Hacking WiiFlow Lite Theme - Rhapsodii

[Hakaisha]

@fledge68 , question, would it be possible to implement subfolders named after the themes in cache/sourceflow?

From what I understand, if the auto-fill in cache creation is removed, this would require the user to manually create SourceFlow cache each time they switch to a new theme (and this could be quite laborious creating cache for multiple tiers of SourceFlows). If the theme has its own sub-folder to refer to upon being chosen, the user would only be required to refresh/recreate if they add new content to the SourceFlow.

 

[fledge68]

@fledge68 , question, would it be possible to implement subfolders named after the themes in cache/sourceflow?

From what I understand, if the auto-fill in cache creation is removed, this would require the user to manually create SourceFlow cache each time they switch to a new theme (and this could be quite laborious creating cache for multiple tiers of SourceFlows). If the theme has its own sub-folder to refer to upon being chosen, the user would only be required to refresh/recreate if they add new content to the SourceFlow.

Well so far the way i have set this to work is to have wiiflow auto cache the covers the very first time we show sourceflow. You will only see the progress bar briefly the first time. But now that bring up tiers i will have to do it every time you switch tiers as well. Hmm may have to think about this more.

 

[Hakaisha]

For anyone who may be interested in Rhapsodii-related news, I have started work on a new WiiFlow WFL theme called 'Symphonii'. Here is a preview:

Base Source Menu:

Spoiler: More WIP Screenshots

The main focus of Symphonii will be to provide a format for SourceFlow tier artwork to be more expressive and easier to browse, while also giving a facelift to the overall UI artwork. The main bulk of work to still be finished is SourceFlow artwork, and incorporating the new coverflow sets (cartbox, etc) from Rhapsodii. When finished, Symphonii will be uploaded to its own new thread, while this one continues to focus on Rhapsodii.

 

[Tetsuo Shima]

Your Symphonii looks very promising. I really like the color scheme and the new artworks!
I'm very interested in the use of a main tier like yours, with Wii, Homebrew, retro-consoles, computers and hand helds. Also, I'm working with backgrounds and for the base menu I was trying to achieve something similar to Hyperspin.
This is a very rough attempt (and don't look at the buttons, I used the console images because I still have to create them)

Spoiler: base menu

However, I can't seem to make tiers work, there must be something I'm missing

 

[Hakaisha]

Hey, @Tetsuo Shima ! Thanks for your kind words towards Symphonii.

Download this: http://www.mediafire.com/file/n5kc942f14721li/SourceFlow_Tier_Template_%28WIP%29.rar/file

This is a WIP SourceFlow tier template for Rhapsodii. This is not final or complete, but it should give you an idea of how the tiers work.

Your base menu should always be named source_menu.ini

The branching tier ini files can be named whatever you choose. Ex: games.ini , videos.ini , homebrew.ini, etc.

If you want to create a button that opens a separate source_menu tier, it should look something like this:

[BUTTON_0]
flow=
image=base_games.png
image_s=base_games_s.png
magic=games.ini
source=new_source
title=Games

Buttons usually utilize the magic= to define the magic number, when source=plugin. But for travelling between tiers, we use source=new_source, and use magic= to define the name of the ini file we want to travel to.

---

You can also use this method to create a "Return" button, within each branching tier ini file, to return to the previous menu or Base Menu.

Example of Return to Base Menu:

[BUTTON_4]
flow=
image=uni_return.png
image_s=uni_return_s.png
magic=source_menu.ini
source=new_source
title=Return to Base Menu

Once again, we just define source=new_source and magic=source_menu.ini. This will load the base menu. But you can literally define any tier ini file you desire and it will travel to it, forward or backwards.

Fledge has also added buttons to use on the Wii remote for travelling between tiers. Use these buttons while viewing the Source Menu/SourceFlow.

( - ) button = Travels back a single tier
( + ) button = Travels back to Base Menu

So, for your proposed setup of: Wii, Retro Consoles, Computers and Handhelds, your tiers would typically look something like this:
source_menu.ini
retro_consoles.ini
computers.ini
handhelds.ini

You'd use source=wii as your first [BUTTON] in source_menu.ini for the Wii button, then use source=new_source for the rest of your base menu tier [BUTTON]s.

