Crystal Logo Issues

terps4 · 01-16-2009, 06:14 PM

First off, I love the Marine Aquarium. I've been a licensed user since the original version... I'm currently running Beta8b here.... Windows XP on ATI Mobility Radeon Xpress 200 series hardware.

I can get the crystal to change to a different logo using AltLogo.png.
However, I can only get the change to happen in windowed mode.
If I then change back to fullscreen the logo goes back to the default.
There appears to be no way to change the logo and have it "stick".
Will there be a way to specify the file thru the UI in the final version?

Also, are there any guidelines for the AltLogo.png file?
Recommended pixel size? Transparency in the PNG file itself?
Come to think of it, what about the clock and calendar stuff...
Will those be coming back?

Thanks!

feldon34 · 01-16-2009, 07:04 PM

Welcome to the forums and thanks for your comments.

The PNG logo is ideally a 24-bit PNG file with transparency and exactly 256 x 256 pixels. But it seems there is some flexibility on what files it will accept.

This is just a test and the final logo support will be more powerful.

terps4 · 01-16-2009, 08:44 PM

I do like the ability to do full color logos now!

Dale · 01-16-2009, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by terps4:

I do like the ability to do full color logos now!

??? MA2.6 allows full color logos. Or did you mean something else?

terps4 · 01-16-2009, 09:52 PM

Hrmmph... I never noticed that full color was an option... I was still using 1-bit BMPs!

I did manage to figure out the issue with fullscreen mode. It looks like the current working directory for MA3 is C:\Windows\System32 regardless of where I start it. I discovered this using ProcessExplorer. I had been using C:\Windows for my AltLogo.png file. Now that I've put it in System32 the L command is working just fine. Although it would be nice if the Beta remembered whether I had selected the default or alternate on the next launch.

Jim Sachs · 01-16-2009, 10:16 PM

The final version will have a playlist of logos, with full paths.

feldon34 · 01-16-2009, 11:02 PM

Originally posted by terps4:

Hrmmph... I never noticed that full color was an option... I was still using 1-bit BMPs!

MA2.6 let you put PNG files into C:\Program Files\SereneScreen\Marine Aquarium 2.6\ and it would rotate between them. Full color and transparency and everything.

But the "Import Logo" button inside the Aquarium only loaded BMP files.

It always took 3-4 times trying to explain to people that YES you can do PNG but NO you cannot load PNG inside the Aquarium, you have to place the folders in the right folder.

Ralph · 01-20-2009, 10:08 PM

The alt logo no longer seems to work with this latest version (8D)

Yodelking · 01-21-2009, 12:32 AM

Originally posted by Ralph:

The alt logo no longer seems to work with this latest version (8D)

Works fine here.

cjmaddy · 01-21-2009, 06:42 AM

AltLogo.png not working with '8e' on my system either.

Yodelking · 01-21-2009, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by cjmaddy:

AltLogo.png not working with '8e' on my system either.

AltLogo.png works here with 8e. I don't run MA as a screensaver, I doubleclick it from my desktop. How do you run it?

cjmaddy · 01-21-2009, 11:17 AM

I doubleclick on it from my desktop.

Edgar · 01-21-2009, 11:39 AM

This is a bug. Hopefully will be fix in the next build.

Jim Sachs · 01-21-2009, 02:07 PM

I know that everyone must think that the location to put these files must be clearly defined in the code, something like, "Copy MA3Playlist to c:Program Files/SereneScreen". But it's not like that at all. The locations are built from text strings leveraged from default path information and other sources which can be different for every computer and installation. Hopefully, the Installer program (being created by Prolific) will help to pin down these locations.

Dale · 01-21-2009, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

I know that everyone must think that the location to put these files must be clearly defined in the code

Not everyone thought that. I, for one, did not. It's a complex issue.

As you implied, the "Installation procedure" and the "Program" must be in sync. And each constrains (and benefits) the other.

I'm sure it's quite difficult to write the program code, when you don't actually know where (by environment/variables) the associated configuration and option files will be.

dwax · 01-22-2009, 09:05 AM

Why dose this work for some, and not others? Wont work for me.

cjmaddy · 01-22-2009, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by dwax:

Why dose this work for some, and not others? Wont work for me.

It will probably depend where you have placed your AltLogo.png file.
In the previous version 8f, AltLogo had to be in the MA26 install folder. However, for me, in this latest 8g version the 'L' key is not working again.

See... https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...38&#post109538

The 'L' key logo change is not working again in Beta8g. - So where must we now move the AltLogo file to this time? - It's still in the MA26 install folder, and I've tried it in the '8g' MA3Beta.scr folder. - The alternate logo will still display in Beta8f, but not in this latest Beta8g.

VinceMoll · 01-22-2009, 12:16 PM

I have had the same problem being unable to change the logo. I found the proper folder in which to place the “AltLogo.png”. It is in [C/Documents and Settings/Your Name/Application Data/Marine Aquarium 3]. This folder also contains the MA3 Playlist. You may have to allow viewing of hidden files to see the Application Data folder.

cjmaddy · 01-22-2009, 01:19 PM

Brilliant!!! ..... That's it!

..... Give that man a gold watch!

Thinks! ... or should we make him a programmer for MA3 ?

Jim Sachs · 01-22-2009, 01:26 PM

Don't get too attached to any particular folder quite yet. Edgar's still hard at work on this issue.

