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Support => Developers' Area => Skins => Topic started by: Steven on October 04, 2017, 06:37:22 PM

Title: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 04, 2017, 06:37:22 PM
The ability for MB to show all panels on a bitmap image has been requested a few times and also in the 3.2 topic.
I have already started this and wanted to mention a couple of things in case anyone wants to comment.
The plan at the moment is it will be implemented in a skin rather than as something where a user can select there own background image.
However I might change my mind and also provide support for that.
The reason for preferring to implement as a skin is i think headers, borders and perhaps some panels will best be displayed with some colouring and transparency which is best decided by a skin implementer. Because the panel layout is flexible you cant assume a particular panel is over any particular area of the bitmap image so colouring and transparency can help to make the experience for the user better.
It would be good if i could get an indication of interest from skin developers and whether you agree. This will determine how much effort i put into this.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: hiccup on October 04, 2017, 06:52:03 PM
Maybe I would try it out for the fun of it, but I think I would only end up using it in an actual skin if I thought it would be useful to improve on functionality.
At this moment I can't imagine that it would do that.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 04, 2017, 07:00:44 PM
I think it can be made to look very good eg. a zune like background such as this
https://wave-of-a-single-kid.deviantart.com/art/Zune-Phyta-Logon-Screen-164207033

it might also make sense to either have a skin setting or a user config setting that decreases the information density ie. increases the padding on rows in a grid and the spacing between panels
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: hiccup on October 04, 2017, 07:25:24 PM
I am sure it can be made aesthetically very nice.
It's just my personal preference to do skin designs that have as less possible distractions, and a good functionality in the first place.
(o.k., I went a bit overboard with "The Blue Bee and the Sea")

What I can imagine what could be very popular, is if users could add their own backgrounds to existing bitmapped skins.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Freddy Barker on October 04, 2017, 09:22:04 PM
What I can imagine what could be very popular, is if users could add their own backgrounds to existing bitmapped skins.

Oooh! that's a most splendid idea  ;D
How about a slideshow of jpegs from a folder called SLIDES?
Regards...

Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Bee-liever on October 04, 2017, 11:02:46 PM
My personal preference would be for user selectable.
As a skin developer I would certainly create a backdrop to go with a skin, but by allowing a user to change that, or add a background to an existing skin, would enable a user to customise a favourite skin and really make it their own.

Also, with the 3.2 ability to export personal view settings, users would be able to share their achieved look with the community.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 05, 2017, 12:22:54 AM
I agree with Bee-liever.
But if you think it would be better to implement some settings for skinners, then go ahead. Just let users have an ability to override it, depending on the background image they want to use.

it might also make sense to either have a skin setting or a user config setting that decreases the information density ie. increases the padding on rows in a grid and the spacing between panels

This too should be a user setting as I don't think it would depend on a skin. I've seen several requests that would allow to increase row height without enlarging font size.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Iasc on October 05, 2017, 09:01:21 AM
My personal preference would be for user selectable.
As a skin developer I would certainly create a backdrop to go with a skin, but by allowing a user to change that, or add a background to an existing skin, would enable a user to customise a favourite skin and really make it their own.

Also, with the 3.2 ability to export personal view settings, users would be able to share their achieved look with the community.

+1
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: KangNi on October 07, 2017, 02:08:33 PM
+1  in full compliance with Iascs re-quotes

Greetings
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 14, 2017, 10:50:42 AM
i have a first cut of this that i want to make available to get some feedback.
As its implemented for now, you select a background image that is applied across the entire main panels, but not the top/bottom panels.
The background is selected in the Layout(1) preferences

keep a copy of your existing musicbee.exe as i am still not officially starting v3.2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1

The sort of thing i have in mind might using a zune like image with the musicbee default skin
http://getmusicbee.com/images/forum/zune.jpg
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 14, 2017, 11:19:25 AM
Thanks! Looking good!

I noticed when a background image is loaded crop to a circle setting for artists doesn't work.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 14, 2017, 11:20:05 AM
Thanks! Looking good!

I noticed when a background is loaded crop to a circle setting for artists doesn't work.
yes thats right. I dont think i will have a solution for that
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 14, 2017, 11:21:26 AM
Then, disable the setting when background image is used. Currently it's still turned on.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 14, 2017, 11:45:50 AM
OK. No rush.

