Unified Megatheme - Extended

[Styphelus]

On how to make it flash? It's easy.

1. In Photoshop save everything separately (console, control, logo, character and background). Make sure you merge the proper layers and rasterize each of them before saving. Save each as a .psd file.

2. Once all done, resize the whole theme into 1024x768. Copy and paste the video border into a new file, cut out the black center part and save it as video.png

3. In Flash, start a new autoscript3 > file > import stage > click the file you want. Once the thumbnail appears, click on it and on the left panel select lossless.

4. With the image in flash, you will see on the dimensions of the image on the right side panel. Now go back to step 2 and check the size of each image at 1024x768 resolution. Change the height and width values in flash to those ones. Now save - File > Export > Adobe Flash (swf).

5. Open Hypertheme and import everything you just created. I usually create a png file of the theme in 1024x768 mode and insert that as the background so I can place all the artwork exactly as Gibbawho intended. Than I change it for the real background.

Not sure if Gibawhoo has a faster method but that is what I do.

[klizine]

I know what I'm doing tonight! Thank you Styphelus!!

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[Unknown50862]

I know what I'm doing tonight! Thank you Styphelus!!

If you're willing to mess around with it a bit, you could try adjusting the resolution before saving the files separately. I got sharper results when resizing the layout to 2560x1440 before starting with step one in Styphelus' post. The idea being to preserve some of the resolution of the original files before gibbawho resized them to fit in the theme.

Unfortunately the benefits don't seem to translate to everyone's setup, as Styphelus reported that it looked more jagged when he tried it on his system. I think it might have something to do with native resolution, as I was able to repeat his results when I lowered my monitor's resolution. To clarify, I'm not saying that either format works better at a specific resolution, but rather it depends if you have your resolution set at the recommended setting for your monitor. At least that's my theory, though we haven't been able to get anyone else to compare the results, so it's hard to tell.

If you'd prefer, you could also compare the themes in mine and Styphelus' folder and see which looks better for you, before you start working on them yourself.

[klizine]

If you're willing to mess around with it a bit, you could try adjusting the resolution before saving the files separately. I got sharper results when resizing the layout to 2560x1440 before starting with step one in Styphelus' post. The idea being to preserve some of the resolution of the original files before gibbawho resized them to fit in the theme.

Unfortunately the benefits don't seem to translate to everyone's setup, as Styphelus reported that it looked more jagged when he tried it on his system. I think it might have something to do with native resolution, as I was able to repeat his results when I lowered my monitor's resolution. To clarify, I'm not saying that either format works better at a specific resolution, but rather it depends if you have your resolution set at the recommended setting for your monitor. At least that's my theory, though we haven't been able to get anyone else to compare the results, so it's hard to tell.

If you'd prefer, you could also compare the themes in mine and Styphelus' folder and see which looks better for you, before you start working on them yourself.

Unknown your themes seem less jagged on my setup. My resolution is 1920 x 1080. I'm thinking thats what's causing the difference?

[Unknown50862]

Unknown your themes seem less jagged on my setup. My resolution is 1920 x 1080. I'm thinking thats what's causing the difference?

I don't think it relates directly to what resolution you are using, more-so that you are using your monitor's recommended setting. For example on my tv, which is 1080p (1920x1080), my themes look sharper however when I set my monitor to the same resolution they start to look jagged and Styphelus' actually looks better. However, 1440p (2560x1440) is my monitor's recommend resolution and mine look much clearer when I switch back to that.

Basically, if you are using your monitor's recommend resolution then resizing the theme layout to a higher resolution should benefit you. If you plan on using a tv, you should see the benefits regardless, since you can't change the resolution in the first place.

At least, that's the idea. You are really only the third person to test this (the other two being Styphelus and myself), so we hardly have enough information at this point. This is also assuming that 1920x1080 is your monitor's recommended resolution.

[Styphelus]

So that's what the issue is. I can confirm! My monitor has a native resolution of 1920x1080 (it's a few years old). I just came from my buddies house where he let me test this in his 2560x1440 monitor and Unknown's themes look better on his monitor. Mine look better on my monitor. So the issue is with flash not re-scaling properly.

Don't think we will find a solution for that short of buying a new monitor.

[Unknown50862]

So that's what the issue is. I can confirm! My monitor has a native resolution of 1920x1080 (it's a few years old). I just came from my buddies house where he let me test this in his 2560x1440 monitor and Unknown's themes look better on his monitor. Mine look better on my monitor. So the issue is with flash not re-scaling properly.

Don't think we will find a solution for that short of buying a new monitor.

I think you are misunderstanding. My theory was that as long as you are using the recommended resolution (it doesn't matter what that recommended resolution is), then the higher res themes should benefit you. I've tested on two tvs, both 1080p (1920x1080) and I'm still seeing the benefits when using my themes. Klizine also mentioned that he found my themes less jagged, even though his monitor is 1080p as well. I have tested my themes with a 720p tv and was seeing jagged edges, but I didn't have a chance to compare it with your themes.

I was under the impression that your monitor's native resolution was 1920x1200, since I recall you mentioning at one point that your aspect ratio was 16:10. If I misunderstood, and your monitor's recommended setting is actually 1920x1080 and that is what you are using, then my theory goes completely out the window.

[klizine]

I am using my recommended resolution of 1920x1080. Anyone else can chime in too, the more data the better.

