Better (skinable) GUI for uLaunchELF?

[chortya]

Something like XBox dashboards would be great... Our PS2s deserve more :)
Anyone has any ideas? is something like that possible?
I understand that with the problem is with storage place, 8Mb on MC is not such a big capacity, but we could also use HDD partition for "design modules".
One more feature is really interesting, is it possible to do a SoftReset on PS2? Lets say patched core with softreset possibility?
Ideal would be a combination of all the uLaunchELF features with integrated HDLoader :)

[Pac-Man]

This as already been addressed. IF you want it to look like XBOX you have to buy an XBOX the authors and many users rather opt to kiss. (Keep It Simple Stupid)

[dlanor]

This as already been addressed. IF you want it to look like XBOX you have to buy an XBOX the authors and many users rather opt to kiss. (Keep It Simple Stupid)
I wouldn't put it like that. It's rather that we can only devote a limited part of our time and efforts to this project, and so we must prioritize. And when it comes to that, we always follow the motto "Functionality first!".

So we would only invest time in pure cosmetics when all functional issues are perfectly solved, something that I believe will never happen, as new functional issues always appear on the 'wish lists' when old ones are solved. That's why we never focus on cosmetics like background images, icons, and other such stuff.

Also, we do apply the KISS principle to our own work, so we have no plans whatever to add any in-game functionality, such as HDLoader-type CD/DVD emulation or 'cheat device' operations. Doing so would force us to change LaunchELF into a games-oriented tool, rather than a system management tool, which it currently is. Personally I think that would be inappropriate. Such things are better handled by dedicated applications.

But the beauty of open-source projects is that development is not limited to just a single author, or even just a few. Any who want to, and have the capability, may develop their own enhancements to LaunchELF. And if they wish to, they can then contribute those enhancements here, so that 'E P' and I can integrate them with the release versions that we maintain. But here is another case where we do have to apply that KISS principle to some things...

We will not integrate stuff into LaunchELF that would make the binary swell out with huge amounts of non-functional data (eg: background graphics), so if/when such additions are made, they'll have to use external files.

Best regards: dlanor

[Slam-Tilt]

For a couple of weeks I've been looking at including background images in uLE and after some effort I've decided it not likely to happen any time soon (at least not by me).

The problem is uLE uses a very old version of libito for all it screen display stuff. This very old version has a known bug with big images (which I've just discovered, and explains why I could get small images working weeks ago, but not 512 x 480).

Converting uLE to use a newer version of libito is quite a big job, libito has been rewitten in C++ and is now very different. The other problem is it's grown from to 71k to 377k.

The other option is to use another library for the background image, but this again would make it bloat up in size.

So, I'm leaving it for now and working on improving the menu system. If anyone fancies having a go then your welcomed.

[Slam-Tilt]

I had a few hours to myself last night and made some big steps forwards. I spotted a post on ps2dev where KaylaKaze came across a simlar problem whilst implementing the BMP/JPG viewer in PS2Menu-k. After making the mods to libito suggested I actually have something much closer (I also fixed all most all the libito compile warnings, but it'll probably no longer compile in C++).

However it's still not quite there, every 200 or so rows it screws up, sheering the image (and munging the colors).

As K' must being doing something very very similar in PS2Menu-K, is the source available anywhere so I can see if I'm doing anything different ?

[HypERSoniC]

if these changes dont increase the footprint of the main program, i think it would be a suitable feature to add to launchelf. one line of the config file could signify a jpg file to load as the BG image upon bootup.

[Slam-Tilt]

The way I've currently implemented it, it just looks for the image in mc0:/SYS-CONF , but there is little point me explaining HOW it works until is DOES work :)

Also, because (for now) I'm kinda limited to what libito supports, its can't do jpegs, just IIFs or BMPs.

[HuMz]

ascii art could be a better alternative (like people do in their nfos)

[<G>]

The way I've currently implemented it, it just looks for the image in mc0:/SYS-CONF , but there is little point me explaining HOW it works until is DOES work :)

Also, because (for now) I'm kinda limited to what libito supports, its can't do jpegs, just IIFs or BMPs.


I was actually going to ask evilo to implement his libjpeg into Ul but then he moved and so hasnt had time to work on any of his projects. I believe evilos port of libjpeg is around ps2dev. That would be your best bet to get simple backgrounds running. he also ported libpng but the only advantage it would have over jpegs is the use of transparency.

edit: found libpng and libjpg

http://svn.ps2dev.org/listing.php?repname=ps2&path=%2Fbranches%2Favendor%2Fps2sdk-ports%2Flibpng%2F&rev=0&sc=0
http://svn.ps2dev.org/listing.php?repname=ps2&path=%2Ftrunk%2Flibjpg%2F&rev=0&sc=0

[Slam-Tilt]

I fully apreciate a newer graphics library would make this much easier (and make it more flexible for users), but the problem is keeping uLE small. Whilst using this old version of libito is limiting (and possibly bugged), it does mean I can implement this with no noticable bloat to the ELF.

