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OG Xbox Forums => Software Forums => Emulators => Topic started by: neverwill on August 22, 2006, 09:25:00 PM

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 22, 2006, 09:25:00 PM

I also obviously posted this in the Xport forum, but I know people here are used to me and might want to contribute some input, praise or criticism.
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Hello all, Xport has commisioned my services to create the default skin for the next version of PCSXbox and I've been quietly working away at it from time to time over the last few weeks or so. After several revisions this is where I am currently at now.

I would like the communities opinions and impressions of this skin as it is or possibly what people would like to see changed etc.

Here is what is included--

I feel personally that the playstation was a more mature based console and I've tried to reflect that in this skin. I don't want it to be kiddy at all. I want it to look sleek and professional. In the beggining I had each of the characters in the BG in full color, but found it to be more powerful to put them in grayscale and only show certain parts of them in color for more impact.

There is a sprite of crash spinning across the screen on the main menu and on the game select screen there is a sprite of laura croft swinging from a vine (which I made) inbetween the game select and the screen shot. There is also a sprite of crash bandicoot catching his breath (from spinning across in the first screen) on the left hand side just at the bottom of the rombrowser sitting on top of the grey bar.

The logo to the left of the PCSXBOX logo is animated as well. Each of the shapes comes out of the speaker looking graphic as it pounds and then flies back in and repeats (moves in and then out). (Custom made by myself.

The sprite for selecting menu items is an xbox A button that morphs into a playstation X button (which I also made.)

Here's a look. (Note the black border is only there for proper sizing on a T.V screen and does not show up on the T.V).

Main menu-- (raziel from the legacy of kain games is the one with the glowing eyes, shows up much lighter on a t.v. Also, Spyro's eyes are purple but it doesn't show very well here.)
(IMG:http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9398/mainfv4.png)

Game Select--
(IMG:http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9265/romselecths5.png)

Loading Screen--
(IMG:http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/509/loadinggz4.png)

This is one frame of the laura swinging sprite--
(IMG:http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7663/11yz4.png)

Currently I am using a Metal Gear Solid 2 remix in the background (which I don't really plan on keeping). I was thinking of using something from Castlevania Symphony of the Night as I just got ahold of that soundtrack but I'm not sure.

The skin is pretty much done except for sound FX and music.

Please leave feedback and let me know what you all think. Good, bad, ugly? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

-neverwill

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: Philo on August 22, 2006, 11:20:00 PM

Uh.......Wow

I know that might not be much help, but let me try to regain my composure and catch my breath.

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: Consoleman! on August 23, 2006, 01:49:00 AM

Sleek theme, neverwill.

The font you used looks terrific also, which is one of the reasons why I feel you went a tad overboard with the shading. 25-40% of the text has ended up cut off.

I prefer how the bottom text is shaded while being mostly visible.

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: crewde on August 23, 2006, 02:43:00 AM

QUOTE(Consoleman! @ Aug 23 2006, 08:20 AM)

You must keep in mind that the actual theme on a TV is going to look a lot lighter, and therefore the shading is probably pretty accurate.

Anyways, great theme Neverwill. Only gripe I have is how you only show random colors of the characters. I would like to see the final product before I can make an accurate judgement, but at the moment it looks a bit strange to me. Maybe you could do two other versions of the skin: one in all greyscale and one in full color. Might appeal to the masses more with a little variety...

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: warmaster_670 on August 23, 2006, 03:04:00 AM

looks pretty cool, love the left side

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: Consoleman! on August 23, 2006, 06:41:00 AM

QUOTE(crewde @ Aug 23 2006, 04:14 AM)

You must keep in mind that the actual theme on a TV is going to look a lot lighter, and therefore the shading is probably pretty accurate.

I've made multiple skins myself, so I'm not just throwing around assumptions just to nitpick.

I *really* do like the skin, but the TV isn't going to bring out the portions of the text that aren't visible in the first place.

This post has been edited by Consoleman!: Aug 23 2006, 01:44 PM

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 23, 2006, 09:40:00 AM

QUOTE(Consoleman! @ Aug 23 2006, 01:12 PM)

I see what you're saying, I'll take a look at it.

Thanks everyone for the input, it's very appreciated. After all, it's the community that will be using this so it's good to get everyone's opinion.

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 23, 2006, 05:32:00 PM

Here's an update of the main menu, let me know what you think.

I added some characters+made it not quite so dark.

mainmenu--
(IMG:http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1554/maintg8.png)

-----------------------------------
also posted in the xport forum
-----------------------------------

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 23, 2006, 07:35:00 PM

Here's what it would look like in full color with a side by side comparison of the grayscale with color highlights (I was kinda thinking Sin City, for anyone who's seen the movie).