BTW here's how it looks with Dark Fine Tuned skin and the zune background with inverted colors:

(https://i.imgur.com/ngupHnk.png)
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 14, 2017, 01:49:34 PM
to fix the group by issue:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 14, 2017, 01:55:09 PM
Thanks! That fixed it.

How about adding a transparency slider? Then the user could adjust a background image to various colors of skins without altering the image each time.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 14, 2017, 02:12:59 PM
Thanks! That fixed it.

How about adding a transparency slider? Then the user could adjust a background image to various colors of skins without altering the image each time.
yes i think that is a good idea

what i was wondering was how people felt about how the background shows in its current implementation. When i have seen this sort of thing implemented elsewhere its done just for the file lists. And alternatively, the fact that it doesnt cover the entire application.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 14, 2017, 02:28:52 PM
what i was wondering was how people felt about how the background shows in its current implementation. When i have seen this sort of thing implemented elsewhere its done just for the file lists. And alternatively, the fact that it doesnt cover the entire application.

I think it's very well done. No complaints on that regard.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Sofocl on October 14, 2017, 07:02:22 PM
what i was wondering was how people felt about how the background shows in its current implementation. When i have seen this sort of thing implemented elsewhere its done just for the file lists. And alternatively, the fact that it doesnt cover the entire application.
I think the more elements covered by a more aesthetically, including the "header bar", "album cover" (when no cover) "wave bar", etc.

(https://i.imgur.com/mHqEciF.jpg)
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 14, 2017, 09:04:34 PM
I think the more elements covered by a more aesthetically, including the "header bar", "album cover" (when no cover) "wave bar", etc.
i am not sure i understand. The album cover and wavebar should already draw on the image background. The header bar doesnt which is intentional.
For the album cover with no cover, are you suggesting MB writes "No Cover" onto the custom background?
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 14, 2017, 09:06:15 PM
How about adding a transparency slider? Then the user could adjust a background image to various colors of skins without altering the image each time.
Although i think this is a good idea, looking at whats involved i think i will not do it for now until i am more certain background images will be used widely. Thats due to the effort involved with implementation
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Bee-liever on October 15, 2017, 12:45:30 AM
Looks good so far!  :)
Arsenic with mineral arsenic+cubism filter background
(http://i.imgur.com/MhMhu8C.jpg) (https://imgur.com/MhMhu8C)

a few things I noticed:
If number of tracks is not enough to go past the bottom of 'below artwork' text, than it is not refreshed after scrolling
(http://i.imgur.com/oUhgOnW.jpg) (https://imgur.com/oUhgOnW)

HeaderBar and Panel Header is transparent but Panel ChildHeader is translucent. I think it would be better if they were consistent.

Background of column browser header (in vertical arrangement) sometimes picks up weird artifacts (as if it's actually getting the background from a different area) when switching between tabs.

Visualiser: spectrum (especially when in main panel) gets the solid background  re-painted when switching between tabs.

______________

Also, would it be possible to have the shadow effect on the overlaid text, as per compact player?
(http://i.imgur.com/lFKQ5Gl.jpg) (https://imgur.com/lFKQ5Gl)

and lastly (for the moment  ;)  )
have MB remeber the last folder used for the background images.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 15, 2017, 10:28:41 AM
a few things I noticed:
If number of tracks is not enough to go past the bottom of 'below artwork' text, than it is not refreshed after scrolling

Background of column browser header (in vertical arrangement) sometimes picks up weird artifacts (as if it's actually getting the background from a different area) when switching between tabs.

Visualiser: spectrum (especially when in main panel) gets the solid background  re-painted when switching between tabs.
those should be fixed, although for the column browser its just the top header you are referring to?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1

i don't think it will be possible to have a shadow effect on the text for the file lists/ scrollable panels. I will look at the header bar suggestion. Perhaps i will only make it transparent if there is no text displayed ie. the user has hidden the header menu for all panels
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Bee-liever on October 15, 2017, 10:50:46 AM
those should be fixed, although for the column browser its just the top header you are referring to?
Yep, column browser top header was correct.
That and the others do look like there fixed.

I will look at the header bar suggestion. Perhaps i will only make it transparent if there is no text displayed ie. the user has hidden the header menu for all panels
That would be awesome, as long as all the header bars are translucent when text is displayed.

Also, with 'artist picture' element, if the image is to small for the available space and needs background fill.  That background fill is the solid panel colour.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 15, 2017, 11:29:04 AM
that should be fixed as well now
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Sofocl on October 15, 2017, 12:11:56 PM
The album cover and wavebar should already draw on the image background. The header bar doesnt which is intentional.
For the album cover with no cover, are you suggesting MB writes "No Cover" onto the custom background?