[<G>]

I fully apreciate a newer graphics library would make this much easier (and make it more flexible for users), but the problem is keeping uLE small. Whilst using this old version of libito is limiting (and possibly bugged), it does mean I can implement this with no noticable bloat to the ELF.

true

However, look at the formats it supports. IIF (bloat) and bitmap (bloat). if your not inflating the binary then your deflating the capacity of your memory card and increase load times.

[E P]

I had a few hours to myself last night and made some big steps forwards. I spotted a post on ps2dev where KaylaKaze came across a simlar problem whilst implementing the BMP/JPG viewer in PS2Menu-k. After making the mods to libito suggested I actually have something much closer (I also fixed all most all the libito compile warnings, but it'll probably no longer compile in C++).

However it's still not quite there, every 200 or so rows it screws up, sheering the image (and munging the colors).

As K' must being doing something very very similar in PS2Menu-K, is the source available anywhere so I can see if I'm doing anything different ?

KaylaKaze never released her source code changes to ps2menu-k. I was glad that she seemed interested in uLaunchELF. I still believe we need a coder who has a good understanding of ps2menu because that is what LaunchELF is mostly based upon.

Dlanor and I would also like to take a look at either the source of ps2menu-k or mcmanager. It would probably make things easier in regards to making that mcCopy/mcPaste MC game save backup routine. Writing something from scratch would be time consuming to say the least.

I was actually going to ask evilo to implement his libjpeg into Ul but then he moved and so hasnt had time to work on any of his projects. I believe evilos port of libjpeg is around ps2dev. That would be your best bet to get simple backgrounds running. he also ported libpng but the only advantage it would have over jpegs is the use of transparency.

edit: found libpng and libjpg

http://svn.ps2dev.org/listing.php?repname=ps2&path=%2Fbranches%2Favendor%2Fps2sdk-ports%2Flibpng%2F&rev=0&sc=0
http://svn.ps2dev.org/listing.php?repname=ps2&path=%2Ftrunk%2Flibjpg%2F&rev=0&sc=0

Yes, evilo maybe I could also find out why were having an issues with his libcdvd implementation. Although dlanor is probably right we should find a way to get EEUG's current implementation working instead.

[Experiment1106]

i hope this is in your mind and you try it to make Ulaunchelf skinnable that were fantastc

[zabolyx]

I feel that instead of skinning the program.... you guys that want this type of stuff should spend some time coming up with a plug-in system... and then give it to EP and Dlanor.

So we could implement image viewing, mp3 playback, video playback, and more... With a proper plug-in interface one could easily code all sorts of programs to work with uLaunch Elf.

This has been mentioned to EP and Dlanor... They like it, but have more basic functionality to worry about right now.

I'd love to tackle this but I'm just too stupid :)

[E P]

i hope this is in your mind and you try it to make Ulaunchelf skinnable that were fantastc
A week or so ago I took a look at libito new vs old. I estimate that using the newer libito would increase uLaunchELF's size by almost 3 times without images. From what I've also seen, there isn't a way to load up external jpg files with libito either. Keeping in mind that I didn't spend a lot of time looking at libito, I have to agree that libjpg appears more and more like the direction to go.

I feel that instead of skinning the program.... you guys that want this type of stuff should spend some time coming up with a plug-in system... and then give it to EP and Dlanor.

So we could implement image viewing, mp3 playback, video playback, and more... With a proper plug-in interface one could easily code all sorts of programs to work with uLaunch Elf.

This has been mentioned to EP and Dlanor... They like it, but have more basic functionality to worry about right now.

I'd love to tackle this but I'm just too stupid :)
The plug-in system idea hasn't gotten much traction. The idea sounds good but trying to implement such a thing would require some really dedicated individuals.

[dlanor]

I feel that instead of skinning the program.... you guys that want this type of stuff should spend some time coming up with a plug-in system... and then give it to EP and Dlanor.

So we could implement image viewing, mp3 playback, video playback, and more... With a proper plug-in interface one could easily code all sorts of programs to work with uLaunch Elf.
That is really a great idea, as we then regard it not only as a 'plug-in' system, but as a way to run proper programs with the ability to 'return' to LaunchELF at end. Naturally this would only work for programs written to use this interface (as for any plug-in system), but it could allow us much of the freedom that a 'proper' OS would, and for a much lesser investment of development work.

This has been mentioned to EP and Dlanor... They like it, but have more basic functionality to worry about right now.
True, but anyone else is welcome to contribute.

Best regards: dlanor