If you have any further questions, let me know and I'll do my best to help out. I apologize for the super long post.

I really like your Hyperspin style idea, it looks great! That would be really cool to use on the base menu. Keep us updated on its progress!

 

[Tetsuo Shima]

Thanks for your kindness Hakaisha, now everything is clear.
I will keep you updated on my progress, now I will try to work on something nicer than my previous draft

 

[fledge68]

@Tetsuo Shima
here is my latest commit for wiiflow. https://www.mediafire.com/file/j7dy21g7xfdavko/wiiflow_5.3.0_beta4.zip/file
you'll need the platform ini included in the zip. backup your current one because you might have a few differences from mine.

latest commit changes:
- update for custom backgrounds. no longer add background= to source menu buttons. place backgrounds in wiiflow/backgrounds or wiiflow/backgrounds/{theme_name}. name them the same as the platform names under [PLUGINS] in platform ini. match case size. they can be png or jpg.
- new way to handle the custom blank covers by Abz. blank covers now must go in wiiflow/boxcovers/blank_covers folder and must be named after their platform name via platform ini. they can also now be png or jpg.
- now scummvm ini and all the scummvm files/folders/zips don't have to be in wiiflow/plugins. they can be in wiiflow/plugins/scummvm or apps/scummvm. scummvm_plugin.ini and the ogg can still be in wiiflow/plugins. the dol file should be in the folder where scummvm ini is and the line dolfile= changed to dolfile=scummvm/scummvm-mod13.dol or dolfile=sd:/apps/scummvm/scummvm-mod13.dol

 

[Tetsuo Shima]

@Tetsuo Shima
here is my latest commit for wiiflow. https://www.mediafire.com/file/j7dy21g7xfdavko/wiiflow_5.3.0_beta4.zip/file
you'll need the platform ini included in the zip. backup your current one because you might have a few differences from mine.

latest commit changes:
- update for custom backgrounds. no longer add background= to source menu buttons. place backgrounds in wiiflow/backgrounds or wiiflow/backgrounds/{theme_name}. name them the same as the platform names under [PLUGINS] in platform ini. match case size. they can be png or jpg.
- new way to handle the custom blank covers by Abz. blank covers now must go in wiiflow/boxcovers/blank_covers folder and must be named after their platform name via platform ini. they can also now be png or jpg.
- now scummvm ini and all the scummvm files/folders/zips don't have to be in wiiflow/plugins. they can be in wiiflow/plugins/scummvm or apps/scummvm. scummvm_plugin.ini and the ogg can still be in wiiflow/plugins. the dol file should be in the folder where scummvm ini is and the line dolfile= changed to dolfile=scummvm/scummvm-mod13.dol or dolfile=sd:/apps/scummvm/scummvm-mod13.dol

This is working great! sorry for the delay, I had to rename all my backgrounds to the new names. I've not yet tried the custom covers but everything else seems to be working fine.
When I was renaming the files according to platform.ini names, I had noticed that some platforms are missing:

Spoiler

BBCMICRO
NEOGEO AES (NEOGEO HOME CONSOLE -NOT CD)
FAMICOM (JAPANESE NES)
SUPER FAMICOM (JAPANESE SNES)
SUPER NINTENDO (PAL SNES)
ODYSSEY (O2M)
SEGACD
MEGACD_JP
MEGADRIVE_JP
TURBODUO (PCE-CD USA)
WONDERSWAN COLOR

Apart from a few missing systems, there are some console regions that in my opinion should be added. I have already made all backgrounds for them.

