stigzler

Ooooh - that sounds snazzy, U-man!! Any vids of it in action?

Ta for the reply, flash, Been a long day at work, so my head's a little fuzzy... When you say the "culled list" - you're meaning the old/long(5000) one that's currently on the spreadsheet? The "verified" is the one in the OP? So - your suggestion is to start over with the 'new' "verified" list of 1,700??? And get rid of the "culled" list? If so - that would be both good news and bad!!! Good news: Task has dropped form 5,000 developers to 1,700!!!! Yay! Bad News: Gotta go through all the images uploaded/matched so far, rematching to the 'new' verified names? Not moaning - just seeking clarification.. Oh, and are the dev/pub names likely to change again at any point in the future? If so, would you be keeping the matching 'legacy' names in the db (would make batch renaming images a lot easier) Cheers for the info, flash.

Rip rick

See what you're saying, null and the idea about the 5000 list being a combo of pubs and devels would make sense. However, just looking at the .db3 for SNES, I find the following developers: "7th Level, Inc." - not on flash's list Also, in the C64 db3: Developer 221B Software Development 321-Software 39 Steps, Hewson Consultants Ltd., Imagitec Design Ltd., Gremlin Graphics Software Ltd., Vortex Software 39 Steps, Tigress Marketing 4Mation Educational Resources Again, not in Flash's list. Not moaning or anything, just confused - and feel it might be important to get this right at the start, before people (hopefully!) go off and spend precious time working from these names. Guess Flash will let us know. After all, he is the savior of the universe

Updated the sheet and ftp to accommodate suggestions. Take a look here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dzg8F5aIfDva_hT6xE7RMddU-Jczo520tlgMFQYXJWk/edit?usp=sharing

...but maybe a crisis! heh Thanks for attaching the list, flash, but it's left me a bit confused. The original list had about 5000 entries, and this one has about 1,700. Also, a lot of the developers on the original list appear to not be on this one.... Lastly - the db3 files have developer and publisher as separate columns/fields (with their values sometimes not matching). Aren't they separate attributes for each game? I'll hold fire on changing the gsheet until get my head around this a bit more...

Heh - it can be a little onerous can't it! This raises a good point. When first started doing this - used the GE db3 files - which, of course, had the game/s listed next to the developer (started on a per-system basis). However, with the present list (haven't looked @ flash's updated list yet) - you loose this, of course - just getting the number of games by the developer. The other thing about this is that one way I found to source the more obscure logos was to find the game + then do a search for the boxart or other gfx. Then, if of sufficient size and quality you can grab the logo from that... Hmmm... how to cross reference the developer name with the games? Feels like need database queries for that. Also, null - I totally agree with your point about source vs amended/presented. I do think it would be good to have one folder containing the 'final' processed/presented logos; but we also need to preserve the source materials (a lot of which is sat round on my local drive). How about: Include a folder called "Source" for those unprocessed images, whilst preserving the file structure as is? That way - users can optionally upload the source if they want too. I want to be careful not to make the process too long winded to achieve the first stage which is getting something against each developer (heh @ "first stage" - there's only 3 of us at the moment!) Still worried a bit about the ftp system. Think I'll message Tom and see if any folders can be set to read-only for the majority of users - and set the "Final Versions" folder to this. Than could also have a "pending approval" folder for user contribs. Lastly, good point, Draco - there is a notes field in there at the moment - maybe we could put any details like this in there? Cheers chaps.

No worries - not predicting a drama...

Exceedingly useful and timely, flash. Thank you. Just hoping not too many discrepancies from old list I used. Tonight I'm mainly gonna be merging.

Good persistence! Devils in b the detail.

Congrats. Amazing work on your most recent theme. I've never seen such diligent work!

Hmmm... I had a feeling this collaborate google docs thing wouldn't be as simple as it made out to be! But... thanks for starting, null!! I got 3 entries of yours on the sheet (see you're starting at the bottom and working up! One day meetings will occur in the middle! ) Hmm - not sure what's going on there - there are some columns protected (first two for yourself and Draco - to stop accidental alteration of the names) - but the others you should be able to edit just fine. Try it again at some point - I also logged a thing with google docs cos kept getting an error (think it's a firefox issue, as chrome doesn't have the issue). Maybe they're tapping a few nuts or something... thanks again, and look forward to seeing your contributions

Update - about 20 more logos added. All uploaded onto the FTP site. Some examples: Once you find yer rhythm - it doesn't take too long. It's also quite geek-out fun too - coming across all those old software houses you forgot about!! Cummon GE supporters - jump on board and add to the resource!! Would be great to see others posting some exmaples of their efforts!

[edit - forgot my manners in a rush!!] - thanks Draco! And it's a community project originally started by you. Update: Put a notes field in for the graders and approvers. BTW - Massive shout out to Draco, KRC and Null - from reviewing the logos that were already completed - they have done loads! Draco - not sure all the ones you've done are on the spreadsheet you started - it's up to you, but do you fancy putting the others on the current sheet, to ensure other users don't duplicate your excellent/hard work on these? P.S. - you've been a good contributor, UMan! Do you fancy helping out with this too? <Shameless pitch

All good points. My aim is to have one folder for final versions all named exactly the same as the dev name. This way users can just drag and drop the folder without having to amend names etc to match the ge format. Will do an alt folder for other versions. Ta for your ongoing interest.

