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    [Theme] Art Book Next

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Projects and Themes
    themethemestheme creationtheme designtheme making
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    • alphatoanantA
      alphatoanant
      last edited by alphatoanant

      Its been a little over 5 years since I created the Art Book theme and made a post about it on this forum.

      Since then there have been a few forks of EmulationStation released (e.g. Batocera, ES-DE) and I have been meaning to build a simple foundation to create a theme that works consistently across all while also enabling me to easily add customizations that are tailored to each.

      So this post is about that foundation which I am calling Art Book Next - naming is not one of my strong suits :)

      As is the standard for me; its a minimal theme - meant to be easy to navigate and simple to look at.

      And the version discussed in this post works out of the box on Retropie (which is where I started theme making all those years ago)

      Here is what it looks like...

      Preview

      System View Gamelist View
      Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 12 51 34 Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 12 47 54

      Configuration Options

      • The theme has a simple set of options that can be changed directly in the root theme.xml
        • Options:
        • <aspectRatio></aspectRatio>- sets the aspect ratio the theme will render at. If needed, this should be changed to match the aspect ratio of your screen.
        • <gameListStyle></gameListStyle>- sets the layout used for the gamelist view when media & metadata are scraped for your games
        • <colorScheme></colorScheme>- sets the color scheme that is used for the overall theme on all views
      • 16:9, 16:10 and 4:3 aspect ratios are currently supported
      • there are 2 gamelist layouts to choose from (metadata-on & metadata-off)
      • and 4 pre-built color schemes are currently available with the option of creating your own customized color scheme through a simple XML file (details below)

      Preview of the Aspect Ratio & Layout Variants

      Aspect Ratio Gamelist - Metadata On Gamelist - Metadata Off
      16:9 art-book-next-16-9-metadata-on art-book-next-16-9-metadata-off
      16:10 art-book-next-16-10-metadata-on art-book-next-16-10-metadata-off
      4:3 art-book-next-4-3-metadata-on art-book-next-4-3-metadata-off

      Preview of the pre-built Color Schemes

      Color Preview
      Art Book Next art-book-next-16-9-metadata-on
      Art Book (based on my original theme from 2017) Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 12 11 33
      Steam OS (being used as the default for RetroDeck) Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 12 13 12
      SNES (simply made for fun as the SNES was my first console) Screen Shot 2022-07-21 at 12 12 26

      User Customizations

      When using the theme on RetroPie you can make the following changes in the root theme.xml to tailor the look to your setup

      Aspect Ratio:

      Change the value in <aspectRatio> to match your screen aspect ratio (default is 16-9)

      <!-- 
      Apsect Ratio Options:
      16:10 = 16-10
      16:9 = 16-9
       4:3 = 4-3
      -->
      <aspectRatio>16-9</aspectRatio>
      

      Gamelist Style:

      Change the value in < gameListStyle > to match your preferred gamelist layout (default is metadata-on)

      <!-- 
      Gamelist Style Options:
      metadata-off
      metadata-on
      -->
      <gameListStyle>metadata-on</gameListStyle>
      

      Color Scheme:

      Change the value in < colorScheme > to match your preferred color scheme (default is art-book-next)

      <!-- 
      Color Scheme Options:
      art-book-next
      art-book
      snes
      steam-deck
      custom
      -->
      <colorScheme>art-book-next</colorScheme>
      

      If you change the color scheme option to custom then you can change values in the color-scheme-custom.xml file to match the colors you prefer. I am happy to add additional colors to the pre-built list too; so if you create one that you are comfortable with sharing please share it in the comments below.

      Example:

      As a quick example if you have a screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, don't want to display metadata and like snes colors then this is what you would change in the theme.xml

      <!-- 
      Apsect Ratio Options:
      16:10 = 16-10
      16:9 = 16-9
      4:3 = 4-3
      -->
      <aspectRatio>4-3</aspectRatio>
      <!-- 
      Gamelist Style Options:
      metadata-off
      metadata-on
      -->
      <gameListStyle>metadata-off</gameListStyle>
      <!-- 
      Color Scheme Options:
      art-book-next
      art-book
      snes
      steam-deck
      custom
      -->
      <colorScheme>snes</colorScheme>
      

      Please let me know if you have any questions on the above in the comments below - I am glad to help.


