Second Life Forums Archive - Retro Dazzle UI

Thraxis Epsilon

Registered User

Join date: 31 Aug 2005

Posts: 211

02-21-2008 23:50

Can't stand the bright blue Dazzle interface? Neither could I. And thus was born the Dazzle Retro UI:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thraxis/2283545712/sizes/l/

Day Oh

Registered User

Join date: 3 Feb 2007

Posts: 1,257

02-21-2008 23:53

That is beautiful

_____________________

SuezanneC Baskerville

Forums Rock!

Join date: 22 Dec 2003

Posts: 14,229

02-22-2008 04:59

Seems to be a bit of problem with the chat text.

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So long to these forums, the vBulletin forums that used to be at forums.secondlife.com. I will miss them.

I can be found on the web by searching for "SuezanneC Baskerville", or go to

http://www.google.com/profiles/suezanne

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http://lindenlab.tribe.net/ created on 11/19/03.

Members: Ben, Catherine, Colin, Cory, Dan, Doug, Jim, Philip, Phoenix, Richard,
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Abba Thiebaud

PerPetUal NoOb

Join date: 20 Aug 2006

Posts: 563

02-22-2008 06:20

Yeah, I noticed that too, Suezanne. But it appears his bank's OK, better than mine.

A

_____________________

http://www.ponystars.com/abbathiebaud Pony Up.

Rioko Bamaisin

Unstable Princess

Join date: 16 Aug 2007

Posts: 4,668

02-22-2008 06:28

From: Abba Thiebaud

Yeah, I noticed that too, Suezanne. But it appears his bank's OK, better than mine.

A

HA! I wonder if he needs someone to help him spend that.

very nice though!

Desmond Shang

Guvnah of Caledon

Join date: 14 Mar 2005

Posts: 5,250

02-22-2008 08:12

That is so beautiful, it brings a tear to my avatar's eye... they really need that on official client, though.

I'm kinda stuck on official clients only, because if my $L get drained or something due to client software 'oops!' or a hack at least I can say: hey, look, it was the official thing.

_____________________

Steampunk Victorian, Well-Mannered Caledon!

Marianne McCann

Feted Inner Child

Join date: 23 Feb 2006

Posts: 7,145

02-22-2008 08:32

Hey - not bad!

Mari

_____________________

"There's nothing objectionable nor illegal in having a child-like avatar in itself and we must assume innocence until proof of the contrary." - Lewis PR Linden
"If you find children offensive, you're gonna have trouble in this world

" - Prospero Linden

Thraxis Epsilon

Registered User

Join date: 31 Aug 2005

Posts: 211

02-22-2008 09:13

Desmond, It's two changed XML files and 12 color adjusted images and a handfull of images brought over from the old client.

I could probably make do with just color adjusting the Dazzle artwork and it would then be 1 XML file and the new images.

Darien Caldwell

Registered User

Join date: 12 Oct 2006

Posts: 3,127

02-22-2008 12:04

I approve of this thread.

Nice work.

_____________________

Alyx Sands

Mental Mentor Linguist

Join date: 17 Feb 2007

Posts: 2,432

02-22-2008 17:23

*goes away to cry due to monitor envy*

I wonder if a 15'' monitor would look okay too? If not, I'll just take the Linden bucks, thanks!

_____________________

~~I'm a linguist. RL sucks, but right now it's decided to be a little less nasty to me - you can still be nice to me if you want! ~~
->Potestatem obscuri lateris nescitis.<-

FD Spark

Prim & Texture Doodler

Join date: 30 Oct 2006

Posts: 4,697

02-22-2008 17:35

For some reason it reminded me of Onrez viewer's color when I saw photos but not sure why.

_____________________

Look for my alt Dagon Xanith on Youtube.com

Newest video is

Loneliness by Duo Zikr DX's Alts & SL Art Death of Avatar

Infrared Wind

Gridologist

Join date: 7 Jan 2007

Posts: 662

02-22-2008 17:55

Awesome work!!!! Thank you for showing this can be done.

This gives me hope that LL will implement at least the choice
of choosing retro...and hopefully even a few other themes.

But all I need is Retro.

Chip Midnight

ate my baby!

