Hopefully this one wasn't already mentioned
 

Just got an idea for a new great feature - overlay support. I got it after downloading the latest version of WinAMP (2.74) - the AVS vis library (which is included in WinAMP installation) has this feature and it makes it possible to render the effect directly on the windows desktop (and even antialiased in hardware) - You just have to set the color value (RGB) that will be replaced with the effect. Would it be possible to render the tank in the same way?

Re: Hopefully this one wasn't already mentioned
 

HEY! I just downloaded that version today... What is this you are talking about??? Video overlaY?? I didn't see anything about it. Of course, I only listen to my legally ripped cd's with my winamp anyway ;)

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

Looks like someone has paid a visit to www.dinofish.com recently :) and here I thought I was the ONLY person at feldon.com that had an active interest in "living fossils" and who actually knows what they are. Well, it's nice to see other's expressing interest in this area of "paleo ichthyology" as I like to call it.

In fact, I've been working on a site dedicated to Living Fossils for a few years now (off and on). When I finish putting the final touches on it, I'll have to make sure that I post the URL here so you can check it out. It's been a long time in the making, but hopefully I'll have it completed and up some time later this year if everything works out. Unfortunately someone else beat me to the punch and nabbed www.livingfossils.com for their site which is actually based on fishing and makes little reference to actual living fossils. Oh well, guess I should pick up www.livingfossil.com while it's still available. :)

- DL

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

I've used the name "Coelacanth" for quite some time now in various forums and in online gaming. A lot of people have no idea what it is; some gamers thought it was a name from a fantasy book or something.

I'm just a marine life nut, and coelacanths are one of the more interesting denizens.

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

It's true, the Coelacanth is a rather "unique" fish, it was quite possibly the single most important scientific find of the last century.

What amazes me though is that the Ceolacanth, a fish which has had such wide spread public exposure through many forms of media (stamps, books, video games (Darius series), documentaries, art, news, etc.) still isn't known by the greater majority of the public.

A shame that it's virtually impossible to keep in a public aquarium, otherwise people might actually get a chance to experience it first hand. Unfortunately the poor fish just doesn't do well outside of the ocean depths it's accustomed to (hence the "Deep Release" kits that the Comoro fisherman use).

Digital Lungfish
a.k.a
Steven Patton (financial contributor to dinofish.com and the Comoro rescue efforts)

Regal Tang remake
 

When the fishes get different behavioral patterns, will the Regal Tang start swimming in that special way it does which looks like it's flying using the pectoral fins as wings? (I can't really explain how it looks, but if you've seen one IRL, you know what I'm talking about.)

Also, If it's possible could it be even more intensely blue? - This has to be the "bluest" fish in the world and should be so in the SS as well.

/Tiny


"If someone says that they're a pathological liar, do you believe them?"

Re: Hopefully this one wasn't already mentioned
 

Just see the visual plug-in AVS and in the Display Settings check the "Overlay Mode" and "Set Desktop to color". You'll see what I mean.

Re: Hopefully this one wasn't already mentioned
 

Exactly how did this reply end up here?!

Re: Hopefully this one wasn't already mentioned
 

What's wrong with this reply?

Re: Hopefully this one wasn't already mentioned
 

Nothing's wrong with it. I just tried typing a reply with my head up my a** and not thinking att all (didn't work out that great..) Sorry 'bout it.

/Calle

Alternative background suggestion that would work
 

I've previously expressed my idea of having a sole lionfish hovering in a aquarium with a black backround.

Would it be possible to be able to turn off all the coral and rocks and just have an empty bottom?

To me it seems pretty simple to do. Nothing to add, just remove some stuff. Since there is no lionfish available yet(but I keep longing for one...), I'll have to settle for some other fish, but that might be fun as a variation on the regular background.

/Tiny

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

Hey Jim,

I know that we haven't brought up the idea of new lighting featrues in the aquarium for a while now, but I wanted to run this one by you. It's nothing all that exciting, but it might be worth considering.

- Random light/sun rays cast down through the water from the
surface, much like you would see in the ocean.

