Trying to create a main menu theme...

[vaderag]

...and I'm struggling with the background...

Does the background have to be swf?! If so, are there any free tools that can convert an image to SWF?

I'd be happy just using an image, or even using nothing an replicating the background with one of the images instead...

Thanks

[KlopjerO]

6 minutes ago, vaderag said:

...and I'm struggling with the background...

Does the background have to be swf?! If so, are there any free tools that can convert an image to SWF?

I'd be happy just using an image, or even using nothing an replicating the background with one of the images instead...

Thanks

Swfs are not necessary.  You can use png. Swf should be used if you want to have an animation in them. 

[vaderag]

17 minutes ago, klopjero said:

Swfs are not necessary.  You can use png. Swf should be used if you want to have an animation in them. 

Thanks. 

Is there any way to animate the background with similar syntax to the artwork? 

I want my background to rotate ideally...

Side note - is there anywhere that lists out the syntax that can be used in each tag? I'm getting there with trial and error, but can't find a resource which outlines what each tag's values can be...

[KlopjerO]

backgrounds can't use the pre-programmed animations used in hypertheme. if you want to animate them you will need to Adobe Flash/animator and save your animation as SWF.  However, you could sacrifice your artwork 1 and use that as a background.

[vaderag]

2 minutes ago, klopjero said:

backgrounds can't use the pre-programmed animations used in hypertheme. if you want to animate them you will need to Adobe Flash/animator and save your animation as SWF.  However, you could sacrifice your artwork 1 and use that as a background.

Yeah, i've just been trying that... but the artwork seems to sit on top of the wheen for some reason... any ideas?!

[KlopjerO]

1st. Would you kindly post a screenshot
2nd. what are the dimensions of the image you want to use ?

[vaderag]

23 minutes ago, klopjero said:

1st. Would you kindly post a screenshot
2nd. what are the dimensions of the image you want to use ?

The attached is what i'm using - trying to have it spin as the background...

But it sits on top of the wheel

[KlopjerO]

Are you sure you using artwork1 ? images should not be on top of the wheel, if they are set to artwork1. or are we now having a miscommunication ?

[vaderag]

21 minutes ago, klopjero said:

Are you sure you using artwork1 ? images should not be on top of the wheel, if they are set to artwork1. or are we now having a miscommunication ?

Yes, Artwork1.

Artwork 2,3,4 show up above it, but the actual main menu wheel is underneath and unseen until i change up or down

[KlopjerO]

I'm confused.  make me a screenshot of you Hypertheme setup. a screenshot of hypertheme.. so you have hyper theme you have loaded the image in hypertheme and press printscrn and post that image

[vaderag]

2 minutes ago, klopjero said:

I'm confused.  make me a screenshot of you Hypertheme setup. a screenshot of hypertheme.. so you have hyper theme you have loaded the image in hypertheme and press printscrn and post that image

Hypertheme does not work for me - every zip i try it gives me an error so I've never used it - i just tweak the ini file directly

[vaderag]

Here are the screenshots - for that and another system

[KlopjerO]

by the thundergods. By that extent I take it you still build websites using notepad? just kidding, I have no idea if you're into web development. anyway.
You need to get hypertheme sorted it will make your life easier.

try not to edit exsisting themes unles you want to use the art as a source. just extract them using 7zip.
just let hypertheme zip your themes up after you make them. if you do that properly you will :

1. have a theme that is compliant with the hyperspin naming standerd
2. it minimizes the amount of time using notepad to build themes out of.

 

[KlopjerO]

okay ..after taking the foot out of my mouth. indeed you are right the wheel is blocked... sorry about the mis information ... 

[vaderag]

okay ..after taking the foot out of my mouth. indeed you are right the wheel is blocked... sorry about the mis information ... 

Ha, no worries. Glad it's not just me.

So, how do i make an swf, any free tools?!

[RLBradders26]

Everything you need is in here...

 

[wesfranks]

Try this. 4x3 aspect, runs about 1min 45sec. Should make it to the end of most system video snaps which is when the theme rotates in attract mode (default settings). I loaded it as "background" in HyperTheme and it worked. Let me know if it doesn't. Had to do it quick due to leaving house. BTW your png, has some artifacts on rotation but lines are fairly clean during rotation. Slow enough rotation so I don't think it will make anyone vomit-YMMV.