"wavebar" and "Visualiser: spectrum" loses the background image being in a "buttom panel".
"album cover" panel and album covers do not have a background image, for the first I suggest full transparency and for the second the effect of frosted glass.
"artist pictures" does not have a background image.
"header bar", I think it should have the effect of frosted glass.

(https://i.imgur.com/bWqmdSz.jpg)

Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 15, 2017, 01:23:04 PM
those issues should already be addressed with the updated version
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Twlf on October 15, 2017, 03:50:40 PM
Looks amazing, just tried a few combinations with my usually minimal skins.  :)


(https://s1.postimg.org/9i0qgu7rcf/MB_custombg_small.png)

One question though - what is this big Edit Playlist panel above Column Browser I keep getting when viewing playlists? It disappears when I run regular executable, but I can't figure out how to get rid of it with the test version.

(https://s1.postimg.org/6nni685qmn/MB_custombg2.png)

(Also, notice the colorful glitched borders inside and below the Column Browser.. picks color from the last viewed tab, using the latest uploaded version)
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 15, 2017, 05:24:22 PM
the glitch should be fixed now:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Twlf on October 15, 2017, 05:43:29 PM
Borders look fine now.

The 'Edit Playlist' text from above has been moved to the left, below the other text in the panel, but I still want to remove the entire panel.  :)

Thanks!
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 15, 2017, 06:03:57 PM
The 'Edit Playlist' text from above has been moved to the left, below the other text in the panel, but I still want to remove the entire panel.
you wont be able to do that
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Sofocl on October 15, 2017, 06:42:04 PM
those issues should already be addressed with the updated version
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
All the problems which I reported remain.
Here's my settings if need be:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/kljnp5qjb0k2blm/MusicBee3Settings.ini

The 'Edit Playlist' text from above has been moved to the left, below the other text in the panel, but I still want to remove the entire panel.
you wont be able to do that

Please add the ability to disable this panel, it takes a lot of space.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 15, 2017, 07:17:50 PM
those issues should already be addressed with the updated version
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
All the problems which I reported remain.
Here's my settings if need be:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/kljnp5qjb0k2blm/MusicBee3Settings.ini
i can reproduce the issues with the wavebar and visualiser. That is fixed. Artwork control looks fine to me
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Bee-liever on October 16, 2017, 10:06:13 AM
With the background image, maybe they could be placed in :\MusicBee\Backgrounds folder.
This would be the default folder for MB to look for a background.
Once you have selected and are using a background, when you change skins MB will automatically look for a background that is named the same as the newly selected skin.
If it doesn't exist, MB will keep the current background image but, if it does exist then MB will apply the new background at the same time you change skins.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Twlf on October 16, 2017, 11:58:25 AM
Please add the ability to disable this panel, it takes a lot of space.
+1; however, I'm assuming it was meant that this wouldn't be removable specifically in the test version. (Sizewise it takes up more space than elements with far greater utility, eg. column browser / whole row of album covers)

Also, got two more bugs to report:

1. If, as you scroll through Album Covers view, you run into a Cover that doesn't have maximum height / adequate aspect ratio, the empty space gets filled with a part of the entity above it.

(https://s1.postimg.org/6fniks06of/MB_custombg3.png)


2. Clicking on any album after that:

(https://s1.postimg.org/7f3lxy0sof/MB_custombg4.png)

EDIT: Both seem to only occur with "Overlay fields inside artwork" setting.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 16, 2017, 07:22:22 PM
With the background image, maybe they could be placed in :\MusicBee\Backgrounds folder.
This would be the default folder for MB to look for a background.
Once you have selected and are using a background, when you change skins MB will automatically look for a background that is named the same as the newly selected skin.
If it doesn't exist, MB will keep the current background image but, if it does exist then MB will apply the new background at the same time you change skins.
probably what i will do is have a convention that if a .jpeg/.png is named the same as the skin in the same folder then that will be automatically applied

Also, got two more bugs to report:
they should be fixed now
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 17, 2017, 05:42:28 PM
- When a background image is used, non-square album covers don't display properly: https://i.imgur.com/EcK73zn.png

- How to make it load no background image is not straightforward. A tickable option "no image" would be useful.

probably what i will do is have a convention that if a .jpeg/.png is named the same as the skin in the same folder then that will be automatically applied

Then how to handle skin series like Dark Fine Tuned and Pastels without having to add multiple copies of the same image in different names?

