Xion Audio Player

Can't See Through Lead and the Skin Image

Skinning Questions, Suggestions and Ideas

Postby wii.live07 » March 6th, 2009, 9:23 am

I pretty much followed the advice of this site and create the so called .psd file. I have a problem with the fact that I can't see the controls within the skin image. I have to right click and edit properties to see anything. I am using Jasc Paint Shop Pro and used the program to work with the layers stuff and create the psd file. What do I need to do to see the skin and controls at the same time?



On a side note...if anyone knows of a plugin or codec to make this program play video files let me know. The webmaster here allowed me to check around so please assist.
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Postby Cliff Cawley » March 6th, 2009, 5:22 pm

wii.live07 Wrote:I pretty much followed the advice of this site and create the so called .psd file. I have a problem with the fact that I can't see the controls within the skin image. I have to right click and edit properties to see anything. I am using Jasc Paint Shop Pro and used the program to work with the layers stuff and create the psd file. What do I need to do to see the skin and controls at the same time?


You may have problems creating layers in Paint Shop Pro, I'm not sure. There are one or two users here who use PSP, so hopefully they can lend a hand, or point out what doesn't work.

wii.live07 Wrote:On a side note...if anyone knows of a plugin or codec to make this program play video files let me know.


Not currently, no. Adding video means more bloat, but I made add support through plugins in the future.

wii.live07 Wrote:The webmaster here allowed me to check around so please assist.


I did? I guess I don't recognize the name? *shrug*

Cliff :)
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Postby logokas » March 6th, 2009, 7:53 pm

Until we get to see that PSD of yours, i'd say your 'background' layer is sitting on the foreground instead.
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Postby wii.live07 » March 7th, 2009, 12:02 am

I am using Paint Shop Pro 7 from Jasc. Can anyone give simpler instructions more detailed as to how I deal with background and foreground layers in that version of that program? Maybe I am missing a step or not but I really want this skinning thing to work. I tried to upload the picture I was using to create the skin but I didn't know how to upload it here so you could download and see.


Please assist.
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Postby logokas » March 7th, 2009, 12:33 am

www.imageshack.us

You need to learn some internets, kid.
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Postby wii.live07 » March 7th, 2009, 2:43 am

I am no skin expert so that's why I need help. What I did was to open an image in Jasc and then renamed the layers name. Then I saved as a .psd file and dragged and dropped it onto the Xion interface. The image showed up but I am not so sure about the layer process still. All I saw was the image but not the buttons within it, like winamp could. I knew the skin was there because I right clicked on it and I saw the drop down menu options. The layers are what I want to understand. Please assist.
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Postby logokas » March 7th, 2009, 2:45 am

I gave you the link to imageshack so you could show us some screenshots.
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Postby wii.live07 » March 7th, 2009, 4:22 am

Here are the screen shots displaying what I have done, step by step, almost. lol.

http://img16.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=xion1.jpg
http://img15.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xion2.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xion3.jpg
http://img13.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xion4.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xion5.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1135/xion6.jpg


Then I dragged and dropped the psd file to the xion player interface. I tried to capture that part for you but it wouldn't show. That's it. Please, there must be something someone can say or do to help.

BTW, I am new to imageshack so it was difficult at first. Hopefully that should change soon.
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Postby logokas » March 7th, 2009, 5:07 am

That..pretty much tells me nothing. Just some dialogs and that's all.

I'd say there's something wrong with the format of the PSD you save, but i honestly have no clue.

You need MW_Xion in here. He uses PSP too, and has successfully released a skin.
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Postby wii.live07 » March 7th, 2009, 7:06 am

I did what I thought you wanted. Gave you screenshots of my steps. Sorry it didn't work out. Do you use Jasc Paint Shop Pro? What my main problem is, is that the issues about layers. I don't know what to do when it comes to layers in PSP. Apparently the version you are using is not the same as mine. I just want to open a regular jpeg and use the layout advice to create or save my style at the skin in .psd format, straight up and simple. What do I need to do, step by non-complicated steps. You mentioned someone MW_Xion. If he is out there or reading this let me know so I can get some real assistance.
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Postby wii.live07 » March 7th, 2009, 9:39 am

To Cliff Cawley.


