IonicWind Software

IWBasic => General Questions => Topic started by: Rock Ridge Farm (Larry) on September 10, 2010, 11:03:12 AM

Title: Icons and splash screen
Post by: Rock Ridge Farm (Larry) on September 10, 2010, 11:03:12 AM
I am still looking for a new set of icons and a splash screen for IWBasic.

The current set is krap I hacked together and I am not happy with them.

So please help me out here - I am the world's worst graphic designer.

Larry
Title: Re: Icons and splash screen
Post by: ZeroDog on September 12, 2010, 06:55:39 PM
What kind of theme were you looking for?

QuoteI am the world's worst graphic designer

Thats the great thing about todays technology, you dont have to be good at graphic design to be able to do graphic design  ;)

I have recently been working on icons for one of my projects, and I came across a piece of software that helped quite a bit.   Its called IcoFX (http://icofx.ro).  Its free, it supports both macintosh and windows icons, it will do 32 bit alpha channel transparency, has built in painting functions... the list goes on.  I didnt really try out any of the paint functions really.  I designed my logos in another program as alpha transparent png files, then imported them into IcoFX, clicked a button, and instantly had a vista compatable icon package, complete with alpha transparency. 

As for the design portion of it, why not let the computer take care of that?  All you need is a concept or theme, and let the computer take care of the drawing part.   There are many 3D modellers out there, many for free that you can use to design your icon.  I simply took the initials of the software (Rt), and had the cad program render them as 3D objects, exported the screen as a bitmap, and added a drop shadow with another program, and saved it as a transparent png file.  Then I took IcoFX and loaded the png file, pressed a button, and had the icon package ready.
Title: Re: Icons and splash screen
Post by: Rock Ridge Farm (Larry) on September 12, 2010, 07:51:52 PM
I am looking for something that really grabs you for a splash screen.
I hacked together a set of icons based on the existing Ebasic icons.
To me icons and splash screen should grab your attention and make you want to
take a second look at the product.

Larry

Title: Re: Icons and splash screen
Post by: Copex on September 13, 2010, 03:38:40 AM

personally I don't like splash screens and when ever possible I disable them. I don't imagine that iwbasic has a lot of work to do when loading so why open a window just to close it or even worse pause the program to ensure it has been seen. ( my views in splash screens in general )

if you want a splash screen why not open it on compiling :-) or if the program is opened with out a project or code page open then display in as a window background
Title: Re: Icons and splash screen
Post by: Rock Ridge Farm (Larry) on September 13, 2010, 08:01:29 AM
It actually only opens on the initial load of IWBasic.

Larry
Title: Re: Icons and splash screen
Post by: ZeroDog on September 13, 2010, 04:10:30 PM
... and in the About box under the Help menu in the IDE.  ;)


I agree, a nice splash screen and a nice set of icons adds a nice touch to any program.

So what theme are you looking for?  Something based off the name "Ionic Wind", or something digital and programming oriented, or something totally different?