Release - Concept ii

**mikeyr68** · 05-21-2006, 04:13 PM

Here's my first skin so let me know how I'm doing. I've been working on it under the 4rd-500 thread and have a ton of help! Thanks to all those that gave advice and contributed.

Download here: (Includes the fixes from Patch1)
http://members.cox.net/rr_sk1nz/conceptii.zip

Download Patch1 here:
http://members.cox.net/rr_sk1nz/conceptii_patch1.zip
Patch1 Fixes:
Fixed the reversed volume controls in GPS_Full.skin
Fixed possible font problem with the track time in the Main screen
Patch1 Instructions:
Unzip to replace the menu.skin and gps_full.skin files.

I haven't finished the playlist screen or the GPS just yet but it's a start. I also need to work on the phone skin.

The main idea was to focus around audio in the car. I wanted to to keep the look stock as well and try to have it appear OEM.

Here's what's in the readme:

Unlisted Buttons:
Press "Concept ii" to return to Main menu.
Press "Mobile Media System" to bring up Settings menu.
Press the time to bring up a clock skin with a big clock.
On the Main Menu, "MENU" brings up the Settings Menu and"RAD" brings up the Playlist Menu. These might change in the near future.

Clock:
Press the time to bring up a clock skin with a big clock.
Clock is set to hh:mm am/pm in RR.ini file

Playlist:
The playlist skin is a major work in progress. I'm still trying
to figure out what works best in the car so this screen may change a few times.
Playlist folder is set to "c:\media\playlists" in playlist.skin (this must match what is in RR.ini for playlistpath).

Mustang Owners:
Copy the files found in the "mustang only" folder to the skin folder for a special skin. I will update this folder with more images once time permits.

GPS:
Needs a lot of work. It's not perfect but it's sorta functional. I'm using IGMON commands since they seem to be a little more stable than the sendkey commands but I will probably include skin files for both in the next release.

Visualization:
I used Sexual Analyzer (made by Mike Lynch) after seeing and reading about it in the Orage Skin thread. It's simple, fast, and looks fantastic. Plus, you can customize the hell out of it. Just copy the files listed in the plugin folder to your winamp plugin folder. Select it as your plugin of choice and you should be good to go. I have a couple of presets saved with it as well that look good, I think.

Notes:
Here it is. Plain and simple, take it if you want it. I tried to make a simple skin but it is quickly becoming more than I anticipated. If you find a problem let me know. If you have an idea, give it a try and let me know how it works. I'll try to add new things as I have time. If you like the skin and use it, please send a picture of it running in your car. I'd like to get an idea of how you guys and gals use it.

And now the screen shots!

**mikeyr68** · 05-21-2006, 04:14 PM

The non-mustang version will show just a black cd case.

**Griff1** · 05-21-2006, 06:37 PM

Just a tip,i'm no Ps guru but i've found that turning off the stroke feature for your off image buttons clears up the buttons nicely in the corners.

But i can't take it away from you,the skin is sweet,nice job.

**mikeyr68** · 05-21-2006, 07:33 PM

Thanks man! I've only used PS for this very project. Absolutely no experience before this so I knew there would be easier and better ways to doing it. I think I got the stroke thing from one of the button tutorials online. I'll give it a try and pump out new images next release. I figure several problems are going to be discovered so in a few days I'll take the feedback and make the needed changes. I was also going to change the colors around and make a better night version.

Thanks

Mike

**Griff1** · 05-21-2006, 08:08 PM

My experience of Ps is very limited,you have more ability than i do thats for sure.I've done a bit of BMV2 skin editing and noticed the stroke thing,it worked for me and i didn't really notice a down side.

**Civic03** · 05-21-2006, 08:15 PM

nice

**blk02si** · 05-21-2006, 09:22 PM

did anyone else notice the volume buttons are reversed on the fullscreen GPS? + decreases volume and - increases volume. Other than that minor issue this skin is really coming along nicely. Im still sold on the night version! Nice work mikey. I take it you have to use IGMON to use the GPS skin functions now.

**mikeyr68** · 05-22-2006, 10:03 AM

Volume reversed, that's a good one. I don't know if any of you guys look at it but I am trying to get the *.skin files cleaned up and all in a similar layout to make skin editing a lot easier. I probably goofed on that some where. I'll fix that in the next release. Or I guess I could post a patch for that. When I get a minute.

Mike

**The Shadow** · 05-22-2006, 11:29 AM

This might be a completely stupid question but bear with me and my noobness. I for one love this skin and do not have the know how... yet to really get into the configuring and changing of the skin. I personally love it as is. I plan to really dig into this project after I get married this weekend at the Bellagio in Las Vegas

So thats been taking up 95% of my time lately.

One thing I have been messing with every now and then is the winamp plugin. I have it working and everything the way I want and positioned, however whenever I select a different screen, for ex. mp3 (Its there) but when I flip to GPS and back, I have to highlight winamp for it to be shown. I tried having it displayed as "Always on top" but then its on all the menus. Is this normal or is there a setting I am missing or am I just nuts. Regardless, I love this skin and its what I plan to use. hopefully as I mess with it over the next few weeks, I will finally be able to learn this stuff

Either way, awesome skin!

**mikeyr68** · 05-22-2006, 10:34 PM

I'll look into the spectrum problem, does anybody else have a problem with the visualization? I think it's a problem with the skin and the way it's stretched into 800x600. Not sure though.

I finally installed this version in my car. Yeah, that's right, you guys were downloading and using a new version then me! Irony.
Noticed a problem with the fonts so I may do some work with custom fonts but I really wanted to use fonts that everybody has standard. I made a change there as well.
Fixed the volume problem.

Any other problems?

And yes I setup the GPS skins to use IGMon.

Mike