These images are 640x480 and you can test them out , keep in mind none of the menu items will be in the right place though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (you can use them in any xport emulator)

Here we are:
Grayscale----
(IMG:http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9421/maintg8of3.png)
Color----
(IMG:http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/8646/mainmenuzj0.png)

Better, worse, too busy, not busy enough (I'm asking in general for both versions, too busy?)?

What is everyones thoughts on full color vs what I did before?

EDIT---------
Here's a concept image of a third option. It could be any of the characters in the front row or I could change the perspective, this is just to put out another idea.
(IMG:http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/742/option3me7.png)

This post has been edited by neverwill: Aug 24 2006, 02:54 AM

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: Dracsid on August 23, 2006, 07:48:00 PM

I like the Greyscale with a little bit of color, it dose look very Pro.

I dont realy know what to say apart from keep it up A++++ dont stop.

Would love to see when finished.

Mod On

Drac

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: Chron Johnson on August 23, 2006, 08:01:00 PM

Something I believe strongly in is screenshot preview areas that are as large as possible. This makes adding CD case art much more enjoyable and rewarding after installing and setting up your game within the emulator.

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: Thraxen on August 23, 2006, 09:48:00 PM

I'm having a hard time deciding. On one hand, as Dracsid mentioned, the grayscale with a splash of color does have a more professional look. But on the other hand I'm drawn to the full color version. Though if there is any chance of menu items overlapping the images then the grayscale would be better.

This post has been edited by Thraxen: Aug 24 2006, 04:48 AM

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: warmaster_670 on August 23, 2006, 09:56:00 PM

snake needs to be touched up when hes coloured, when he has colour you can really see the white edge along his crotch.

between his gun and his side is a piece of white that was never removed aswell

This post has been edited by warmaster_670: Aug 24 2006, 04:57 AM

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 23, 2006, 11:25:00 PM

QUOTE(warmaster_670 @ Aug 24 2006, 04:27 AM)

snake needs to be touched up when hes coloured, when he has colour you can really see the white edge along his crotch.

between his gun and his side is a piece of white that was never removed aswell

I'm aware, I had to re-do that image quickly so people could see what it would look like in color. (I deleted the original from the psd because I didn't think I'd need it haha.)

I'm going to work on having the color fade to gray and then back (and repeat) using a new feature in Xports skinning engine. I guess I can do this with one image (as a sprite) in full 640x480 and I should be o.k (as far as using up memory), and I think it will look really cool. I might have time to mess with this tomorrow hopefully.

On a side note, what do people think would look cooler:
1. The gray image fading to the full color image or
2. Adding animations to some of the characters (like raziels eye's glowing and nemesis's teeth chomping).

I'd like to do both, but I don't know if it's possible.

This post has been edited by neverwill: Aug 24 2006, 06:28 AM

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: warmaster_670 on August 24, 2006, 12:30:00 AM

QUOTE(neverwill @ Aug 24 2006, 12:56 AM)

hmm, the animations could look nice, though the fading would be cool too.

you could always make both

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: Dracc on August 24, 2006, 04:09:00 AM

Oh thank god! That Catslevania skin was driving me crazy. You can't read ANYTHING as it is right now. Looking gorgeous, so keep it up man.

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 24, 2006, 12:42:00 PM

I animated a lot of the main menu, but not every character, I don't want to over do it. Crash, spyro and cloud and raziel all blink. (raziel is espeically cool because his eyes glow and then stop glowing when he blinks).

Nemesis opens and closes his mouth, Jin's electricity glows and flashes, solid snakes headband blows in the wind, ALUCARD's bottle hovers up and down and there is a shine of light that moves along the sharp edge of Clouds weapon. Oh, the red in the middle of the ninja's forehead and his eye fade in and out.

I tested the color background fading into the grey, it didn't look good so I don't think I'll be doing this.

However, I will be including or releasing both the full color and grayscale version of this because I can't decide which one looks better, so this way people will be able to choose.

I want to work on the rombrowser some more. The sprites I did before don't fit that well with the main menu now I don't think.

I still need sound FX as well (and a splash screen, but that won't take long). I also still need a main menu theme song. If anyone has any suggestions for this I'd love to hear them, I'm kinda lost on this part.

Thanks for all the comments again, they have helped a lot!

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: XaRaNn on August 24, 2006, 01:10:00 PM

Kindda late on this, but cool skin, ya the castlevania one was kind of annoying.

Glad you're releasing both version, me i prefer the grayscale, good job on colorizing only certain parts

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 24, 2006, 04:15:00 PM

Thanks XaRaNn,

It's been a really trying process trying to nail this. I didn't have a lot of experience with the real playstation which made it harder to come up with a concept.

I played the hell out of nes, snes and n64 so those always came easy.