Please add the ability to disable this panel, it takes a lot of space.
+1
Not every user would be a fan of the new playlist artwork feature.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 17, 2017, 05:55:11 PM
- When a background image is used, non-square album covers don't display properly: https://i.imgur.com/EcK73zn.png
are you using the latest version? Trying now its fine (and something i did fix prob. yesterday)

- How to make it load no background image is not straightforward. A tickable option "no image" would be useful.
already planned

probably what i will do is have a convention that if a .jpeg/.png is named the same as the skin in the same folder then that will be automatically applied
Then how to handle skin series like Dark Fine Tuned and Pastels without having to add multiple copies of the same image in different names?
maybe MB can also look for a .jpg named as the folder name. I realise this will not be obvious to users but hopefully some skin authors will bundle a background with their skin, that follows either naming convention so if the user opt's into using background images (once i make it a tick-box) that will serve as the default for the skin

Please add the ability to disable this panel, it takes a lot of space.
+1
Not every user would be a fan of the new playlist artwork feature.
its already done.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 17, 2017, 06:03:24 PM
Yes, it's the latest version.
Maybe it's settings. Try my settings file I just PMed you.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 17, 2017, 06:07:51 PM
maybe MB can also look for a .jpg named as the folder name. I realise this will not be obvious to users but hopefully some skin authors will bundle a background with their skin, that follows either naming convention so if the user opt's into using background images (once i make it a tick-box) that will serve as the default for the skin

That's a good idea! So if they want to override it, they would only need to change the image under the same filename.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Twlf on October 17, 2017, 06:42:16 PM
Interesting.. if you right click on a tab, or go to Menu->View, there's now something about Custom Views Layouts.  :D
(Sry for offtopic)

Also, just to confirm, the last version fixed my issue with the Cover view (however, mine had to do with 'Overlay fields inside artwork' setting specifically).
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 17, 2017, 06:50:07 PM
Interesting.. if you right click on a tab, or go to Menu->View, there's now something about Custom Views.  :D

No, what's new is custom Layouts, not Views: https://getmusicbee.com/forum/index.php?topic=21919.msg133269#msg133269
I haven't tested the feature yet, though.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 17, 2017, 07:15:51 PM
it should be fixed now:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 17, 2017, 07:20:54 PM
Yep, it's fixed. Thanks!
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Twlf on October 18, 2017, 09:26:18 AM
Couple more:

- the Now Playing -> Highlight playing track options don't work when a background is set.
- not necessarily a bug in the usual sense due to when it manifests, but just to report the behavior: I opened the regular (nontest) executable just to see if the highlight works properly, then I went back to the test one, and what happens is that everything gets smeared as you scroll through the Albums and Tracks view (but not Cover view).
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 18, 2017, 07:12:50 PM
they should be fixed now:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Sizzlinol on October 20, 2017, 02:28:20 PM
That's a pretty cool feature!

One thing I noticed is that there's no coloured header for the new playlist header bar yet. Would like to see that included.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on October 22, 2017, 07:14:16 PM
thats done now:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uoyqusdsqprxg1h/MusicBeeTestCustomImage.zip?dl=1
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 23, 2017, 07:47:30 AM
I noticed when restarting with background settings changed preference window stay a bit longer than main app window before closing.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on October 29, 2017, 07:58:23 AM
It no longer auto-loads a background image in the skin folder when changing skin.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Twlf on November 28, 2017, 12:13:24 AM
RE: Playlist info panel

Please add the ability to disable this panel, it takes a lot of space.
+1
Not every user would be a fan of the new playlist artwork feature.
its already done.

I swear I went through all the settings and menus like a dozen times and couldn't find a way to hide this thing.. Did I misinterpret the post, or is it not possible to do that yet?
It's pretty much the only remaining thing bothering me atm. (That aside, I've been using the 3.2 custom image version for a month now, everything works with no issue and looks awesome with subtle background texture).  :)
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on November 28, 2017, 12:28:57 AM
That menu was added to Album & Tracks view and Tracks view if you right on the view button, except artwork view.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Twlf on November 28, 2017, 12:41:49 AM
That menu was added to Album & Tracks view and Tracks view if you right on the view button, except artwork view.
Lovely, that did it.  :) I've been right clicking there, but in Artwork view so I missed it.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: KangNi on December 01, 2017, 09:50:19 PM
Thank You Steven for this great long awaited skinning feature  :)


In addition - could someone give me a hint if and how it's possible to get transparent pannel borders?
Which element(s) are needed to be edit in the xml-skinns?

