Thread: Well I have been working on my new skins and here are a couple.

I know many of you think I was following the foot print of others and that is not my norm at all. So I have been working on a new twist for it. This version should allow for a glance at the speedometer and radio on the Main Console. Also the Main console page will look better when showing off the car at shows.

Let me know what you think of the new layout. Thanks

Now that is tight

Well it appears that I might have the layout for my gauges complete this week.
It's looking pretty good I think so far. I have 4 smaller gauges and a speed and sat direction one.

Well let me know what you all think...

Thanks
Troy

the gauges page looks interesting and useful (in fact i might borrow that if you want to share)
what size screen are you using this on? maybe try maximising the screen usage more, less borders and "dead" space, easier to see when driving

im making the total opposite, a skin that has only what I need and can use.
we dont have sat radio and mobile internet cheap enough here to justify using it, so weather is out and traffic well you find that when you get to it ..
so im limiting mine to gps and music for the driver as well as games and video for passengers to play with.

that main page might be a bugger to use while driving unless you have a 10" touch screen
hardest part is getting it so it flows right and feels natural to use.
i've seen some that just pile every feature in and claim its the best skin because its got everything, which while driving seems to me like begging for a Darwin Award

Like it in general tho

did you decide to use the math method or the frames method for the gauges.. cant wait to see the results

I have made one of each method. I want to use the math ones though. I have a question pertaining to the action script if I may. The "_loadXXXXX" that it uses.. Where is that coming from. And how to you get the _root.cpu to work. I had to use _root.CPU on mine.
Is it just how you set the label in RR?

Can you help me or point me to where I can find the information please.
When I use the Uppercase CPU it works... In both methods.

Thanks
Troy

Woofnstuff, Yes I believe that your correct in that there is a lot of stuff on the main screen. I have changed the screen from the one up top. I posted a pick of it on another post but I'm trying to get everything into one spot for easiness and maintainability.

If you notice on the new front the two gauge buttons are my most important. I have made them larger and they sit to the right side to avoid getting in the way. This console will be the only means to communicate with the car. I'm even putting in a backup fail safe system and the system will be backed up nightly.

The system is larger than the picture of course I scale them down for the site.

I also building Flash rocker switches that will allow me to have them in a roll over and press positions. I trying to using the RRF plug in to allow for everything to stay within the RR Frame work.

Originally Posted by Woofnstuff

i've seen some that just pile every feature in and claim its the best skin because its got everything, which while driving seems to me like begging for a Darwin Award

That's one of my biggest pet peeves with a lot of the skins here. It makes me wonder if these people actually use their skin while driving. I made hAv1c+ for that exact reason, the essentials. It's one of the lightest skins around (hard drive space/CPU usage) with large buttons, and large text. Easy to see in full sun without a transflective.

Originally Posted by ThunderStick

I have to be brutally honest here...
More of the same
A lot of the skins use this same concept. Clock or image in the middle of 6 to eight buttons on the side. Looks good, but not too original.

Like blades edge? or hAv1c? or a similar concept with a lot of OEM radios???

@OP - I'd recommend before getting too deep with this to try this out in the car in direct sunlight. The buttons still don't have a lot of contrast, and it will be hard to see what is what. Also, if you are using a screen that is physically widescreen, everything will squish and not look right, those nice gauges will look wierd, so if you pre-stretch the image (or code it in the right resolution) it will look ok.

There comes a point when good looks have to be sacrificed for day to day usability.

Yes I agree. As odd as it sounds I have built most of the files in the sun in my backyard on my laptop. I work outside when I can. So I can see the skin great. The glare does not seem to affect it to much unless in the direct sun and with how the system will be in the car I can't seem to find a way that it will happen. I'm building to meet my needs... and the needs of others in the EV area. It has to be simple to operate and understand. After learning about the GPS receiver I'm not sure I need it nor the DVD buttons. That alone will allow for more space as well. I elected to used contrasting colors so I can see the gauges in my back yard on my laptop so I'm hoping it works well in the car... If not it can always be changed. I do this stuff (graphics) for a living so I know all about change.... LOL Graphics are always changing for one reason or another... It's not a big deal. LOL

I'm working on a couple other skins as well as backup solutions just in case.

To be honest I'm not sure how it will turn out until I use it. This system will go into the car around the November time frame as all the wiring goes in. The Bradley has this center console that will work great for this type of system. Who knows I may only end up with the two primary gauges on the the one skin with the secondary gauges on another skin. I'm just not sure how it will play out.


Thanks for the input I will keep all of it in mind. It also helps me understand what you all have had to deal with building your skins.

I know I'm new at this carPC thing but I'm learning a ton and I'm having a great time working on all aspects of my project.

Thanks
Troy