I'm assuming by saying "The next release after this one gets widgets organized into categories." I'm assuming you mean isolating all the resources into Aqua and Graphite? Am I correct in assuming this?<hr /></blockquote>Stuff like
Windows -> Interface Widgets -> Close Widget -> Aqua

It'll be user-definable, though, so if you don't like my hierarchy, you can make your own.

But this is next release

Adam Betts · Jun 26, 2002, 09:07 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by smeger:
I'd like to get a search filter and column sorting worked in here before I release this. But I'm not sure how to implement the UI for 'em. Where should I put the text box for the search filter? If I do a toolbar, it'll be the only thing in it<hr /></blockquote>I don't mind to have the only thing in the toolbar. If people don't need the toolbar, they can click on the toolbar button and hide it. If you want to add something else in the toolbar, you could put ppat, ppxm, etc in the toolbar instead of the column. This idea is similar to MacResourceDog (sp?) app which have all icons in the toolbar such as pict, cursor, etc.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by smeger:
I'll probably do the sort options as a contextual menu. Any other ideas? Eventually, I'll have a header in the browser column, but I can't do that quickly (tech: putting a non-scrolling element in a scrolling view is a pain).<hr /></blockquote>It would be cool if you can add copy and paste as a contextual menu for "copyy/paste" area on the last column.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by smeger:
I'll probably also put checkboxes in the list of resources. But they won't save, so you'll have to keep the file open until you're done editing it, or you'll lose your checkmarks. I'm not ready to implement state-saving yet, but it'll come eventually.<hr /></blockquote>Great! Thanks

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by smeger:
The next release after this one gets widgets organized into categories. That's what implementing the browser view is leading up to. That'll also be when I go 1.0 and start asking for $15.<hr /></blockquote>You got my $15 waiting too.

Also I'm curious if you still plan to organize the widgets by color such as Aqua and Graphite?

Mac Guru · Jun 26, 2002, 09:50 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> Stuff like
Windows -> Interface Widgets -> Close Widget -> Aqua <hr /></blockquote>Yes I understand this is NEXT release.

BUT, I would think something like this would be better:

Aqua > Interface widgets > Close Widget
Graphite > Interface widgets > Close Widget

In essence, the FIRST option you have is Aqua / Graphite and you go from there.

Mac Guru

Adam Betts · Jun 26, 2002, 09:53 PM

Oh forget to add one thing: Can you add an option in preference or something that will automatically open my last used Extras.rsrc in same window size and position? I find it a little annoying that I have to open the file every time I launch the program and change the window size and position.

I was wondering if you could add an ability to copy some or all of the resources in pxm and paste them in other Extras.rsrc? It would be useful since 10.2's Extras.rsrc is different from 10.1. Copy all, paste all would be better than copy-and-paste for each resources.

smeger · Jun 26, 2002, 10:55 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Adam Betts:
I don't mind to have the only thing in the toolbar. If people don't need the toolbar, they can click on the toolbar button and hide it. If you want to add something else in the toolbar, you could put ppat, ppxm, etc in the toolbar instead of the column. This idea is similar to MacResourceDog (sp?) app which have all icons in the toolbar such as pict, cursor, etc.<hr /></blockquote>I'd actually forgotten that you can hide the toolbar

. Toolbar it is.

Anyone want to make icons for pxm#, ppat, clr#, and clut?

<blockquote>quote:<hr />It would be cool if you can add copy and paste as a contextual menu for "copyy/paste" area on the last column.<hr /></blockquote>Shouldn't be a problem.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Mac Guru:
BUT, I would think something like this would be better:

Aqua > Interface widgets > Close Widget
Graphite > Interface widgets > Close Widget<hr /></blockquote>Sorry, my previous example was just off the top of my head. Your way definitely makes more sense.

But as I said, the feature (when I've implemented it) is going to be user-customizable. I'll probably just default it to something pretty basic and hope that people distribute their own hierarchies.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Adam Betts:
Oh forget to add one thing: Can you add an option in preference or something that will automatically open my last used Extras.rsrc in same window size and position? I find it a little annoying that I have to open the file every time I launch the program and change the window size and position.<hr /></blockquote>This also shouldn't be a problem. You might have to turn it on using a command-line "defaults write" type dealio, though, yo, if I don't get time to implement a prefs window on this release-o.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />I was wondering if you could add an ability to copy some or all of the resources in pxm and paste them in other Extras.rsrc? It would be useful since 10.2's Extras.rsrc is different from 10.1. Copy all, paste all would be better than copy-and-paste for each resources.<hr /></blockquote>This would be nice to have, but I'd have to write structured storage for multiple resources. I've got something on my roadmap for two major versions from now that'll let you do this as well as lots of other multi-resource goodies. This one'll have to wait 'till then.

Adam Betts · Jun 27, 2002, 12:20 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by smeger:
Anyone want to make icons for pxm#, ppat, clr#, and clut?<hr /></blockquote>Sure! I'd love to do that but I need to know what's the difference between clr# and clut?

I want to make sure that I get this right:

pxm#: various pieces such as widgets, window, titlebar, etc
ppat: background image
clr# and clut: hold color information for text window titlebar, text menu highlight, etc

smeger · Jun 27, 2002, 03:55 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Adam Betts:
Sure! I'd love to do that but I need to know what's the difference between clr# and clut?<hr /></blockquote>They're really similar in that they're both just a bunch of colors. But a clut stores a color lookup table for an image with indexed color, while a clr# is just a bunch or random colors that can be used for anything.

ppat's have cluts built into them. And some pxm#'s do, too.