Also, your theme appears to be 16x9. If you need it, I will try to make it with 75% width adjustment later, as center rotation point circle will likely be distorted on 16x9 monitor. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx35h3mylzQQbWFKU2lrOXRQa1k/view?usp=sharing

 

[vaderag]

Try this. 4x3 aspect, runs about 1min 45sec. Should make it to the end of most system video snaps which is when the theme rotates in attract mode (default settings). I loaded it as "background" in HyperTheme and it worked. Let me know if it doesn't. Had to do it quick due to leaving house. BTW your png, has some artifacts on rotation but lines are fairly clean during rotation. Slow enough rotation so I don't think it will make anyone vomit-YMMV.
Also, your theme appears to be 16x9. If you need it, I will try to make it with 75% width adjustment later, as center rotation point circle will likely be distorted on 16x9 monitor. 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx35h3mylzQQSkNlS0xRY1k5Yjg/view?usp=sharing
 

Awesome, thanks, I'll take a look at that tomorrow!
My monitor is actually 16:10, tho the 16:9 themes look reasonable, so haven't bothered fiddling too much. If you are able to do that (no rush) then that would be fab

I don't have flash Pro otherwise I'd take a go myself with the links above!

Cheers

[wesfranks]

This is the 16x9 conversion, squeezed from 1366 to 75% width (1024). Tested in HyperTheme as "Background"-- works. Will appear squooshed until your monitor widens it back out.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx35h3mylzQQbUp3N1hVbjlRYnc/view?usp=sharing

[wesfranks]

Didn't like the artifacts, so both files are redone with new links. Now the only issue I can see is the gradient transitions, but just barely. If you downloaded prior, download newer files.

[vaderag]

4 hours ago, wesfranks said:

Didn't like the artifacts, so both files are redone with new links. Now the only issue I can see is the gradient transitions, but just barely. If you downloaded prior, download newer files.

Mate, that is absolutely awesome!

If you don't mind, i have one very small request... (please feel free to tell me to **** off - you've already helped me more than enough!)

If you see the centre dot, it's visible underneath the wheel, it would be great f you could shift it up a little bit so it's hidden behind the wheel logo?

Alternatively, if you fancy a real challenge, it would be great to combine this background with the wheel backrgound from @Aorin's theme which i'm using for all my other wheels... (attached his base mame theme which i'm tweaking for this wheel) - i have no idea if SWF's are layered when editing (never used them before) so this may not be possible, but if they are then that would be amazing

No pressure - what you have given me is already amazing  

(NB - i havent yet changed the main artwork, so it looks rubbish right now... my plan is to use this as a wheel to match the theme of my cab!) 

 

MAME2.zip

[Aorin]

You can resize the pointer to 108x234. And set these coordinates in HyperHQ, the pointer should fit perfectly.

There's an attached pointer, already resized in case you want to try it.

[vaderag]

5 minutes ago, Aorin said:

You can resize the pointer to 108x234. And set these coordinates in HyperHQ, the pointer should fit perfectly.

There's an attached pointer, already resized in case you want to try it.

Hey @Aorin, the pointer isn't what i'm worried about (the theme is in early stages) it was the wheel background along with your background (something like the very rough idea attached)

So a combination of the animation @wesfranks did and your awesome themes

 

My cabinet is themed after Street Fighter and Bubble Bobble so my idea is to have it always load to a wheel with all Street Fighter and Bubble Bobble games in it

Attached my marquee for anyone interested

[Aorin]

I have an animated background for OpenBor theme, the water is animated, I'm about to try that animated background with the half wheel thing, not sure if I'm able to do that. Is it something similar you're trying here? Keeping the half wheel in the background?

Edit: I've found the link:

This is one of the first themes I created, I didn't fix the aspect at the time. I animated the water using a script for Flash.

[vaderag]

46 minutes ago, Aorin said:

I have an animated background for OpenBor theme, the water is animated, I'm about to try that animated background with the half wheel thing, not sure if I'm able to do that. Is it something similar you're trying here? Keeping the half wheel in the background?

Edit: I've found the link:

This is one of the first themes I created, I didn't fix the aspect at the time. I animated the water using a script for Flash.

I think so - the idea is i want the background spinning (exactly like @wesfranks did above), but with your static wheel image on the right hand portion (so it matches the other main menu wheels)