Although the effect we have in the aquarium at this time (texture moving across the surface of the corals and gravel) is definately exceptional, I think this kind of lighting would be a nice compliment to it. Especially if you were to make it so that this feature kicks in under low light settings only.

- DL

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

You don't really see this in aquariums unless the water is VERY dirty. However, I do plan to eventally add the "lightplay" to the tops of the fish.

more swimming fish
 

I didn't see this suggestion in 11 pages of wishes, which are incorporated herein by reference (just in case there is a vote in progress).

How about allowing more swimming fish from the existing set of fish types available. One might incremently advance the number until the frame rate began degrading significantly. (Assume a gigantic filter system.)

kirby

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

Yes you're right of course, I know it's not the sort of thing you see in a reef tank, I guess I was thinking bigger. Shame on me! ;)

As for the light play on the tops of the fish, I'm sure that will look simply amazing when you finally put it in.
What about the snails, starfish, shrimp, etc? Will we also see this feature used on them?

- DL

Re: more swimming fish
 

"How about allowing more swimming fish from the existing set of fish types available. One might incremently advance the number until the frame rate began degrading significantly. (Assume a gigantic filter system.)"

We've actually discussed this in the past and according to Jim it's not something that he wants to do. As it is now, 7 fish is already quite a bit for an aquarium of this size and he wants to keep it as realistic as possible without pushing the boundaries to the point of exaggeration.

Eventually he's going to add other sea creatures (non-fish) to the aquarium, this should help to expand it's diversity. Things like snails, starfish, shrimp, octopus, and more.

- DL

Re: more swimming fish
 

Kirby,

When the background is changed to a "panning" situation, the tank will be considered larger and the ability to choose more fish is a possibility, but only a few more, definitely not unlimited additions. With some of todays cutting edge Video Cards, you could push it to the point of being totally unrealistic. One of Jim's main goals is to become and remain, as realistic as possible.

Re: more swimming fish
 

OK, I surrender.

kirby

Re: more swimming fish
 

Hahaha, no we're not ganging up on you Kirby. ;) If anything we just like to share information with one another and in those cases when someone asks a question that Jim has already answered many times before, we do what we can to help take the load off his hands. This way he can remain focured on his work (the screensaver).

If Jim has the time he'll answer, if not, then Morgan probably will, if he's too busy (lazy), then I'll probably jump in when I'm around, and so on and so on. :)

- DL

Fish wishlist
 

I would like to place my vote for a lion fish, though it would no doubt be difficult to acheive with all those flowing fins.
A Majestic angel would also be good and I`m looking forward to the arrival of the banded shrimp.
If you ever have realistic anemones, then the clownfish could hang around it as in real life.
I`m also looking forward to being able to feed them.
I used to keep tropical marines but can`t now through lack of space (I live on a boat now) so this program is the closest I can get to my old hobby - Thanks

Re: Fish wishlist
 

Bernknow,
The Lionfish has been added to the group of "Specialty Fish". A Majestic Angel is being looked at, but may cause some rendering problems with the spots on the sides. Also the Percula Clownfish and Anemone symbiotic relationship will be implemented in the future. There are several things that must be done first, but it is in the plans.

Re: Fish wishlist
 

How about Starfish? any kind would be OK!
Hermit Crabs?
Conchs or other shellfish??
Maybe I missed these if they are on your lists- too many pages to go back and revue!

Titleless mode?
 

How about an option in window mode that does away with the title bar. That way you have the aquarium with a thin border around it and nothing else. Very clean :)

Thanks,
Paul

Re: Titleless mode?
 

I'd like to see this too.

I have no idea how much work is involved in picking a different window type. Maybe Jim can get ahold of the little toolbar code like Winamp and Photoshop use for the toolbars.

I don't think Jim would be happy without having an [X] button at least.

Re: Titleless mode?
 

I have a WinTV card. When you right click in the middle of the window, the title toggles off, right click again and it comes back on. I also like the feature in WinAMP where it docks with the sides, top, or bottom of the screen. I think both of these features should be built into Windows, so they could be used with any program.

Paul

Re: Titleless mode?
 

