KVR :: MUTOOLS » Skins [View Original Topic]
There are 98 posts in this topic.

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robfigee - Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:56 am

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Hi, here is another question:
In version 3 I could download a different skin, which is impotant for me, because I have very bad eye sight and need a brighter and contrasting interface.
Version 4 has a Skin chooser, but I can click on NEXT or PREVIOUS but nothing happens.
Is this choice still to be implemented?

Rob

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mutools - Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:15 am

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Currently there only is 1 skin for MuLab 4.
I've taken note that, if there is only 1 skin, the Choose Skin option is not visible.

Whether the other M3 skins will be upgraded to M4 depends on how much people want this, and about how much work will be involved. At this point i've no idea about that yet. But i think multi-core support will get more priority.

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sl23 - Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:26 am

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+1 for the skin updates

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liquidsound - Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:43 pm

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Briefly, if you can, what are the elements that are fixed? I mean not modifiable for a skin design?

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> DiGiT < - Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:57 pm

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i think the size and shape of the component images.

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mutools - Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:28 am

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I don't have that specificly listed. I think 95% is skinnable.

Hey maybe it would be interesting if several skin developers would work together on 1 super skin. That sounds better to me than individual people each working on a separated skin.

I'll also have a look at what it takes to update the M3 skins.

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bpblog - Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:37 am

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custom skin support is always nice, but i have to say that MuLab has never looked better with the default skin. version 4 looks awesome!

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> DiGiT < - Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:46 am

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i was just gonna say that

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AndreasD - Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:59 am

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Same here!
I used to use a different skin in M3, but for M4 I will stay with the default.
Just one thing I would change is that i love the Cubase style fader knobs.
As the default ones are round, a rectangular fader does not look good in the racks.
If someone is up to the task:
Racks are in LooxPhat/Common/Common/Pictures
- WideRackStandard.Png
- WideRackFocused.Png
- SmallRackStandard.Png
- SmallRackFocused.Png

The fader is in LooxPhat/Common/Common/Formats/VerticalSliderHandle.Png

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robfigee - Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:38 am

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Hi, it is not that I do not like the default M4 skin. My problem is because of low vision I have troubles seeing grey characters in a dark grey background. Same goes for orange on medium grey.
I need more contrast.
I used a very bright skin in M3 which proved workable.
I sometimes have to use magnifying software to be able to read the text.
Certainly M4 skin makes this necessary, which is a pity.

Rob

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DHR53 - Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:24 am

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I've really been impressed with the new look and skin... It's partly why I've been focused on the app more lately... but that being said, I'd like to do a skin option as I am a graphic designer by trade. I would classify the current skin as "dark" so I guess a different version would be a lighter overall look, or a subtle color variation of "light." I could work on parts, if someone else want to do another section. If you can point me to the skinning faq I'll take a look.

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pljones - Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:41 am

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I think the quickest explanation is to copy what's in .../App/Graphics/LooxPhat - the subfolders and files have identifiable names and the .txt files are reasonably self-explanatory. Start tweaking and see what happens .

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DHR53 - Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:51 am

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I'll check it out...

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robfigee - Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:28 am

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That's great, guys. If you could create a lighter skin with more contrat that would be wonderful.
White text on a dark background or black characters on a white or light grey background would do miracles for me.
Thanks in advance,

Rob.

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Calum - Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:09 pm

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These links are to three increasingly lighter versions of LooxPhat. This is a "quick fix" running the whole skin through a gamma conversion script. It only affects the graphic elements and not any of the colours specified in the XML files. The files are all larger than the originals but if they are of any use to anyone then I can optimise the file size to match the original skin.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5751102/LooxPhat_1.zip

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5751102/LooxPhat_2.zip

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5751102/LooxPhat_3.zip

I have a few half finished skins for MULAB 3
(eg. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5751102/LooxXstream.png )
and if I can find the time, I may look at updating/completing these or perhaps creating some entirely new skins for MULAB 4. If I do I will certainly look at lighter options.

Unfortunately, I am not really open to collaboratively working on a skin as I have to deal with enough "design by committee" decisions during my daytime job. I am however happy to give advice or help anyone who wants to create a MULAB skin.

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liquidsound - Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:05 pm

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I'll be one of them soon Thanks! I work in Rhino and it's quite difficult to Render a 3d object and at the same time keep the right size for the skin elements. I definitely will call for help. Thank you.

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gemada - Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:50 am

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Hi.

Congrats to mutools team for a great release

Now, I've been skinning mu.lab 4 with a new looxposh skin
Here is a preview of my draft (there's still some work to do...)