Join date: 1 May 2003

Posts: 10,231

02-22-2008 18:37

The new Dazzle UI is definitely an improvement. I like your version. I really like the graphite color scheme in Vista and that's pretty close. Give me dark and shiny over bright and shiny any day.

_____________________

My other hobby:
www.live365.com/stations/chip_midnight

Farallon Greyskin

Cranky Seal

Join date: 22 Jan 2006

Posts: 491

02-23-2008 02:03

The problem is continuously maintinting and reapplying the files EVERY update

I've tried maintaining a set of my own "skins" for SL and it's a real chore...

I've been arguing for putting in a Color, Brightness and Transarency setting that you can use to recolor the UI elements, mainly the background and "window" elements.

That way the trading around of dozens of files and the contsant patching you have to do at various updates where the file formats change and the reapplication at every oinstall would not have to be done.

LL went half way there by making a large part of the UI definition external to the compiled code but they stopped WAY short of a "real" skin system unfortuantely :/

Thraxis Epsilon

Registered User

Join date: 31 Aug 2005

Posts: 211

02-23-2008 06:32

That's odd. There is a file already there that has the settings for window colors / transparencies, there's also a file there to put your over-ride color settings in.

secondlife/app_settings/colors_base.xml - default color settings
secondlife/app_settings/colors.xml - custom color settings

If you have edited the XML files to customize the layout of things, one solution is to make a copy of the entire

secondlife/skins/xui/en-us/

folder to something like:

secondlife/skins/xui/myskin/

Then edit the paths.xml file

secondlife/skins/paths.xml

and replace the en-us with myskin

The actual graphics are a bit tougher as there is only one textures folder

secondlife/skins/textures

Each images is defined in a file named textures.xml, you can of course edit that file and define all your images there. Or, as I did, modify the existing images (I currently have them in a seperate folder so I can just copy into and over the images there now)

Currently the "Dazzle Retro" exists as a secondlife/app_settings/colors.xml file and 68 images to replace those in the secondlife/skins/textures folder.

Farallon Greyskin

Cranky Seal

Join date: 22 Jan 2006

Posts: 491

02-23-2008 10:43

From: Thraxis Epsilon

Currently the "Dazzle Retro" exists as a secondlife/app_settings/colors.xml file and 68 images to replace those in the secondlife/skins/textures folder.

Huh, well then they should be able to put that un the UI NO PROBLEM

My "skins" were actually widget edits that somewhat retrofied the chatterbox and allowed you to shrink it uip vertically and some other UI "fixes" so that involved editing several files that LL themselves also change over time.

I hadn;t actually done any color work because i LIKE the dark non ubtrousive colors. But that's good news then, maybe there is a chance we'll get some client UI then.

Lindal Kidd

Dances With Noobs

Join date: 26 Jun 2007

Posts: 8,371

02-24-2008 04:52

From: Thraxis Epsilon

Desmond, It's two changed XML files and 12 color adjusted images and a handfull of images brought over from the old client.

I could probably make do with just color adjusting the Dazzle artwork and it would then be 1 XML file and the new images.

Thraxis, will you be posting these files on a website for download? I'd buy 'em.

_____________________

It's still My World and My Imagination! So there.
Lindal Kidd

Dandare Daniels

Registered User

Join date: 1 Mar 2007

Posts: 16

Keep on working on this - WE ALL apreciate it!! Yeehaaw!

04-09-2008 21:49

pointless to say, that i also hate the new dazzle viewer look since it's a pain in my eyes..ok stated once again *g
btw: technically the new viewer brings some new features, sure..but *wink LL* ...why u going the same way like MS... polish the box, but never touch the screwed buggy content? lmao

Just take my "thumbs up" for your work Thraxis! Can't await, when you're done with this, and make this available (i'd pay for that too...)

cheers,
Dandare

EDIT: OMG! My really FIRST Post!

) well..it's worth it imho

Thraxis Epsilon

Registered User

Join date: 31 Aug 2005

Posts: 211

UI files are available now

04-09-2008 23:36

http://www.rpgstats.com/SL/Dazzle-Retro.zip - Contains the custom colors.xml file and darker images
http://www.rpgstats.com/SL/Dazzle.zip - Contains a blank colors.xml file and the Dazzle UI images (for those who wish to revert without a re-install)

Extract the zip file of your choice, there will be two folders. "app_settings" and "skins"

Copy those two folders into your SecondLifeReleaseCandidate program folder ( on windows this is C:\Program Files\SecondLifeReleaseCandidate\ by default )

If you do like it and wanted to give me a donation of some kind... Just send it to Thraxis Epsilon in SL.