I want this to be comparable to say my metroid skin (which is still my personal favorite). It just needs some more work I think. I want to be really happy with it and right now I'm not.

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: quiksilver_kid on August 24, 2006, 06:04:00 PM

I think it would look cool if the color looked like it was painted on.

ie. It(the color) would start in the bottom left corner and sweep upwards row by row, then sort of shimmer, and would then "drain" back down.

Sorry if it is hard to understand, here's a bit of a diagram,

"Fill" effect

CODE

===========================================
|| ----------->>>-------------->>>----->F|| S=Start
|| /\----<<<-------------<<<--------------|| F=Finish
|| --->>>-------------->>>--------------/\|| "-"=color
|| /\---------<<<---------------<<<-------|| ">,<,/\"= direction of flow
|| ------->>>------------>>>------------/\||
||/\-------------<<<-------------<<<------||
||S----->>>-------------->>>-----------/\||
===========================================

"Drain" effect

CODE

=====================================        =======================================
||v                               v||       ||                                    ||
||--v                           v--||  -->  ||                                    ||
||----vv                      vv---||       ||                                    ||
||-------vvv              vvv------||       ||v                                  v||
||-----------vvvvvvvvvvvv----------||       ||--v                              v--||
=====================================        =======================================
"v"=direction of drain  "-"=color

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 24, 2006, 08:59:00 PM

Thanks for all of your input, here is an update. I decided the main menu was too cluttered and when there were a bunch of things animated it looked too busy so I toned it down a bit, less characters, different characters. Dont worry though, the other characters will be making appearances on the other screens (options game select etc).

Again here is what they look like in the grey and full color. If there are any missing bits and pieces it is because that bit or piece is an animated sprite (like most of jins hand).

The blue circle on the main menu and the rombrowser houses a custom logo animation that I did tonight of a circle spinning around the PS logo changing it from grey to full color on each pass, looks real sweet).

I'm still most fond of the grey. Keep in mind, these images do show up darker on a monitor than they do on a t.v by quite a bit.

Anyway, the updates---

Main menu-- (I might take out laura croft and the chick from resident evil)
(IMG:http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/1127/mainhe7.png)

(IMG:http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2965/mainmenufinalng5.png)

Game Select--
(IMG:http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7295/gameselectac5.png)

(IMG:http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6220/gameselectfinalkq2.png)

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: warmaster_670 on August 24, 2006, 09:45:00 PM

not trying to be an ass or anything, but i figure you want it to look as proffesional as possible, theres some white edge around snakes gun when hes coloured, just bugs me for some reason.

other than that, looks really good, especialy like the grey with some colour

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 25, 2006, 12:14:00 AM

QUOTE(warmaster_670 @ Aug 25 2006, 04:16 AM)

Yeah, I'm aware of this. I actually made several copies of each character so I could turn some into grey, some would stay color, some would be the colored bits on the grey etc. I didn't smooth out snakes image before I slapped this up on the forums, I just wanted something quick so I could show what it would look like in color. You'll notice that in the color version his foot sticks out the bottom of Jin's chest too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) .

I think I'm going to end up going with the grey anyway and releasing the color for anyone who wants it.

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: EvilShindo on August 25, 2006, 11:17:00 AM

Awesome work there so far neverwill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) i'm loving the characters! but for some reason, maybe you should move Lara and Jill Valentine away from the middle at least.

Also is there any news on the next release of Pcsxbox?

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: MF29 on August 25, 2006, 03:47:00 PM

Impressive, Keep going.

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 25, 2006, 06:15:00 PM

What does everyone think of this variation of the main menu? Or does it not really go with the skin?

(dark and gritty metal)

(IMG:http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/8183/mainqg8.png)

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: warmaster_670 on August 25, 2006, 06:48:00 PM

i like it, i like the metal look

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: EvilShindo on August 26, 2006, 01:39:00 PM

May i suggest more of a futuristic space type metal for the menu?

Looks good though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: neverwill on August 26, 2006, 03:20:00 PM

Ditched the metal, came up with something more fitting that looks kick ass. I'm going to keep it under wraps until the skin releases probably (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks for all the input. I've finished the bulk of it now and I'm finally very happy with it.

Still to do:
Sound FX
Better Theme Song
Splash Screen

Title: Pcsxbox Skin Wip For Next Release
Post by: XaRaNn on August 26, 2006, 03:23:00 PM

QUOTE(neverwill @ Aug 25 2006, 07:46 PM)

What does everyone think of this variation of the main menu? Or does it not really go with the skin?

(dark and gritty metal)

(IMG:http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/8183/mainqg8.png)

I personally prefer the simpler previous one with the circle embedded on the bottom.

xboxscene.org forums

OG Xbox Forums => Software Forums => Emulators => Topic started by: neverwill on August 22, 2006, 09:25:00 PM