is it possible to round album covers (corners) in the main panel by 15px. and increase even more the distance between album covers.????I would like to have the album artworks with rounded corners just like on Apple Music for example.But I'd really wish we would have an options to turn sightly rounded corners on album artwork.
It's important to always be thinking about evolving while designing.MusicBee is pretty much about showing things as they are.
Doesn't work. I have 3.6.9100 version.There's an Activity.log file under ...MusicBee\AppData\mb_RoundedArtwork
Thanks hiccup. I can't remember what I was looking for under the cache folder when I spotted those album covers and manually modified one as a test.
When it worked, I then remembered the wishlist request for the rounded corners. There seems to be quite a bit that plugins can help with.
I'm not able to round the artwork in the Track Info panel because that seems to be displayed at full resolution - directly from the tracks and not cached artwork.Doesn't work. I have 3.6.9100 version.There's an Activity.log file under ...MusicBee\AppData\mb_RoundedArtwork
Can you let me know what that says? (you too Artesoll)
I noticed it effectively creates a copy of all your artwork in AppData\mb_RoundedArtwork\temp for all libraries, not just the one that is currently active.I only do this once at installation, and then delete that temp folder when MusicBee shuts down.
I imagine that might take up a lot of space if you have a large library.
#1 Suggestion: Customized Radius for rounding artwork. (smaller).#1 This I will do - I had thought about it days ago.
#2 Is it possible to customize the background color for different tabs?
#1 Suggestion: Customized Radius for rounding artwork. (smaller).The new version up for download now supports the above.
#2 Is it possible to customize the background color for different tabs?
The square shape of album covers originated from practical constraints, not aesthetic preference. This standard evolved over time, but innovation like altering shapes challenges norms that were never fixed in purpose. Let users display content freely—musicians are creators, not box designers.There are many shapes and forms to the artwork on various releases including round picture discs that have no cover, long boxes for CD were popular in the earlier years of that format, and box sets come in all sorts of variouos shapes and sizes. Including cover images that match these formats isn't unusual. Most image software defaults to squared corners regardless of the actual dimensions anyhow.
It's always good to have options as long as usability and performance aren't compromised.IMHO - This is the far more important aspect. Many of us spend a lot of time making sure we get perfect, exact rips of our music. The artwork is often dealt with similarly without compromise. And many musicians would argue that their album artwork IS a part of their creative process! Either way, without an option to display album art as-is from the stored image, I would push back on this idea myself. But allowing users the option to choose to intentionally round the corners of their own library display is a legitimate request.
My concern is that it might replace the original embedded cover art with a cropped version directly in the file.As aktor mentioned, this won't touch the music files themselves.
I would prefer that the original embedded cover art not be replaced, as I need to preserve it for archival purposes.
#1 The right and bottom corners look different from top and left for example. (You might need to zoom in to see what I mean)#1 A difficult one to spot, but it should be fixed now if you redownload the plugin - all four corners are now even.
#2 BTW, I have no idea how feasible it is but... this plugin might open for even more cool stuffs. For example custom margins, shadows, outlines, ...
I think it can potentially be improved still. The sides are currently translucid which gives a fuzzy look to the artwork.Would you be able to post a side-by-side comparison of how this would look (before vs after)? I'm not able to picture this.
Would it be possible to have fully opaque sides? (while keeping the antialiasing on the corners)
In deferent views with different cover sizes the same corner radius doesn't work well.On my side, I would be able to in the event that it was supported by MusicBee. But I'm highly doubtful you will get your wish though,
would you be able to modify your plugin if developer gives us an option to store album artwork for different views in separate folders?
Would you be able to post a side-by-side comparison of how this would look (before vs after)? I'm not able to picture this.
@Mayibongwe, could you add the option for shadows?sure, I'll have a look.
The "edges" I'm talking about are what I circled in this image:It doesn't look like I can do anything about this without switching off the antialiasing - which is only applied on the corners (the slight transparency on the middle edges is a byproduct).
#1 The quality and content of the artwork images would have a big effect on it.#1 Yep, with this colourized image below, the disparity on the middle endpoints is even higher compared to the earlier black and white artwork.