I may or may not work on an installer for this, it depends on what my time is like.

Beebo Brink

Uppity Alt

Join date: 12 Jan 2007

Posts: 574

04-10-2008 04:06

Thanks Thraxis!

I haven't switched over to the Dazzle viewer -- I'm holding out against it as long as I can -- but if end up using your files a donation will definitely be forthcoming.

_____________________

www.BrazenWomen.com

Infrared Wind

Gridologist

Join date: 7 Jan 2007

Posts: 662

04-10-2008 06:06

AWESOME!

I definitely can't stand the new DAZZLE BRIGHT interface. I knew clever lads and lasses would be on this fast.

Thanks for the post! Made my day.

[I just realized I had already replied to the OP back in February!]

Chellonia Regent

Shape shifter

Join date: 8 Nov 2006

Posts: 135

04-10-2008 06:28

Downloaded and installed. Bright & shiny = eye hurty!

Thanks Thraxis.

_____________________

+Regency Shapes+

Markubis Brentano

Hi...YAH!!

Join date: 15 Apr 2006

Posts: 836

04-10-2008 06:35

From: Chellonia Regent

Downloaded and installed. Bright & shiny = eye hurty!

Thanks Thraxis.

well, actually its the other way around. White text on a black background is bad for your eyes. But I agree,...there seems to be TOO much bright blue in the dazzle viewer.

But I do like what Thraxis did also.

Nice job Thraxis

Kathy Morellet

Registered User

Join date: 26 Jul 2006

Posts: 809

04-10-2008 06:43

From: Markubis Brentano

well, actually its the other way around. White text on a black background is bad for your eyes.

Then why do I have an eye strain headache in less than an hour with "dazzle" when I can be on for 4 to 6 hours at a time with the old color scheme with no trouble at all?

Thanks Thraxis, I'll give your files a look as soon as I can.

Dekka Raymaker

thinking very hard

Join date: 4 Feb 2007

Posts: 3,898

04-10-2008 06:45

From: Kathy Morellet

Then why do I have an eye strain headache in less than an hour with "dazzle" when I can be on for 4 to 6 hours at a time with the old color scheme with no trouble at all?

Thanks Thraxis, I'll give your files a look as soon as I can.

inverted irises?

