In hopes of updates to come, some issues I am seeing in 2022
Hey all, I do realize this amazing software may not have had any recent updates over some time now but I would like to post my experiences as a new purchaser with hopes that updates may happen to come about some day. I am running a Mac Mini with MacOS Monterey and MacOS Ventura beta and I am experiencing the same issues on both. I noticed the posts related to Mojave and Catalina but nothing afterwards so here are my experiences.
- I am able to use the software as my screensaver and though the settings appears to save, the option for the Crystal isn't being acknowledged when selecting a custom logo. The logo saves but only the Marine Aquarium logo displays. - If I use the software in app mode, in version 3.2 the custom logo for the Crystal does display but in version 3.3, it does not. Online the Marine Aquarium logo is displayed. - Application mode only exits full screen when using CMD+Q even if the option "Exit full screen on mouse move" is selected. - In full screen mode for app mode or when in screen saver mode, the camera does not pan the aquarium. - In full screen mode on my ultra wide display (49" 32:9 aspect ration) part of the rock bed is missing. https://i.imgur.com/4EdNWLn.png |
Given that this SS is ancient in software terms.. and that every new version of Apple OS kills many older programs.. it's a wonder that SS works at all.
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I don't have a Mac, but it looks like Apple might have changed the OS so that the viewing frustum of 3D environments is slightly different. The camera seems to be able to display a little area past the end of the "ground". As Ralph said, it's kind of surprising that it works at all, since the Mac version of the Aquarium uses OpenGL, and Apple hasn't officially supported that in years. They want all developers to re-write their programs in Metal.
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Is the want of developers to re-write in Metal just that, a want or are they requiring it? I think it looks great as it is but the panning and cut off of the rock bed when in full screen, I can live with but I'm more so wondering if there aren't going to be any further updates pushed, is there like a .plist file we can modify to get the settings to save for the Crystal? I would love for the custom image to be visible in the screen saver mode but the setting doesn't stick for some reason but works fine in app mode on v3.2. The camera pan does work in window mode, just not in FS mode, where technically the pan is probably canceled out due to the entire aquarium being visible on such a large monitor as I have which is fine. |
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Thanks for the info.
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so does this work with macOS Ventura?
From the posts on this thread it sounds like people are having luck setting this as a screensaver on newer OS's? When I go to my screensavers in my system settings I can't figure out how to get SereneScreen to show up as an option.
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iBanks, how did you manage to get it used as a screensaver again? I have a new M2 MacBook Air running macOS Ventura and can't seem to get it to function as one.
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https://i.imgur.com/a7CKE3y.png https://i.imgur.com/92GNxAF.jpg |
macOS Ventura has problems with a number of programs.. "perhaps" Jim's SS has finally met it's match. Apple operating systems have a long history of incompatibility with other software.
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Running fine here on Ventura as a screen saver for me (not tried the logo or app mode).
Can't believe how well it runs on my base spec 14" Pro (M1 Pro). I have it on the Mac screen and a 34" Ultrawide at the same time, 20 random fish on each and the laptop doesn't bat an eye, the fans don't even kick in. I know it's well beyond the spec that the screen saver was developed on but so was my 2016 top spec intel 13" MBP and it would go into meltdown trying to do similar (and a lot less). No cutoff on the ultrawide, but the one pictured above looks REALLY wide! |
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My monitor is a Super Ultrawide at 49in Wide for the screen set at 5120x1440. |
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I think it explains the cut-off/panning issue. Your desktop is wider than the aquarium! When this was made I'm guessing a large desktop was 1024 wide and dual screens were rare, so the background size was more than enough. You're at 5 screens wide and I don't think anyone expected that back then. |
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https://i.imgur.com/3LOc5uo.jpg |
Yep, you have gone off the edge of the world.
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:lol: |
Well, I just estimated how many pixels would be needed in the distant future, and doubled it. :)
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It's a fantastic screensaver; I have version 3, and version 2 on CD.
Since using it recently on a MAC I've seen the expanded UI options for precisely placing custom images on the crystal that are not present in the Windows version. ...So the MAC version has become my new favorite of the two—but I use a Windows PC. Is there ever a chance that these options get implemented in the Windows version? |
50/50 chance.
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I didn't know that until reading the above message. |
uczmeg -- Yes, Jim O'Connor added that to his Mac translation of the program, and it's a nice feature.
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https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/sc...geyi27jxgh95ky *Although technically it appears (to me) that the Mac version renders the user/custom image on a plane put in front of the crystal artwork, where as the Windows version frames or occludes the user image beneath or behind the crystal art, as the custom image on MACs can render outside of (in front of) the crystal, but for Windows it does not. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/sc...ig8534gj205kcq |
Yes, my version buries the image between the front and back faces of the crystal.
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A side effect of the Mac version rendering the image in front of the crystal is noticeable paralaxing; the image does not remain truly centered on the crystal when the scene scrolls left or right.
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Updates
It seems that Serene Screen is on its way out.
I constantly get the jerking vish with Sonoma OS 14.3.1 The creator doesn't seem to show interest anymore in either the forum or the problem with Mac's updates and Serene Screen. What an incredible screen savior/aquarium it has been since its conception. |
Screensavers don't have the "wow" factor that they once did. We have a choice, stay with older operating systems and keep the SS or use the latest OS and give up the SS. After ~24 odd years it's had an enviable run, lasting a lot longer than most software.
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