[RESOLVED] Display issue with Foreground Top-Most setting

[Draco1962]

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

[Tom Speirs]

I prefer how it is now to be honest as it gives more flexibility. Can you not just modify your foreground image?

[Draco1962]

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.

[Adultery]

If anyone wants my opinion...

I have to agree with Drac. I was experimenting with this on a new theme I'm working on (although I won't really get into it until the new skinning system surfaces) and it's darn near impossible to get everything to line up perfectly without a great deal of extra work. I don't know if this is really a positive... Like Drac I prefer nice sharp lines and clean edges. This is kind of a deterrent IMHO, especially for folks that are new to themeing or graphic design.

But that's just my opinion. If someone could explain to me how this would work more efficiently I'd certainly be open to listen. Maybe I just don't understand the intent or the purpose, and I'll be the first to admit that.

Thanks for listening.

[Tom Speirs]

OK, ill look at it.

Thanks.

Tom.

[Adultery]

I really appreciate it Tom.

[Tom Speirs]

No worries

[Draco1962]

Thanks, Tom!

[ehuonder]

I know I missed my opportunity to reply (since Tom already updated GameEx), but I'll add my 2 cents anyway... If I can't have full layer controls, I would prefer the always on top that Tom had initially given us. I'm only in the re-defition phase of my new WOPR theme with foregrounds, so I can't speak to the issues with the theme editor that the others have mentioned. I do remember some alignment issues I had previously with my up/down arrows, that I could not fix until Tom gave us true alpha. But, I'd rather solve the alignment issue than be restricted to what is on the top layer.

That all being said, I am thankful for any enhancements that Tom gives us, and I will move forward with whatever is/has been decided by Tom. (I hope you have kept the Text1 & Text2 below the Foreground.)

[Draco1962]

@ehuonder - When Foreground is set to Top-most, all serviceable text elements (Title, Date, Time, Select1 & 2, List, Weather) and visual elements (Image, Image2) will reside on the middle layer below the foreground image but above the background image, unless this feature is disabled. Elements for Top Bar, Media Controls, Arrows, etc. will remain editable and, when in use, will reside in the System layer above all else.

These settings will help us to minimize the amount of foreground image "cutting and cropping" for these elements to show. In the future, I would love to see us to be able to position any element up and down through various layers as needed. We currently have 2 layers to work with at present that we have direct control over the elements within. To be able to independently have control of color for each text element as well. To have the level of control I am thinking of my require a major rewrite of the Theme Editor and portions of GameEx altogether and may require more resources than some of the older systems (PCs and GPUs) can handle. I am an idea man, not a programmer so I may be wrong (and frequently am)!