01-16-2009, 06:14 PM	#1
terps4 Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	Crystal Logo Issues First off, I love the Marine Aquarium. I've been a licensed user since the original version... I'm currently running Beta8b here.... Windows XP on ATI Mobility Radeon Xpress 200 series hardware. I can get the crystal to change to a different logo using AltLogo.png. However, I can only get the change to happen in windowed mode. If I then change back to fullscreen the logo goes back to the default. There appears to be no way to change the logo and have it "stick". Will there be a way to specify the file thru the UI in the final version? Also, are there any guidelines for the AltLogo.png file? Recommended pixel size? Transparency in the PNG file itself? Come to think of it, what about the clock and calendar stuff... Will those be coming back? Thanks!

01-16-2009, 07:04 PM	#2
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Welcome to the forums and thanks for your comments. The PNG logo is ideally a 24-bit PNG file with transparency and exactly 256 x 256 pixels. But it seems there is some flexibility on what files it will accept. This is just a test and the final logo support will be more powerful. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

01-16-2009, 10:16 PM	#6
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	The final version will have a playlist of logos, with full paths. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

01-16-2009, 11:02 PM	#7
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Originally posted by terps4: Hrmmph... I never noticed that full color was an option... I was still using 1-bit BMPs! MA2.6 let you put PNG files into C:\Program Files\SereneScreen\Marine Aquarium 2.6\ and it would rotate between them. Full color and transparency and everything. But the "Import Logo" button inside the Aquarium only loaded BMP files. It always took 3-4 times trying to explain to people that YES you can do PNG but NO you cannot load PNG inside the Aquarium, you have to place the folders in the right folder. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

01-21-2009, 12:32 AM	#9
Yodelking yodeler Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Staffanstorp, Sweden Posts: 294	Originally posted by Ralph: The alt logo no longer seems to work with this latest version (8D) Works fine here. Yodelking - För god att kolsyra!

01-16-2009, 08:44 PM	#3
terps4 Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	I do like the ability to do full color logos now!

01-16-2009, 09:46 PM	#4
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by terps4: I do like the ability to do full color logos now! ??? MA2.6 allows full color logos. Or did you mean something else?

01-16-2009, 09:52 PM	#5
terps4 Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	Hrmmph... I never noticed that full color was an option... I was still using 1-bit BMPs! I did manage to figure out the issue with fullscreen mode. It looks like the current working directory for MA3 is C:\Windows\System32 regardless of where I start it. I discovered this using ProcessExplorer. I had been using C:\Windows for my AltLogo.png file. Now that I've put it in System32 the L command is working just fine. Although it would be nice if the Beta remembered whether I had selected the default or alternate on the next launch.

01-20-2009, 10:08 PM	#8
Ralph Retired Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton Alberta Ca Posts: 2,443	The alt logo no longer seems to work with this latest version (8D)

01-21-2009, 06:42 AM	#10
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	AltLogo.png not working with '8e' on my system either.

01-21-2009, 10:36 AM	#11
Yodelking yodeler Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Staffanstorp, Sweden Posts: 294	Originally posted by cjmaddy: AltLogo.png not working with '8e' on my system either. AltLogo.png works here with 8e. I don't run MA as a screensaver, I doubleclick it from my desktop. How do you run it? Yodelking - För god att kolsyra!

01-21-2009, 11:17 AM	#12
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	I doubleclick on it from my desktop.

01-21-2009, 11:39 AM	#13
Edgar Prolific/SereneScreen Developer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Norwalk, CA Posts: 513	This is a bug. Hopefully will be fix in the next build. *Edgar Tolentino* Prolific Developer www.prolific.com www.LifeGlobe.com

01-21-2009, 02:07 PM	#14
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	I know that everyone must think that the location to put these files must be clearly defined in the code, something like, "Copy MA3Playlist to c:Program Files/SereneScreen". But it's not like that at all. The locations are built from text strings leveraged from default path information and other sources which can be different for every computer and installation. Hopefully, the Installer program (being created by Prolific) will help to pin down these locations. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

01-21-2009, 04:13 PM	#15
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: I know that everyone must think that the location to put these files must be clearly defined in the code Not everyone thought that. I, for one, did not. It's a complex issue. As you implied, the "Installation procedure" and the "Program" must be in sync. And each constrains (and benefits) the other. I'm sure it's quite difficult to write the program code, when you don't actually know where (by environment/variables) the associated configuration and option files will be.

01-22-2009, 09:05 AM	#16
dwax Registered Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: SOUTH DAKOTA Posts: 83	Why dose this work for some, and not others? Wont work for me. By dustywax at 2011-12-13

01-22-2009, 09:37 AM	#17
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	Originally posted by dwax: Why dose this work for some, and not others? Wont work for me. It will probably depend where you have placed your AltLogo.png file. In the previous version 8f, AltLogo had to be in the MA26 install folder. However, for me, in this latest 8g version the 'L' key is not working again. See... https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...38&#post109538 The 'L' key logo change is not working again in Beta8g. - So where must we now move the AltLogo file to this time? - It's still in the MA26 install folder, and I've tried it in the '8g' MA3Beta.scr folder. - The alternate logo will still display in Beta8f, but not in this latest Beta8g.

01-22-2009, 12:16 PM	#18
VinceMoll Registered Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wellington, OH Posts: 9	I have had the same problem being unable to change the logo. I found the proper folder in which to place the “AltLogo.png”. It is in [C/Documents and Settings/Your Name/Application Data/Marine Aquarium 3]. This folder also contains the MA3 Playlist. You may have to allow viewing of hidden files to see the Application Data folder.

01-22-2009, 01:19 PM	#19
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	Brilliant!!! ..... That's it! ..... Give that man a gold watch! Thinks! ... or should we make him a programmer for MA3 ?

01-22-2009, 01:26 PM	#20
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Don't get too attached to any particular folder quite yet. Edgar's still hard at work on this issue. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium