Home » MODDING HQ 1.13 » v1.13 General Development Talk » Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion
Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #277927] Fri, 15 April 2011 07:10 Go to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
Thought this might get a bit more visibility here.

Basically I am remaking the UI as I started doing so previously before I lost the original data due to an HD failure. The available data left in the download is not enough to rebuild the original mod so I am restarting.

The primary reason for the discussion is I can replicate the original concept of keeping the colours and style of the mod I started before in it's attempt to emulate the original design (which TBH didn't really correlate too well with the game) or I can go with an alternate concept using a theme like steel/worn metal/etc...

Ideas are welcomed, and I'll be placing in build pics in this thread and the main project thread which I'll create with the first beta test release.



This was the in progress one before HD failure:

http://www.wmwiki.com/hosted/ja2/Web%20Previews/1024-Strategic-Complete.png
http://www.wmwiki.com/hosted/ja2/Web%20Previews/1024-sectorinv.png
http://www.wmwiki.com/hosted/ja2/Web%20Previews/1024-MapBord.png
http://www.wmwiki.com/hosted/ja2/Web%20Previews/1024-Tactical-bottom-bar.png
http://www.wmwiki.com/hosted/ja2/Web%20Previews/1024-Achtung-Igor-Dies.png

[Updated on: Fri, 15 April 2011 10:08] by Moderator

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #277929] Fri, 15 April 2011 09:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Amgot is currently offline Amgot

 
Messages:12
Registered:April 2011
I'm all for sticking with the original JA2 design.

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Private
Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #277930] Fri, 15 April 2011 09:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JMich is currently offline JMich

 
Messages:546
Registered:January 2011
Location: Greece
Even though I have the artistic ability of a fish, I'd say keep the current style, since that is the known and loved one.
However, if you do have the time and inspiration, I would like to see what other styles are possible.

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First Sergeant
Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #277931] Fri, 15 April 2011 10:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
Updated with the pics from previous remake version.

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278228] Wed, 20 April 2011 03:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hawkeye is currently offline Hawkeye

 
Messages:2412
Registered:October 2005
Location: Australia
As long as the layout/buttons stay familiar I'd say give your alternate concept a go. I always thought the original was supposed to be a sort of worn metal, pop riveted/brassy type of military thing anyway. Something chunky, and battle worn, like panels of an old tank.

At the moment I'd say those current panels above are a bit of a hybrid, and even the three main colours/textures don't compliment each other all that well, and look a bit 'busy.' The gold frame on the radar map almost looks like a strange bamboo from a distance but better close up. I think it all looks a bit sharp too and a little flat where the merc panels just sit directly on top rather than sunken in or beveled, even more so with the darker brown panels behind that seem to have no edging at all. I also find the beige texture behind the weapon slots a bit repetitive or maybe a tad too contrasty (which reveals the repetition more clearly) but that's just my opinion.

Would increasing the size of the overview map be a possibility? So it uses more of the available space rather than just sit in the middle there? Even an increase while keeping the resolution, so it was a more chunky pixelated image I think could even work, though I don't know if that would be a problem with different game resolutions?

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278231] Wed, 20 April 2011 06:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
usrbid is currently offline usrbid

 
Messages:1506
Registered:December 2008
Yay Kaerar is back *and* doing graphics work, awesome!! (Did you finish up the X3 work?)

Let me know if you need any help, I just wrapped up making a little Web site in PHP for a friend.

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Sergeant Major

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278368] Fri, 22 April 2011 09:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
@Hawkeye - Well I'll explain some of the decisions above Smile

The beige back wasn't the final version of the weapon backgrounds. They repeat far too much in the inventory window, so they were going to have a non-repetitive back for the inventory just before the previous HD failure.

The rusty gold sections were as a nod to the old Goldpiece's that were from the stock version. I never thought they fitted the original and I attempted to make them a bit more fitting in the one above. Still sits wrong with me though Wink

The merc panels were annoying to do but were about the best I could accomplish at the time as they are fiddly things. I'm thinking of using the metal style in the background of the non-used merc panels for them in the future one. Will make a mockup and see soon.

@Dieter - Nah X3 mod won't be finished for another 4-8 months yet. Looking for 3D modellers at the moment as we finish the balancing and economy for the mod.
However I'm back to get this new UI done, hopefully to most peoples agreement. Though I think this time I'm not going to limit myself to the original colouring/design so much. It made some area's look weird.

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278373] Fri, 22 April 2011 12:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
usrbid is currently offline usrbid

 
Messages:1506
Registered:December 2008
Meh, don't worry about the details, I saw a lot of people play the tiger stripe layout (when posting screenshots to report bugs). Personally it gives me epilepsy, but hey, people like it, it is different. So don't worry about staying close to the original, make what you think looks great.