#2 You could try SmoothingMode.HighQuality, it's listed as an equivalent to SmoothingMode.Antialias but from what I've read there are differences between the two.
#3 A possible more complicated fix would be to copy the pixel data from the original image for the edges after the curved corners and antialiasing is done.
Imagine a little bit of a soft dropshadow with this, it could look so neat. :-[I concur, currently looking into a dotnet library to help with this.
- New feature proposal: Ability to set custom values that apply by default to all skins which don't have their own settings yet.Sure, #1 should be doable just fine.
This would be very handy when you have a lot of skins and are often adding new ones.
- Unwanted behavior report: It seems that updating some tags resets the cached album art embed in the file.
Imagine a little bit of a soft dropshadow with this, it could look so neat. :-[
- New feature proposal: Ability to set custom values that apply by default to all skins which don't have their own settings yet.I've uploaded a new plugin version which should address both requests.
This would be very handy when you have a lot of skins and are often adding new ones.
- Unwanted behavior report: It seems that updating some tags resets the cached album art embed in the file.
In order to use this plugin in a skin with different background colors the border must be set to transparent but then this frame is visible. Is this possible to correct.No, not with the plugin as that is a frame created by MusicBee.
Is this what we mean? There'll be options for both users (corners rounded or not).could you add the option for shadows?Imagine a little bit of a soft dropshadow with this, it could look so neat. :-[
(https://i.imgur.com/xsd7YeE.png)
You could use the c# file watcher to monitor new or updated files in the cache foldersThanks Steven, the automation will help things a lot. Haven't gotten it to work reliably as yet though.
I'm thinking to get closer to that, maybe it's possible to increases the size of the shadow, increase the blurring, reduce the opacity.There will be skin settings for these.
Offsetting the shadow layer only down and not to the right.
Is it just a binary setting or can you chose a desired value for the opacity?It will be a percentage option - so anything between 0 and 100 will be supported.
I ask this because I would probably reduce it below the lighter shadow preset for my use. But I'm sure others might like it a bit stronger. (and it also depends on the skin background, of course)
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<root>
<element id="Corners" enabled="true" rd="35" bg="r,g,b"/> <!-- rounded edges -->
<element id="Shadows" enabled="false" blur="4" opacity="80" fg="0,0,0"/> <!-- shadow effect -->
<element id="Shear" enabled="false" x="10" y="15"/> <!-- create parallelogram -->
<element id="Tint" enabled="false" fg="0,0,255" r="60" g="5" b="10"/> <!-- hue effect -->
<element id="Sharpen" enabled="true"/> <!-- improve artwork quality -->
<element id="Sepia Tone" enabled="false"/> <!-- gold-like effect -->
<element id="Grayscale" enabled="false"/> <!-- black and white effect -->
<element id="ArtistThumbs" enabled="false"/> <!-- applies the above against artist thumbs -->
</root>
This I still haven't gotten to, so you will still need to use the Reprocess Artwork hotkey to update any 'new' artwork placed in the cache folders.You could use the c# file watcher to monitor new or updated files in the cache foldersThanks Steven, the automation will help things a lot. Haven't gotten it to work reliably as yet though.
What's the correct way to install the plugin?- Download the .ZIP file containing the plugin.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<root>
<element id="Corners" enabled="true" rd="9" bg="192,192,192"/> <!-- rounded edges -->
<element id="Shadows" enabled="true" blur="4" opacity="255" fg="180,180,180"/> <!-- shadow effect -->
<element id="Shear" enabled="false" x="10" y="15"/> <!-- create parallelogram -->
<element id="Tint" enabled="true" fg="255,255,255" r="0" g="0" b="0"/> <!-- hue effect -->
<element id="Sharpen" enabled="true"/> <!-- improve artwork quality -->
<element id="Sepia Tone" enabled="false"/> <!-- gold-like effect -->
<element id="Grayscale" enabled="false"/> <!-- black and white effect -->
<element id="ArtistThumbs" enabled="false"/> <!-- applies the above against artist thumbs -->
</root>
I'm getting this artifact (lighter colors) at the border of the image:I almost called you crazy. It wasn't until I maxed out the zoom where I ended up noticing it.
