Input needed: ES theming improvements

[jdrassa]

@pjft As far as EmulationStation is concerned, there isn't really a central XML file. The use of a central XML file is more of an unofficial best practice. Each individual theme xml file imports the central XML file. When there is no theme XML file for a particular system, EmulationStation does not know to import the central file.

@Zigurana I don't think we need to support multiple carousel configs, but I iterate over the themes until one is found that has a carousel element, or maybe more generically, one that has a system view defined. I would need to test, but I suspect that in this case the loaded theme is completely empty. I added a hasView type method as part of a video fix a little while back. We could just check that to see if the current system theme has system view and if not check the next one. I will try and put together a quick fix tonight to test it out.

[pjft]

@jdrassa Got it, thanks for the clarification.

Indeed, if that's the case (and I had no idea that there usually wouldn't be a central file, and only existed as an import!), then yes, definitely iterating until you find one would be ideal.

Certainly I'd see no need to support multiple carousel configs, but other than that I think you're spot in.

Thanks.

[jdrassa]

@pjft @Zigurana Fix was pretty simple. I just submitted a pull request.

[ruckage]

@Zigurana
Hi. Is there a still a Windows version of ES with these improvements available? I saw a link earlier in the thread but it was dead. Thanks in advance for your help.

[alphatoanant]

@ruckage check out @mattrixk's ES theme Toolkit.

This release includes a windows binary with carousel and video support:
https://github.com/mattrixk/es-toolkit/releases/tag/v1.1
(also includes sample gamelists already populated with videos and images to get things setup quicker)

There are more details in this thread:
https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/9047/emulationstation-toolkit-theme-making-helper

I have been using the above to build create themes on windows and its been awesome.

[ruckage]

@alphatoanant Thanks, I appreciate it.

[mattrixk]

@alphatoanant said in Input needed: ES theming improvements:

I have been using the above to build create themes on windows and its been awesome.

Thanks @alphatoanant, that's great to hear! @herb_fargus had a big hand in putting the Toolkit together too.

[herb_fargus]

@mattrixk team effort ;) thanks to @jdrassa for the ES builds of course

[mattrixk]

@herb_fargus Of course! Mega props to @jdrassa for the Windows build.

[Syhles]

Is anyone working on making the menu themeable? Also is anyone working on making the rest of metadata images usable?

[ruckage]

Is it possible to define a background image to use for the carousel bar or if not could it be added? I realise you could just make it part of the system background but then it will either scroll or fade depending on transition style. Ideally it would remain visible and stationary at all times as a background to the carousel itself. It would perhaps also be useful for it to have it's own size/pos independent of the carousel to allow exact positioning of logos in relation to the graphic.

[mattrixk]

@ruckage You could always just add an extra image <image name="carousel_background" extra="true">, then you can style it independently. Granted it will still fade/slide with the background image, but it's the closest you'll get to what you want.

[ruckage]

@mattrixk said in Input needed: ES theming improvements:

@ruckage You could always just add an extra image <image name="carousel_background" extra="true">, then you can style it independently. Granted it will still fade/slide with the background image, but it's the closest you'll get to what you want.

Yeah, I know I can do that, that's what I'm currently doing (it's what I perhaps badly described as 'make it part of the system background' - should have said 'system view' maybe) but that doesn't help with sliding/fading.

Since it's not supported consider it a request, I think it would be a worthwhile addition.

[lilbud]

@Zigurana Would a left align carousel be possible?

[Syhles]

@lilbud
Vertical or horizontal?

[lilbud]

@Syhles horizontal

[Syhles]

@lilbud
Honestly I think we just need an <origin> function for the carousel.

[Syhles]

I think we should be able to make extra carousels, on all of the views and also to use it for other images such as metadata, like marquees, or md_images.

Also an origin type function for the carousel would make the variety of nice looking carousels go up.

[edmaul69]

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