The borders are currently just less visible above the background image in my configuration, but i really would like getting rid of them.

Thanks a lot.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 24, 2018, 05:40:19 PM
maybe MB can also look for a .jpg named as the folder name. I realise this will not be obvious to users but hopefully some skin authors will bundle a background with their skin, that follows either naming convention so if the user opt's into using background images (once i make it a tick-box) that will serve as the default for the skin

I am planning to add some custom bg images to 3.2 skins of mine. But the auto-loading following the skin name feature no longer works. Can you fix it?

Also some further suggestions:
- Panel header on the sidebar would look better if they are translucent just like the main header bar. Tabs bar and status bar too could get the same treatment to a lesser degree.
- Tag editors (either the docked one or the vertical) are not affected at all. They could look the same as the main panel or other sidebar panels.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on May 24, 2018, 06:38:02 PM
I am planning to add some custom bg images to 3.2 skins of mine. But the auto-loading following the skin name feature no longer works. Can you fix it?
its working fine for me but i did recently make a change so i will undo that for the next update and see if it helps

- Panel header on the sidebar would look better if they are translucent just like the main header bar.
it should already be the case. Can you post a screenshot so i can see where you mean
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 24, 2018, 06:52:28 PM
- Panel header on the sidebar would look better if they are translucent just like the main header bar.
it should already be the case. Can you post a screenshot so i can see where you mean

Tried different images and I see you're right. It already works.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 24, 2018, 07:23:01 PM
But dark colors don't seem to blend well into the child header. Also there's legibility issue. Try a very dark bg image with the default skin, and the text on the child header is almost illegible.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on May 24, 2018, 07:39:03 PM
Skin colours are used - it doesnt auto-colour. The user will need to match the skin to the image eg. dark skin for dark custom image
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on May 24, 2018, 10:04:15 PM
- Tag editors (either the docked one or the vertical) are not affected at all. They could look the same as the main panel or other sidebar panels.
i will do the vertical tag editor
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 27, 2018, 12:16:12 PM
i will do the vertical tag editor

Thanks! Working great!

Regarding the auto-loading of the skin name image feature, now I see why I thought it's broken.
Say you have A skin with A.jpg, B skin with B.jpg but C skin with no image.
Load A skin, enable the option and it auto-selects A.jpg. Restart and it shows A.jpg. Switch to B skin and it switches to B.jpg.
Now switch to C skin and it loads no image though the option is still enabled. Select D.jpg and restart then it shows D.jpg.
Now switch to A skin again but it sticks to D.jpg.

I think it needs another option, something like "Always auto-load a skin name image" that will always load A.jpg for A skin.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on May 27, 2018, 01:18:10 PM
Select D.jpg and restart then it shows D.jpg.
Now switch to A skin again but it sticks to D.jpg.
once you assign a non-default image MB sticks with it.
Now switch to C skin and it loads no image though the option is still enabled.
I could correct that but once unticked MB wont auto-select the image on the next skin

I wont add any more settings for this functionality as there are too many options in general already and another option just complicates the choices the user needs to make.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 27, 2018, 01:32:09 PM
Select D.jpg and restart then it shows D.jpg.
Now switch to A skin again but it sticks to D.jpg.
once you assign a non-default image MB sticks with it.

Then how do you make it auto-load it again? If you manually select A.jpg, then it now sticks with that image.
I think it currently requires two restarts after disabling the option and after re-enabling the option.

Now switch to C skin and it loads no image though the option is still enabled.
I could correct that but once unticked MB wont auto-select the image on the next skin

No, that's fine. Not-loading would be also useful for some skins the user doesn't want to load an image.

