Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Council Room => Topic started by: Buster's Uncle on February 08, 2021, 09:22:02 PM

Title: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 08, 2021, 09:22:02 PM
So here's what the root index just now looked like for me, with one unread post:
(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=21608.0;attach=21838;image)



How about I make it look like this:

(https://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=21608.0;attach=21840;image)
?


I made the icon at 32x for Apolyton, and those are stretched to 38x41 in the lower shoop of the screenie that I've then further reduced for display - I'll need to remake.  It'll look slightly better then, maybe faintly legible.

I do not like this idea least for making our default theme less SMF-generic.


So what say you, my loyal and loving pippelz?
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: bvanevery on February 08, 2021, 11:01:42 PM
Sure, why not.  Interesting is better than boring.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Geo on February 08, 2021, 11:08:00 PM
Give it a try, so we'll see it for ourselves.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 09, 2021, 12:06:28 AM
Okydoke.  I'll wait until tomorrow for more feedback, but it's a simple overwrite of the icon files in the theme's image folder on the server.  -Easily undone if I save the originals where I can find them.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 09, 2021, 04:21:33 PM
Okay.

You may not have noticed, but there it is...

?
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: bvanevery on February 09, 2021, 09:10:05 PM
I actually already had a different Alpha Centauri icon because I'm still using the SMAC theme.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 09, 2021, 09:24:09 PM
Huh.  I'd forgotten that one.

Is it better?  I don't recall if the wider icon displays in the default theme, but I could try...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: bvanevery on February 09, 2021, 09:37:09 PM
The older icon in the SMAC theme is not obviously better.  The lettering is less prominent.  It's more of a landscape layout.  Whereas your current icon offering is a spacescape, overlooking Planet, and recognizable from the game's main menu.  If you hadn't done your current icon, you could have used the old one.  Having done your current icon, I don't see a reason to supplant it.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 09, 2021, 10:36:51 PM
Okay.  Good input - I agree.





-I really should test if I can make something bigger work w/ little effort, though...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 09, 2021, 11:59:55 PM
Heyyyy.  This ain't bad...

(https://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=7876)
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 10, 2021, 12:23:46 AM
Oh my, Yes.  I think that's got it. ;nod

-embiggens
(https://alphacentauri2.info/MGalleryItem.php?id=7877)
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: bvanevery on February 10, 2021, 12:50:16 AM
Hadn't noticed the smaller horizontal rectangle icon, but that looks pretty good if a smaller size is needed.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 10, 2021, 01:05:06 AM
That was just a quicky 50 wide to test - but it did look astonishingly better than my first try.  I changed the filenames instead of overwriting.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Geo on February 10, 2021, 12:51:46 PM
Of those icons, some have a darker background then others. I assume to indicate unread topis. But which one indicates what? The darker background, or the lighter?
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 10, 2021, 02:00:17 PM
It's in the key at the bottom of the root.  Darker is unread.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 11, 2021, 12:36:17 AM
I should add a 2, shouldn't I?

Look better, for instance, that way on Civ6 and BE...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: bvanevery on February 11, 2021, 01:36:08 AM
I guess it would go with the site banner and site name.  However, you'd also need to re-center your icon's text to make room for a 3rd line.  Probably gonna look a bit funny with just a "2" stuck in at the bottom, as is.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 11, 2021, 02:00:47 AM
Sigh.  Probably.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 14, 2021, 05:17:46 AM
I found a logo I made years ago w/ the "2"...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: gwillybj on February 14, 2021, 07:16:29 AM
I like these new icons, the wide slightly more than the square.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 16, 2021, 05:34:43 PM
I'm see u still search the variants.
My feelings says that the full string with "Alpha Centauri" is too much for this icon.
R u tried to make icon with just two letters - "AC"?
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 16, 2021, 06:01:29 PM
What about this concept of icon:
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/703301481842999396/811295709893886034/Icon_by_Protok_01.png)
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2021, 06:39:40 PM
Huh.  I happen to have done something with the initials yesterday.  Gimme a minute, and I'll make something 50x and we'll try it...

-Facebook logo:
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2021, 06:55:18 PM
OOOH!

I think we've got a winner.  Post an opinion, Protok, so I can see the Unread Icon on the board. ;nod
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Geo on February 16, 2021, 07:57:52 PM
I'm not Protok, but...Its so weird to see an Earth globe under the Alpha Centauri initials.  :-\
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2021, 07:59:41 PM
I could flip the globe...  I could ditch Atlas, and probably will if I do more.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Geo on February 16, 2021, 08:04:07 PM
There's a nice deoiction of Planet in the game art. The name of the file escapes me now, but I showed it to you in that thread we discussed the new posting ranks.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 16, 2021, 09:08:47 PM
I like AC2FB version, but with Unity ship instead of Atlant holding the globe.
Also "C2" could be bolder.

And this is how it looks for me now:
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2021, 09:47:11 PM
I made the C2 a lot bigger, removed Atlas, and flipped the planet and turned 90 degrees to match the lighting on the letters.

I think it prettier than w/ the Planet from the file you pointed out Geo.  It was 29x31, and needed a lot of doctoring, attached.

-I've saved all the elements as layers, so I can fiddle in the future more easily.  -Also did/attached a quick paste-in of the Unity.  Thoughts?
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2021, 10:25:48 PM
Protok, you're in Astronomy theme - of course you can't see a change in the default theme.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2021, 11:49:34 PM
Another try w/ Unity...

Might work better w/o the planet...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2021, 11:53:25 PM
...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 17, 2021, 07:17:14 AM
Look at AC2FB. It has a blue line of circle on the edge of globe. I feel it makes an icon comfortable for eye.