      To-Do

      (quick list of items I am looking to add over time)

      • Add 3:2 & 5:3 Aspect Ratios
      • Create and add any missing background art
      • Add the ability to provide custom background art

      Additional Notes

      Scraping:

      • To create the layout in the metadata-on variation i rely on the md_thumbnail, md_video and md_marquee tags. So to get the same look these are my recommended scrape settings:
        • md_image = screenshot
        • md_marquee = wheel (the transparent wheel art)
        • md_thumbnail = 2D boxart
        • md_video = video (though this is optional as the theme also works with just md_image)

      Versions for other ES forks:

      • If you use ES-DE... then the version of the theme listed under "Download" below will work out of the box with that distribution. When used with ES-DE the theme comes with additional support for navigation sound sets. I'm also working on a version to support the 2.0 theme engine that the ES-DE team is working on and will post that here when available.
      • If you use Batocera... then check out the version here. The Batocera version has all the same base features but simply makes them available to change through Batocera's menu UI (i.e. you don't need to touch the XML as discussed above). It also adds some additional features such as the theming of the menu and the ability to toggle on/off the display of different media elements directly through the menu ui as well.

      Acknowledgments

      • Most system logos were sourced and modified from the excellent work done by Dan Patrick here. I modified each to be compatible with EmulationStation's current SVG support
      • ChangaOne font is by Eduardo Tunni
      • Oxygen font is by Vernon Adams

      Download

      • For Retropie and ES-DE v1.x - https://github.com/anthonycaccese/art-book-next-retropie/archive/master.zip

      Thank you for taking a look at this and looking forward to your feedback.

      My RetroPie Themes:
      Art Book https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-art-book
      Art Book Next https://github.com/anthonycaccese/art-book-next-retropie
      TFT https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-tft

      HurricaneFanH WeirdHW E fpgamesretroF R 6 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 11
      • HurricaneFanH
        HurricaneFan @alphatoanant
        last edited by

        @alphatoanant Love your themes! Can't wait to try this.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • WeirdHW
          WeirdH @alphatoanant
          last edited by

          @alphatoanant said in [Theme] Art Book Next:

          [...] 4:3 aspect ratios are currently supported

          Thank you for this!

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • E
            esteban.canales
            last edited by

            one of the best themes for retropie! I have a doubt, with the latest version of the theme in RetroPie 4.8 (rpi3), choosing the gamelist style in "metadata-on-miximage" duplicates the artwork. The screenshot appears 2 times, and I have:

            <thumbnail>./boxart/Aero Blasters (USA).png</thumbnail>
            <marquee>./wheel/Aero Blasters (USA).png</marquee>
            <video>./snap/Aero Blasters (USA).mp4</video>
            <image>./screenshot/Aero Blasters (USA).png</image>
            

            1.jpg
            Any additional settings that I'm overlooking?

            2.jpg 3.jpg

            greetings!!

            alphatoanantA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • alphatoanantA
              alphatoanant @esteban.canales
              last edited by

              @esteban-canales I am looking into this. When you open the menu can you let me know which version or EmulationStation is displayed at the bottom of the menu? For reference mine shows v2.10.3RP

              My RetroPie Themes:
              Art Book https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-art-book
              Art Book Next https://github.com/anthonycaccese/art-book-next-retropie
              TFT https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-tft

              StonedEdgeS E 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • StonedEdgeS
                StonedEdge @alphatoanant
                last edited by StonedEdge

                @alphatoanant Great themes! I wanted to ask how simple you think it is/if there is a guide to getting started porting themes from other platforms? For example, I really like the Modern-DE theme that is used on EmulationStation desktop, but I'd love to be able to use it for RetroPie. Would love to help add more themes to a repostiory somewhere as well.

