RE: Das Chrome UI Mods

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Distant Worlds 1 Series >> Design and Modding >> RE: Das Chrome UI Mods

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RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/25/2014 10:20:06 PM

DasTactic

Posts: 1083
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

Thanks for the feedback and I will be trying to tweak things a little. I'd noticed that the character buttons weren't as clear as the original look so want to strengthen these a bit. Also the money symbol needs to be made larger. I'll leave it a week and any suggestions in the meantime I'll look to implement. The 'natural' version was the original and the 'blue' version was a simple correction but it sounds like most people are playing the blue version so I'll focus on tweaking the colours in that one.

I'm currently recording a LP for YouTube with the Extended mod, GEM and my mod which I'm enjoying.

There was a comment about the resource backgrounds being too dominant but I personally like that it is so easy now to pick the difference between resource types - particularly when checking in on colonies to see if they have 10 luxury resources on hand. Also checking on the lighter coloured strategic resources to make sure the basic needs are covered. Would be good to see if the rest of you agree or would prefer a more subtle treatment (but please only if you have been playing a number of hours with the mod installed - it is a very different experience than just evaluating the screen shots).

As far as the UI icons are concerned I don't want these to overpower the map so am aiming to keep things more on the subtle side.

The TODO list I currently have after playing for a number of hours:
* Make larger versions of the Pirate flag for messages (Done in version 1.1 but may look at adding subtle detail to this)
* Make larger versions of the Special Luxury resources for messages (Done in version 1.1 but may look at adding subtle detail to this)
* Make the global blue base colour a little darker.
* Make a second deeper global blue base tone for some icon outlines to help differentiate.
* Make all of the fill colours a little darker.
* Make a larger version of the money symbol for messages.
* Re-look at fleet posture and range icons for better clarity.

< Message edited by Das123 -- 5/25/2014 11:21:47 PM >

(in reply to FireLion1983)

Post #: 31

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/25/2014 10:30:22 PM

FireLion1983

Posts: 149
Joined: 4/18/2014
Status: offline

I have zero issues with the resources, loving them! :)

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 32

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/26/2014 2:56:24 AM

RICO7878

Posts: 46
Joined: 8/24/2012
Status: offline

Just wanted to say thanks Das! Really lovin ur blue chrome images and they really give Universe some pop and make the game feel brand new!

(in reply to FireLion1983)

Post #: 33

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/26/2014 11:40:06 AM

mufflink_slith

Posts: 3
Joined: 5/26/2014
Status: offline

Loving the blue too!

1 small reques;, the Ancient Galaxy theme adds a new resource, any chance you could add it into the mod?

Great work DAS!!!

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 34

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/26/2014 3:56:03 PM

mashkis

Posts: 141
Joined: 1/29/2005
Status: offline

WOW!! Great work. Love the Chrome Natural. Very elegant. Thank you.

< Message edited by mashkis -- 5/26/2014 4:56:19 PM >

(in reply to mufflink_slith)

Post #: 35

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/26/2014 5:39:53 PM

Haree78

Posts: 1269
Joined: 5/18/2010
Status: offline

As I said before fantastic stuff.
My small bit of feedback is the up arrow used to show a tech improvement in the research screen is a little too fat, it covers most of the images of the components it is improving.

_____________________________

Distant Worlds Extended
Battlestar Galactica Legends Mod

(in reply to mashkis)

Post #: 36

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/27/2014 3:38:35 AM

Grotius

Posts: 5798
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: The Imperial Palace.
Status: offline

Looks great, Das. One question: what's the difference between a "special" luxury resource and "other" luxury resources?

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Post #: 37

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/27/2014 4:42:50 AM

DasTactic

Posts: 1083
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grotius

Looks great, Das. One question: what's the difference between a "special" luxury resource and "other" luxury resources?

Zentabbia Fluid, Korabbian Spice and Loros Fruit are the special luxury goods. They provide any colony with a +30% development bonus - which can be a game-changer. Supply or restriction of these goods also has dramatic diplomatic consequences.

(in reply to Grotius)

Post #: 38

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/27/2014 7:21:28 PM

DasTactic

Posts: 1083
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

All new versions available (version 1.2). I changed many of the icons to get better clarity. Also added cursors and Deneba Crystal.

Enjoy. :)

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 39

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/27/2014 7:39:50 PM

Buio

Posts: 247
Joined: 11/21/2012
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Das123

All new versions available (version 1.2). I changed many of the icons to get better clarity. Also added cursors and Deneba Crystal.

Enjoy. :)

Very nice! Thanks!