And, am I right, that you can make READED icon with no ship, and UNREADED icon with ship?
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 17, 2021, 07:19:04 AM
Can you, please, share a PSD file of AC2FB logo?
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 17, 2021, 12:10:31 PM
I assume you wanted it w/ layers, so I had to make one from scratch...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: bvanevery on February 17, 2021, 04:58:24 PM
My feedback is, the "A" is a pretty spiffy letter A.  But the thin C and 2 are getting lost.  The ship is very hard to see at this scale with the letters and the planet dominating the layout.

I would recommend "AC2" straight across the middle, equal size and emphasis on all letters.  Ship either above or below.  Which could mean AC2 slightly higher or lower than straight across the middle, depending.  Could return to a rectangular format to give that more width.  Rely on the colors of "Planet" against the background of space, to show the globe-ishness, instead of relying on a round icon format.

I think in such a small format, it naturally favors rectangular composition, when you're trying to shove a lot of stuff in there.  It's more pixel real estate.

Just noticed ForumIcon5.png.  If you put AC2 across the top, that could work.  I like the "Planetscape horizon" format at the bottom.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 19, 2021, 02:24:28 PM
Look and this thesis simply.

1. We are know where we are. And cause of this the great A is enough.
A - letter as a simbol is good for icon. Adding more letters, c2, is making feeling "hard" from icon.

2. The Ship is a symbol of Unreaded posts. And this sign is more important then A it self.
That is why ship must be in the foreground, not behind the letter.

Normal
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/801900992987791411/812327152799973416/Icon_globe_NoNewPost_01.png)

Unread variant 1
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/801900992987791411/812327147519082557/Icon_globe_NewPost_01.png)

Unread variant 2
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/801900992987791411/812327149947715584/Icon_globe_NewPost_02.png)

PSD is attached.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 19, 2021, 02:26:34 PM
Quote from: Buster's Uncle on February 16, 2021, 10:25:48 PM
Protok, you're in Astronomy theme - of course you can't see a change in the default theme.
And who is in charge for Astronomy theme?
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2021, 03:11:30 PM
That would be me - I made a spiffy observatory outline icon for that.  Protok, you've obviously got some graphics chops, and may submit something better - just, I say keep Astronomy astronomical...



I am considering just the A for the default icon...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2021, 05:55:25 PM
Oh yeah; much better. ;danc
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 19, 2021, 06:10:14 PM
Quote from: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2021, 05:55:25 PM
Oh yeah; much better. ;danc
I'm happy  ;zak; ;aki;
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Geo on February 19, 2021, 08:12:47 PM
Quote from: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2021, 03:11:30 PM
I am considering just the A for the default icon...


Nono, it should be AC3!
Alpha Centauri is a triple-star system!
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 19, 2021, 09:22:39 PM
Phooey.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 20, 2021, 12:43:33 PM
@Buster's Uncle could you please switch this two for Astronomy theme?

New Post
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/801900992987791411/812664436959608842/Icon_Astronomy_New_Post.png)

No New Post
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/801900992987791411/812664440041504788/Icon_Astronomy_No_New_Post.png)
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: bvanevery on February 20, 2021, 06:50:11 PM
Quote from: Geo on February 19, 2021, 08:12:47 PM
Nono, it should be AC3!
Alpha Centauri is a triple-star system!
The number is about which game in the series, not about stars in the system.  I know you knew that.  We could clown different numbers indefinitely.  AC4 would be about Explore, Discover, Build, Conquer.  AC5... well I don't actually have anything for that, and it makes me think of the Jackson Five.  AC7 would be the number of factions vying for control.  AC12 would be running stuff on a 12 volt car battery.  Except not.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2021, 07:52:38 PM
Okay Protok - you left me a little work to do, so I made my own innovation.  As you'll have already seen, it does look a lot sharper than the silhouettes I made.   ;b;

Interesting note - u[loading took a lot longer than it should, before I worked out the theme uses .gifs, not .pngs.  -But this means animation is possible w/o me having to spend time squinting at .css code...


-Attached is the updated .psd.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2021, 10:18:29 PM
...I tell you, the new default icons are so pretty that I hate to have a look at the latest post, and ruin it...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 20, 2021, 10:56:45 PM
Quote from: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2021, 10:18:29 PM
...I tell you, the new default icons are so pretty that I hate to have a look at the latest post, and ruin it...
Ok. I can see only old ones for now.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2021, 11:20:28 PM
F5.  [ctrl]F5, if you have to - Astronomy's been fixed up for hours.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 20, 2021, 11:23:54 PM
Quote from: Buster's Uncle on February 20, 2021, 11:20:28 PM
F5.  [ctrl]F5, if you have to - Astronomy's been fixed up for hours.
Ooohhh, Yeha! Thats wonderful! Thanks B!   ;marr; ;caretake;
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: bvanevery on February 21, 2021, 12:20:00 AM
[F5]

Huh!  All hail our new overlord, the Letter A.  Looks good!
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2021, 04:30:42 PM
...I've updated the theme selection thumbnail for default - and plonked Thanksgiving while I was in there.

I'm really happy with the change...
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 25, 2021, 05:50:38 PM
Quote from: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2021, 04:30:42 PM
I'm really happy with the change...
Cool!

And, I have another question about Astronomy theme.
Look please:
(click to show/hide)

Is there an option what info to show under avatar?
Can you make same info showed?
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 25, 2021, 05:54:23 PM
It would be a horrific chore to find what arranges that in a theme.  HOURS, maybe days, bent forward squinting at 8pt .css code, trying changing stuff until something works - then trying to fix the damage I did finding, before I was done.
Title: Re: Redecorate the root index w/ a new icon?
Post by: Protok St on February 25, 2021, 06:13:37 PM
Ok, nevermind

;sealurk /petting his pet/
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