Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach Screens => Works in progress => Topic started by: Scott on February 07, 2007, 06:05:12 PM

Title: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 07, 2007, 06:05:12 PM
Here's a new four axis screen for Ascension 1000 controller users that I'm working on.  I have the Program Run, About, G-code and M-code screen so far.
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: ynneb on February 07, 2007, 09:55:15 PM
Great Scott. :)
With a name like Scott and a black screen like that. Reminds me of Bon Scott from ACDC and their song Back in Black.

You have done an outstanding job so far.
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 07, 2007, 11:49:42 PM
Thanks Benny.  And thanks for the tutorials!  ;)
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: ynneb on February 08, 2007, 12:15:04 AM
Do me a favour and restore the bigger image. You have lost detail and its the black panel grain I like best.
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 08, 2007, 09:20:37 AM
Restored.  ;)  I was concerned about posting it as large as I did.
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: santiniuk on February 08, 2007, 05:44:53 PM
Truly outstanding.

Really professional.

Well done !
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: fer_mayrl on February 08, 2007, 08:00:19 PM
Im guessing that is only for your users?

Or are we gonna get lucky?

Regards
Fernando
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: mikep_95133 on February 08, 2007, 08:27:48 PM
Very nice there fella!

I like to see the frames and stuff much more sublte than the readouts so the eyes don't get distracted. You did that in a big way. Even with so much information presented it doesn't blow away the viewer.

Maybe try just a tiny bit of Gausian Blurr on the DRO reflections.

Keep it up Mate!

Mike

Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 09, 2007, 12:42:15 AM
Thanks Guys,

I've been using it on my tool for a couple of weeks now and it works well for me.  There are a few things that are coded for personal preference/usage, but some of the macros could be changed as needed.  I suppose I could make a generic 'RESET' button instead of the logo for those that are using a different controller.  I may do that if anyone is interested.

At the moment, I don't have a place to upload it to for downloading.  I live with 'Dial-up'  :(

It'll be a while before I get the rest done up, but it'll get there eventually.  ;)  Although it is functional as is.

Mike, I'll have to take a look and see if RealDraw has a Gausian Blurr setting.  I'm in no way a pro at this, nor am I a graphic artist, I just started playing with RealDraw and came up with and idea and went with it.   ;)

 
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: mikep_95133 on February 09, 2007, 02:23:55 AM
 Bitmap > Effects > Gausian Blur

I saw a tutorial somewhere and thought of how much you like the reflection in the windows.

I'd like to see a tutorial on how you produced the textures from this last screen set.

Mike
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 09, 2007, 07:52:39 PM
I tried the 'Gaussian Blur' effect, but found that it had little to no affect on the DRO reflections or the page buttons/section labels.  I could increase the transparency a bit to lessen the 'glare' a bit.

The background texture is just a black rectangle with a frame bevel and some grain texture with a bit of transparency.  The holes through are black shapes with inset and shadow applied.
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 11, 2007, 10:53:37 PM
Okay, here's a generic one too  ;)
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: ynneb on February 11, 2007, 11:32:10 PM
The only bad thing with this, is I have lost my monopoly on using RealDraw.
The pupil has excelled past the tutor. :(

Actually can you do me a favor, and post the rdw file. I am yet to work out how you did the nice plastic grain, and the square bevel corners ?
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: kookaburra on February 11, 2007, 11:40:11 PM
Super Work,

I bow down before you Scott. Ben, you will have to invite scott into the realms of the graphic gods :)

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: mikep_95133 on February 11, 2007, 11:48:49 PM
Scott,

This should be the default Mach screen set. I think it would improve Art's sales!

Now you have to make a tutorial for us mere mortals.

Mike

Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 12, 2007, 01:13:38 AM
The pupil has excelled past the tutor. :(

No, not really, RealDraw just makes it easy.  ;)  If they would fix a few quirks and add some more alignment options, it would be even better/easier.

"Pride cometh before a fall".... I actually had to remake half of the main screen due to a 'Save As' and a file overwrite that I still can't figure out what happened.   :(

Heres the 'Program Run' Screen.
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: mikep_95133 on February 12, 2007, 08:28:28 PM
What kills me is that Real Draw has some limitations that I thought were fairly significant. But it was very easy because of the video tutorials and the fact that it is a simple program. I already own Paint Shop Pro. It's so much more powerful that I can't figure out how to do the insets and things that make Real Draw so useful.

My RD guest license is about to expire too.

Mike

Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 13, 2007, 12:48:06 PM
I've been a long time CorelDraw user for artsy designs for CNC cutting (TurboCad for exacting stuff).  I've used Corel Photo-Paint some for resizing photos and some touch up, but I'd never try to tackle something like this with them.  I looked at Illustrator and PhotoShop, but just never really got into them (something about their interface).  RealDraw was just plain easy and fun, not work.

CorelDraw has about the best set of alignment tools that I've used and RD would really benefit from the same.  RD's align top, bottom, left , and right are more of a align center vertically and horizontally instead of aligning to the edge of the last selected object.  A spread align would be handy also. 

When locking down the background, you should be able to box select on top of it and also not be able to move it with the arrow keys.

I've got a few other nits to pick, but that doesn't belong here.  I should look to see if there's a place for comments/suggestions on their site.

All in all, Ive enjoyed making this screen.  I just need some more time now to finish it, but I need to make a living too.   ;)
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: ynneb on February 13, 2007, 03:56:53 PM
Glad to see I have another convert, who enjoys RD as much as I do. Have you downloaded the power pack accessories for it too ?
For those who are wondering what we are talking about.
For a $55 dollar program it surely doe deliver lots of bang for buck. http://www.mediachance.com/
I bet you haven't discovered RDs web creation, html slicing abilities yet ?
The forum is here http://www.mmbforums.com/phpbb/index.php
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Chaoticone on February 13, 2007, 10:21:09 PM
It looks great Scott. ;D

Brett
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: rkonnen on February 20, 2007, 11:19:21 AM
Scott,
  Really nice screen. I tried to open the Real Draw file, says unknown file format. Anyone already open this file?
Richard Konnen
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 20, 2007, 01:19:00 PM
Richard,

Do you perhaps have a older version of RD?  This was made in V4.

Regards,
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: rkonnen on February 20, 2007, 07:59:03 PM
Scott,
  Download V4, that worked.
 Thanks,
 richard
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: zealous on February 22, 2007, 09:52:14 PM
WOW this is an amazing screen!
Can I make a Flash format out of it when your done with it?
Title: Re: New screen for Ascension 1000 users
Post by: Scott on February 23, 2007, 01:07:44 AM
Sure, give it a try.  Here' what I have so far.  If I can post it here.  It's the generic one.

Please check out the about page and look at some of the button macros to be sure that you know what's going to happen when clicked (mainly the 'Ref All' and 'Tool Zeroing' buttons).  Although it's fashioned closely to the original Mach3 screen layout, there are some differences.  Overall, it should feel quite familiar.

At this time the 'Program Run' page is fully functional along with the 'Diagnostics, About, G-code, and M-Code pages.

Place the folder of bitmaps in the Mach3/Bitmaps folder and the .set file in the Mach3 folder

No warranty expressed or implied.  ;)