Active Desktop items have this sort of functionality in Windows. Once you've placed the image where you want it on your desktop and move the mouse pointer away, the boarder and the [X] disappear. To make it reappear you simply hover the mouse pointer over the image for a few seconds.

If possible, perhaps Jim could request this bit of code from Microsoft so that he can have the aquarium running as a more intergral part of Windows. What do you think about that Jim?

- DL

Re: Titleless mode?
 

It's pretty far down on a very long list.

Re: Titleless mode?
 

Agreed, but do you think it's actually possible to do this?

- DL

Re: Titleless mode?
 

Probably.

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

Ok - I like the requests for all the new additions. I like the idea of the Live Coral with the clown fish wriggling through the tenticles.

I also think it would be awesome to have some larger fish as well - small shark, Rays, Lions, eels.

But the truth to this post is that there are only a select few fish that live with live anenomes and coral.

When having tanks you usually have decide on a few select fish or an anenome/coral tank as all these animals do not require the same tank conditions.

I propose with the deluxe registration it opens up the ability to select form a couple of preset tank types. This gives you options that are preset and determined on what animals live together and require the same conditions.

Brent Wullenwaber

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

Lionfish is coming.
Shark maybe.
Ray, I don't know.

As for the Clownfish and Anemone, the rules of fish incompatibility are being ignored for the Aquarium. After all, we'll have an Octopus and Jellyfish available! Neither would work in this tank.

As for multiple tanks, this might happen, but not for the reason you're thinking--strictly for aesthetics.

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

I've recently had another look at the wishlist photograph pages and noticed that a Manta Ray has been added.

I'm no fish boffin, but are these guy's not somewhat large for the size of aquarium we're talking about?

Just a thought

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

codgio,

You are correct about size, Jim has considered skates, rays, and sharks from the beginning, and size is one of the major considerations at this point. He has yet to make a final determination, but we can always hope. :)

Re: The Sachs Aquarium WISHLIST
 

I loved the picture and had to add it. Notice it has no * meaning it's not likely for inclusion.

Pakistani Butterfly
 

One of my favorite fish is the Pakistani Butterfly. I note that it is in the wish list but have seen no references to it on the forum.

Is this a fish Jim is considering for addition to the Aquarium?

Re: Pakistani Butterfly
 

The high-frequency stripes on the Pakistani Butterfly just wouldn't work.

Likely candidates for the next update are the Annularis Angel, Emperator Angel, Black-tailed Damsel, Majestic Angel, Bi-color Angel, Asfur Angel, or Koran Angel.

Re: Pakistani Butterfly
 

Jim,

Thanks for the reply. I had a hunch the high frequency strips on the Pakistani Butterfly could be a problem.

The top candidates you list for the next addition are all splendid fish, excepting the Damsel (IMO), especially the first two. The Annularis Angel has very striking markings and presents a color variation not currently in the repertory. The Emperator Angel is not only striking in its markings but presents a slightly different frontal shape for the Angel family. I would hate to pick from these two but that's why you get the big bucks! ha ha. Hopefully, both will eventually be included.

Fish Suggestion
 

The bicolor blennie (or another blennie species) would be a unique addition to the screensaver. Though not colored brightly like some of the other fish, they have very interesting behavior, a cute and funny face, and a cool swimming style (like an eel). They perch on rocks and swim backwards into holes where they hide with only their head sticking out.

http://www.flyingfishexpress.com/fis...es/bicolor.jpg

Re: Fish Suggestion
 

I'm still hoping for the Firefish Gobi. I finally saw a tank with 3-4 in them. The little arm or loose toothpick like fin floats freely so that might be tough to produce.

I've never seen a Bicolored Blennie with such subtle coloring. The ones I'd seen looked close to the Gramma already in the tank.

Re: Fish Suggestion
 

Minor correction: I believe it is spelled "goby," not "gobi", and "blenny", not "blennie." Also the Mandarin "Gobi" in the wishlist is actually a Mandarin Dragonet -- not a member of the goby family, though fish stores still refer to them as gobies. :)

I agree a purple firefish would be cool. It would have to flick that dorsal fin just right, though, and would have to have a hole or cave that it can dash into when bigger fish come around or it's chased.