Color and transparency issues

[QuickCarl]

Ben - I have been working on my "Large View" CCF using Tonto(v1.423) to edit and have noticed a couple of odd behaviors. I am using NetRemote v.981.

Frames can't have transparency, only buttons can. Seems to have something to do with having an "action" on the item. Buttons with a black background (that is what I have set to be transparent in Tonto) are only tranparent when you add an action. Frames seem to never be able to be transparent.

Also, buttons can only be transparent if you use either no text (Pronto font = none) or black. Any other colors for text will cause the button to show its black background.

There also appears to be a discrepancy between the color pallets in that NetRemote doesn't show the same colors as Tonto.

The transparency seems to function properly in Tonto, meaning that a black background in frames makes them transparent, and buttons with black backgrounds regardless of actions or text color show as transparent.

That's all for now.

OOPS - forgot to put that there is an odd behavior when "selecting" a button. Even if the defined attributes call for no change in appearence when selected, instead of maintaining transparency, the buttons go all black. and the displayed text color is not the one defined.

[Ben S]

Hi Carl,

Can you send me the test case? I will verify and fix the issues!

Thanks!
-Ben

[QuickCarl]

On its way in just a few!

[QuickCarl]

Very strange - have basically done nothing different and the thing is working now.... gosh this is weird. -Carl

[QuickCarl]

Well - not working entirely the way one would expect. Seems that if you use some colors things work correctly in Tonto but differently in NetRemote.

Some text colors change correctly on select and others don't....

[maxtrash]

Carl,

technically things are working now for me, but creating a decent ccf is far more difficult than I would have expected. I want to both have a functional approach (tasks to start, like play dvd, play mp3, wacht tv) and duplicate the remotes I have lying around.

I'm also having some trouble with Tonto. E.g. I can't seem to copy multiple buttons (ctrl-a, ctrl-c). After pressing ctrl-v in a new panel, it'll only copy one button. Second problem I have is that I can't load a new bitmap for my buttons.

Anyway, since you seem to make more progress in this, I wonder I you would be kind enough to share your ccf? I'm using the win32-netremote for now, getting a pda later this year.

thanks

[QuickCarl]

Hi Maxtrash....

I'm happy to share whatever I have, but don't think it will do a whole lot of good, at least beyond giving you some things to think about in terms of design.

Here is a screen that I am using to act as alias for the remotes in my den, and as a pretty easy why to use them when you need the remote
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UADeAjkZ4xhGA8OnlQNol0HmMsTyvm1VoEmWTg!HuqTvm9dXU fENIlmhgPQn3I1rIZ3ZdVNYGktIDFyPTX7H2ssCy6!P3rG3YGB T6BmOzchzJ5qbGGjMY4yCNg8ccDYP/DenRemote.jpg?dc=4675412825811655452

Pressing on the "Receiver" in the picture above calls the large view screen for that remote (similarly the other remotes call large views)
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YADeAlUf4i9GA8OnlQNol8nB8rA2JCF3NGHc2HzsvKKdV9DMa NgT6JkuTphHv5vHQ5JCKwABPJoFx91eQCzQ!xcWe9GrSRFXIzY !hp4bWIxZDphLWAPzwSPZ0rq6qqcW5r!9rDXPplN!clsCTW96a Q/DenRemote-CallingReceiver.jpg?dc=4675412825816655112

As for using Tonot... I am on my first week...LOL. But I have been doing Prnot editing for about 4 years. I would be happy to help you anyway that I can... just not sure what that way would be... You might want to check these links:

Pronto FAQ (http://www.remotecentral.com/pronto/pfaq.htm)
Discrete Codes(what are they) (http://www.remotecentral.com/pronto/pfaq-b5.htm#b5-01)
Discrete Codes(how can I use them) (http://www.remotecentral.com/pronto/pfaq-b5.htm#b5-03)
Mike's Help Bar (http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/rc-pronto/thread.cgi?keywords=21720&highlight=mike)

If you have some specific questions, fire away. -Carl

[maxtrash]

Hi Maxtrash....

I'm happy to share whatever I have, but don't think it will do a whole lot of good, at least beyond giving you some things to think about in terms of design.

I'd certainly like to take a peek, also to your multiple image feedback screen for the LUA DVD jukebox.
Is it all based on the existing remotes or do you have some task-oriented aproach as well?

Here is a screen that I am using to act as alias for the remotes in my den, and as a pretty easy why to use them when you need the remote

great idea btw to put an image of the actual remote on screen! I've got a digital camera myself so I'll try this. Using a large screen offers all kinds of possibilities, I might actually put some pics of the equipment itself in the ccf.
and thanks for the links


If you have some specific questions, fire away. -Carl
how does the copying work for you, no problems?

ps. my e-mail is maxtrash at home.nl

[brohebus]

QuickCarl-

You've created a virtual coffee table! :lol:

-Dave

[QuickCarl]

Hehehe... it is just for the Alias layer and to make the family feel good... now I don't have to worry about putting batteries in the darn remotes...

I will be using a task based approach with lots of macros... usually, those end with a control screen for the "task" and buttons for calling other "tasks" as well as a full set of control buttons for that item... for example

If I have a task based launch screen of "Watch TV" it jumps to the Main DSS screen (I don't want no stinking cable) and chooses my favorite channel. Main screen has links to "Watch DVD" and "Watch Video" along with the main buttons I use to control my normal DSS watching.... (which is also UltimateTV PVR... so I have My Shows and Surfing for the channel guide....

I have all that stuff in the PPC format (been using Pronto for 4 years) converted from my TS1000 to a TSU6000 (color version) and am now converting everything to 800X600 for use on my laptop.

I will use 240X320 CCFs on PPCs for around the house and the large format for stationary control like my family room and the (as yet un-built) Ultimate Home Theater Retreat....LOL

Maxtrash - copying (not exactly sure what you mean) works on everything that I have tried. As for the multi-image feedback... my post is just a mock up right now.... don't think it is supported in the software yet. If I get it worked out... I surely will share.

Ben - any timeframe on an 'upload' section so that people can share easily?

[Ben S]

So is this working for you Carl? Any problems still?

I'm giving my buddy another week to get the new site up and running. If it's not up by then, I'll hack the tech. together for uploading, etc. It won't look pretty, but oh well.

[brockgr]

Carl,

How do you set the clickable area of the buttons? Transparent square buttons?

Gavin

[z.mash]

Gavin,
I don't think you can set a specific area - I think it uses the entire area.

Carl,
I am trying to play with transparency, but I am not having much luck. I have a feeling I am not matching up my background color exactly with the transparency color in Tonto. Unfortunately, my icons are black and white, so I can't use the two easiest colors!

Have you successfully used an icon with transparency, or have you just created buttons that are completely transparent?

Thanks,
Zak

[QuickCarl]

Gavin - I am using square transparent (or rectangular) buttons that closely match the expected 'press' area.

Z - I have completely transparent as well as buttons that just change the displayed text color. When the file load area gets here, I will upload. :D

Ben - some of the color combinations seem to work as expected others, not. I can make button without text, and the pressing chooses a non-transparent 'selected' button even though it should be all transparent. But the same button with a different text color worked correctly...

I think the best use is to use buttons with labels and just to change the text label color on press.

[Ben S]

Carl, can you send me ccf with some test cases so I can iron out the issues you are seeing?

Thanks!