I know you are a busy guy and all but I really need some help with the Xion skins and layers stuff. What does the layers do and how do you use it. I just want to use an image to make my custom Xion skin and to be able to see the controls without the complete image blocking everything. PLEASE HELP!
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Postby Cliff Cawley » March 7th, 2009, 11:14 am

wii.live07 Wrote:To Cliff Cawley.
I know you are a busy guy and all but I really need some help with the Xion skins and layers stuff. What does the layers do and how do you use it. I just want to use an image to make my custom Xion skin and to be able to see the controls without the complete image blocking everything. PLEASE HELP!


Hi wii.live07,

Unfortunately I don't have a copy of Paint Shop Pro 7 around. I will take a look into my old software archives to see if I can find an old shareware version or something.

What we all use, is Adobe Photoshop. I'm not sure how well Paint Shop Pro 7 supports layers, but if I find a copy, I'll see what it can do. I think the Paint Shop Pro 7 is 4 generations behind the latest version offered from Corel?

From your screenshots I couldn't see a window that listed the layers. Perhaps look in the View menu to see if there is something about viewing the layers. Once you see that window it should hopefully look similar to the tutorial screenshots and you can actually see the layers you've created.

Cliff :)
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Postby Cliff Cawley » March 7th, 2009, 12:09 pm

Ok, I found an old shareware version and have figured it out for you.

In your screenshots you had no Layer Palette. You'll need to open this.

To open the Layer Palette, choose the View menu, then the last item called 'Toolbars'

This will show a new dialog. Make sure that 'Layer Palette' has a check in the box next to it. It should be the 3rd item from the bottom.

Image

Then click close. There should be a new floating window call Layer Palette. In order to make it visible all the time, you'll have to click the button that looks like a triangle facing a line.

Image

You should now have a Layer Palette that looks like:
Image

You can now either create a new layer the way you've done before, or click the New Layer button in the Layer Palette window:

Image

Name the layer using a special keyword from the Layer Reference Chart -> http://xion.r2.com.au/index.php?page=layerref

For example, we want to make a play button. So we'll call the layer play, as you can see in the screenshot:

Image

Ok, so now you've created a play layer. The problem being though, is that this layer is currently blank!

Make sure that the play layer is highlighted and selected. Just click on the name once and it should highlight.

As a test, use the rectangle selection, and select a small area on your skin, then, making sure that the play layer is till selected in the Layer Palette, choose the Flood Fill tool and click inside the rectangle you made:

Image

Now if you save this as a PSD and drag into Xion, pressing on that coloured box will make Xion play.

You'll have to create new layers for the other buttons that you want.

If you want to use some of the image underneath, select it with the selection rectangle, then from the Edit menu, choose Copy, and then Paste->As new layer

You can then rename this layer in the Layer Palette to something like 'stop'. (without the surrounding ' )

Good luck!

Cliff :)
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Postby wii.live07 » March 8th, 2009, 4:32 am

Thanks for the help Cliff. Still haven't gotten a way around the layers stuff. I will figure it out in time anyways. I am no programmer so I prefer images that work with a program that instantly create them. The existing skins out there are very cool anyways. I wish you guys would consider making video capabilities for Xion. Like I said you could use a plugin or codec. I am gonna try to get online petitions from friends to rally you around that cause. Videos are big business now. Not just mp3s.


Peace out!
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Postby Jikaru » March 16th, 2009, 8:53 am

as soon as bandwidth becomes as cheap as dirt, video's will continue to be behind mp3. but anyways, it seems like you have done this from what I read:

Copied and pasted a picture of a skin or something...and saved it as a psd...simply with one layer, meaning that you would have only a background layer that's not even movable and no buttons. OR you have pasted the background above your buttons in your layers palette...also you should find the layer reference chart and watch some tutorials posted around this site and familiarize yourself with those steps before posting for help.
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