I'll post the skin here when it's ready (and if mutools team aprove it)...
Cheers

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robfigee - Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:20 am

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Wow. That looks very promising. The Racks are exactly what I was hoping to get.
Is it also possible to make the Track blocks ( I mean with the name on it and the solo and mute symbols) as light as the Racks?
One remark: The text above the racks is white on a rather light background, so with very little contrast, resulting - for me at least - in difficulty to read it.
I appreciate it very much the work you are doing for me and other customers needing a lighter interface.

Rob

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sorohanro - Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:37 am

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Looking really nice

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Nielzie - Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:18 pm

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Wow! I really like that top panel bar. Awesome

I do not so much like the racks though tbh, they do not really fit nicely with that awesome top panels GUI imho

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gemada - Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:21 pm

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Thanks for the replies
This is just a draft for now...I apreciate your ideas and I'll try to build a good alternative skin

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gemada - Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:22 pm

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So, I've changed some things in the racks and some other stuff...
Here is a preview:


To do next:

-Track panel
-Wide rack
-Audio mixer strip editor

Cheers

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sl23 - Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:35 am

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Great skin Any chance of a dark version? Like the Mu-Lab logo top right Hopefully that'll become the menu logo at some point?

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robfigee - Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:34 am

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Thanks, Gemada. The black text in the Rack top solves the visibility problem.
I think this will be the Skin I was hoping for.
Thanks for all the wonderful work you are doing.

Rob

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gemada - Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:41 am

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Ok, the track panels are done.
I've made some little improvments and I've returned to the "oval" mixer strip...

Here's another preview:



To do:
-wide racks fine tunning
-Audio mixer strip

Thanks for the replies! Keep them coming
Cheers

P.S.: Later I'll try to make a dark version of this...

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sl23 - Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:13 am

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hmmm... not keen on the oval mixer strip sorry just my opinion

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robfigee - Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:06 am

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This looks great. I could very well work with this Skin.
Thanks once more,

Rob

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mutools - Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:35 am

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Hey Gemada, thanks for sharing this nice alternative skin!

Some feedback:

What about giving the top panels the same back color as the tracks & racks? Wouldn't that look more consistent? Just an idea.

Personally i'm also not a fan of the oval rack sliders, looks a bit weird to me. Your version with the more normal rack looks more attractive, imho.

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liquidsound - Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:53 am

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The Logo is nice but would be even better if the name MULAB would show somewhere...
The Ovals are strange because there is nothing there to balance them. They appear only at the bottom in one element. They produce a visual gravity at the bottom of the overall design

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Nielzie - Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:57 am

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I fully agree on both points/suggestions. That would make it just beautiful

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pljones - Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:24 am

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Ah, if it could fade between two elements once every few seconds...
Agreed - I like the ovals in and of themselves... they're just out of context here, it seems.

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liquidsound - Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:42 am

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Brilliant Idea!

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gemada - Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:04 pm

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Thanks for the ideas
New draft (I'm starting to like this one very much):



Changed:
- Ovals are gone
- mixer strip
- faders
- round square rack slots

Now some thoughts:
- I will mantain the different colors scheme in panels, tracks and racks for this skin (this is one of looxposh main character);
- I will fine tune racks (mixer strip and fader);
- About the logo and "mulab"...The application window already has the word "mulab"...I do prefer without repeating the name in the same "screen";
- After all is finished I may try to make a looxposh with the same color scheme between panels, racks and tracks (it depends on the spare time): A LIGHT version and a DARK version (this way everyone would be pleased hehe)!

Hope i've answered all the requests/ideas...keep them coming!it's where all the fun is
Cheers

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sl23 - Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:35 pm

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So far I agree with all the suggestions too and am liking the new skin alot! Excellent work and thanks for the new skin(s)

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AndreasD - Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:33 am

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Thanks gemada for the fader knobs. Just the way i like them!
Is this just me or might it look better if the faders are "in a goove" (don't know how to say this)? A bit like the original skin.

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sl23 - Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:10 am

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I know what you mean I thought that myself...

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robfigee - Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:00 am

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Gemada, this looks wonderful.
It has a bright and friendly outlook. If the default skin is Winter, this certainly is Spring.

Cheers,

Rob

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funk01 - Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:44 pm

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This version is very cool. This is a skin I would want to download for myself.

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gemada - Thu Feb 16, 2012 3:32 pm

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Looxposh hybrid is almost done...



