DP6 GUI Can Be Customized

billf · Post by **billf** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:08 am

mattfort wrote:Hey Bill!

When you're done, could you post your changes in the XML files???

grimepoch posted XML file changes here (fourth post from the top of the page):

http://www.unicornation.com/phpBB2/view ... &start=195

billf · Post by **billf** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:49 am

nk_e wrote:Wow. Nice piece of work. I'm awaiting my copy and didn't quite understand all the brouhaha over the GUI. (The new design looks ok to me), but this IS easy on the eyes....

Nice piece of work.

Now it seems that it would be a trifle for MOTU to provide a preference setting for easily changing major aspects of the GUI. They (or someone more capable than I) could probably write a 'small skinning app' that lets you do this.

Too bad part of the changes require changing PNG files though....

Thanks. The number of PNG files that require adjusting are a handful, ten or so. The other stuff is adjusted in the XML file (link upthread to grimepoch's XML file).

bOing · Post by **bOing** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:22 pm

Maybe when ordering future updates they can give you a choice of 6 themes and then they let you download that version.

jlaudon · Post by **jlaudon** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:34 pm

Having choices on customizing the look of DP6 (not just bright or dark) would definitely pull in more new users, IMO. After all, it's what they 'see' that leaves that all important first impression. As loyal users, we live with it (or fix it) - I'm still waiting for my copy of DP6, and even after reading all these threads, I still can't wait to get it and install it - that's loyalty, or I need to join a support group for gear and software update junkies

.

bOing · Post by **bOing** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:39 pm

jlaudon wrote:... I'm still waiting for my copy of DP6, and even after reading all these threads, I still can't wait to get it and install it - that's loyalty, or I need to join a support group for gear and software update junkies .

I think they've tapped into that Apple cult mentality thing.

dewdman42 · Post by **dewdman42** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:02 pm

Nice to know some of the colors can be improved, but I have to say....big big boo to MOTU for the non-3d tabs and other GUI stuff. I HATE NON-3D flat GUI's. Why does everyone want to copy Ableton just because it takes less work to do.

It also does seem like a lot of stuff takes a lot of real estate, just to manage windows, tabs, etc..

I haven't purchased DP6 yet. Looks like I will be waiting a while..

ramadev · Post by **ramadev** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:17 pm

jlaudon wrote:Having choices on customizing the look of DP6 (not just bright or dark) would definitely pull in more new users, IMO. After all, it's what they 'see' that leaves that all important first impression.

+1

The GUI is part of the sales "shrink wrap" -- folks just won't buy a product that doesn't look great (unless they're hooked already like most of us 'cornies are).

*** Thanks for all your work Bill & Grimey!! ***

jlaudon wrote:I need to join a support group for gear and software update junkies .

"My name is ramadev, and I use audio gear."

"Hello, ramadev."

(Maybe we could start a 12-step program at the MOTU Golf and Country Club.

)

billf · Post by **billf** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:25 pm

ramadev wrote:*** Thanks for all your work Bill & Grimey!! ***

I'm just glad the GUI can be customized. That snow white interface would cause snow blindness after about 10 hours of usage, especially at night.

marcushane · Post by **marcushane** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:28 pm

Don't know if this has been brought up but there is a "reverse black and white" key stroke with apple. I can't remember what it is. I changed mine to apple B. I like it. Makes every thing black and dark. It's probably not for everyone because it changes the color charts and makes colors hazy but i like it.

Marcus

steff3 · Post by **steff3** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:37 pm

dewdman42 wrote:Nice to know some of the colors can be improved, but I have to say....big big boo to MOTU for the non-3d tabs and other GUI stuff. I HATE NON-3D flat GUI's. Why does everyone want to copy Ableton just because it takes less work to do.

It also does seem like a lot of stuff takes a lot of real estate, just to manage windows, tabs, etc..

I haven't purchased DP6 yet. Looks like I will be waiting a while..

Well, personally I am so tired of all this faked 3D GUI stuff. I do not have the update yet but from the pictures I like DP 6 GUI - only concern is that things go bigger. However I think they could add more separation between logical blocks in the UI.

Also the blue meters - looking great - are a concern. The green ones seem more jumping into the eye, what is not that bad in mixing anyways. But I think the new meters are RMS/peak together - which would be really great.

just my thoughts

best

wurliuchi · Post by **wurliuchi** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:40 am

I'm no computer guy, but I'm kind of wondering what's going to happen with these customized files when MOTU comes out with an maintenance release or update. No doubt the files will be reworked and lines and parameter names will be changed and added, so you can't just replace the new file with a backup of the one you have now. I guess it's best to keep track of all the things you changed so you can change them all again in the new file if you still don't like the GUI.

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:07 am

I LIKE the "fake" 3D GUIs. I think that 3-D elements do so much for guiding the eye and getting around quickly among what are otherwise just a bunch of lines. Now, I have to say that I got tired very quickly of the console-looks with the screws and fake cracks and peeling paint -- weathered and tough looking -- as were a lot of the GUIs in games for so long. But elegant 3D design is in my opinion the only way to design a pro GUI interface. I'm not angry with MOTU for trying it out, but I sure hope they change back to SOME kind of 3-D look. Maybe a compromise that's neither flat nor fully 3D. They need to hire Jonathan Ive to get it right.

Shooshie

billf · Post by **billf** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:37 am

wurliuchi wrote:I'm no computer guy, but I'm kind of wondering what's going to happen with these customized files when MOTU comes out with an maintenance release or update. No doubt the files will be reworked and lines and parameter names will be changed and added, so you can't just replace the new file with a backup of the one you have now. I guess it's best to keep track of all the things you changed so you can change them all again in the new file if you still don't like the GUI.

Unless they radically change the GUI it's not a big deal. The mods are several photoshop files with layers intact also saved as PNG's, and a new XML style sheet. I could switch back to the stock GUI in a matter of minutes and back again. The big time hit was designing new layers for the PNG files.

Given that MOTU has moved to a model where much of the style of the GUI is in an XML style sheet, I wouldn't be surprised to see a built in "modder" in one of the upcoming point releases.

bOing · Post by **bOing** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:52 am

Shooshie wrote:I LIKE the "fake" 3D GUIs...

I think 3D is essential for making that transition from hardware to a DAW. I think there's a comforting psychology to having everything look as real world as possible.

Put another way, imagine going back to silent films after watching the Matrix when it first came out. EEK!

twistedtom · Post by **twistedtom** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:01 am

I like the 3d look also if it is not over done it makes it easy to see what you are looking at. I like some of the things about the new look but over all I like the look of DP5 better. I am a skier so I know about snow blindness it is a bit bright I will not adjust my display as it is set for photos and video. I will try rewriting the colors thanks Grim and the rest of you.

This is exciting times in th DP world and the nation country club.