 

[fledge68]

This is working great! sorry for the delay, I had to rename all my backgrounds to the new names. I've not yet tried the custom covers but everything else seems to be working fine.
When I was renaming the files according to platform.ini names, I had noticed that some platforms are missing:

Spoiler

BBCMICRO
NEOGEO AES (NEOGEO HOME CONSOLE -NOT CD)
FAMICOM (JAPANESE NES)
SUPER FAMICOM (JAPANESE SNES)
SUPER NINTENDO (PAL SNES)
ODYSSEY (O2M)
SEGACD
MEGACD_JP
MEGADRIVE_JP
TURBODUO (PCE-CD USA)
WONDERSWAN COLOR

Apart from a few missing systems, there are some console regions that in my opinion should be added. I have already made all backgrounds for them.

those platforms wiimpathy did not make any folder with xml database and ini game list.
famicom i believe is included in NES
NEOGEO AES games are the same as the arcade ones
super famicom/nintendo pal i figured would all be under SUPERNES
wonderswan color are under wonderswan.
i could be wrong. maybe we should check with @Wiimpathy on that.

edit: i checke wonderswan color and famicom and they are indeed included in wonderswan and nes.
so you have backgrounds for all those? and i assume you made new magic #s for each one? that should work fine for your custom backgrounds. just not with wiimpathy's databases.
so i will add to platform ini:

[COMBINED]
NEOGEO AES=NEOGEO
FAMICOM=NES
SUPER FAMICOM=SUPERNES
SUPER NINTENDO PAL=SUPERNES
SEGACD=MEGACD
MEGACD_JP=MEGACD
MEGADRIVE_JP=MEGADRIVE
TURBODUO=PC_ENGINECD
WONDERSWAN COLOR=WONDERSWAN

and then add code to check this list to get the platform name used for the databases. that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Tetsuo Shima]

those platforms wiimpathy did not make any folder with xml database and ini game list.
famicom i believe is included in NES
NEOGEO AES games are the same as the arcade ones
super famicom/nintendo pal i figured would all be under SUPERNES
wonderswan color are under wonderswan.
i could be wrong. maybe we should check with @Wiimpathy on that.

Ok this request was mainly to be abe to let users have more freedom with coverflows backgrounds and icons. I will try to explain: let's say that someone wants to have Wonderswan and Wonderswan color on separate coverflows (like GB and GBC, they were compatible but different consoles). Also SNES and Super Famicom had different box sizes, and SNES Pal was in 50Hz. Some peope could want to have them all but on separate flows, each with its own console picture. Same for the other consoles from different regions in my list.
About Neogeo, it's true that MVS and AES were basically the same system, but the first one is an arcade and the second one is a home console, so they could have different bg and pics.
Before v4 it was just a matter of changing the image names in source_menu.ini, but with the new update it' no longer possible

 

[fledge68]

Ok this request was mainly to be abe to let users have more freedom with coverflows backgrounds and icons. I will try to explain: let's say that someone wants to have Wonderswan and Wonderswan color on separate coverflows (like GB and GBC, they were compatible but different consoles). Also SNES and Super Famicom had different box sizes, and SNES Pal was in 50Hz. Some peope could want to have them all but on separate flows, each with its own console picture. Same for the other consoles from different regions in my list.
About Neogeo, it's true that MVS and AES were basically the same system, but the first one is an arcade and the second one is a home console, so they could have different bg and pics.
Before v4 it was just a matter of changing the image names in source_menu.ini, but with the new update it' no longer possible

yes i understand you have OCD .... LOL just kidding. I edited my post above and already came up with a solution. no problem.

 

[fledge68]

Ok this request was mainly to be abe to let users have more freedom with coverflows backgrounds and icons. I will try to explain: let's say that someone wants to have Wonderswan and Wonderswan color on separate coverflows (like GB and GBC, they were compatible but different consoles). Also SNES and Super Famicom had different box sizes, and SNES Pal was in 50Hz. Some peope could want to have them all but on separate flows, each with its own console picture. Same for the other consoles from different regions in my list.
About Neogeo, it's true that MVS and AES were basically the same system, but the first one is an arcade and the second one is a home console, so they could have different bg and pics.
Before v4 it was just a matter of changing the image names in source_menu.ini, but with the new update it' no longer possible

yes i understand you have OCD .... LOL just kidding. I edited my post above and already came up with a solution. no problem.

edit: stupid double post. could one of the mods delete this one? thanks.

 

[Wiimpathy]

Yeah, it wouldn't work for database if you change the platform's name rigth now. As a workaround, you can just duplicate the the folder(NES->FAMICOM).
The combined domain is a good idea too.

