Time to throw away the old crutches (to PS devs)

[Xanacru]

With the .019 being near, perhaps you (PS developers) can take that opportunity to finally update the dreaded and flimsy default PlaneShift icon that's been dragged along for too many years.

This is a .zip file with Windows, Mac and Linux versions of the updated main PS icon, as well as an additional updated "ps-gem.ico" version (the original used no dithering for lower bit depth):

http://www.filefactory.com/file/c3df95/ [icons.zip]

<--- How it was always meant to look

All versions correspond to the correct Windows, Mac and Linux icon specs.

No major work is needed, except putting the proper versions (Windows, Mac or Linux) into "support/icons" for the next compilation. The "favicon" on the main website should also be updated (at this location http://www.planeshift.it/psicon.ico)

Many players have asked for it before, and some developers too (DaveG) in the past. I made this easy for you, so there is no reason not to include it at some point (after fixing all the critical fea... bugs) for the new release.

"General Discussion" seemed like the best forum for this, since it isn't a "Fan Art" or a "Wish" but a technical fix/solution that requires virtually no effort from you to implement.

And that's all, folks.

[Dahoma]

I haven't looked at your icon yet, mostly because it would require me downloading it through filefactory which, it appears, you have to download. Anyways I agree with you one hundred percent though, since this 0.019 update seems to be taking so long, it must mean there are a lot of new things to be updated, so why not update the old fashioned icon. Good idea.

[ThomPhoenix]

I vote yes!

[Xanacru]

Dahoma,

You don't have to download anything. Their downloader is optional. Click the link below it that says "Download for free with FileFactory basic". That is a direct download like any regular file.

[Karyuu]

I like! I'll see about getting these included ASAP. Good work

[Xanacru]

Hey, thanks and you're welcome!

I don't want to take too much credit for it, as the original icon art was made by PS developers in the first place. At some point, the main icon was converted without dithering to a low bit depth version that is being used now, possibly for some sort of compatibility reasons. However, the icon spec itself is generally backwards compatible and includes alternative bit depths and resolutions within the same file, so this should work correctly.

Now, if you guys still had a higher resolution version of that icon art, it would be possible to make a Windows Vista's new 256x256 (PNG compressed) icon version that is crispy clear, reasonable in size and is still Windows XP compatible, since it would include 48x48, 32x32, and 16x16 versions within it, as icon spec calls for. Of course, Mac has an equivalent and Linux would simply use a 256x256 native .PNG.

[Induane]

For those who would rather a direct link:

http://vaalnor.mine.nu/Downloads/icons.zip

[Karyuu]

I wouldn't be against designing a completely new icon, although still following the appearance of this old one somewhat. If you're looking for some high-res source art for possible use:






* Property of Atomic Blue, yadda yadda.. ;)

The main font is Scurlock, and you can play with Photoshop layer effects to get it looking that beveled gold :)

[Xordan]

Done Will be used for the next linux version for sure.

[Xanacru]

Thanks everyone for responses so far.

While we're at it, what do you guys think about implementing the "Black UI" I posted a while ago as an alternative in the new release as well? It mostly uses the art bits that already belong to Atomic Blue and PlaneShift development team, so there shouldn't be any copyright issues with you implementing it. That is also why I didn't bother typing my alias into the credits. This is the post where I first introduced it:

http://hydlaa.com/smf/index.php?topic=28291.0

Now that I've mentioned the "Black UI", I've also wanted to address a certain issue with some of the in-game icons. Some of the possibly newer items and icons are saved with a black background, so they clash with the rest of the icons. Here is an example with the "Lightning" glyph not using a transparent background like the rest:



And when you look at my "Black UI" thread, you'll notice that the "map" item in the inventory is also using a black background. Whomever has contributed those icons should probably be made aware to save them with a proper transparency.

Karyuu, I agree that a completely new high-res icon would be good. I like your last gem icon. I'll play around with it, as the time allows but can't promise anything, of course. Others should try making a new icon as well, so we can pick the best one for the future releases.

[Karyuu]

I've already fixed the lightning glyph, I believe. If you could post the name of the other icons that have a black background, I can get to fixing them ASAP as well.

[Xanacru]

Well, I only play casually, so I probably haven't come across majority of item icons yet. Other than the "maps", which I already mentioned, everything else seems ok so far. Perhaps someone else has seen other icons with a similar problem and can post here.

EDIT: Wait, I think the new "book" icons at Jayose library have the same problem. I'll double-check.

Yep, here they are:

[Nikodemus]

Wil someone take it as offence if i say the books are terribbly done and don't match the style of PS?

Really no idea who made them, but could they be remade. Like make a texture for the already existing mesh and take a screenie of that, cast shadow and done?
Maybe i could even try if i were told what are these books exactly.
I made a Pile of Dust lately, but i got no comment about it. So knowing life, I suppose it wont go in game, whats a bit depressing on the subject, hmm

[Karyuu]

Nikodemus, we already have a "pile of dust" item - it just wasn't in the client yet.

[Xanacru]

While we're at refreshing things, I have another suggestion that many of you might like. It sounds simple but it gives the game a whole new feel and I would even recommend making it default for the new release.

Do the following:

Browse to your "art/music" folder and rename "Arena2.ogg" to "maintheme.ogg". Then rename "Laanx_Temple.ogg" to "charactertheme.ogg". Start up the game as usual. The whole login and character creation now feels quite different and better, in my opinion. It has much more mystery and greatness about it.

PS Also, rename "zzz.ogg" to "jingle_splash.ogg". I never liked that sudden and loud loading sound.