By the way, how about updating the body mannequin, well, maybe not to an actual naked body, we probably want to keep this G rated, but a cooler, stylized version?

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Sergeant Major

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278384] Fri, 22 April 2011 14:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
That's actually the hardest part for me. I hate the current one, but trying to get a better one is really hard. I'm not much of an artist when it comes to that side of things.

I would welcome some help with that, or I could use the caricatures from Borderlands Very Happy

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278449] Sat, 23 April 2011 07:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hawkeye is currently offline Hawkeye

 
Messages:2412
Registered:October 2005
Location: Australia
If we're talking stylised perhaps a silhouette or textured shape could do the trick?

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8322/soldier3zk6.jpg

http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/169885/169885,1212474183,2/stock-vector-soldier-silhouettes-and-arms-13321798.jpg



what about the classic JA Deadly games one?

http://img.listal.com/image/333833/936full-jagged-alliance%3A-deadly-games-cover.jpg

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278456] Sat, 23 April 2011 10:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
Could do, I'm not 100% limited to the original. The biggest issue for me is getting a normal and big body version of them sorted. Often the big body version is hard to find...

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278457] Sat, 23 April 2011 10:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Logisteric

 
Messages:3199
Registered:December 2008
Location: B
could this be modular?

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Captain
Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278486] Sun, 24 April 2011 05:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
Happy birthday Logi Smile

I don't know if it could be modular, but if it could it would help. I think if I got font control things could be a lot easier, currently though fonts are locked. For the higher resolutions it would be nice to be able to increase the size of things a bit and also increase font size so people don't have to try to read 6pt Arial at 1080p Very Happy

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278489] Sun, 24 April 2011 07:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hawkeye is currently offline Hawkeye

 
Messages:2412
Registered:October 2005
Location: Australia
Kaerar
Could do, I'm not 100% limited to the original. The biggest issue for me is getting a normal and big body version of them sorted. Often the big body version is hard to find...


If it's just a silhouette you could always grab an existing one and scale slightly larger horizontally, though you'd want to keep the same proportions of the gun if you were using the Deadly Games silhouette.

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #278491] Sun, 24 April 2011 08:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
If I change them I'm looking to make it look slightly more detailed. So that would mean a normal 5'10"ish bloke for the first one and the second being a 6'2"ish body builder. I have already got some good images, it's just converting them to suit that's annoying me. Got a few ideas for portraits too...

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #279367] Fri, 06 May 2011 04:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
usrbid is currently offline usrbid

 
Messages:1506
Registered:December 2008
Any screenes you can tease with?

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Sergeant Major

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #279423] Sat, 07 May 2011 04:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
I wish, just got my new PSU in last night and now Photoshop is stable I'll crack on Smile

Trying to get it to coincide with the new version of 1.13 RoWa21 is preparing Wink

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #279430] Sat, 07 May 2011 07:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
usrbid is currently offline usrbid

 
Messages:1506
Registered:December 2008
Yay!! I am looking forward to seeing some cool stuff from you. And don't worry about making it look *exactly* like the original. I think it is cool to get a little creative. Maybe a cooler (opposite of warm; the brown looks "warm") look would work better nowadays.

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Sergeant Major

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #279433] Sat, 07 May 2011 07:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Hawkeye is currently offline Hawkeye

 
Messages:2412
Registered:October 2005
Location: Australia
Arulco is supposed to be warm Dieter! Razz




But yeah, some originality would be a blast!

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #280391] Sat, 21 May 2011 17:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kaerar is currently offline Kaerar

 
Messages:2022
Registered:January 2003
Location: Australia :D
Well no news is good news, I've been busy beavering away, got the basis for the UI close to finished now it's adding detail and getting the look right. Not sure when I'll have pics, shouldn't be too long though Wink

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Lieutenant

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #280525] Mon, 23 May 2011 10:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
wanne (aka RoWa21) is currently offline wanne (aka RoWa21)

 
Messages:1961
Registered:October 2005
Location: Austria
Take your time Kaerar. We are going to release the 1.13 spring version at the end of the week. When you are finished with your interface we can release that in a separate additional package.

Later when everything is fine with the interface, this interface will become the official 1.13 interface Smile

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Sergeant Major

Re: Upcoming UI Replacement Discussion[message #280531] Mon, 23 May 2011 14:19 Go to previous message
Slax is currently offline Slax

 
Messages:1411
Registered:July 2006
Location: People riding polar bears...
I suggest repacking the installer with interface and all once it's finished.
Seems the older interface pack slipped under the radar for plenty of people.

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Sergeant Major
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