As it is now there are wrong and missing entries in platform.ini :

Wrong

// ARCADE
44505331=FBA_PGM
45505331=FBA_PSIKYO
464E254F=FB_ALPHA
4642414c=FB_ALPHA

4752494D=RISIDUALVM // small typo: RESIDUALVM (no database, only 1 game!)
4d45404f=GENESIS // should be MEGADRIVE (no problem if you add the combined idea).
5247456F=GENESIS
53454762=GENESIS

Missing

BBCMICRO // I forgot this one but the data is there.
TO5 // Unreleased Thomson computer. Part of retroarch(theodore_libretro_wii.dol). Needs .ini and covers.
SATELLAVIEW // xml & ini to be merged?

All MSX may be merged as there's only one .ini for this. By the way, VIDEOPAC is Odyssey².

That'd be cool if can differentiate the background by machine's region and other specificities(Arcade/home system).

 

[fledge68]

Yeah, it wouldn't work for database if you change the platform's name rigth now. As a workaround, you can just duplicate the the folder(NES->FAMICOM).
The combined domain is a good idea too.

As it is now there are wrong and missing entries in platform.ini :

Wrong

// ARCADE
44505331=FBA_PGM
45505331=FBA_PSIKYO
464E254F=FB_ALPHA
4642414c=FB_ALPHA

4752494D=RISIDUALVM // small typo: RESIDUALVM (no database, only 1 game!)
4d45404f=GENESIS // should be MEGADRIVE (no problem if you add the combined idea).
5247456F=GENESIS
53454762=GENESIS

Missing

BBCMICRO // I forgot this one but the data is there.
TO5 // Unreleased Thomson computer. Part of retroarch(theodore_libretro_wii.dol). Needs .ini and covers.
SATELLAVIEW // xml & ini to be merged?

All MSX may be merged as there's only one .ini for this. By the way, VIDEOPAC is Odyssey².

That'd be cool if can differentiate the background by machine's region and other specificities(Arcade/home system).

for those under wrong. i already added code in menu_gameinfo.cpp to switch those to proper platform names. but i didn't realize their would be even way more. so i will just switch the code to use [COMBINED]

@Wiimpathy do you think you could make a database for game engines (cave story, doom, quake, grimm, etc...)?

 

[Wiimpathy]

Unlike emulators, for game engines, I can't see one website where we could parse and gather all that info all at once.
In short, I won't do an exhausting search, copy/paste job. Except if someone knows where we can easily grab all that, no sorry.

 

[Tetsuo Shima]

yes i understand you have OCD .... LOL just kidding. I edited my post above and already came up with a solution. no problem.

edit: stupid double post. could one of the mods delete this one? thanks.

Hahahaha!! yes I think it's true! And WFL has surely ruined my life
Thank you very much for taking my request into account.
Yes I already created all backgrounds and icons for every missing system or regional system variant

 

[Tetsuo Shima]

Spoiler

@Hakaisha @fledge68 I made this design for the wheel menu à la Hyperspin. It's the best I could do with my little skills, but I think it fits nicely with the overall theme style.
The on-screen 'controls help' helps me to remember the correct key combinations, and some people completely ignores their existence. However, if you or anyone have any suggestion on the design you're welcome.
If you want to try it, its coverflow is:

