Requesting Editor Artwork

[vultraz]

Honestly, I was with #1, but #2 works as well. The topbar just seems a bit crowded. Maybe move the map=specific controls to the right of the topbar, next to the minimap?

[LordBob]

That's what we're gonna do, actually. I was initially trying to avoid reducing the minimap, but fabi tells me the wider sidebar allows to add map controls without changing its current size.

[LordBob]

Here's the final 1024*768 template for the editor. Further modifications of the UI will be Elements worthy of note:
* light grey areas are reserved for decorative borders and fancy whatevers
* grids are provided in order to help place controls, but there won't be any in the actual theme
* menu buttons are slightly smaller in order to have them follow the icon grid. However, I expect their size might really be determined by their label and I don't know how these things work - maybe I simply don't have a lever on this.
* I have yet to cut down this template into its theme components, but judging by what I've seen so far the .cgf files may require some tweaks because the size of most elements will change
* notice the wide grey border around the map area: I'd like to add decorative -yet discreet- elements to give the UI a slightly richer look (similar to what West had begun in 2009 - expect thread necromancy sometime soon, btw)

In a near future I'll try to define a similar template for the game UI, and of course I'll dress this bare template with shiny stuff

Edit: *smacks forehead* did I just write about a 36-pixels grid ? Dammit! The icons are actually 38 pixels. I'll fix that.

[LordBob]

Backgrounds for the editor UI are done.
Unlike the old UI, fabi is developping a nice function that ought to allow the tiling of elements on larger screens. No more stretched backgrounds!
In practice, the parts that tile as the screen gets larger will be:
- horizontally, the two upper bars and upper border of the viewport frame
- vertically, the lower palette of the sidebar and right border of the viewport frame

Next, I'll resume work on a brand new icon pack for the tools and terrain backgrounds. Future plans also include improved editor UI graphics for HD screens...But more on this later!

Attached below: screenshot of the target result and the sliced background elements.

[fabi]

[Crow_T]

Will there be a nice way to add doodads/extras to a map? eg there could be a folder that a user could drop terrain extras into that would show up in the editor and get saved properly to the campaign/maps folder, automagically including/linking them.

[fabi]

Will there be a nice way to add doodads/extras to a map? eg there could be a folder that a user could drop terrain extras into that would show up in the editor and get saved properly to the campaign/maps folder, automagically including/linking them.

No, no plans for such a feature yet.

[beetlenaut]

Can we do it? If we can place units in the new editor, it's not too much different to be able to add scenery or items as well. Having to code their locations is clunky.

[vultraz]

Can we do it? If we can place units in the new editor, it's not too much different to be able to add scenery or items as well. Having to code their locations is clunky.

I think there's a function available for that, the Items tool. Whether it's functional or not, I don't know.

[LordBob]

New elements for small resolution screens.
Note the separate column on the right for tool-specific options: because those screens are smaller, we're laying out buttons a bit differently.

[fabi]

[LordBob]

The full package for the current state of the editor theme:

- backgrounds for 1024*768 and 800*480 screen resolutions
- blank buttons sets in different sizes
- tools icons
- terrain group/terrain type icons
- arrows for various directionnal buttons

With this and Fabi's intensive coding behind the scenes, the main editor screen will have received a serious facelift. But there's still more to come in the future!

[beetlenaut]

That looks great! Good job. I particularly like the leather background.

I have one small critique though: The blue 3D effect on the terrains clashes with many of them somewhat. I think it would look better if it was gray.

[fabi]

[vultraz]

Looking VERY awesome, fabi. And LordBob, too, since he did the art.