AmpGUI DP Themes (now at AMPGUIMODS.NET)

[amplidood]

As usual Shoosh, your logic and wisdom are impeccable. I'm adding a condensed version of your post to my disclaimers.

[dinobass]

If anyone interested in new features for mods would study the situation just a little, it would save save them some trouble. The Dood is working within very precise confines of what MOTU provided for building their current GUI. It's amazing that he's done so much with so little to work with. In each mod he provides us with a file called DefaultStyle reference which tells us what happens when you change the values of any given line in the text files called Default_Style.xml. Take a look at those, and realize what it takes to change those elements. Whether it be a border, an outline, a beaded ridge, or its shadow, they all have a color setting in those text files. You can change their values, and thus make them a different color or hue in the GUI, but you can't add features or remove them. (Well, you can remove them by making them the same color as their surroundings, but they are still there. )

Then there are the resources which DP's code calls up for any element that moves, or which acts as a background to something that moves. Thus, we have the little folder full of images, and DP's code calls up exactly which image it needs and places it precisely where it belongs on the interface. This method of building interfaces goes back as far as the earliest graphic interfaces for the Mac, and used to be accessible only with a tool called ResEdit, which was very popular among those of us who liked to modify our graphics. I started customizing my splash screens in DP way back there, sometimes adding graphics that MOTU probably wouldn't have approved of, but which I considered restful for my eyes when I'd choose "About Digital Performer." Now, I just add my studio name, and that's that.

Now those elements are easily accessible, as anyone who's installed a mod knows. It's unbelievable that the GUI is so customizable, and so easy to do. It's also important to know that it's easy to screw something up! That's why you always should work on a copy of the original app.

Anyway, it took a lot of work for the Dood to figure out what was changing what, and how far he could go, but anyone with suggestions should instantly be able to tell whether it falls into the "can do" category or the "nope" file. Just take a look at the pictures in the DefaultStyle reference folder, in addition to the images folder, and you'll know what's available to work with.

Shooshie

For the record, I looked at the defaultstyle doc and at the images before I asked my question. But not knowing how exactly the images were implemented, I didn't know what was possible, what was "can do" or "nope". I get it now, thanks. Except I still don't know what a glog is...

[amplidood]

For the record, I looked at the defaultstyle doc and at the images before I asked my question. But not knowing how exactly the images were implemented, I didn't know what was possible, what was "can do" or "nope". I get it now, thanks. Except I still don't know what a glog is...

In Shooshie's (and your) defense, I think he was just responding to all the suggestions en masse. They do have a tendency to get redundant, and frustrating since they keep reminding me of what's not possible . I'm still in the baby pool as far as app development is concerned, but it's easy to forget how intimidating it was when I had never done anything like it.

I think I've cleared up the problem with my new additions to the first post.

And the glogs, those are rather mysterious, indeed. I've only discovered what one or two of them do, the rest is like reading an instruction manual in Japanese. (ie, every manual Roland ever put out )

[sdfalk]

Tempered has started taking a bit of a gun metal turn... I think me likes...

Holy crap!!
That's badass!

[dinobass]

Don't get me wrong. Shooshie's post was extremely helpful. I realized he wasn't saying, and I paraphrase: "anyone that simply puts in the effort will find out what's possible..." but "anyone that simply puts in the effort will find out what's possible, after you read what I'm about to tell ya!"

In trying to understand his post, I took a look at the images in the stock DP GUI; I saw that indeed there are only two faders originally (I had assumed there was only one for the last decade because they are so similar), and that, probably through trial and error, you figured one was used for solo mode and modified it accordingly. And that's why muted faders can't get the same treatment. BTW, I also saw there are 3 "slots" to go with the 2 faders in the stock GUI, where you only have 2 slots: I'm not even going to ask, I'm just gonna let you work your magic.

[amplidood]

I'm not even going to ask, I'm just gonna let you work your magic.

Heh heh. Legit question, that one. The middle one in the stock GUI is yellow, which is active in solo mode. I got rid of it because it's unnecessary with the transparent fader concept. The other two are simply for above and below the fader.

[neiljohnstonii]

Love what you're doing Amplidood, thanks for the hard work.

Not to get greedy, but what about a wallpaper similar to the logo you have created for each mod? That would be sweet!

[amplidood]

What can I say? The holiday spirit is getting the better of me....
This will be dubbed Nostalgia...with a few of my own twists, of course.

