custom UI skin

[Simian-Commander]

Currently I am working (slowly) on rebuilding the UI. Primarily due to a number of issues I have with the appearance. I am trying to not be critical of Beatlebear's and Schema's work on the UI.

What I would like from folks is some suggestions as well as to ask a few questions from those that have worked with the Starmade UI before.

Do people prefer a solid color or textured background for the UI?

Do people prefer a bright outline to make things more visible or do you prefer the edges to be muted?

---any other design input/requests---



QUESTIONS:

1. Does anyone know if the HP and PW bars can be modified without coding? I am looking for a strict overhaul of appearance not functionality at this point.

2. While I have read the EULA, is it possible to get permission to offer a zip file of .PSD files of UI elements that have already had paths laid out and the like? The reason I ask is I figure I am already going to be doing a crap ton of work and I figured I could help the skinning folks by offering the base UI elements with Paths already set for them.

----UPDATE---- Thank you for the feedback. I am currently working on a more minimalistic UI with a more Sci-Fi feel in Chrome-ish and Blue. Once I have the base down I will be able to offer it in other colors for text and various box divisions. I should also be able to offer custom base colors and textures for those that like the shape but not the color or the base. However I may ask that a HI-Res sample of a requested base texture be provided

----The Carbon UI comes in 3 colors, Red which is shown, White, and Computer Green, Any other colors will be made by request.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bphpuajht2awv6a/White.zip

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6a01wdq23x6jvho/Red.zip

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ph8cbtikorryfv9/Green.zip Computer green by request

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ey71b4zh3sn9a4e/Yellow.zip Muted yellow by request

 

[Simian-Commander]

Found that Starmade is a little particular about replaceing the skin of the UI

Here are some screen shots

 

[Simian-Commander]

The base is a carbon fiber texture with either a Red (shown) or White line border.

Over the next couple of days Going to redo the buttons (almost finished) and the pw and hp bars.

IF all this goes well I will rebuild the UI entirely not just change the appearance but the shape as well. Going for a clean minimalist and Sci-Fi feel. I may do a Chrome one.

Given I haven\'t gotten any of the asked for feedback (probably no interest or folks figuring it was just talk and nothing would ever be shown.) I haven\'t planned much beyond this.

If anyone likes the UI skin I will upload the Red and White somewhere Free if at all possible.

 

[Kitts]

I dont quite like your current color theme nor UI background.

But if you are planning on \"I will rebuild the UI entirely not just change the appearance but the shape as well. Going for a clean minimalist and Sci-Fi feel. I may do a Chrome one.\" then i\'m looking forward to what you\'ll do next.

I hope you leave the big \"

 

[Simian-Commander]

Thanks Kitts. I appreciate the feedback. Currently working with the main Bar at the bottom to find what feels right. Once I have that squared away it will take me maybe 3 days to do up a complete overhaul. The hardest part is getting the look right from the beginning and the buttons since I can\'t change the location yet I have to work around that

Quick Edit:-- Forgot I have no plans to change the Location markers or Mob Markers. They are hard enough to see as it is.

---side note---: no I am not going to do a star trek UI. I will leave that for someone that likes star trek

 

[r8cefan88]

These textures are amzing! i dont understand how anyone can hate it. the colors just go so well together. as well as it isnt to different from the normal UI

 

[Simian-Commander]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bphpuajht2awv6a/White.zip

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6a01wdq23x6jvho/Red.zip

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ph8cbtikorryfv9/Green.zip

for those that are interested

 

[Florrible]

While I like the carbon background, dislike the colour scheme just like Kitts said. The UI is there to look nice and else, simply be there, not drawing too much of the attention on it. The bright red is far to rbight compared to the other colours, drawing your vision on the red, and not on the thing you actually want to look at. You might also want to check other custom UIs(though there aren\'t many...I only now of the low resolution custom UI)

 

[Comr4de]

The EULA does not restrict you from making your own UI and distributing it.

\"You have permission to adapt StarMade for your own personal (non-commercial) use1, but you must not distribute your adaptations in any way that is unfair or adversely affects our rights in StarMade.2\"



1: Basically, as long as you aren\'t charging money for it or doing it for yourself, you will always have permission to do it.

2:However, if you intend to infringe upon schema\'s rights to starmade intellectual property that\'s not okay. An example of this would be modifying the default UI to be bright pink/yellow and claiming that it\'s entirely yours and people have to pay you for using it.



I hope that helps.

 

[Simian-Commander]

Yah Comrad that helps a bit.

I was thinking since I already put in all the work at creating paths/shapes in photoshop I could offer the PSD files for folks that want to do recolors and base changes themselves as long as they keep the basic outlines it would be dead simple.

I think I am one of the few (like two or three) that seems to be doing UI work for the community I was trying to think of a way to help others that don\'t like my color/base choices :D

And yes I do accept constructive criticism. ---- I fully accept that many if not most wont like what I done so far, but I threw them out there for those that will and to find out what folks would like to see in a UI.

So far it seems folks prefer a less bright or strong UI color scheme

 

[Simian-Commander]

a couple of screenshots for the UI I am currently working on: as this involves alot of rebuilding and testing and verifying of sizes, positions etc it is taking alot longer. Primarily because it is not just a recolor and retexture.

 

[Simian-Commander]

There is still alot of room for feedback and requests.

 

[Simian-Commander]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hzohut93s1118pt/Steel%20w%20knockouts.zip



Prebuild of the Steel rebuild of the GUI. Please leave any comments or feedback

 

[Simian-Commander]

so far current feedback is that the grain of the Steel is too strong and noticible. I will work to reduce that

 

[Simian-Commander]

 

[GyngaNynja]

I personally rather partially transparent backgrounds for the UI so it doesn\'t totally obscure my view. Also, the digital font used doesn\'t appeal very much to me.

 

[Simian-Commander]

I will see if it is possible to get a 50% or more translucent UI to work once I have tweaked this one some

 

[Simian-Commander]

NOTES:

Requested/suggested:

Toned down grain on the \"steel\" version

Smaller less intrusive recticle...possibly offering several to choose from just rename and copy/paste

Offer a extremely toned down or translucent version of the GUI, possibly just an outline and text only version. Though I am not sure how well that would work visibility wise

I may do a Pastel / \"light\" feeling GUI reskin or rebuild.

 

[Simian-Commander]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tel789wf4digghc/Crosshair%20Options.zip

 

[Simian-Commander]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1armhq1pcqnehok/Super-Minimalist.zip