Did You *Borrow The Fan Art Idea? (1 Viewer)

[Mucx]

Ok, but doesn't that problem already exist anyway?

If someone creates a light (white) Fan Art background, and uses it in a white coloured skin then there are going to be problems.
If someone creates a dark (black) Fan Art background, and uses it in a black coloured skin then there are going to be problems.

Thing is, you already have a black Fan Art developed already (that Prison Break one), it is just something people will have to realise if they change their skin design from the default one, some of those fan arts, due to the hue/colour of the image may mean the interface elements of the skin they are using look like crepe?

Of course, if we could both utilize the physical background image only and not worry about interface buttons/elements then we are close. Anything else I understand is adding a layer of complexity to the whole process...I just wondered if there might be a cross platform way to check a XML file (or something else) that was downlaoded along with the Fan Art that defined colors of buttons/text? If someone doesnt create this separate file then the default skin buttons and elements over ride it.

At the very least...

If we can agree about the positioning of onscreen elements then we are there basically. Each project can use the background images. If you look at the Prison Break example on the other page...the main focus of the background picture (their faces) is placed top left just like CenterStage.

So that can be a 'rule' for creating Fan Art...the main imagery needs to be placed top left, any main imagery (actors faces etc) can only occupy an area say 500px wide by 900px wide (as an example)...any area outside of the is just used as texture, or is liable to be hidden by the UI elements.

The extra layer of complexity could then come in the form of an XML file that defines text colour on the page, button highlight/rollover colours....which would be a nice feature, but...not entirely needed if it is too complex to apply.

 

[Inker]

Ok, but doesn't that problem already exist anyway?

If someone creates a light (white) Fan Art background, and uses it in a white coloured skin then there are going to be problems.
If someone creates a dark (black) Fan Art background, and uses it in a black coloured skin then there are going to be problems.

Well, in MP there are three "events" that skins can react to:
1) no-fanart
2) dark-fanart
3) light-fanart

Each skin is then responsible for making sure texts stay readable, for instance by changing the text-color to black or placing a somewhat darkening yet see through image behind texts if a light fanart is loaded. But that control lies within the skin, and not the fanart.

I agree with your other points.

EDIT: keep in mind that we are NOT talking about MP as a whole here, but merely one of its plugins. No "core"/"stock"/"default" part of MP uses fanart.

 

[Mucx]

Ah ok...I didn't realize that MP had that kind of control over the fan art or "events" as you call it.
That makes things easier though I am sure. It guarantees legibility.

I understand it is a plugin, seems after doing a it of reading up here, it is something that your forum users like but find it akward to implement at the moment though? It is an interesting concept though, especially in this day and age were expressing your individualism is a huge part of your 'digital life'. From the kids producing their crazy godawful looking myspace pages to other online avenues such as avatars and msn pictures and smilies.

Anyway, I would like to create a cross platform way of doing fan art and if we could take this beyond talking about it here that would be great.

At a basic level, if we can share the background images then that would be beneficial. We just need a set agreement on the area the main part of the artwork can fit so it works across projects and the artwork doesn't 'bump into' UI elements.

If we could even distribute a XML with the fan art that can further control text colors, rollover bars and their coloring then that would be the icing on the cake.

Question is how do we make this happen beyond talking about it here? I see you guys have an IRC channel: https://www.team-mediaportal.com/webirc.html , perhaps we can all set a time and get together and talk about it? Or we can get the people that need to talk about it together?

 

[infinite.loop]

wow, many posts in a very short time.

a "joint venture" realy sounds interesting.

*thinking about the next MediaPortal version*