Here is an image of the cursors from the Blue pack

And an image from the UI in 1920x1200
http://abload.de/img/das_12_chromeq2rvi.jpg

< Message edited by Buio -- 5/27/2014 8:52:02 PM >

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 40

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods - 5/27/2014 8:35:19 PM

mufflink_slith

Posts: 3
Joined: 5/26/2014
Status: offline

Woo hoo!! You're the best, thanks for that Das123!

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 41

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/27/2014 9:57:18 PM

FireLion1983

Posts: 149
Joined: 4/18/2014
Status: offline

Almost fully replacing GEM; cursors are beautiful! :)

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 42

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/27/2014 10:29:52 PM

Grotius

Posts: 5798
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: The Imperial Palace.
Status: offline

Thanks for the info on special luxuries, Das.

So can I install this mod and use it with a saved game already in progress?

_____________________________

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Post #: 43

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/28/2014 12:06:09 AM

DasTactic

Posts: 1083
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grotius

Thanks for the info on special luxuries, Das.

So can I install this mod and use it with a saved game already in progress?

Yes. As long as the mod is the same name as the game has been using. If you are using one of my mods on there own just delete the old one and install the new one and it will be good to go. If you are adding this to another mod then just replace the files in that mod. :)

(in reply to Grotius)

Post #: 44

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/28/2014 4:39:29 AM

necaradan666

Posts: 256
Joined: 5/28/2012
Status: offline

Nice cursors, I never liked them in GEM because they were so dissimilar from the base game and a little too colourful. Your Deneba Crystal is nicer than the one I made for myself to match your mod too

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 45

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/28/2014 5:09:13 AM

Grotius

Posts: 5798
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: The Imperial Palace.
Status: offline

Hmm, I have been playing with no mods at all. Maybe it's not a good idea to install a mod mid-stream? I'd really like to install just your mod, though I may also install Extended, which I've used in the past and enjoyed.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Das123

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grotius

Thanks for the info on special luxuries, Das.

So can I install this mod and use it with a saved game already in progress?

Yes. As long as the mod is the same name as the game has been using. If you are using one of my mods on there own just delete the old one and install the new one and it will be good to go. If you are adding this to another mod then just replace the files in that mod. :)

_____________________________

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 46

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/28/2014 9:28:07 AM

Yskonyn

Posts: 189
Joined: 6/27/2008
Status: offline

Thanks for making this, Das123!
Must-have as far as I am concerned and makes the UI that much nicer.

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Yskonyn -

Desktop: Intel i7 9700K @5.0Ghz, Nvidia GTX1080, 32GB RAM, Win 10 64bit

(in reply to Grotius)

Post #: 47

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/28/2014 11:40:34 AM

Cauldyth

Posts: 752
Joined: 6/27/2010
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grotius
Hmm, I have been playing with no mods at all. Maybe it's not a good idea to install a mod mid-stream? I'd really like to install just your mod, though I may also install Extended, which I've used in the past and enjoyed.

You can't start using a new mod in the middle of a current game, even if it's just a cosmetic one, since the save games record the name of the mod they're using. The only way to use Das's mod in a current game is to merge it into whatever existing theme you've been using for that game - Ancient Galaxy, or whatever - in which case you're now altering the base game.

(in reply to Grotius)

Post #: 48

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/28/2014 12:01:04 PM

badken

Posts: 13
Joined: 4/3/2010
Status: offline

Das,

I love these mods! I'm using the blue one. I have a couple comments:

I'm glad you mentioned that you'll be adding a larger money icon, because I have a screenshot that shows it quite large and looking super ugly.

I think you may need to do larger versions of some of the other resources, too, though, because they're used in large message windows, and don't look very good enlarged. I have screenshots, but the board won't let me post them or link to them. I put them up in an album at badken.imgur.com.

Lastly, the line of icons on the left side of the screen are very hard to make out. Is there any way to make them less transparent? As a newish player I have trouble making out which button is which.

Thanks so much for your hard work on these mods, and of course for your outstanding YouTube videos.

(in reply to Cauldyth)

Post #: 49

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/28/2014 7:00:28 PM

DasTactic

Posts: 1083
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: badken

Das,

I love these mods! I'm using the blue one. I have a couple comments:

I'm glad you mentioned that you'll be adding a larger money icon, because I have a screenshot that shows it quite large and looking super ugly.

I think you may need to do larger versions of some of the other resources, too, though, because they're used in large message windows, and don't look very good enlarged. I have screenshots, but the board won't let me post them or link to them. I put them up in an album at badken.imgur.com.

Lastly, the line of icons on the left side of the screen are very hard to make out. Is there any way to make them less transparent? As a newish player I have trouble making out which button is which.

Thanks so much for your hard work on these mods, and of course for your outstanding YouTube videos.

