New Compact Player Layout

[redwing]

IMHO, the current solution for launching the New Compact Player View seems far from simplicity and counter intuitive. To enable it you have to go to Edit/ Preferences/ Layout (2)/ compact player
 and switch use classic layout for use 'flat' layout
Don't you think that the option is hidden too deep in the Preferences  

I agree with this, but I'd like to suggest a different solution:

Add a right-click menu item of "Switch to classic (flat) layout" to both layouts of compact player.

And "Compact Player Layout" pane needs to have a separate tab for "Display Fields" settings to adjust what fields to display.

[Alexis]

A couple of proposals based in my last theater mode 

Hi Greb,
I, personally, would like to know what exactly you are proposing.  I think I have to make assumptions from the screenshots and there seem to be so many options in what you have presented .

On another note...
Unless it is what we are expecting overall, I still hope that this is not mini-theatermode. , because frankly, as redwing proposed very early on..  one could achieve a mini version of theatermode that would be similar and just re-size it down... except for the play bar being visible.

[redwing]

On another note...
Unless it is what we are expecting overall, I still hope that this is not mini-theatermode. , because frankly, as redwing proposed very early on..  one could achieve a mini version of theatermode that would be similar and just re-size it down... except for the play bar being visible.

I just checked and found out that this new functionality is now completely independent of TM. With TM plugin disabled, there's no problem using this compact player and opening playing track details tab for bottom pane and tab. And you can't even choose a custom TM view for compact player with TM disabled.

[Greb]

On another note...
Unless it is what we are expecting overall, I still hope that this is not mini-theatermode. , because frankly, as redwing proposed very early on..  one could achieve a mini version of theatermode that would be similar and just re-size it down... except for the play bar being visible.

Well, it IS basically a mini theater mode with a player bar and the playlist.

[Greb]

But anyway, if you want to make something beautiful and that can't be done by TM, I would suggest something more in this style:

[redwing]

I believe you already understood it but just to make sure I'd like to amend my wish regarding "Paste Artist Picture" right-click menu item. If this is implemented, it should save (or overwrite) the picture in Artist picture folder specified in Tags(1); if not, then in ArtistCache folder.

[Greb]

Another option, made to enjoy big artworks 

[Steven]

@greb, these things can already be done now by choosing a theater mode skin in the left panel (other than having the now playing list semi-transparent over the image). I am planning to add a few more options for the default layout that will allow something like the original post but anything for custom/ advanced would need to be done via the theater mode skins

[Steven]

http://musicbee.niblseed.com/V2_1/MusicBee_Exe_Patched.zip

This has the following changes:
- configure track info fields specifically for the new compact player
- specify whether the now playing list shows using the "track details" or "album and tracks" layout
- option to show the artist biography which can be configured to pop-up from the left window edge
- option to not show the album cover ie. artist picture only
- option to not show the artist picture ie. like the original concept



Note i have not finalised the colouring details and havent forgotten about some of the earlier requests. Now I have the basic layout options done thats what i plan to do next. Also feel free to re-raise points you made before that you think are important as this topic is quite long now.

Some things off the top of my head that i plan to do
- allow the album picture to me dragged to the right side (this would only be temporary for the playing artist and would revert to the left side for the next artist)
- consider using album for colouring or disabling colouring
- experiment with picture edge blurring
- change the volume control to the youtube approach as suggested
- enable sorting in the now playing list

@VX, the bug you reported should be fixed

[Alexis]

Great mediator .  Nice job.

request:
 Artist picture rotation option so that if playing a long album, one does not see the same picture and color for the artist throughout.

[redwing]

I see a great progress so far. Now this allows the user to do lots of things with highly customizable layout. Scaling was well done too.

Bugs
- Mouse scroll wheel on now playing list with Always on Top bug persists.
- right-click is not working with custom TM views.

Wishes (nothing's new)
- right-click menu item to paste artist picture with a copied picture
- right-click menu item to switch between classic and flat-layout compact player
- fixed-resolution support for custom TM views
- also consider using separate TM folder for custom compact player

[Steven]

Bugs
- Mouse scroll wheel on now playing list with Always on Top bug persists.
- right-click is not working with custom TM views.

should be fixed now:
http://musicbee.niblseed.com/V2_1/MusicBee_Exe_Patched.zip

[redwing]

Bugs
- Mouse scroll wheel on now playing list with Always on Top bug persists.
- right-click is not working with custom TM views.

should be fixed now:
http://musicbee.niblseed.com/V2_1/MusicBee_Exe_Patched.zip

Yes, both were fixed. Thanks!

[VX]

@VX, the bug you reported should be fixed

Yes, the bug has gone. Thanks  

I must admit that I'm impressed with the progress made in 2.1.4824 build. I like the way it looks and how configurable it is. Well done  

[VX]

IMHO, these menu options seem a little bit inconsistent. Imagine sth is "shown" and "hidden" simultaneously... 
Ticking these options I could have expected that Artist-Bio and Now Playing List is hidden unless you hover over the panel where it should be visible.
Now it these elements are just hidden, so the settings could be misleading.