V2 Themes...

[Marker0077]

#1) Is anyone using them?

I noticed some people have been doing some new themes, I am as well, but so far I haven't seen anyone do a new theme using the theme editor; i.e. V2 themes.

#2) Is there a way to make it so that the V2 themes do not override the user preffered settings set in the configuration program, such as resolution, or do I need to set up a theme for each resolution?

[headkaze]

I think one of the best themes made by Amos was using a V2 Theme. A few people are using them, but it's still in it's early stages, some of the features in V1 themes arn't available yet like Windowed mode.

You have to make a theme for each resolution, I think that is the same for V1 Themes anyway, the difference is that the custom layouts need to specify which resolution otherwise they won't display properly on a different resolution. There is probably some simple maths to overcome this, but it's not something Tom or me have investigated yet. I believe using ratios or percentages for layouts dosn't work, but I'd like to find something that does. Makes me wonder how Tom handles windowed mode with V1 themes.

I hope there will be more things done with V2 Themes in the near future such as custom layouts for each emulator. This is when the V2 Themes will really come into their own.

Also, I really need to write some sort of documentation to help people use the Theme Editor. For me it's straight forward and easy to use, but for others I bet it's a mystery.

[lingpanda]

I think one of the best themes made by Amos was using a V2 Theme. A few people are using them, but it's still in it's early stages, some of the features in V1 themes arn't available yet like Windowed mode.

You have to make a theme for each resolution, I think that is the same for V1 Themes anyway, the difference is that the custom layouts need to specify which resolution otherwise they won't display properly on a different resolution. There is probably some simple maths to overcome this, but it's not something Tom or me have investigated yet. I believe using ratios or percentages for layouts dosn't work, but I'd like to find something that does. Makes me wonder how Tom handles windowed mode with V1 themes.

I hope there will be more things done with V2 Themes in the near future such as custom layouts for each emulator. This is when the V2 Themes will really come into their own.

Also, I really need to write some sort of documentation to help people use the Theme Editor. For me it's straight forward and easy to use, but for others I bet it's a mystery.

It was a little trial an error on my part. Theme Editor is quite easy to use btw.

[Marker0077]

I think one of the best themes made by Amos was using a V2 Theme

If you're referring to the MCE theme, it's V1.

You have to make a theme for each resolution, I think that is the same for V1 Themes

It wasn't. The 2 themes I made are both V1 & I can run them in any resolution. I set them to 1024x768 & since I am hooked up to a TV, I use 800x600. Works fine.

Unfortunately when I use a V2 theme, it automatically switches the resolution. I wish this feature would be put back. It saves allot of time for the theme creators out there. I don't want to create a custom resolution for each background 3 or 4 times. It wastes time & disk space.

I hope there will be more things done with V2 Themes in the near future such as custom layouts for each emulator. This is when the V2 Themes will really come into their own.

Can already do that for V1 themes & I do. So did the creator of Women We Love to Play.

One thing I do like about the V2 themes is I can finally put a custom bak on MAME & hopefully the emulators menu. I've been wanting to do that for awhile.

I'm also probably going to continue the MCE theme. I like amos's theme but I don't want to ditch the various logos. They look too cool, especially considering I did all of my own custom logos. I really want to continue with the themes but I never get to play, so I'm taking a little time off. As for the MCE theme, I will make one amos's way (unless he is continuing it) & another with the logos.

[amos_82]

I think there might be some crossed wires here Hopefully i can clear some things up.

There's already been quite a few v2 themes, you can get them from Night Theme Site. I think headkaze was talking about the 'future retro' one.

V1 themes will work at any resolution, the closer your backgrounds are to your favourite res, the better as they are sharper.

V2 themes have to change the resolution in order to work, as the different areas like the images & text positions work by using coordinates.

Can already do that for V1 themes & I do. So did the creator of Women We Love to Play

You might be thinking of custom backgrounds, because custom layouts aren't available just yet. The custom layouts will allow gameex to have different images/text position for different pages. At the moment any changes to the layout are applied to all pages of gameex.

As for making the theme in other resolutions, its as easy as pie You dont have to make extra images because gameex automatically resizes them for different resolutions.

But if you did want to give people the option of another resolution, you can just add an extra theme.ini in the pack (it usually only takes about half an hour to convert one to another res). All you need to do is realign the positions & decrease/increase the "font size; see Post #32 on this page for help with conversions

Overall, just get stuck in and have a bit of fun