[Tritonemusic]

For what it's worth, I have someone I do a lot of work with who is addicted to DP5's interface. The one thing holding him back from upgrading to DP7 is the GUI. This is going to rock his world. I will be sure that he joins your user list and makes a donation for your wonderful work. Thanks again, Amplidood!

[amplidood]

Here it is, fellas. The Track Overview file that is no longer referenced in DP6-7. I'm sure they did it to speed up redraws and what-not, but I sure would love to know where the variable parameters are.

[amplidood]

Okay. I did it. And I'm proud. Nostalgia 1.0. The water is safe now, kids.....

[amplidood]

Nostalgia 1.1

[zed]

Love your latest stuff, Amplidood. Thank you.

I do have a suggestion, however. In all honesty, I have gone back to using the default DP GUI most of the time, and it is not because I don't like all your cool variations on the theme. I really like the variations of the mixing console and control panel, but my problem is with all the darker colours on the borders and within the Tracks Overview and Sequence Editor/MIDI Editor windows. I find it too distracting to have that much colour in there, and think that the default GUI (or your latest Nostalgia 1.1) makes me feel more comfortable in those windows (especially since that is where I spend 90% of my time).

And so, my suggestion is... might it be possible for you to create a separate smaller set of files (that we can apply after installing any of your Mods) which will bring the Tracks Overview and Editor Windows pretty much back to their default (light coloured state)?

No one else has seemed to have an issue with this, so perhaps it ain't something that most users care about, but I definitely do appreciate MOTU's concept of the lighter GUI. It makes the work easier and less distracting for me. But I really like all your mixing console variations and would love to be able to use them in conjunction with the closer-to-default Editor window. I could probably mix and match some file sets to figure how to create a balance which I find more pleasing (and I may do that when I am less busy), but I thought I would throw the idea out there for you to consider.

And while you're in a nostalgic mode, that Abbey Road EMI Redd Desk looks pretty awesome!

[amplidood]

Love your latest stuff, Amplidood. Thank you.

... might it be possible for you to create a separate smaller set of files (that we can apply after installing any of your Mods) which will bring the Tracks Overview and Editor Windows pretty much back to their default (light coloured state)?

No one else has seemed to have an issue with this, so perhaps it ain't something that most users care about, but I definitely do appreciate MOTU's concept of the lighter GUI. It makes the work easier and less distracting for me. But I really like all your mixing console variations and would love to be able to use them in conjunction with the closer-to-default Editor window. I could probably mix and match some file sets to figure how to create a balance which I find more pleasing (and I may do that when I am less busy), but I thought I would throw the idea out there for you to consider.

And while you're in a nostalgic mode, that Abbey Road EMI Redd Desk looks pretty awesome!

Every area you are talking about is completely controllable in the DefaultStyle.xml document. Tweak to taste! Use the Reference Guide I created to find the exact parameter to change. You can use your Digital Color Meter (Utilities) to get the exact numbers you want to use.

And you're welcome! I think the DefaultStyle.xml is actaully a blessing in disguise. Like I've said over and over again, you can't please everyone with one approach to a GUI. There's no way I could come up with enough variations within each mod to cover all bases.

[Shooshie]

Love your latest stuff, Amplidood. Thank you.

I do have a suggestion, however. In all honesty, I have gone back to using the default DP GUI most of the time, and it is not because I don't like all your cool variations on the theme. I really like the variations of the mixing console and control panel, but my problem is with all the darker colours on the borders and within the Tracks Overview and Sequence Editor/MIDI Editor windows. I find it too distracting to have that much colour in there, and think that the default GUI (or your latest Nostalgia 1.1) makes me feel more comfortable in those windows (especially since that is where I spend 90% of my time).

Zed, have you tried Clarity Silver & Gold? It may have the balance you're looking for. Not sure, but it may be worth a try. (if it's available for 7.02)

Just checked... it's only for 7.01. Sorry. But the Tempered look may be closer to your taste. Also, I just love both the Gold and Jade mods, and I've altered some color sets to better complement those deeper colors. I think they work pretty well. I talked about that in some post previous to this one [Found the Link, here.]. It makes quite a difference, if you ask me. I'm not trying to coerce; just to help. I think some of these mods just hit me right. Perfectly, is more accurate. I'd have to think about not upgrading if this ever became "not possible." MOTU could very well make it inaccessible, but they'd have to rewrite a lot of code just for that purpose, and I don't think it's going to be on their radar to do so. I think we'll be able to mod DP for years to come.

I just think Amplidood should be able to sell sets of his mods without violating any MOTU licensing agreements.

Shoosh