<element id="UseArtworkBorders">false</element>magick Cover.jpg ( +clone -alpha extract -draw "fill black polygon 0,0 0,15 15,0 fill white circle 15,15 15,0" ( +clone -flip ) -compose Multiply -composite ( +clone -flop ) -compose Multiply -composite ) -alpha off -compose CopyOpacity -composite Cover_with_rounded_corners.png
With some googling and help from chatgpt I got an Image Magick command that seems to work to round corners without the "fuzzy lines" issue.It's something I had looked at when I first started using their library, but had decided to drop the idea due to its complexity.
Since you are making use of Image Magick now, maybe this can be implemented?Codemagick Cover.jpg ( +clone -alpha extract -draw "fill black polygon 0,0 0,15 15,0 fill white circle 15,15 15,0" ( +clone -flip ) -compose Multiply -composite ( +clone -flop ) -compose Multiply -composite ) -alpha off -compose CopyOpacity -composite Cover_with_rounded_corners.png
using (MagickImage orig = new MagickImage(imageToByte(origFile)))
{
IMagickImage clone = orig.Clone();
clone.Alpha(AlphaOption.Extract);
clone.Draw(new DrawableFillColor(MagickColors.Black),
new DrawablePolygon(new PointD[] { new PointD(0, 0), new PointD(0, 15), new PointD(15, 0) }),
new DrawableFillColor(MagickColors.White),
new DrawableCircle(15, 15, 15, 0));
IMagickImage clone2 = ((MagickImage)clone).Clone();
clone2.Flip();
clone.Composite(clone2, CompositeOperator.Multiply);
IMagickImage clone3 = ((MagickImage)clone).Clone();
clone3.Flop();
clone.Composite(clone3, CompositeOperator.Multiply);
clone.Alpha(AlphaOption.Off);
orig.Composite(clone, CompositeOperator.CopyAlpha);
orig.Write(origFile);
clone.Dispose();
clone2.Dispose();
clone3.Dispose();
}
Since you are making use of Image Magick now, maybe this can be implemented?This has been done in v1.7 up for download.
#1 Is it possible that the function is not applied to the album as shown in figure 1. or that these borders can use the skin color?For number 2, those borders are displayed by MusicBee. See here on how to turn them off:
#2 Are these edges as shown in the figure part of the Plugin or the skin?
Also, as a general note to the transparency that is applied on the artwork:
Please note that certain views like the expanded panel here use a .jpg format which unlike .png does not support transparency (hence the enforced black border below):
(https://i.imgur.com/uwp96VV.png)
#1 Is it possible that the function is not applied to the album as shown in figure 1. or that these borders can use the skin color?For number 2, those borders are displayed by MusicBee. See here on how to turn them off:
#2 Are these edges as shown in the figure part of the Plugin or the skin?
https://getmusicbee.com/forum/index.php?topic=42252.0
For number 1, I am aware of that one. It's due to the JPG format displayed in that view not supporting transparency (which I'm guessing is what you're using right now).
So if you go to your skin file and change the corners_bg element from r,g,b to a colour such as 255,0,0 (rgb format for red), that should override the black background.
If the override doesn't kick in, let me know - I have a feeling it might not in the last version released.Also, as a general note to the transparency that is applied on the artwork:
Please note that certain views like the expanded panel here use a .jpg format which unlike .png does not support transparency (hence the enforced black border below):
(https://i.imgur.com/uwp96VV.png)
Maybe one day you'll find a way to make the album cover look normal when displayed below.Just so we're on the same page:
@Mayibongwe, great plugin, but can you make UI for configuring plugin settings?Sure thing. Will do seeing as there are quite a few options now (will have to borrow BoringName's layout for the settings - his screenshot on the verbeeliser thread looked pretty neat).