Spoiler

[THUMBNAIL_X]
blur_factor=2
blur_radius=3
blur_resolution=3
bottom_angle=0, 0, 0
bottom_delta_angle=0, 0, 0
bottom_spacer=0, -2, 0
camera_aim=-7.450580597e-09, 1.299999833, 0
camera_aim_4_3=0, 0, 0
camera_osc_amp=0, 0, 0
camera_osc_amp_4_3=0.1000000015, 0, 0
camera_osc_speed=7.823109627e-07, 0, 0
camera_osc_speed_4_3=2, 0, 0
camera_pos=7.450580597e-09, 1.299999833, 5.800003052
camera_pos_4_3=0, 0, 5
center_angle=-5, 0, 0
center_pos=3.725290298e-08, 0.3500001729, 2.199998856
center_pos_4_3=0, -1, 1
center_scale=1.199999809, 0.5300004482, 1
color_beg=#FFFFFFFF
color_end=#FFFFFFFF
color_off=#FFFFFF7F
color_shadow_beg=#00000000
color_shadow_center=#00000000
color_shadow_end=#00000000
color_shadow_off=#00000000
columns=7
columns_4_3=11
cover_osc_amp=5, 10, 0
cover_osc_speed=0, 0, 0
cover_pos_osc_amp=0, 0, 0
cover_pos_osc_speed=0, 0, 0
left_angle=0, 35, 0
left_delta_angle=0, 0, 0
left_pos=-2.499999285, 1.549999833, 0.2999999523
left_pos_4_3=-1.600000024, -1, 0
left_scale=1.199999809, 0.5300004482, 1
left_spacer=3.725290298e-08, -1.000000119, 0
max_fsaa=2
mirror_alpha=0.150000006
mirror_blur=no
right_angle=0, -35, 0
right_delta_angle=0, 0, 0
right_pos=2.499999285, 1.549999714, 0.3000000119
right_pos_4_3=1.600000024, -1, 0
right_scale=1.199999809, 0.5300004482, 1
right_spacer=-3.725290298e-08, -1.000000119, 3.725290298e-08
row_center_angle=0, 0, 0
row_center_pos=0, -1, 0
row_center_pos_4_3=0, -1, 0
row_center_scale=1, 1, 1
rows=1
rows_4_3=1
shadow_scale=1.100000024
shadow_x=0
shadow_y=0
tex_aniso=2
tex_edge_lod=yes
tex_lod_bias=-3
text_center_angle=0
text_center_angle_4_3=0
text_center_pos=7.450580597e-09, 1.999999046, 2.000000477
text_center_pos_4_3=0, 0.8000000119, 2.599999905
text_center_style=CB
text_center_wrap_width=380
text_center_wrap_width_4_3=500
text_left_angle=0
text_left_angle_4_3=-20
text_left_pos=1.564621925e-07, 1.999999046, 2.000000477
text_left_pos_4_3=-1, 0.8000000119, 2.599999905
text_right_angle=0
text_right_angle_4_3=20
text_right_pos=-1.564621925e-07, 1.999999046, 2.000000477
text_right_pos_4_3=1, 0.8000000119, 2.599999905
text_side_style=CM
text_side_wrap_width=500
text_side_wrap_width_4_3=500
title_mirror_alpha=0.02999999933
top_angle=0, 0, 0
top_delta_angle=0, 0, 0
top_spacer=0, 2, 0

[THUMBNAIL_X_S]
bottom_angle=0, 0, 0
bottom_delta_angle=0, 0, 0
bottom_spacer=0, -2, 0
camera_aim=0, 0.5000000596, 0
camera_aim_4_3=0, 0, 0
camera_osc_amp=0, 0, 0
camera_osc_amp_4_3=0, 0, 0
camera_osc_speed=0, 0, 0
camera_osc_speed_4_3=0, 0, 0
camera_pos=0, 0.5000000596, 4.649998665
camera_pos_4_3=0, 0, 5
center_angle=0, 0, 0
center_pos=-0.7000000477, -0.3999998569, 1.85000062
center_pos_4_3=-0.6000000238, -1, 2.599999905
center_scale=1.199999809, 0.5300004482, 1
color_beg=#FFFFFF00
color_end=#FFFFFF00
color_off=#000000FF
color_shadow_beg=#00007F00
color_shadow_center=#00007F00
color_shadow_end=#00007F00
color_shadow_off=#00007F00
cover_osc_amp=2, 5, 0
cover_osc_speed=0, 0, 0
cover_pos_osc_amp=0, 0, 0
cover_pos_osc_speed=0, 0, 0
flip_angle=0, 0, 0
flip_angle_4_3=0, 180, 0
flip_pos=0, 0, 0
flip_pos_4_3=0, 0, 0
flip_scale=1, 1, 1
flip_scale_4_3=1, 1, 1
left_angle=0, 0, 0
left_delta_angle=0, 0, 0
left_pos=-4.699999809, -0.3999998569, 1.849999309
left_pos_4_3=-4.699999809, -1, 0
left_scale=1.199999809, 0.5300004482, 1
left_spacer=7.450580597e-09, 0, 0
right_angle=0, 0, 0
right_delta_angle=0, 0, 0
right_pos=4.699999809, -0.3999997973, 1.849999309
right_pos_4_3=4.699999809, -1, 0
right_scale=1.199999809, 0.5300004482, 1
right_spacer=-7.450580597e-09, 0, 0
row_center_angle=0, 0, 0
row_center_pos=0, 0, 0
row_center_pos_4_3=0, 0, 0
row_center_scale=1, 1, 1
text_center_angle=0
text_center_angle_4_3=0
text_center_pos=1.200000763, 1.199999809, 1.600000024
text_center_pos_4_3=2.099999905, 1, 1.600000024
text_center_style=CT
text_center_wrap_width=280
text_center_wrap_width_4_3=390
text_left_angle=0
text_left_angle_4_3=-20
text_left_pos=-4, 1.199999928, 1.299999952
text_left_pos_4_3=-4, 0, 1.299999952
text_right_angle=0
text_right_angle_4_3=20
text_right_pos=4, 1.199999928, 1.299999952
text_right_pos_4_3=4, 0, 1.299999952
text_side_style=LT
text_side_wrap_width=500
text_side_wrap_width_4_3=500
top_angle=0, 0, 0
top_delta_angle=0, 0, 0
top_spacer=0, 2, 0