So the current implementation assumes users know the feature well and that they have placed skin name images for skins they want to load. Maybe brief descriptions of the auto-loading feature on the tooltip of the setting would be useful.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on May 27, 2018, 03:29:52 PM
when the option is enabled, I have changed MB to always attempt to use the skin default custom background as first preference, and if none, to continue using the current custom background
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 28, 2018, 08:31:32 AM
when the option is enabled, I have changed MB to always attempt to use the skin default custom background as first preference, and if none, to continue using the current custom background

Works well now when switching to skins with a default image, but the problem is that it continues to use a previous "default" image for skins with no image. It should only keep a previous "custom" image for skins with no image.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on May 28, 2018, 09:31:38 AM
Works well now when switching to skins with a default image, but the problem is that it continues to use a previous "default" image for skins with no image.
For the next update, it will not carry the previous default if the new skin has no default image
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 28, 2018, 06:40:25 PM
Working great now. Thanks!
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 29, 2018, 06:16:22 AM
All lowlight selectors become translucent and look nice with background images except Panel.Body.Lowlight & Panel.ChildBody.Lowlight that have no transparency at all. Can you make them translucent too?
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on May 29, 2018, 07:15:16 PM
For the next update its done for tree-view type panels

http://musicbee.niblseed.com/V3_2/MusicBee32_Patched.zip
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 29, 2018, 08:15:12 PM
Looking great now. Thanks!
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Alumni on May 30, 2018, 06:20:42 PM
Looking great now. Thanks!

I have not yet tested this myself, can you share a screenshot of what it looks like?
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on May 30, 2018, 07:18:04 PM
I already posted a screenshot on page 1 of this thread.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Bee-liever on June 03, 2018, 12:37:37 PM
All the header menus (when shown) have the translucent background.
Could this also be added to element id="Content[TrackDetail].Body.ListHeader" to separate it from the panel body.



when the option is enabled, I have changed MB to always attempt to use the skin default custom background as first preference, and if none, to continue using the current custom background
As a lot of skins are arranged in folders, if MB can't find a skin specific background could it then look for a folder specific custom background.
That way, a background would not be needed for every colour in Dark-Fine Tuned, just a generic "Dark-Fine Tuned.jpg" background.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 03, 2018, 01:11:52 PM
All the header menus (when shown) have the translucent background.
Could this also be added to element id="Content[TrackDetail].Body.ListHeader" to separate it from the panel body.
I am not sure i understand what you are requesting. "Content[TrackDetail].Body.ListHeader" is an existing element. When a custom background is active, it should still be used but with an alpha value applied


As a lot of skins are arranged in folders, if MB can't find a skin specific background could it then look for a folder specific custom background.
That way, a background would not be needed for every colour in Dark-Fine Tuned, just a generic "Dark-Fine Tuned.jpg" background.
i will do this
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on June 03, 2018, 01:14:57 PM
As a lot of skins are arranged in folders, if MB can't find a skin specific background could it then look for a folder specific custom background.
That way, a background would not be needed for every colour in Dark-Fine Tuned, just a generic "Dark-Fine Tuned.jpg" background.

It already works that way as I requested it earlier.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 03, 2018, 01:44:31 PM
All the header menus (when shown) have the translucent background.
Could this also be added to element id="Content[TrackDetail].Body.ListHeader" to separate it from the panel body.
I am not sure i understand what you are requesting. "Content[TrackDetail].Body.ListHeader" is an existing element. When a custom background is active, it should still be used but with an alpha value applied
no, i was wrong. For the next update I have changed it to apply a low alpha
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Bee-liever on June 08, 2018, 11:16:21 AM
As a lot of skins are arranged in folders, if MB can't find a skin specific background could it then look for a folder specific custom background.
That way, a background would not be needed for every colour in Dark-Fine Tuned, just a generic "Dark-Fine Tuned.jpg" background.

It already works that way as I requested it earlier.
Sorry redwing, that was way back on the first page and I'd forgotten about it  :-[

_______________________________________________________


Also, with 'artist picture' element, if the image is to small for the available space and needs background fill.  That background fill is the solid panel colour.
that should be fixed as well now
I noticed that the solid background colour is back for this element  :(


_______________________________________________________


And here is some backgrounds (for the default instal skin folders) for testing.

(http://i.imgur.com/QUpZB0D.jpg) (https://imgur.com/QUpZB0D)

Download (http://www.mediafire.com/file/569us15oam30jdx/Background_Default2.zip/file)

The only one I can't make a suitable "generic" background for is Dark> MetroStyle as there is just to much contrast between the white main panel and the black background of the other panels.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on June 08, 2018, 04:06:37 PM
And here is some backgrounds (for the default instal skin folders) for testing.