I think I know the answer, but just making sure:100% correct. Thanks for keeping that categorized table up to date - it must be really useful for a lot of users.
v1.7 | v1.6 |
| (https://i.imgur.com/ZF3CFEE.png) | (https://i.imgur.com/xFrzmtL.png) |
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
- <root>
<element id="Corners" enabled="true" rd="50" bg="18,12,24" />
- <!-- rounded edges
-->
<element id="Shadows" enabled="true" blur="4" opacity="80" fg="200,200,200" />
- <!-- shadow effect
-->
<element id="Shear" enabled="false" x="10" y="15" />
- <!-- create parallelogram
-->
<element id="Tint" enabled="false" fg="0,0,255" r="60" g="5" b="10" />
- <!-- hue effect
-->
<element id="Sharpen" enabled="false" />
- <!-- improve artwork quality
-->
<element id="Sepia Tone" enabled="false" />
- <!-- gold-like effect
-->
<element id="Grayscale" enabled="false" />
- <!-- black and white effect
-->
<element id="ArtistThumbs" enabled="false" />
- <!-- applies the above against artist thumbs
-->
</root>
Version 1.7 draws the shadow incorrectly around the artwork.Thanks for the report (I suspected as much), I was in the process of correcting that - may release an update tonight.
Example with a dark background and a light "shadow" tone (or rather "halo" in this case):
Version 1.7 draws the shadow incorrectly around the artwork.I've uploaded a v1.8 - does that help things?
I've uploaded a v1.8 - does that help things?Yes, it's solved, thanks!
If the override doesn't kick in, let me know - I have a feeling it might not in the last version released.
No, thank you for confirming my gut feeling - v1.7 had broken 1 or 2 things, but should be alright now.If the override doesn't kick in, let me know - I have a feeling it might not in the last version released.
Edit:
Also just currently playing around with a perspective change at the moment:
(https://i.imgur.com/FflDT0F.png)
You should get in touch with Steven to implement small changes to MB so you can incorporate those ideas.
It could be implemented natively as an option.
It would be vastly superior to a plugin.
It would be vastly superior to a plugin.I'm sure it's not intended as such, but it doesn't come across as a nice comment towards what Mayibongwe has created for you.
Why do you guys keep whining and going on and on about about this?
I'm sure it's not intended as such, but it doesn't come across as a nice comment towards what Mayibongwe has created for you
I trust that Mayibongwe will interpret my comment reasonably and won’t overanalyze or misinterpret its intent.You will probably be right.
The only real benefit of supporting things natively is it removes the risk of a developer going awol and it no longer functioning.Plus, bloatware and extra complexity/controls for the people who will never use it.
The flip side to that is you are adding more to the pile for one person to support.
we would only be adding more to the pile for one person to support.___________________
Mockup / Idea: Neumorphism-Inspired Design:Thanks, I will play around with this (as mentioned before though, may be some time before I get to it).
I was wondering if it would be possible for the plugin to access the original album cover images (either embedded or linked) and resize them directly.That's not going to be, given the filenaming structure (https://i.imgur.com/3KL6EEj.png) that MB is using on the cached artwork.
This could help preserve better image quality and avoid artifacts when scaling cached images.
%localAppData%\MusicBee\InternalCache\AlbumCovers%localAppData%\MusicBee\InternalCache\ArtistThumbsAnother tip for using the plugin and tinkering with the different settings is to empty that cache before each change. (with MusicBee closed)Yes, right on the mark Haste. When one changes a plugin setting or switches skins, the plugin detects that as a need to reprocess the artwork.
This also applies before changing to another skin.
Otherwise you will get images that are processed several times.
Still early stages, there's touchups to be done...Mockup / Idea: Neumorphism-Inspired Design:Thanks, I will play around with this (as mentioned before though, may be some time before I get to it).
(https://i.imgur.com/woqEg0e.png) (https://i.imgur.com/s451JaJ.png)
While a mixture of black and white shadows won't do it on my primary skin, I think other colours will be a nice sight! (that's not to say I'll hardcode any colouring).
This plugin seems great, but before I try it, I have some questions:Why not install the plugin and see for yourself if things are as you would like them to be?