Could you elaborate this?
Cheers

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AndreasD - Thu Feb 16, 2012 9:43 pm

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I try.
If you think this is the real world, in your rack the fader would sit at the same level (height) as the meter. With the M4 skin the fader is recessed, meaning lower than the surface than e.g. the meter.
To me a recessed fader makes it look more "belong" to, compared to "floating" above, the rack.
Am i talking nonsense?

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sl23 - Fri Feb 17, 2012 1:08 am

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nope, makes sense. but to elaborate...

look at at the fader background from lowest to highest point and its 'lined' where the previous skin had what appeared as a 'groove' or recess which the faders 'knob' was seated in.

it looked much better like that

thanks

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gemada - Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:18 pm

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Thanks for clarifying it...I do prefer the version without the groove.

Now, I've changed some things:

-faders;
-meters now have a subtle groove (not the mixer strip);
-some fine tunnings.

This may be a rc1 for looxposh:


As for the groove fader, I may release a B version like this:




If Jo agrees I'll release looxposh RC1 for test

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Nielzie - Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:25 pm

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Dark version and with (smaller) groove, please please please

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gemada - Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:46 pm

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A screenshot of the racks:

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funk01 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:47 pm

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I really liked the white fader knobs, but I still like what I see.

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AndreasD - Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:19 pm

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Thanks gemada, you B version looks perfect to me.

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robfigee - Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:05 am

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I really love this Skin and cannot wait to use it.
Thanks for all the good work you have done.

Rob

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toxicoh - Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:06 pm

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+1 for the white knobs.

This is a very nice skin.

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Nielzie - Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:13 pm

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Indeed, especially on a dark skin

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sorohanro - Wed Feb 22, 2012 4:46 pm

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So... any timing for the skin to be officially "out there" ?

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gemada - Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:28 pm

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Ok, I think I've come up with something for the groove

So, how about this for version B?



This will be the A version:



I'm waiting for Jo to authorize an "official" release of looxposh skin...

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robfigee - Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:25 am

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Hi Gemada, I could live with both versions, but the sliders in version A are better visible for me.

Rob

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Bonteburg - Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:52 am

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I'm loving the beige/grey for the mixer strips and the way the markers on the faders get broader with volume!

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pljones - Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:17 am

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Those B grooves have really got something. Very nice.

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funk01 - Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:52 am

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Version B.... very nice.

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Bonteburg - Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:55 am

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What are B grooves?

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Bonteburg - Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:57 am

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Oh you mean the grooves (presumable on the faders) in version B?

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Nielzie - Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:18 am

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imho the B grooves and white faders look the best

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mutools - Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:42 am

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+1

Gemada, when the skin is ready to be shared, feel free to mail me the skin and i'll make it available thru mutools.com

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gemada - Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:58 am

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Ok guys, it seems you all prefer a groove strip with white fader.
So I've done a litlle more tweaking...what is the best version for you?

This (version B new):




or this (version B old):



And thanks for the replies

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pquenin - Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:33 pm

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Version B old !!!

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funk01 - Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:03 pm

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VERSION B NEW !!!! ALL THE WAY.

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sl23 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:24 am

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+1 for B old fantastic skin thanks for the work you've done. Is it difficult to make a skin? I looked at the original m4 skin there's a lot of folders and text files and am a bit unsure. I'm not incapable but not sure where to start as don't know which files need editing would like to have a go though if someone could give a few tips

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AndreasD - Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:21 am

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Version B New looks exquisite!!!

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pljones - Fri Feb 24, 2012 1:30 pm

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B new is just too understated for me, so I'll go for B old... but it's a hard call. I don't think the B-lovers will object either way .

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funk01 - Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:12 pm

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+1 for B new version... looks realistic and I love the shadow effect.
B old looks a little to plain.

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gemada - Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:06 am

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Thanks for the replies.
I prefer the smooth approach and I've even tunned "B new" a little more...

This is my idea for the B new final version:



For the B old lovers I wont change the skin, so I guess everyone will be pleased.

If Jo agrees I'll release it for "beta testing"
Cheers

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pljones - Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:49 am

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Oooh, now that's good. You've brought the contrast on the slider knob's groove up just enough to make it stand out and that brings some more interest to it. Between the two (old and new new), I think I'd now go for this!

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AndreasD - Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:52 am

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I want that .....

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funk01 - Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:33 am

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sl23 - Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:01 pm

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fantastic I like the latest skin

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robfigee - Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:09 pm

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Great, Gemada.
I can't wait to use it.

Rob

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mutools - Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:20 pm

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+1 Go Gemada Go!

If you want me to put it on mutools.com, let me know.

