Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach Screens => Works in progress => Topic started by: mvcalypso on April 30, 2009, 07:00:33 PM

Title: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: mvcalypso on April 30, 2009, 07:00:33 PM
Hi,
I've been using the SteelBlue mill screen set for while and have grown rather used to it.
Now I have a desire to add some functions - so I started exploring screen mods (I've learned why it's called scream4  ::) )

My understanding so far is that the MachBlue series uses a bitmap that was developed as the page background (i.e. has the button images as part of the bitmap) and then scream4 was used to place transparent button areas on top of the bitmap.
I like the approach, but it does make it hard to make nice looking alterations.

I am wondering what tool was used to make the page bitmaps?
Is the source for the page bitmaps available? (I'm thinking this would be necessary to add buttons and sink them into the background image to make the new buttons look as nice as the existing ones).

To get things up and tested for functionality, I've just placed stock mach buttons, dros etc on the MachSteelBlue image... but, that's not real pretty.

Am I correct in thinking that to make this look nice I would need the source bitmaps?
Or is there another way to do this?
Or do I have the concepts all wrong (I'm just playing with screen sets for the first time and am not sure I have the overall mental picture right yet).

If I have the concepts right, are the mach Blue/steelBlue source images avail to work from?

Dave
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: budman68 on April 30, 2009, 08:31:55 PM
Dave,

Check out "Real Draw" as I "think" that was the program used for that.

I remember Benny (now Pythagoras) having tutorial videos on youtube about using real draw so you may want to do a search for that as well.

Dave
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: mvcalypso on April 30, 2009, 09:01:12 PM
Dave,
Thanks for the pointer - I had tripped across Realdraw and Gimp as tools that others have used to make background pictures.

All I have from the posted finished posted screen sets are the jpg files that are used a page background images. If the images were created with realdraw, I think one would need the real draw filles to make modifications (as once the .rdw file is used to create a .jpg the needed inof is lost).

Time to go find Benny and see if I can get some words of wisdom...

Dave
 
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: ger21 on April 30, 2009, 09:02:21 PM
Ask MrBean at CNC Zone.
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: mvcalypso on April 30, 2009, 09:13:27 PM
Thanks, I hopped over there and left a PM for him.
Dave
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: Pythagoras on April 30, 2009, 09:18:53 PM
Hi Dave, you are correct, you will need the .rdw files in order to edit that screen.
Gerry is correct, you'll need to contact MR Bean to get them. (If he still has them)
You will find some OLD video tutorials to make screens at the bottom of this page
http://www.machsupport.com/videos.php

Let us know how you go.

Now that I know how to make HD tutorials, I might remake some with more details. (Confidence with realtime voice is my only deterent :( )
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: budman68 on April 30, 2009, 09:33:34 PM
Don't let that be a deterent, Benny, your videos have helped me a great deal and I'm sure anything you do will be of help to all of us-

Dave
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: mvcalypso on April 30, 2009, 10:32:49 PM
Thanks for letting me know. I left MrBean a PM - hopefully he'll see it.
I've got my fingers crossed that the .rdw files are not lost in the mists of time!
Dave


Hi Dave, you are correct, you will need the .rdw files in order to edit that screen.
Gerry is correct, you'll need to contact MR Bean to get them. (If he still has them)
You will find some OLD video tutorials to make screens at the bottom of this page
http://www.machsupport.com/videos.php

Let us know how you go.

Now that I know how to make HD tutorials, I might remake some with more details. (Confidence with realtime voice is my only deterent :( )
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: mrbean on May 04, 2009, 07:00:03 PM
Hi, I got your message.  I've not logged in here in a long while.
I may still have the source files that I used for the bitmap although I can't promise anything.

If I find them, I am willing to to post them, but I would ask that you credit SantiniUK and MrBean if you produce any work derived from them.
It doesn't necessarily have to be on the screens, a text file distributed with any bitmaps made would be fine.
We spent many many hours on them and it would be nice to be credited.

I'll have a dig around my HD's and get back to you.

Regards MrBean.
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: mvcalypso on May 04, 2009, 07:25:40 PM
MrBean,

Absolutely! I am a strong proponent of giving credit where it is due - so no problem at all.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you can find the files.

Do you recall if they were indeed in realdraw format?

Dave
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: mvcalypso on May 04, 2009, 07:29:10 PM
Oh - I should also say - I hope you can find the steel blue images or the blue ones..... if you can't find the pink, well I won't be too disappointed  8)   Ah, heck, I'll even work with the pink ones and figure out how to alter the background...

Dave
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: mrbean on May 04, 2009, 07:36:56 PM
They were Photoshop PSD files, all seperated into layers.
There's some bad news but still some hope.  I searched all the drives on my network and found nothing except the zipped setup files for the screens we made at the time.
I do have some drives that were removed from PC's a while back.  I'll get them plugged in and see if there's anything on those.
I contacted SantiniUK to see if he still has copies too.

It's late here now so I'll look at the other drives tomorrow.  Fingers crossed....... ::)

It was quite a while since we did those screens.  I don't remember exactly how long, but it's been a good few years.

I'll get back to you.
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: Chaoticone on May 04, 2009, 09:04:18 PM
Hey MrBean, good to see you again. I have sent you a personal message.

Brett
Title: Re: Mach Blue and Steel/Blue screens image source avail?
Post by: mvcalypso on May 12, 2009, 10:27:43 PM
MrBean,
Any more luck on finding the files?
Dave