[Styphelus]

I have one monitor that's 16:10 (old PC used for my XBMC/hyperspin media center) and one that's 16:9 (newer PC but already 2 years old). I initially created the themes on my 16:10 because that's my hyperspin PC). When I realized that I was having trouble resizing the themes because of the aspect ratio I started creating them on my other PC (16:9 at 1920x1080). I've been using an Asus VE278Q 27" LED 1920x1080 monitor ever since Bigawho came up with his flash method. My hyperspin PC has an ATI Radion HD 6800 video card and it connects to my 55" Samsung TV through an hdmi cable. They look slightly distorted on my 16:10 monitor but perfectly fine on the TV and 16:9 monitor.

Having said that, I'll keep doing whatever works better on my setup. If I ever upgrade, I can always redo them.

[KrillCaz]

Will the themes, other than Gibbawho's, ever have the ability to display artwork? It seems as though Gibbawho's themes are the only ones which shows artwork at all. I guess us artwork enthusiasts will have to settle for 4:3 for now.

[Agrajag]

I've been meaning to ask the same question myself. I also seem to remember that the artwork needs to be horizontally shrunk to 75% so it will be stretched back out to 100% when HyperSpin is displayed at 16:9.

Come to think of it, the wheels look stretched so I guess that answers that. Maybe I'll download Fotosizer and do some experimenting if I can ever find the time.

[Unknown50862]

Will the themes, other than Gibbawho's, ever have the ability to display artwork? It seems as though Gibbawho's themes are the only ones which shows artwork at all. I guess us artwork enthusiasts will have to settle for 4:3 for now.

There is a "Read Me!" document along with the static themes that explain why that set doesn't have artwork and how to add your own if you want (it's pretty easy). That being said, I have added one artwork layer for boxart on the 15 systems that I have in my setup, which I can share if there is interest. Though I have no plans to add artwork to the other themes (see the Read Me! file for why).

I've been meaning to ask the same question myself. I also seem to remember that the artwork needs to be horizontally shrunk to 75% so it will be stretched back out to 100% when HyperSpin is displayed at 16:9.

Come to think of it, the wheels look stretched so I guess that answers that. Maybe I'll download Fotosizer and do some experimenting if I can ever find the time.

You still need to resize any artwork that is not directly part of the theme; wheel, cart, and box art. Reason being is that Hyperspin doesn't support 16:9 in any way, other than stretching to fit the screen. The themes have already been adjusted by shrinking their width, to look appropriate when stretched from 4:3 to 16:9. There is no way to automatically resize the additional artwork when loaded into the placeholders setup in the theme, so the source files have to be adjusted themselves.

[Agrajag]

Yes, I assumed that was the case. I must remember to read the readme when I get home!

[Styphelus]

I had artwork on my 4:3 themes (my FTP folder)and I stated out with having my widescreen themes being able to display artwork but given that a lot of systems don't have or are missing a lot of artwork, I gave up on it and decided to have the wheel show at all times. You can easily add artwork with hypertheme but you also have to resize all the artwork to fit in widescreen mode or it looks all stretched.

If you are new to this, just have a look at my 4:3 themes and see what I did there. It's extremely easy to do.

[Johnny Mazzic]

Uploaded a Nintendo Famicom main and default themes as well as the bezel to my FTP folder. I follow the instructions made by Styphelus (I hope I have done well).

Themes:

FTP:/Upload Here/Johnny Mazzic/Unified Megatheme Extended/Nintendo Famicom

Bezel:

FTP:/Upload Here/Johnny Mazzic/Hyperlaunch/Media/Bezels/Nintendo Famicom/_Default

[Johnny Mazzic]

NEC SuperGrafx Main and Default widescreen themes.

FTP:/Upload Here/Johnny Mazzic/Unified Megatheme Extended/NEC SuperGrafx

[PacMan7]

Looks nice and smooth, the background blends in really we'll.

[KlopjerO]

What a familiar background

Looks nice and smooth, the background blends in really we'll.

thanks

[gigapig]

Uploaded a Nintendo Famicom main and default themes as well as the bezel to my FTP folder. I follow the instructions made by Styphelus (I hope I have done well).

Very well. I do prefer that Mario compared to the rendered version, but each has it's place.

[klizine]

Very well. I do prefer that Mario compared to the rendered version, but each has it's place.

I misread. talk amongst ya'selves..

[Johnny Mazzic]

Hello guys, I plan to do more themes, remember that none of the art is mine, I just put the parts together following the instructions made by Styphelus, all credits to the original creators of the different art, thank you very much to all involved. Next to "assemble" NEC PC-Engine.

Saludos!

[keltoigael]

Has development halted on the extended section?

[AshuraX]

Hello guys, I plan to do more themes, remember that none of the art is mine, I just put the parts together following the instructions made by Styphelus, all credits to the original creators of the different art, thank you very much to all involved. Next to "assemble" NEC PC-Engine.

Saludos!

Ola hermano

I don't know if you can make animated background with Flash, but we could be very interested by this. For gibbawho's new backgrounds, like nintendo.

Can you do that?

[Johnny Mazzic]

Ola hermano

I don't know if you can make animated background with Flash, but we could be very interested by this. For gibbawho's new backgrounds, like nintendo.

Can you do that?

Sorry ashurax I can't make those animated backgrounds, if any have a tutorial would more than happy to learn and trying to do a few.

[Styphelus]

Has development halted on the extended section?

Not that I know of. Gibbawho mentioned he would not do any more themes until he had completed all the current ones so I'm assuming he's working on them. It's a lot of work for one person.