They look great! Thanks for sharing!
I will include some other images to my 3.2 skins, but more choices would be always welcome.
Maybe I will tweak your Pastels image a little and use that.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on June 08, 2018, 04:11:26 PM
i will do the vertical tag editor

Can you make text boxes translucent too as they currently keep its original color?
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 08, 2018, 06:12:01 PM
Also, with 'artist picture' element, if the image is to small for the available space and needs background fill.  That background fill is the solid panel colour.
that should be fixed as well now
I noticed that the solid background colour is back for this element  :(
Working fine here for artist pictures. The only change i made recently was for stacked album covers. They used to always be forced to a square when stacked so ensured the whole area was filled. Now the aspect ratio is maintained and the remainder filled with the skin background colour - is that what you mean? If so, i wont change that, although i could if it was just one album for the artist, but then its not being consistent with multi-album artists
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 08, 2018, 06:13:01 PM
i will do the vertical tag editor

Can you make text boxes translucent too as they currently keep its original color?
no thats not possible as it uses a winforms textbox control which doesnt support that
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: redwing on June 08, 2018, 06:35:30 PM
OK. Thanks for clarifying!
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Bee-liever on June 08, 2018, 11:59:47 PM
Also, with 'artist picture' element, if the image is to small for the available space and needs background fill.  That background fill is the solid panel colour.
that should be fixed as well now
I noticed that the solid background colour is back for this element  :(
Working fine here for artist pictures. The only change i made recently was for stacked album covers. They used to always be forced to a square when stacked so ensured the whole area was filled. Now the aspect ratio is maintained and the remainder filled with the skin background colour - is that what you mean? If so, i wont change that, although i could if it was just one album for the artist, but then its not being consistent with multi-album artists

This is the artist picture element I'm referring to:
(http://i.imgur.com/e44ozxZ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/e44ozxZ)
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 09, 2018, 09:38:54 AM
And here is some backgrounds (for the default instal skin folders) for testing.
Thanks for sharing those and if its OK with you, except for Redwing's skin folders, i would like to include in the installer
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 09, 2018, 11:16:30 AM
This is the artist picture element I'm referring to:
thats implemented for the next v3.2 update


http://musicbee.niblseed.com/V3_2/MusicBee32_Patched.zip
its important to replace all the existing musicbee files otherwise you will get a crash with MusicBeeBass.dll
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Bee-liever on June 10, 2018, 02:39:50 AM
And here is some backgrounds (for the default instal skin folders) for testing.
Thanks for sharing those and if its OK with you, except for Redwing's skin folders, i would like to include in the installer

That's OK by me.
I have update the file.
Slight change to the "Skins" background as I wasn't happy with how the perspective filter worked.
Added a "Bee78" background and removed the redwing folders.

________________________________________________________________________



This is the artist picture element I'm referring to:
thats implemented for the next v3.2 update

MB3.2.6734  Still not working for me  :(

(http://i.imgur.com/d77NFHL.jpg) (https://imgur.com/d77NFHL)
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 10, 2018, 10:05:22 AM
This is the artist picture element I'm referring to:
thats implemented for the next v3.2 update

MB3.2.6734  Still not working for me  :(
I only tested with the album cover but i see the artist picture has a little more complexity to it. Thats fixed for the next update
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Alumni on June 10, 2018, 11:27:28 AM
I had an idea for a repeating pattern as a background, similar to this:

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/spoonflower/public/design_thumbnails/0416/9195/honeycomb.svg_shop_thumb.png)

For this to work though we would need the option to tile the image instead of stretching it.
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 10, 2018, 12:48:20 PM
how big is the source image? I could change MB to apply tiling is the source image is less than (for example) 500px
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Alumni on June 10, 2018, 04:05:50 PM
how big is the source image? I could change MB to apply tiling is the source image is less than (for example) 500px

I think that would be a good solution. Here is a small-sized "proof of concept" image; https://i.imgur.com/TwbQNzu.png
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 10, 2018, 04:15:41 PM
the change is already done:
http://musicbee.niblseed.com/V3_2/MusicBee32_Patched.zip
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Bee-liever on June 11, 2018, 02:42:32 AM
I only tested with the album cover but i see the artist picture has a little more complexity to it. Thats fixed for the next update

MB Version: 3.2.6735
Working great.

I must admit that I have never been a great fan of the default MB3 skin, but with the background applied and the auto-pick colour option on, it's quite a nice look  8)
Title: Re: Overlay all panels on a bitmap background
Post by: Steven on June 12, 2018, 08:13:08 PM
for the record, i have changed it so when the status bar joins to the main panel then it also has the custom image applied