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Nielzie - Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:52 pm

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Very nice

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gemada - Mon Feb 27, 2012 2:26 pm

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Thanks a lot guys!
It's great when everyone is pleased (including me hehehe)
Let me just "clean" the graphics folders and later I'll put it here for some "beta" testing.
I'll ask for some feedback just to make sure everything is working ok and for some fine adjustments...


Jo, may I send it to you after the short beta test period?
And thanks a lot for the invitation

Cheers

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mutools - Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:14 pm

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Of course, you're free as a bird
If you want me to do something, let me know.

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gemada - Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:48 pm

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Here it is:

http://www.mediafire.com/?r3alyzcep46xzrf

Enjoy it!
Cheers

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Bonteburg - Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:56 am

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Very very nice!

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robfigee - Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:26 am

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Wonderful.
I downloaded and extracted the Zip file.
Just one dumb question:
How do I install the new skin?
Thanks in advance,

Rob

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Bonteburg - Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:19 am

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Put the folder in MULAB folder -> App -> Graphics. Then open MULAB and go to 'choose skin' in the MULAB menu.

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miquelmatas - Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:29 am

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Thanks very much, Gemada!

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sorohanro - Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:19 am

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Thanks for the skin

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funk01 - Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:41 am

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Sweeeeeeeeet......

Thanks

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sl23 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:07 am

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Jo, wouldn't it be better to put user skins in the user folder?

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mutools - Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:12 am

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No because the skin is too dependent on the app version.
That's why it's in the app folder.

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sl23 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 1:28 am

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oh ok. just thought it'd be easier for the user when updating. thanks

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sl23 - Wed Feb 29, 2012 11:27 am

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Just tried the LooxPosh skin and it's great. Thanks for your work on this skin Gemada. Do you still plan on doing a dark version?

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gemada - Wed Feb 29, 2012 6:23 pm

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I'm glad you like the skin!
Thanks for all the replies!
If everything is ok Jo can put it in mutools site

To sl23: I don't know when or if I'm going to make a dark version..it's very hard for me to have some spare time. It's better not to wait for it hehehe
Cheers

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sl23 - Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:43 am

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ok no problem. thanks again its great

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kingtubby - Mon May 07, 2012 7:51 am

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Seems to have disappeared - Any chance you could upload it again?

Cheers

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mutools - Mon May 07, 2012 8:17 am

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Note that there is only 1 official skin atm that's LooxPhat.
I apologize for not being able to maintain multiple MuLab skins atm.

Gemada could update his MuLab skin by implementing/copying all latest changes in LooxPhat's current version. @Gemada: you can know what's changed in LooxPhat by using a file comparer app that can show you all differences between LooxPhat version X and Y. Hope this helps.

Sorry again that i myself am not able to maintain multiple skins atm. It turned out that skins are too volatile. And time is too spare to update multiple skins all the time. Focusing on MUX VST, multi-core and M5. (which are all interrelated in some way)(not yet developing M5, but i'm collecting interesting ideas and making links between items on the wishlist)

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kingtubby - Mon May 07, 2012 9:09 am

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That's ok - I'm happy with the default any way...

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voidpipe - Thu Sep 06, 2012 1:13 am

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Thank you for this... It is considerably better. So to change the default colours I just have to edit the XML-files?

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mutools - Thu Sep 06, 2012 11:13 pm

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Indeed theoretically you could edit the relevant xml and txt files, but the practical problem is that if a next MuLab/MUX update comes with a changed skin, then you would have to apply these changes again, or do some file merge management in order to properly merge your changes with the new app changes. It's not recommended. That's why there is only one skin atm. But i'm thinking further on this and have some ideas in mind that at least some colors can be chosen by the user. Those colors would the be stored in the /User/Settings sub-folder and so they would automatically survive app updates.

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voidpipe - Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:34 am

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That sounds like great news! In my opinion it is the dark skins that causes the most problem, like the default skin here on KVR. We are for sure quite a few that really prefers lighter and more colourful skins. In Ableton Live for example I know that skins like "Frost" is really popular and sets Live apart from most other dark DAW:s.

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DHR53 - Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:02 am

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I changed the buttons myself on the last version, to see what they would look like but the graphic itself (border, corner radius and colors) I think need to be redone so I'll do a new version. Just to see what it looks like. Most of the interface looks great, arrange, mux etc. I'd like to experiment with buttons a little though.

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funk01 - Sat Sep 08, 2012 11:38 am

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Can you post a picture to give us an example of what mu.lab looks like with the changes you guys have made.

Thanks

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sl23 - Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:15 pm

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I tried gemada's skin again and it doesn't show the reverb GUI in the Mux. Only a quick test so could be further problems?

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There are 98 posts in this topic.