New Unified Megatheme

[gibbawho]

So ... I've got something awesome to share with you guys.

I was messing around with animated backgrounds using images imported into flash for the ATARI themes I'm working on and I realized something interesting.

Flash basically procedurally renders images on the canvas. This allows you to resize images inside of flash easily. It dawned on me that if I import artwork I've exported from a full 1080p PSD, then figure out what each Artwork's size would be at 1365x768, then make my flash canvas that size .. import the 1080p asset into that canvas and size it down in flash... then save that as a flash artwork asset in the theme...

...the end result is none other than FULL 1080p themes with 0 loss of resolution!

I don't know if i'm the first one to discover this but it totally works. This image is a screenshot from hyperspin, not a psd. Notice how crisp it is. The only artwork not high res is the video border.

AND THIS ISN'T EVEN WITH OPTIMAL ARTWORK FOR THE RESOLUTION!

But you can particularly notice the quality on Sonic's gloves.

Combined with the vector background i think it cam out pretty awesome. What's even cooler is flash compresses by itself so in many cases these themes will actually be SMALLER than their standard res counterparts.

Only downside is it takes a pretty beefy system to run them smoothly and it takes much more time to make themes this way.

You can find my prototype featured in the screenshot in my ftp in /working/HD

Check it out and let me know what you think!

[gibbawho]

Oh yeah.. the widescreen resizing is done in flash as well so i can keep the actual image assets in proper aspect.

[guyverjay]

Just tested it, its very sharp indeed.

If we had a set like this, I'd crap my pants

[OneBadVeggie]

I would also crap guyverjays pants.

[AlexDC22]

I would also crap guyverjays pants.

LMFAO!!!!

Anyways, the new HD theme works flawlessly on my rig....and it looks amazing.

Thank you gibbawho

[Styphelus]

I'm speechless. Looks really good. The themes are all yours to complete. What are you using to create your flash files?

[gibbawho]

I'm speechless. Looks really good. The themes are all yours to complete. What are you using to create your flash files?

Keep doing yours. Lots of people will still want them.

I use Adobe Flash CS6 to make all the flash stuff. All the source flash files are in the /source docs folder under any release ready theme. Feel free to open'm up and tinker around. its not as difficult as you might think to learn.

[boohiss]

Looking good! Quick question though. Is there any way to make the animated background (such as the scrolling grid for Genesis) continue to scroll after you switch to a different game? As soon as you touch the wheel from the first game selected, the animation stops. I notice in the first post it doesn't stop at all, but using the release files you have on the FTP, I encounter the stopping.

[gibbawho]

Is there any way to make the animated background (such as the scrolling grid for Genesis) continue to scroll after you switch to a different game?

The answer is an unequivocal "sort of".

There's a per system setting in HyperHQ. It reloads the background and restarts the animation each time a game is selected.

See the following screenshot:

[gibbawho]

Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800 & Atari Jaguar added to Release Ready. Enjoy.

[jaZz_KCS]

Holy Sh!tst!cks.

Looks awesome, I just have to try later this day...!

Good work ppl.

[relic]

thats beyond impressive and very clear like a blueray pic

[kaz321123]

For all those OCD types out there-I love how all the preview vids are in the same type of straightened box

Unified=awesome to me!

Thanks for your amazing work!

[jaZz_KCS]

I just tested the HD ones out on the big TV in the living room. High-Def.-Nerdgasm Level 3 at least.

[gigapig]

I just tested the HD ones out on the big TV in the living room. High-Def.-Nerdgasm Level 3 at least.

Agreed, just tested it and it's stunning. Well done.

[DamnedRegistrations]

That is indeed a fantastic find, if only it were easier accomplished. The only problem with your Gen theme is that's not the original controller that came with the first console which you used. You wouldn't even need a new scan and could just tweak it yourself but this is how the original controllers looked (burgundy button text/directions):

If needed, I could try to stick a controller in my scanner or take a high-res pic of one that will just require a pen cut. I still have most of my old consoles and accessories.

[jaZz_KCS]

Colouring the directional arrows and button labels into burgundy should not be a hard task, since he definitely still has the individual layers ready I would assume.

[Agrajag]

Wow, it's been a while since I checked this thread and look what I've missed! The Genesis theme does indeed look superb quality, and I hope this points the way forward for all theme builders while we wait for native 1080p support. Keep up the very good work, guys.

[AshuraX]

awesome!

[Styphelus]

Way beyond what I can do. No idea how to use Flash. Will wait for Gibbawho to release his themes. Maybe he can write a quick and dirty tutorial on how to do it. A lot of us use Hyperspin in our living room TVs.

PS Edit: Just tried it out after playing with flash for a bit and got it. Great stuff. already created some themes but only with a static background. Still, it's looks great. Takes a bit longer but the results are worth it.

[jaZz_KCS]

Way beyond what I can do. No idea how to use Flash. Will wait for Gibbawho to release his themes. Maybe he can write a quick and dirty tutorial on how to do it. A lot of us use Hyperspin in out living room TVs.

~smokes pipe~ "Indeed."

[PacMan7]

You guys are doing a Great job.

[AlexDC22]

all of a sudde after updating all of them... some system boxes disapeared and l ....i am on a 16:9 but didnt happen before....and i really enjoyed the snes coins intro as with genesis as well....was that part of it? of you just forgot?

either looks great...just miss those

Thanks

Boxes fixed...my error xD

new themes require to put box in art3 and carts in art4....is too early lol

[jaZz_KCS]

all of a sudde after updating all of them... some system boxes disapeared and l ....i am on a 16:9 but didnt happen before....and i really enjoyed the snes coins intro as with genesis as well....was that part of it? of you just forgot?

either looks great...just miss those

Thanks

Boxes fixed...my error xD

new themes require to put box in art3 and carts in art4....is too early lol

Yeah some themes have boxart and cartart in diff directories as you already found out.

As for the the 'coins' and 'rings' you were referring to: You are probably talking about the transitions from the transition pack (SNES fading in with coins/Genesis fading in with Sonic Ring 'n' pling.)

It could be that they are indeed displayed but the Theme pops up instantly or too soon, overlaying the transitions.

You can open up the themes in HyperTheme and add a 2 second delay to the system themes making sure they will show first before the system theme takes over.

[AlexDC22]

Yeah some themes have boxart and cartart in diff directories as you already found out.

As for the the 'coins' and 'rings' you were referring to: You are probably talking about the transitions from the transition pack (SNES fading in with coins/Genesis fading in with Sonic Ring 'n' pling.)

It could be that they are indeed displayed but the Theme pops up instantly or too soon, overlaying the transitions.

You can open up the themes in HyperTheme and add a 2 second delay to the system themes making sure they will show first before the system theme takes over.

so they are there but not properly being incorporated? or was that part of the actual HS?

thanks ill see what i can do

just reread is actual part of HS xD sorry