Retro Dazzle UI
Thraxis Epsilon Registered User Join date: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 211	02-21-2008 23:50 Can't stand the bright blue Dazzle interface? Neither could I. And thus was born the Dazzle Retro UI: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thraxis/2283545712/sizes/l/
Day Oh Registered User Join date: 3 Feb 2007 Posts: 1,257	02-21-2008 23:53 That is beautiful _____________________
SuezanneC Baskerville Forums Rock! Join date: 22 Dec 2003 Posts: 14,229	02-22-2008 04:59 Seems to be a bit of problem with the chat text. _____________________ - So long to these forums, the vBulletin forums that used to be at forums.secondlife.com. I will miss them. I can be found on the web by searching for "SuezanneC Baskerville", or go to http://www.google.com/profiles/suezanne - http://lindenlab.tribe.net/ created on 11/19/03. Members: Ben, Catherine, Colin, Cory, Dan, Doug, Jim, Philip, Phoenix, Richard, Robin, and Ryan -
Abba Thiebaud PerPetUal NoOb Join date: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 563	02-22-2008 06:20 Yeah, I noticed that too, Suezanne. But it appears his bank's OK, better than mine. A _____________________ http://www.ponystars.com/abbathiebaud Pony Up.
Rioko Bamaisin Unstable Princess Join date: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 4,668	02-22-2008 06:28 From: Abba Thiebaud Yeah, I noticed that too, Suezanne. But it appears his bank's OK, better than mine. A HA! I wonder if he needs someone to help him spend that. very nice though!
Desmond Shang Guvnah of Caledon Join date: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 5,250	02-22-2008 08:12 That is so beautiful, it brings a tear to my avatar's eye... they really need that on official client, though. I'm kinda stuck on official clients only, because if my $L get drained or something due to client software 'oops!' or a hack at least I can say: hey, look, it was the official thing. _____________________ Steampunk Victorian, Well-Mannered Caledon!
Marianne McCann Feted Inner Child Join date: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 7,145	02-22-2008 08:32 Hey - not bad! Mari _____________________ "There's nothing objectionable nor illegal in having a child-like avatar in itself and we must assume innocence until proof of the contrary." - Lewis PR Linden "If you find children offensive, you're gonna have trouble in this world " - Prospero Linden
Thraxis Epsilon Registered User Join date: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 211	02-22-2008 09:13 Desmond, It's two changed XML files and 12 color adjusted images and a handfull of images brought over from the old client. I could probably make do with just color adjusting the Dazzle artwork and it would then be 1 XML file and the new images.
Darien Caldwell Registered User Join date: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 3,127	02-22-2008 12:04 I approve of this thread. Nice work. _____________________
Alyx Sands Mental Mentor Linguist Join date: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 2,432	02-22-2008 17:23 goes away to cry due to monitor envy I wonder if a 15'' monitor would look okay too? If not, I'll just take the Linden bucks, thanks! _____________________ ~~I'm a linguist. RL sucks, but right now it's decided to be a little less nasty to me - you can still be nice to me if you want! ~~ ->Potestatem obscuri lateris nescitis.<-
FD Spark Prim & Texture Doodler Join date: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 4,697	02-22-2008 17:35 For some reason it reminded me of Onrez viewer's color when I saw photos but not sure why. _____________________ Look for my alt Dagon Xanith on Youtube.com Newest video is Loneliness by Duo Zikr DX's Alts & SL Art Death of Avatar
Infrared Wind Gridologist Join date: 7 Jan 2007 Posts: 662	02-22-2008 17:55 Awesome work!!!! Thank you for showing this can be done. This gives me hope that LL will implement at least the choice of choosing retro...and hopefully even a few other themes. But all I need is Retro.
Chip Midnight ate my baby! Join date: 1 May 2003 Posts: 10,231	02-22-2008 18:37 The new Dazzle UI is definitely an improvement. I like your version. I really like the graphite color scheme in Vista and that's pretty close. Give me dark and shiny over bright and shiny any day. _____________________ My other hobby: www.live365.com/stations/chip_midnight
Farallon Greyskin Cranky Seal Join date: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 491	02-23-2008 02:03 The problem is continuously maintinting and reapplying the files EVERY update I've tried maintaining a set of my own "skins" for SL and it's a real chore... I've been arguing for putting in a Color, Brightness and Transarency setting that you can use to recolor the UI elements, mainly the background and "window" elements. That way the trading around of dozens of files and the contsant patching you have to do at various updates where the file formats change and the reapplication at every oinstall would not have to be done. LL went half way there by making a large part of the UI definition external to the compiled code but they stopped WAY short of a "real" skin system unfortuantely :/