Unfortunately the money icon has to stay small :(. I made a large version (like the pirate flag icon which now looks good) but the icon in the upper right of the main screen doesn't resize this one so if I make a large money icon, that is what is displayed in the top right - covering the information.

Similarly with the icons on the left. The game ghosts these back for some reason - not sure why. They are the same icons used elsewhere. So to make them stand out better I need to dramatically increase the contrast in the other icons which I think would make them too dominant everywhere else.

I did test the resources at three times the size and they do work well so when I release version 1.3 I'll make sure those bigger icons are part of the kit. :)

(in reply to badken)

Post #: 50

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/28/2014 7:10:57 PM

FireLion1983

Posts: 149
Joined: 4/18/2014
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cauldyth

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grotius
Hmm, I have been playing with no mods at all. Maybe it's not a good idea to install a mod mid-stream? I'd really like to install just your mod, though I may also install Extended, which I've used in the past and enjoyed.

You can't start using a new mod in the middle of a current game, even if it's just a cosmetic one, since the save games record the name of the mod they're using. The only way to use Das's mod in a current game is to merge it into whatever existing theme you've been using for that game - Ancient Galaxy, or whatever - in which case you're now altering the base game.

It really wouldn't be that difficult, even to replace the original images, to finish up a save game. Just throw all the old images into a folder called "old" or something then install Das's mod. When you're done, return to original. Voila!

(in reply to Cauldyth)

Post #: 51

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/28/2014 8:02:13 PM

gyrospeck

Posts: 38
Joined: 5/24/2014
Status: offline

Great work. Thank you Das123.

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 52

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/29/2014 5:59:44 AM

thebigJA

Posts: 22
Joined: 3/19/2011
Status: offline

SO when I opted in to the beta patch (Steam version) it switched the game back to the default theme for some reason. When I went to change it back, I got an "Unhandled Exception" error. Then the game sort of froze trying to load. I quit and reloaded to find it now on the Das theme and it *seems* like it's working, but I'm too new to the game to be sure something didn't break.

I figured I'd report it here, anyway.

(in reply to gyrospeck)

Post #: 53

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/29/2014 6:53:57 AM

necaradan666

Posts: 256
Joined: 5/28/2012
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I get an unhandled exception error often when changing theme back to default after playing ancient galaxy, don't think it has anything to do with this mod

(in reply to thebigJA)

Post #: 54

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/29/2014 7:53:11 AM

DasTactic

Posts: 1083
Joined: 10/10/2005
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I get that exception often when switching mods. The restart fixes things usually. Not sure what causes it but the mod really only has graphics so I'm fairly sure it isn't something I've done (I hope!).

I often notice that the buttons on top of the Galaxy view don't update and that I need to switch back and forth a few times to have these icons take.

(in reply to necaradan666)

Post #: 55

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/29/2014 9:37:40 PM

thebigJA

Posts: 22
Joined: 3/19/2011
Status: offline

Oh, ok. Didn't know. I'm new :)

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 56

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/29/2014 10:20:20 PM

DasTactic

Posts: 1083
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

Version 1.3 released!

Last night I thought I'd have a look at the flag symbols and so version 1.3 has all the flags replaced...

The flags are my interpretations on what each race in the game would have - and also link up with races introduced in the Distant Worlds Extended mod.

* Aggressive races will tend to have sharper points and more dramatic shapes.

* Unintelligent races will tend to have tribal marking.

* Aquatic races will tend to have round shapes.

And so on.

Each flag was referenced to the races in the default game as well as the races in Distant Worlds Extended so hopefully will give a good impression of the race when used in-game.

The pirate flags are also replaced. Not sure where the small pirate flag used over the pirate symbols is stored but would like to change that one as well.

The resources have also been re-sized from 32px to 96px so they look better in the pop-up screens.

< Message edited by Das123 -- 6/9/2014 8:16:51 PM >

(in reply to thebigJA)

Post #: 57

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/29/2014 10:39:25 PM

Qwixt

Posts: 902
Joined: 6/19/2006
Status: offline

So are the files with '~' in front just temp backup files, and can be deleted?

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 58

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/29/2014 10:58:59 PM

DasTactic

Posts: 1083
Joined: 10/10/2005
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Oops. Yes. They are some spare icons from when I was building the files but I forgot to remove them. I'll replace the file.

(in reply to Qwixt)

Post #: 59

RE: Das Chrome UI Mods 1.2 (27 May 2014) - 5/30/2014 7:34:03 AM

Zilkin

Posts: 11
Joined: 5/30/2014
Status: offline

Great mod, but I have one problem with it. It installs fine except that vertical sidebar on the left still uses the default icons.

Edit: Got it working. Was an installation error.

< Message edited by Zilkin -- 5/30/2014 9:33:42 AM >

(in reply to DasTactic)

Post #: 60