Homebrew [Project] SoulAnger's MENUdo

[Meikrekel]

but seriously, how far are you with the project, how long will this take, just give us some more information, then I don't have to F5 every 10 seconds

 

[Isaiah]

Boardrulesdude don't double post instead edit them

 

[Noitora]

I'll join the userbars fun since I'm a competition whore.

Simple one:

:3

 

[gangsterboi]

Eye candy!!! Nosebleed.

This is lovely. If this ever comes out with a bug free release it will certainly replace my sakura firmware.

The only theme I don't like there is the top left one, but the others are lush!

Can you try to explain how you do this but dum it down? I can only build static firmwares with sprites and backgrounds. This is a whole new level.

 

[alex]

NOTE: Crushed(or not really, PNG Crush doesn't work for me, so PNGOUTWin'd)the PNGs so you can fit more without taking up too much KB! Although the old ones didn't take up much either.

Old size: 8.9KB
New size: 5.5KB

But that' for the red, but they each around the same, blue is smaller I think. :\

For ease of use:

[img]http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1200/menudouserbartb5.png[/img]
[img]http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4364/menudouserbargreenrr2.png[/img]
[img]http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1711/menudouserbaryellowom3.png[/img]
[img]http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/3549/menudouserbarredzy3.png[/img]

When I get the time I'll make more colors, if requested.

Cool userbars Noitora!

Also, question for SoulAnger: How in depth can the menu's design go? To what limit is there? Like there can be clicking sound when you go through the menu, the XMB style waves can go to how many colors without lag. When a menu item is clicked it can be animated? Just wondering.

 

[SoulAnger]

The only theme I don't like there is the top left one, but the others are lush!

You havent seen it on action, but that and the new XMB one is my favorite.

Hmm, limitations?
Limitations

• When you navigate your theme there will be always a transition. For example the R4ds clone I made still has a Smooth MENUdo feel, unlike the R4ds's navigation which instantly highlights the NDS file.
• The DS got a crappy hardware for using alpha and resizing. You'll guys will see this when its out.
• 450 (?) kb limitation
• Sprites are BMP 8-bit only, it is because the DS can only show 8-bit / 256 colors in its screen.
• You cannot use MSpaint for saving BMP 8bit. MENUdo cannot read them. (Maybe, because MSpaint does not delete unused colors.)

Theme Customization In-depth

• You can assign a background music for your themes
• You can independently add a before and after sound in the navigation. For example, when I press right towards music it could do this sound. (click sound -> *voice over "Music")
• The XMB is just a mere example to MENUdo's Ambience (animated background) Scripting. You can add 5 animated sprites in total into the background. In the XMB example I added 4 XMB waves and a gradient. Remember you are not limited on XMB only, you can also make a full scenery. I already made a Retro Mario running , falling leaves, swaying grass, etc.
• You can assign static images the top screen of your DS, for each selection.
• You can add Alpha to a sprite, using a Grayscale Bitmap. This a great way to add antialiasing, drop shadowing, glow, and other effects to your theme.

Sorry for my ugly grammar.

 

[Meikrekel]

WOW, that are a lot of functions man, do you make this with palib or with libnds??

 

[SoulAnger]

PAlib....
I should be running now, or im gonna get flamed.

 

[Isaiah]

... I wish you could customise the ds hardware... chck in 1gb of flash 1gb of ram better quality screens more colours for the ds etc...

 

[SoulAnger]

Colors is not possible, but adding RAM Expansion is..

I'm not gonna support it though, I dont like things that not all people could use.

 

[Isaiah]

is ram a volatile memory? +is volatile memory, memory that deltes on shutdown?

 

[Sarvesh50]

Jes that is ram and none homebrew does support slot 2 like coding is hard i know only this that i have an source somewhere not completed but i have it some where

 

[anoNL]

[*]The DS got a crappy hardware for using alpha and resizing. You'll guys will see this when its out.
If you want per-pixel alpha blending you can hijack the 3d hardware, but it's a real pain.
[*]450 (?) kb limitation
I'm not sure what you mean...
[*]Sprites are BMP 8-bit only, it is because the DS can only show 8-bit / 256 colors in its screen.
No, sprites can be 16-bit colour (X1B5G5R5) -- you just need to set the "bitmap mode" bit in OAM

 

[Slyde1052]

I must say, this is truly impressive!

Will this masterful program be functional on a DSTT, perchance (I didn't read the entire thread, my apologies!)?

I can't wait to see this in its completed form!

Good show, sir!

 

[alex]

• 450 (?) kb limitation
I'm not sure what you mean...

He probably means that altogether the theme cannot be >450KB.

That's still a pretty good size!

 

[SoulAnger]

[*]The DS got a crappy hardware for using alpha and resizing. You'll guys will see this when its out.
If you want per-pixel alpha blending you can hijack the 3d hardware, but it's a real pain.
[*]450 (?) kb limitation
I'm not sure what you mean...
[*]Sprites are BMP 8-bit only, it is because the DS can only show 8-bit / 256 colors in its screen.
No, sprites can be 16-bit colour (X1B5G5R5) -- you just need to set the "bitmap mode" bit in OAM

Thanks.

I'll see what i could do from the get-go.

As you guys could see from the medias i posted. The output are pretty damn fine considering this current limitations.

Edit:

Heres a new skinning feature. It allows you to manipulate the game icons. This depends on your theme.

Heres the table of the effects:

No Effect -> Round Mask -> Round Mask + Reflection(logo overlay layer + alpha) -> Round Mask + Dropshadow(black overlay layer + shadow alpha) -> Round Mask + Ipod Button ( Black overlay layer + Incomplete Rounded rectangle)
|-> The same but with plastic / ipod / web 2.0 effect

Techniques for adding AA. (Not directly for MENUdo, details will be announced)

 

[daregoat]

So you can create your own themes from within menudo? that would rock

 

[deethebee]

SUPPPPPPOOOOORRRTTTTT A
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[BakuFunn]

ugh, i hate spam.

Anyways, MENUdo is looking good.
Been following it since you announced it.

Love the fact you can create your own themes on the DS itself.

Im gonna have a hard time choosing between Dsision 2 and MENUdo.

 

[mrSmiles]

gbatemp and the second 360 skin that is in original post were the best imo.
I think menuDO clearly beats DSision2 and will wait for it to be released, can't wait.

Keep Up the awesome work SoulAnger