Thraxis Epsilon Registered User Join date: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 211	02-23-2008 06:32 That's odd. There is a file already there that has the settings for window colors / transparencies, there's also a file there to put your over-ride color settings in. secondlife/app_settings/colors_base.xml - default color settings secondlife/app_settings/colors.xml - custom color settings If you have edited the XML files to customize the layout of things, one solution is to make a copy of the entire secondlife/skins/xui/en-us/ folder to something like: secondlife/skins/xui/myskin/ Then edit the paths.xml file secondlife/skins/paths.xml and replace the en-us with myskin The actual graphics are a bit tougher as there is only one textures folder secondlife/skins/textures Each images is defined in a file named textures.xml, you can of course edit that file and define all your images there. Or, as I did, modify the existing images (I currently have them in a seperate folder so I can just copy into and over the images there now) Currently the "Dazzle Retro" exists as a secondlife/app_settings/colors.xml file and 68 images to replace those in the secondlife/skins/textures folder.
Farallon Greyskin Cranky Seal Join date: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 491	02-23-2008 10:43 From: Thraxis Epsilon Currently the "Dazzle Retro" exists as a secondlife/app_settings/colors.xml file and 68 images to replace those in the secondlife/skins/textures folder. Huh, well then they should be able to put that un the UI NO PROBLEM My "skins" were actually widget edits that somewhat retrofied the chatterbox and allowed you to shrink it uip vertically and some other UI "fixes" so that involved editing several files that LL themselves also change over time. I hadn;t actually done any color work because i LIKE the dark non ubtrousive colors. But that's good news then, maybe there is a chance we'll get some client UI then.
Lindal Kidd Dances With Noobs Join date: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 8,371	02-24-2008 04:52 From: Thraxis Epsilon Desmond, It's two changed XML files and 12 color adjusted images and a handfull of images brought over from the old client. I could probably make do with just color adjusting the Dazzle artwork and it would then be 1 XML file and the new images. Thraxis, will you be posting these files on a website for download? I'd buy 'em. _____________________ It's still My World and My Imagination! So there. Lindal Kidd
Dandare Daniels Registered User Join date: 1 Mar 2007 Posts: 16	Keep on working on this - WE ALL apreciate it!! Yeehaaw! 04-09-2008 21:49 pointless to say, that i also hate the new dazzle viewer look since it's a pain in my eyes..ok stated once again g btw: technically the new viewer brings some new features, sure..but wink LL* ...why u going the same way like MS... polish the box, but never touch the screwed buggy content? lmao Just take my "thumbs up" for your work Thraxis! Can't await, when you're done with this, and make this available (i'd pay for that too...) cheers, Dandare EDIT: OMG! My really FIRST Post! ) well..it's worth it imho
Thraxis Epsilon Registered User Join date: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 211	UI files are available now 04-09-2008 23:36 http://www.rpgstats.com/SL/Dazzle-Retro.zip - Contains the custom colors.xml file and darker images http://www.rpgstats.com/SL/Dazzle.zip - Contains a blank colors.xml file and the Dazzle UI images (for those who wish to revert without a re-install) Extract the zip file of your choice, there will be two folders. "app_settings" and "skins" Copy those two folders into your SecondLifeReleaseCandidate program folder ( on windows this is C:\Program Files\SecondLifeReleaseCandidate\ by default ) If you do like it and wanted to give me a donation of some kind... Just send it to Thraxis Epsilon in SL. I may or may not work on an installer for this, it depends on what my time is like.
Beebo Brink Uppity Alt Join date: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 574	04-10-2008 04:06 Thanks Thraxis! I haven't switched over to the Dazzle viewer -- I'm holding out against it as long as I can -- but if end up using your files a donation will definitely be forthcoming. _____________________ www.BrazenWomen.com
Infrared Wind Gridologist Join date: 7 Jan 2007 Posts: 662	04-10-2008 06:06 AWESOME! I definitely can't stand the new DAZZLE BRIGHT interface. I knew clever lads and lasses would be on this fast. Thanks for the post! Made my day. [I just realized I had already replied to the OP back in February!]
Chellonia Regent Shape shifter Join date: 8 Nov 2006 Posts: 135	04-10-2008 06:28 Downloaded and installed. Bright & shiny = eye hurty! Thanks Thraxis. _____________________ +Regency Shapes+
Markubis Brentano Hi...YAH!! Join date: 15 Apr 2006 Posts: 836	04-10-2008 06:35 From: Chellonia Regent Downloaded and installed. Bright & shiny = eye hurty! Thanks Thraxis. well, actually its the other way around. White text on a black background is bad for your eyes. But I agree,...there seems to be TOO much bright blue in the dazzle viewer. But I do like what Thraxis did also. Nice job Thraxis
Kathy Morellet Registered User Join date: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 809	04-10-2008 06:43 From: Markubis Brentano well, actually its the other way around. White text on a black background is bad for your eyes. Then why do I have an eye strain headache in less than an hour with "dazzle" when I can be on for 4 to 6 hours at a time with the old color scheme with no trouble at all? Thanks Thraxis, I'll give your files a look as soon as I can.
Dekka Raymaker thinking very hard Join date: 4 Feb 2007 Posts: 3,898	04-10-2008 06:45 From: Kathy Morellet Then why do I have an eye strain headache in less than an hour with "dazzle" when I can be on for 4 to 6 hours at a time with the old color scheme with no trouble at all? Thanks Thraxis, I'll give your files a look as soon as I can. inverted irises?

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Retro Dazzle UI