New UI Concept

[Cynwrig]

After seeing Xanacru's Black UI I got inspired to try again at designing my own interface for Planeshift. I have tried designing a new UI in the past( here), but ended up giving up trying to actually put it in the game.
Well I have started working on completely new design and have decided to post it here so that I can get opinions on how it is looking so far. The color scheme was also inspired by Xanacru, from his new forum theme. Also anyone that would liek to help, please let me know. I could really use someone to do the icons for the toolbar etc.

Here is what I have done so far:


BTW at this time I doubt it will be possible to actually put this theme, at least in its entirety, into the game due to the limited ability of customization.

[Karyuu]

I would kill to have a default UI look this clean

My only immediate suggestion is to perhaps tone down the various bars - the saturation is a bit too strong for me and it may be hard to read with several things going on as you play in the game. If the bars are darker, the text will pop out more and it shall create less stress for the eyes.

[Nurahk]

Hehe, Shadowfax...part of the Calen Vakhar.

You might remember me, Cadoras...I annoyed the hell out of you guys.

Anyways, just a small note, you don't have an edit button on your buddy list, besides that it's a very clean UI, a bit modern looking for myself.

[Caarrie]

The tell button should read edit as that was changed for this release. In your info window you need to have space to list the target's name and hp. [unless i am just not seeing it]

[Idoru]

I like this very much. I would certainly use it if you get it finished.

[Nikodemus]

Will we need to compile PS source to see it? it looks like it goes outside editing of xmls and some art only.

[minetus]

as far as i see only thing that wouldnt work right now would be tabing transitions on the chat window that would need code, the rest seems doable with alpha's. looking great

[Xanacru]

Hi, Cynwrig

Thanks for the compliments and for being inspired by my UI and forum theme. This is a pretty sleek looking concept so far and the new forum theme colors are looking quite smooth with it.

I do remember your "Concept GUI" thread when you used to be Shadowfax, and was inspired by it as well (even had it bookmarked), since before working on a UI, I searched the forum for other peoples' attempts to do the same. It's a shame that you lost all your files when you computer crashed, so you couldn't complete your effort.

Making everything custom in a UI is a huge undertaking and a crazy amount of work, as you will soon find out (or already know). And if you drastically change XML, as you were planning in your original concept, it will also mean the end of the existing skins. It would no longer be a matter of choosing a different UI in a setup menu. However, it is also a great practice, so don't let that discourage you at all. If the skin is really good, I'm sure that Atomic Blue will budge and make it default.

Out of all people, I should be the one inspiring you the most, considering what you said, so I will say this - if anyone's going to make an amazing new and fully custom UI for PlaneShift, it's going to be Cynwrig/Shadowfax, so I definitely hope to see it succeed.

Guys, feed him cookies.

[Cynwrig]

@Karyuu: I'm glad you like it. I agree with your suggestion about the info bars and decided to tone them down a bit. I also decided to try more unusual hues instead using the standard colors.

@Nurahk: I do indeed remember. It has been quite a while since I have been around and it seems most of my old friends have gone so it is nice to see a familiar name. I have fixed the error on the buddylist as suggested. I guess I was working off old screenshots.

@Caarrie: As mentioned I fixed the "tell" error and don't know how I overlooked the target info. I have now added a separate target window to only be displayed when a target is selected, though such a thing isn't plausible to implement through skinning so if I do begin the effort of making a working skin, I will come make a more realistic solution.

I also redid the chatbox a little as the dropshadow effect I had earlier wouldn't come out right in the game.

@Xanacru: Wow much thanks for such a flattering reply. I'm happy to hear I inspired you as well with my past efforts, and btw I have learned the value of backing up file. Yes creating such a custom skin is very hard when it comes to the xml part, I know this all too well. Though my dream would be to create a whole new UI, completely redoing how things work, instead of trying to fit it in with what has already been defined.

Well here is what it looks like as of now:


I haven't had the time to do too much to it, but I plan to get more of it done soon.

[Karyuu]

Love the centered target bar Do you have any ideas on how to incorporate the attack stances into the GUI, or will you be taking them out entirely? Hope you don't mind if I've taken the liberty to play around with your concept screen a bit:



The chat, char info, and menu icons would collapse their associated screens.

[Narure]

I like the having a symbol for the target but im kinda fond of the menu having icons 

[Cynwrig]

No I don't mind at all, I must say your changes look very good. I was puzzled on how to incorporate attack stances and things like that because I'm not skilled enough to draw up my own but you have done a wonderful job of incorporating the old ones, which makes a nice way of preserving some elements of the default layout. If you want I would be glad to send you the psd to make changes to.

Don't mind that I haven't incorporated your changes, I plan on doing so but here is the new work I have put in so far, just a new idea on the party window. When a party is formed the buttons become located on top of the info window as seen:

Only problem with this is that I have to find a new place for the clock.

[Karyuu]

Another try

[Reikar]

Very nice, i would most definetly like to see this UI in. Good Job 

[Cynwrig]

Yes I agree the new menu is looking very good. I really like the background gradient you added, a very nice touch, especially with the little bump out you have going.