Cheers Flash. When started this, used the devel names from the db3 files. Then null pointed me this way, and I downloaded the excel list posted by Draco: http://www.gameex.info/forums/topic/11857-logos-manufacturer-logos-project/?p=93857 I did a quick check - the names seemed to match those in the db3 file. Would these match? An updated list would be great - thanks. Lastly, yeah - that was part of my thinking - whether images matched to the GE format could be used in the GE frontend instead. Don't know what's planned for Evo - but the ability to put 'dynamic' images on pages through a new theme editor would be wizard! Cheers chap.

We all gotta do an icon set for categories, right!? Damn, i goyta stop giving myself projects

Love the little system icons, Adultery. Whas the Link? Is that category?

No worries and thanks for the collaboration. Any issues - post either here or in the VIP post.

CPWizard's got soo much potential. Played around with it for a bit for my dual display setup on my cab. Works great out the box for MAME. There's also facility to use it for emulators too, but hit a cul-de-sac with that one and didn't persist. However, it did inspire me to add another project to the list - a controls mapping database. I wonder how many projects we each have on the go at any one time?

Heh. I like the way he's been put in the basement by his wife. Hope he keeps an ear to their bedroom door. Gawd - I'm too cynical.

nice one Draco. I must find my patience hat.

Anyone... anyone... Bueller?

It just gets bigger!