and here's the background image

Spoiler

My issue with this is that if the Song title is a long one it overlaps over the rest of the graphics. I think I could just remove the song title. Otherwise, one solution could be to be able to display it as a scrolling text.

 

[matt!]

Strange issue on the "exit to" screen



**To reproduce**
1. Press home
2. Choose "Exit to"
3. Use d-pad up/down

**Expected**
Cursor highlight should move as directed

**Actual**
Cursor highlight moves in the opposite direction to the one pressed

- d-pad Down moves the cursor up
- d-pad Up moves the cursor down

 

[matt!]

Here's an updated Rhapsodii.ini for WiiFlowLite 5.3 beta 12 which required some changes

- removed Settings icon from Main screen
- repositioned Favourites icon on Main screen
- changed system names of buttons on Menu screen
- corrected order of buttons on Exit To screen

https://gist.github.com/gingerbeardman/141bd5173757c1bfea688b80951541b1

 

[matt!]

I just posted an issue at GitHub for WFL, see here for more information and reference links: https://github.com/Fledge68/WiiFlow_Lite/issues/144

In short, elements on the screen should be inside a "safe area" so they are not cut off with overscan on the Wii/TV settings.

Patterns and background can go outside of this area, as their cropping is not of any consequence.

This is currently an issue for Rhapsodii which means that many elements are off screen at native 640x480 (I have a TV with that exact "VGA" resolution), such as the icons along the bottom being cut off.

It's possible to workaround this using WFL screen dimension settings, but it's not recommend (graphics are scaled and fidelity is reduced) and should not be necessary if screen layout is designed with Safe Area in mind.

Let me know if this is something you agree should be fixed. I could even help with the changes.

Cheers!

The safe area is 608 x 456 so it would be good to adjust the Rhapsodii theme so it adheres to this.

 

[Hakaisha]

Hey, @matt! I hope you are doing well. Thanks for your feedback and research on this. Has this always been an issue with Rhapsodii?

My Wii display also crops quite terribly on my TV, losing around 10-15px on all sides. I have made my object placements in Rhapsodii according to my own experiences with the overscan. I'm surprised to see the objects are still cropping out for some people.

I have made a cropping frame using your measurement of 608x456, then placed it on top of a native WiiFlow screenshot sized at 640x480:

This actually looks quite accurate to what I experience on my own TV. According to this graphic, we shouldn't be losing any on-screen objects due to overscan. Of course, this is assuming the TV is properly centering the image.

I am suspect that your TV is possibly jogging the image off-center, somehow. I know this sounds too obvious, but have you also checked the Wii's native settings for centering the screen in Wii Menu's Settings? When you can find some time, can you please provide a photo or some sort of example of what you are experiencing?