Does anyone actually change these for anything?

bOOzo · Jun 27, 2002, 06:29 AM

Great job Smeger! Looking good! I'm glad that you listen to the users when you add new features.

By the way, I suggest that you list the clr# resources by their names, like theminator. Maybe that's already done, but the way it's (just black and white colors without names..) it's not very useful.

And I'm also wondering what you need to change clut for.. I've never done that..

Will you be able to list the resources by their names in this release?

mattstoton · Jun 27, 2002, 07:21 AM

I love the layout

Lew · Jun 27, 2002, 11:40 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by smeger:
 <img src="http://www.geekspiff.com/misc/pxm-screenshot.png" alt=" - " /><hr /></blockquote>Very nice. Only thing I'd suggest would be to change the slider for the zoom from this type:
<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Slider1.jpg" alt=" - " />
To this type with maybe '1x' at one end and '8x' at the other end:
<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Slider2.jpg" alt=" - " />

[ 06-27-2002, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: GFive ]

smeger · Jun 27, 2002, 07:35 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by bOOzo:
By the way, I suggest that you list the clr# resources by their names, like theminator. Maybe that's already done, but the way it's (just black and white colors without names..) it's not very useful.
<hr /></blockquote>I've never actually seen Theminator. I'm using the names stored in the resource fork, and the clr# resources don't have any. If you'd like to send me the names (feedback@geekspiff.com), I'll make sure they make it into the next version. Do the names match to an entire resource, or just to a single color?

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by GFive:
Very nice. Only thing I'd suggest would be to change the slider for the zoom from this type:
<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Slider1.jpg" alt=" - " />
To this type with maybe '1x' at one end and '8x' at the other end:
<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Slider2.jpg" alt=" - " />

<hr /></blockquote>Done.

smeger · Jun 27, 2002, 07:40 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by bOOzo:
And I'm also wondering what you need to change clut for.. I've never done that..

<hr /></blockquote>You probably don't

. The format is pretty much the same as clr#, so I enabled it just in case anyone needs it. I could probably do 'plut' resources, too, but I'm not sure.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Will you be able to list the resources by their names in this release?<hr /></blockquote>No, next release. This release, the names will look the same as they always have, i.e., WindowLargeCloseBox.

goMac · Jun 28, 2002, 02:32 AM

In preperation for the new beta...

To reset Catalyst's RSRC parser prefs delete the preferences file for now (in your library folder, in preferences). I don't know the exact name of the top of my head. I'll add ability to edit prefs later. I'm on vacation right now (writing from a hotel mac in OS 9 <img border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" title="" src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" /> ).

Synotic · Jun 28, 2002, 06:43 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by smeger:
Howdy ThemeHeadz!

ThemePark 1.0b5 is just about ready to go, but since I've got a few days before 1.0b4 expires, I thought I'd post a few screenies and see whether anyone's got any advice. Please don't request drastic things - I've only got a few days before shipping.

Without further ado, pxm# editing:

<img src="http://www.geekspiff.com/misc/pxm-screenshot.png" alt=" - " />

This is now a browser view, so you can quickly look at different pxm#s without having to open a new window (although you can still open the editor in its own window if you'd like). Resizable columns, keyboard navigation, blah blah. I think Apple should use my browser view

The vertical header is slightly less ugly now. Zoom is controlled by the slider instead of by the window size. You can zoom from the actual widget size to the size of the columns. Make the browser column bigger to get bigger editor columns.

Column headers are changed to be slightly less confusing to theme newbies.

ppat editing:

<img src="http://www.geekspiff.com/misc/ppat-screenshot.png" alt=" - " />

The ppat zoom is controlled by a slider in the same way as the pxm#. It's in a scroll view so you can see the whole thing if you zoom huge. Zoom between actual size and 8x.

Note that keyboard focus is always shown (something that Mac OS 9 was finally starting to get right and that's pretty much disappeared in OS X).

A new feature is the tile view. You can see what the ppat looks like tiled in either a plane, a row or a column.

I'd like to get a search filter and column sorting worked in here before I release this. But I'm not sure how to implement the UI for 'em. Where should I put the text box for the search filter? If I do a toolbar, it'll be the only thing in it

I'll probably do the sort options as a contextual menu. Any other ideas? Eventually, I'll have a header in the browser column, but I can't do that quickly (tech: putting a non-scrolling element in a scrolling view is a pain).

I'll probably also put checkboxes in the list of resources. But they won't save, so you'll have to keep the file open until you're done editing it, or you'll lose your checkmarks. I'm not ready to implement state-saving yet, but it'll come eventually.

Hmmmm, anything else? I'm using Adam's spiffy icon ('twas a tough call between that and Mathew Bice's lovely groovage). Dragging onto the icon opens a file finally.

The next release after this one gets widgets organized into categories. That's what implementing the browser view is leading up to. That'll also be when I go 1.0 and start asking for $15.

That's it! Please let me know if you've got any small, quickly implementable ideas, and thanks in advance for your feedback.<hr /></blockquote>It looks really nice but.. Should the first and second really be scroll views? I think it looks a little useless, and the split-view seperator thingy... Are you drawing that yourself? Since it's non-existant asfaik, and would look out of place with a non-aqua theme...

Could you rename the items in the first column?

pxm# = Pixmaps
ppat = Patterns
clr# = Text colors
clut = umm.. lol

And in that order.

Could you also possibly display the column headers on the second table view so that the IDs are their own column..? You could also ditch the parentheses. Or at least just ditch the parentheses.

As for the text colors.. here you go