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

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

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
 

Ask MrBean at CNC Zone.

Thanks, I hopped over there and left a PM for him.
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 )

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

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 )

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.

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