{Tthurman - King of the Sourcers} -- {Stigzler - Chief Nag and Despot} - {Draco - The Original Elvis} The Developer Logos Project > What's this?? Front Ends and the Emulation scene in general is getting bigger and bigger and the methods and systems running them flashier and flashier! Some Front-ends and plugins allow dynamic image display alongside holding huge databases of info for each game. This means that given the right resources, developer images can be displayed for each game alongside the standard screenshot, video, marquee and boxart. Difficulty is that there is no full set of developer images anywhere. That is what this project's all about! You can see the progress to date, here: https://sites.google.com/site/alienarcade74/logos > What's the plan? To have a full set of developer images available, named in a specific standard format. Two sets - one bitmaps, the other vectors. There may also be scope to extend this to other naming conventions at a later stage. > Sounds easy - why don't you do it? Well, there are 2,000 different developers. Each one involves sourcing an image, editing it and uploading it. By my calculations if 1 man did 1 per day - it'd take 7 years!!!! > Ah, so where do we come in? You, my friends can be part of an historic project that will be revered and lauded by the young bucks of today, when retro gaming is as big as original film reels and first editions in 20 years time!! You can also share in the jubilation of conquering the emulation equivalent of Everest. 100 of us could crack it in under a year > Sounds good, I'm in - where do we start? These images can be really hard to source! So, to start, the priority will be to try and get all the images against all the developers. Top quality (more on that later) would be preferable at the start, but the focus will be getting something against each developer. This also needs tracking and co-ordination to make sure no-one's doubling up. We've developed a collaborative document on google docs for this purpose. > Gimme an ABC of what I need to do... A) Sign up to the project here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1R-f35bcO-gwyEEEc7zkDt5VvU0CmSoa6ba82BLYOP20/viewform?usp=send_form * If you have a gmail or google account use this... it makes life much easier. If you haven't I really would recommend getting one. Despite all the criticism, I find google stuff really useful in this hobby! Oh and don't worry - your email is in a separate, protected sheet - so no one will get it! B ) Click the link on the email you receive to access the editable spreadsheet and also links to dropbox folders shared between the project members. As a contributor, you'll be able to access the "Contributors" part of the document. Also, I will send you three links to a dropbox space where you can upload your images.... As a contributor, there are 3 folders you can upload to: Source - The unedited, original version of the image (best to save here once sourced on web to ensure it doesn't disappear for good!). Sometimes, all you can find is a boxart - that'll do to enable yourself or others to edit. Try and find the best quality (largest, crispest) source image you can. Failing that, anything will do, but it has to have some degree of fidelity to the original publisher. Source Edited - Sometimes, with really obscure developers, original/pre-edited logos are hard to find. If you got the skills - you can upload lightly edited images here (e.g. if on boxart - logo cut and pasted, resized if small) Pending Approval - These are for contributor-created logos from the source materials. Please see the guidance below on minimum requirements. **HUGELY Important: make sure you your filename matches the text in the "Name" column exactly - including all symbols etc and do mind spaces - this is to preserve format. ** (I would suggest when you find your image > Save as > [change filename to the sheet entry before saving] > save directly to the relevant folder in the dropbox account) C) Pick a developer and put your name against it - This tells people that you are working on a specific logo. Choose from the dropdown (please only pick a few at once - no shotgunning logos for later!). Obviously, this holds other users from tackling that logo. If you're finding Sources, please return this to blank once finished. (n.b. Picture is one of old version of sheet) D) Work your sourcing/graphics magic trying to stick to the standards detailed further below. You don't have to do both - at the moment, the priority is identifying and uploading all of the Source images. However, if you want to work on these and produce finals, that's also great **AGAIN: make sure you your filename matches the text in the "Name" column exactly** E) Upload your finished graphic/s (To Source, Edited Source and/or For Approval) This would be vastly preferred within the shared dropbox folders. This makes my administration tasks a hell of a lot easier. E) Revisit the sheet and change the columns as appropriate. Guide to this below: 1 - Put your name here if you're working on a logo. If you're just sourcing logos - return this to blank once you have completed the sheet and uploaded the image/s. 2 - Identifies you as the Logo Sourcer. 3 - The interweb link that points to the original image source (wikipedia for e.g.) 4 - If uploaded to dropbox - put Y here 5 - If there are alternative versions available that you know of on the web - put Y. You can also put the other links in 3 (press return after first link) 6 - Edited version uploaded to dropbox? (Only upload to the Edited Source folder, please) 7 - If you're submitting a Final logo for approval - put your name here. 8 - Would really prefer these to be uploaded to the dropbox folder, but if not possible - place a link to your work here. 9 - If uploaded final version for approval to the dropbox folder - put Y here. OH!! and notes - Try and put any general notes against the game name itself in column A (right click>Add Comment). This notes column is reserved for something (for what, I am not yet sure of! :/) Rows in GREEN represent completed logos with a final version approved. An example: I have sourced a Yanoman Corporation logo, put the direct link in 3, uploaded it to dropbox. No alternative versions, but I did produced edited version and upload to the Edited Source dropbox folder (as indicated in 6). I also produced a Final version for approval and uploaded it to the Pending Approval folder. F) That's it! We'll do the rest! :) > What Happens then? You can view the fruits of your labour, here: https://sites.google.com/site/alienarcade74/logos Final versions for Approval: Your pics will get graded from A to D. As I say, don't worry too much about this at the start. In time, once we have all pics done, we'll start reviewing pics and upgrading the final collection to the highest quality images (with the other versions still available under 'Alternatives' folders). But if you can, aim for the top on first go!! Absolute requirements on Final Versions: Some images may be more horizontal in layout while others are more vertical. Resizing them to fit 800x600 specs, and ensure that the width is no more than 800 and height no more than 600. Please center within an 800x600 transparency.Where logos are hard to source - up-scaling allowed, but please use good re-sampling algorithm.Preservation of original logo - no modifications/effects (e.g. lighting/drop-shadow/bevels etc) apart from image enhancements (despeckle,cleanups etc)Preferred aspects of Final Versions: Here's the considerations, scaled from worst to best: Up-scaled <----------------> No scaling No Transparency <-------> Transparency Raster/Bitmap <-----------> Vector bmp, jpg <------------------> .png Rough editing <-----------> Tidy editing (no white edges on magic-select; nicely anti-aliased) Artifacts/speckle <--------> Smooth/sharp images > What's in it for me? Kudos, esteem and a free bag of peanuts. Oh, and eventual access to the complete collection of developer logos! There's also a sheet on the document that gives contributor stats. Maybe we could think of a community prize for the top uploader? > Don't forget: This is for newbs and pros alike! Don't be daunted - have a go! Sourcing is needed just as much as graphics prowess!Filename, filename, filename.... it's gotta match the "Name" column exactly!This is a project of faith. Let's hope for no vandalism.We'll only get out what we put in.To credit Draco1962 with the original idea and lots of work to get the ball rolling.> What's the quickest way to work through sourcing images? I've got it down to a fine art of couple of minutes (where logos easy to source!). Here's how: Setup: Have your shared dropbox Source folder in your favorites.Open all the sourcing resources in separate tabs in your browser.Then: Bring up sheet Copy game name (highlight>R Click>copy to ensure matches exactly) Bring up browser. Search for logo/source. Once have image up, R Click>save as. Choose the dropbox Source folder from your favourites In filename box, R Click>paste (pastes the game name) Save image R Click in the browser address bar - copy url Bring up sheet R Click in the URL column + paste the copied URL. Fill out the rest.(looks long - but in practice very quick!) Resources: There's a resources tab on the sheet for you to add any good sites where to find logos. Free Graphics Editors: GIMP (Bitmaps): http://www.gimp.org/ Inkscape (Vectors): http://www.inkscape.org/en/ Free cloud stores: Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/home GoogleDocs: https://docs.google.com Now, go get your GIMP on and hack up some logos! ------------------------------ UPDATES: 11.6.14: Redesigned tracking sheet to include Source and For Approval imagesSet up Shared Folder in dropbox for collaborative space for image upload. Few changes in guide.14.6.14: New website to view all of the uploaded images and Source/pending images:https://sites.google.com/site/alienarcade74/logosShows numbers of logos uploaded by user21.6.14: Some updates to sheets.Some updates to websiteSome updates to this OP.