[THEME] Basic Space Theme

[djour]

I know the trend is heading toward HTPC themes, but I wanted something basic just for emulators. I am also using a dedicated stand style cab running to an LCD TV, so the resolution for all screens is 1280x720.

Here are a couple background shots. I don't know how to take snapshots of the screens while running in GamEx to show these with the lists, images, fonts, etc. If anyone lets me know how, I will post those.

Let me know if anyone likes these, I have a few of the emulator screens finished.

[AlphaUMi]

Very nice! I like the "futuristic" style! Good work djour!

[Draco1962]

I like the simplicity. You have to be careful when you have "busy" backgrounds" to keep other elements as simple as possible to achieve a good balance. Looks like you have it about there. I created a similar theme (albeit a bit busier) based upon the game Sins of a Solar Empire. I found that the light text I was using looked better with a black transparency over the background. Are you using a light or dark text?

Also, are you using an arcade pedestal for your gaming rig?

[djour]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am using a microsoft sans serif size 20 in a color very similar to the aqua in the corner graphics. It is 5 over in the first row of the font color picker. I am also using black as the outline color.

The second attached pic is for the first selection screen. I have it set-up to choose arcade(MAME) or living room (console emulators and C-64).

Image 1 is for snaps. Image 2 is for boxart (purposely not shaded: I didn't want too many shaded boxes)

I'm not using Titles, time, date, weather or news feeds. Again, very simple and all controlled with joysticks and push-buttons.

I am using an arcade pedestal that I built from a household cabinet. I have pics I can post if there is another thread for that.

Here is another emulator screen.

[Draco1962]

Look under the Pinned Topics for Cabinets Running GameEx. I will eventually go with either a pre-fab or build my own pedestal to fit my X-Arcade Tankstick and contain my HTPC along with a few gaming consoles.

[djour]

I replied to the post. There are a lot of great cabinets out there. I actually started with an X-Arcade Tankstick I received for Christmas. I eventually came to the conclusion it was a great start, but not quite right for a cabinet. The players are too close and the trackball isn't the best. I actually kept the black buttons for player 1 and 2 and the side whites for pinball. I added better sticks, clear colored buttons for the 6 needed controls and a translucent trackball. A small I-Pac with LED blinky and I was good to go.

[djour]

Here are a couple more emulator screens.

[celly]

Looks great djour! I like space. When your in GameEx and want to take a snap, hit the Print Screen button on your keyboard. Then minimize GameEx, open up Paint and Paste. Or grab FRAPS or equivelant. Fraps is my best friend.

[djour]

Thanks for the support and advice. FRAPS is great!

Here are a couple more emulators.

[ehuonder]

Very nice work Djour!

[Adultery]

Put this in a pack when you're done so I can add it to the theme comp thread.

[djour]

No problem. I have a few more screens to go and I'm re-doing all of the sound bytes. They are flight sounds from the Millenium Falcon, tie fighters and other Star Wars Craft. There are also laser blasts and an attack clip from Babylon 5 as the exitscreensaver.

Here is the SEGA screen. Since fusion handles Genesis, 32X and SEGA CD on it's own, I've combined the three. I just label the games accordingly and the box art helps distinguish as well.

[Draco1962]

Not a bad idea. I like to have to create as few screens images as possible and let the logo files do some of the identification of the system being used. Of course, I use custom menus which helps a lot in that regard.

[djour]

Here are a couple more.

[djour]

Here are a couple more.

[djour]

Two more.

[djour]

Here are the Playstation 1 and 2 screens.

[simbamame]

Nice would love to see this put together as a full pack / theme, a friend of mine is a BIG space fan and this would suit his cab perfectly, the screen are awesome.

[djour]

I will be putting this together as a full theme. I am going over the tutorials since I'm learning as I go.

Here are handheld screens. Not ones for emulators I will ever use, but I will make them.

[simbamame]

Very nice, handy to have as i would use the Game Gear Emulator to play columns and sonic, look forward to seeing some controller layouts if these are any to go by they will be awesome.

[djour]

I have a couple more screens completed.

[djour]

I am nearly finished with this theme. I'm not sure how to post it since the file is 142MB with a couple more small items to go.

This includes 8 X-Box 360 controller layouts and a PSD for each, revised icons and logos and 30 separate backgrounds for individual emulators.

Can any moderators let me know how to submit it?

[Draco1962]

First you will need to zip a cop y of your theme.Go to the Themes section of the main GameEx site. You should also have at least two image snaps of your theme in action as you will need to add them at the time of submission.

[djour]

Thanks for the quick reply. The only thing I have left is the button images for forward, back, home, etc. I forgot to put these in because I only use a dedicated cab with joystick and button controls, no mouse.

Here are a controller layouts. Thanks to Adultery for the 360 elements. It saved a ton of time not having to draw the buttons, D-Pad, Triggers and Sticks from scratch.

For those systems I didn't create a layout, I included the original PSD in a folder within the theme.

[simbamame]

If your nearly at your upload limit maybe a message to Tom to beg for a little more space may help as its a worthy cause and i personally wouldn't want to miss this awesome theme.