Draco1962

Thanks, Tom!

As always, it is a good practice to make a backup of your settings on a regular basis. Once you have backed-up your GameEx settings (I usually just back up the entire GameEx folder and contents to a zip file stored elsewhere on my system), you can either download the latest version and install that way or an update install from within GameEx (this requires Enable Auto GameEx Updates set to "Install Updates at startup" - this is automatic, or "Ask me if I want the update" - click to accept or back to abort) via Setup Wizard under Enable/Disable Features.

This is actually governed by the theme you are using. You can find the theme.ini file under \gameex\themes\XYZ theme (the name of the theme you are using). You will need to zip this file and attach it in response to this thread along with noting which theme you are using. Also provide a current copy of your log.txt and gameex.ini files.

I have updated to version 12.00 and tested several of the "Default" themes and I am unable to replicate Troy's issue. I also tested some of my most recent themes in the event he may be using one of them and they appear to be working fine as well as they have ForeGroundTopMost=False. Unless it somehow his theme.ini was somehow changed to ForeGroundTopMost=True we will need for him to upgrade to see if it resolves the issue and provide a copy of the theme.ini and identify the theme he is using to troubleshoot further. I also went through and changed the ForeGroundTopMost=True and this does break a few of the themes where foreground images are present.

Good morning! I would not be concerned about it and would ignore the warning. Mame Mapping Magician.exe is a compiled script that comes as part of the GameEx package. It is not uncommon for programs such as these to throw a "false positive" with anti-malware/anti-virus programs.

Thanks, Tom!

I use the Theme Editor to fine-tune the layout of the various elements (images, lists, etc.), but as for the actual foreground and background graphics, I use GIMP and PhotoShop as I become better acquainted with it. Anyone can put together a decent theme of their own, just takes a little time, effort and patience!

@Adultery - You are definitely getting the word out and doing a fine job lining up sponsors! @All - That being said, it is time we, as a community, put on our best game faces and contribute to this contest in support of Adultery's efforts to line up these sponsors, and also in support of Tom and Ben (Headkaze) as they continue to crank out some great features, enhancements, and bug fixes! The emulation community has GameEx and our forums in its focus now - let's not disappoint!

I can adjust it with difficulty. To make top-most work properly, I would have to cut-out part of the foreground image to allow for those images to show through. Then there is the alignment of the specific images within Theme Editor that has to be considered. It is much easier to work with transparencies and have the control buttons appear as part of the foreground layer rather than coming up from beneath, especially if alignment adjustments have to be made to fine-tune the positions, as is almost always the case. This tends to make the process more complicated than it should have to be, in my opinion. EDIT: I went back through my theme that I am currently developing. What I had to do was "cut-out" the foreground image and paste onto the background image the piece from the foreground. This may seem simple, but there are the issues of making certain that the pieces line up properly, which is especially cumbersome if dealing with any kind of pattern. I tested the changes and, while I was successful, it took me much longer than it should due to the aforementioned added complexity. Additionally, there is a momentary "artifact" that appears where the "cut-out" section is located as the layers are loading on the screen. The background layer is momentarily darker than the foreground mask until full focus is achieved and layers fully merge on the screen. I will try to capture it with video if that would help. I am not pleased with this as it makes the display appear piecemeal and cheap when trying to create a classy presentation.

Yes it will use the top most layer feature. While it means re-doing my approach to theme creation a bit to compensate for a true layering capability, the end results are more polished IMHO.

Slacking my arse! I was chasing sheep at 2:30 something this morning. We all know that Adultery has no life.. LOL!

Tom - I have encountered another issue similar to the one that I reported previously regarding the dialog and error box images popping under instead of over the foreground image when Foreground set to Top Most in Theme Editor. This one involves the following image files: ArrowUp.png ArrowUpPressed.png, ArrowDown.png, ArrowDownPressed.png, MediaControl.png, MediaControlStop.png, and Window.png files. These images should display over the top of the foreground image. Will it be possible to correct this in the 12.00 release? Thanks in advance! Mike

What's with my Xbox 360 Live topic getting hijacked by the Wii Ones? LOL!

Well, um, yeah... so?

Hey now! I had to work on my birthday!!!

I say take the initiative and run with it! He may suggest revisions or if it is plausible to incorporate them in future releases or not. As always, if someone can find a better way of doing things I encourage them to make suggestions via the Feature Requests thread under the Pinned Topics forum. Tom is one of the few hobby programmers for the front-ends that takes what the users suggest seriously and implements what changes he can on a regular basis.

Welcome back, Alpha! I hope your holiday was enjoyable. I am sure any help you can provide is much appreciated. A lot of changes since you departed and on the way!

Hmmm... another logo? Sheesh! "Working in the coal mines, going down, down...." As soon as I get some game characters to add (hint, hint) to the logo I will gussy it up and post.

Happy Birthday! +1 to What Adultery said! I appreciate your efforts and contributions!

Anyone from here is welcome to friend me on Xbox Live - Draco1962 same as here. I probably will nto be able to make it tonight (keeps the missus awaake before work in the morning) so might best for me is usually Friday evening through early Sunday evenings.

I was thinking that it might be kinda fun if those of us with Xbox 360's could meet via Xbox LIVE sometime for a private match in a game everyone might have. My faves are the Call of Duty games, as well as any of the Halo games. What games do you have and what might you be interested in playing online against one another or as "Clan GameEx" against others?

It may also be beneficial to clear out your cache. To do so, look under \gameex\data and delete the files that have cache in the file name. Not to worry as these will rebuild. Sometimes the cache files do not overwrite as they should (you may want to be certain that there are no rights issues as this is a common cause).

@Adultery - agreed! My first attempt at themes are a good example. Granted, I have an artistic eye having been an art student while in school which helps tremendously in getting to know how various media perform on certain surfaces, but when I look back on my first attempts I am like "Gads! Who the heck did THAT? Oh, I did." followed by the urge to try to bury it deep in the litter box.

Of course you could strip it down and then have it powder coated to a nice glossy sheen - or mod the heck out of it! The Zalman cases are pretty nice, but I can think of a few ideas already to take advantage of the damage.

Not sure why the media buttons are not working for you. I did a comparison of your theme.ini and I am not seeing that there should be an issue with the actions of the media buttons or their placement. What I would like to do at this point, if yo are game, is have you zip your entire theme as if you were going to submit it to the GameEx site and put it on one of the download sites (or host it somewhere if you have that ability) so that I can download it and see if I can replicate the issue you are having and/if so, come up with a resolution.