Advanced Skinning Question

blk02si · 12-31-2007, 05:58 PM

Well I'm not sure this is even possible, and I think I've tried about everything from skin commands.txt to achieve this look without luck. I've never seen it done in a RR skin, but I know RR is powerful and it may be possible so here is what I want to do.

I am currently coding a Carwings replica skin for RR and I am on the GPS menu and I have it mostly done but I am trying to get a very accurate look so here goes:

Have the GPS art as normal with an embedded application (iGuidance) inside of it. Then I want to draw the menu "over the top" of the embedded application. Ive tried using the IMG command and it works but iGuidance still takes precedence and shows on top of everything including my menu. I've tried messing with the "SETTOPMOST" and "SHOWWINDOW" commands without luck. So is what I want to do within the limits of RR?

Since pictures are worth a thousand words here are 2,

first one is an actual screencap of RR running the carwings skin and the second is a photochop of what I would like it to look like.

Any help is welcomed and thank you in advance for even any ideas. I know there is some real talent out there!

davidp · 12-31-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by blk02si

Well I'm not sure this is even possible, and I think I've tried about everything from skin commands.txt to achieve this look without luck. I've never seen it done in a RR skin, but I know RR is powerful and it may be possible so here is what I want to do.

I am currently coding a Carwings replica skin for RR and I am on the GPS menu and I have it mostly done but I am trying to get a very accurate look so here goes:

Have the GPS art as normal with an embedded application (iGuidance) inside of it. Then I want to draw the menu "over the top" of the embedded application. Ive tried using the IMG command and it works but iGuidance still takes precedence and shows on top of everything including my menu. I've tried messing with the "SETTOPMOST" and "SHOWWINDOW" commands without luck. So is what I want to do within the limits of RR?

Since pictures are worth a thousand words here are 2,

first one is an actual screencap of RR running the carwings skin and the second is a photochop of what I would like it to look like.

Any help is welcomed and thank you in advance for even any ideas. I know there is some real talent out there!

i dont think that roadrunner can do that yet, at least not unless it was added very recently. skin is looking great by the way

david

Sal R. · 12-31-2007, 07:00 PM

LS figured out a way to put an IG .exe plugin over the IG area with corresponding icon.

Might want to try asking him or checking out his skin.

EL CAMINO · 01-01-2008, 06:26 PM

is possible, i did it in my old elco media skin, is a very old threat, LS has a script called igControl, and flashdeck has it also.

blk02si · 01-01-2008, 06:56 PM

These items are still square though. FlashDeck & IGcontrol. I am attempting to get a curve overlay using art rendered by RR if possible. If I have to use/write another app to make it happen I will, just wanted to know if this type of rendering is possible just using RR.

tundra2000 · 01-01-2008, 07:26 PM

flash. thats the only way its possible. draw your overlapping picture in photoshop and save it as a png. swishmax can do it, if it is possible.

Enforcer · 01-01-2008, 07:30 PM

If you were using FreeDrive I would suggest having the FreeDrive skin do the curved bit. However you are not so I won't.

JohnWPB · 01-01-2008, 10:39 PM

Liquid Smoke has some code to do this. His latest code supports PNG's for use with AUtoIt. Basically AutoIt places the image at a defined X/Y location. With the PNG support, you can simply make the "outter curve" of the image overlay transparent.

tundra2000 · 01-02-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by JohnWPB

Liquid Smoke has some code to do this. His latest code supports PNG's for use with AUtoIt. Basically AutoIt places the image at a defined X/Y location. With the PNG support, you can simply make the "outter curve" of the image overlay transparent.

taht would work too, clever.

Konrad · 01-02-2008, 07:27 AM

Can't you just open a MENU with transparent .PNG-files ?

blk02si · 01-02-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Konrad

Can't you just open a MENU with transparent .PNG-files ?

You can but the embedded application still overpowers it and comes up on top.

I installed AUtoIT last night and did all the tutorials so I am going to try that route. Its actually a very powerful program, I wish there were more tutorials. I noticed liquid smoke uses AUtoIT quite a bit in his newest release. I looked at the IGCONTROL to get a feel for what is involved.

Something tells me RR can do this somehow but at the same token I want to learn AUtoIT.

C4DAO · 01-02-2008, 12:51 PM

I'm sure you'll knock something up that's suitable in double quick time

blk02si · 01-02-2008, 09:10 PM

Well been hackin away at autoIT. Here is how far I've gotten:

C4DAO · 01-03-2008, 11:05 AM

Interesting...I take it you just need to place it further to the left of the screen and you'll have the result your looking for?

EL CAMINO · 01-03-2008, 05:19 PM

wow, i didnt know how old was my AI version, i can see GDI+ is native in AI now, time to play.... a way to place your png would be reading from your .skin file. that way will be place in the right position. but if LS has this working ask him you might get some help from him.