                I noticed you had ported a few other themes on your GitHub. Keep up the great work! Here's a couple of pictures of running the Art Book next theme and also the NX-Retropie theme. Unfortunately my screen is 5:3 so it doesn't look too good at 16:9, but I still really love it.

                https://i.imgur.com/unEJeLu
                https://imgur.com/CzPy8A4

                Check out my build logs below:
                Wii SPii (Wii in a GBA SP Shell)
                https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/the-wii-spii.3347/
                Retro Lite CM4
                https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/retro-lite-cm4-a-stonededge-and-dmcke5-collaboration.3934/

                alphatoanantA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • E
                  esteban.canales @alphatoanant
                  last edited by

                  @alphatoanant

                  I just updated from binary and from source and it remains at V2.10.1RP.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • alphatoanantA
                    alphatoanant @StonedEdge
                    last edited by

                    @StonedEdge I have been looking to create a guide for porting between RetroPie, ES-DE and Batocera. I have a good amount of notes to start with so I just need to make the time to put pen to paper so to speak =).

                    I will likely start with ES-DE to RetroPie as they are most close in structure. I'll post a link here when I have something up. Setting expectations it will likely be closer to December as work is really busy currently.

                    @esteban-canales I was able to replicate this but unfortunately have not found a way to address it. I'll continue to dig.

                    My RetroPie Themes:
                    Art Book https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-art-book
                    Art Book Next https://github.com/anthonycaccese/art-book-next-retropie
                    TFT https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-tft

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                    • F
                      flaviometal
                      last edited by flaviometal

                      WOW! This is the most gorgeous and perfect theme to use with my crt, thanks! Your themes are very cool, Anthony.

                      Question: I don't know why, but the "Retropie Settings" on this theme doesn't appears to be working for me (it gives me just a black screen with blue letters and ugly font). I'm using the most recent version of Retropie (4.8), with Emustation 2.10.1RP, 4:3 AR, and Steam-OS color scheme. Anyone knows what's the problem? Thanks!

                      alphatoanantA G 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • alphatoanantA
                        alphatoanant @flaviometal
                        last edited by

                        @flaviometal hmm i may have the name for that system wrong in the theme itself. iโ€™ll need to look at that.

                        My RetroPie Themes:
                        Art Book https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-art-book
                        Art Book Next https://github.com/anthonycaccese/art-book-next-retropie
                        TFT https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-tft

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • E
                          ExcitedTech @alphatoanant
                          last edited by ExcitedTech

                          EDIT: I totally messed up and mixed up themes. I went down a rabbit hole lol. I apologize for pinging you!

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • G
                            Gonso @flaviometal
                            last edited by

                            @flaviometal IHI Friend, first of all i want to say that this is the best theme i have ever tried. Im really loving it. Thanks to @alphatoanant for his always awesome themes.

                            Responding your question, you only have to delete completely the retropie folder that is inside the Art book next theme, and all works like a charm!!!

                            F 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • F
                              flaviometal @Gonso
                              last edited by flaviometal

                              @Gonso , thanks for the aswer. I'll give it a try, man!

                              EDIT: THANKS, MAN! It worked like a charm! Just renamed Retropie folder, reboot, and voilรก!

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • fpgamesretroF
                                fpgamesretro @alphatoanant
                                last edited by

                                @alphatoanant Hello,

                                Your theme is magnificent. Congratulations on your talent! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

                                I would like to feel that same joy from you, unfortunately I am having difficulty making my theme available.

                                I'm limited in using Github, not the slightest idea how to create a fork to make my theme available. Would you be able to clarify my ideas?

                                Sorry for my communication, I'm Brazilian and I don't speak English so well, I needed the help of Google translator.

                                alphatoanantA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • alphatoanantA
                                  alphatoanant @fpgamesretro
                                  last edited by

                                  @fpgamesretro, if I can, I am glad to help answer any questions you have. Just let me know.

                                  My RetroPie Themes:
                                  Art Book https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-art-book
                                  Art Book Next https://github.com/anthonycaccese/art-book-next-retropie
                                  TFT https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-tft

                                  SPS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • SPS
                                    SP @alphatoanant
                                    last edited by

                                    @alphatoanant Your theme was always my favorite when I used to use the old emulationstation years back.

                                    A couple of days ago I decided to try out ES 2.0 on my pc along with your Art Book Next theme and I really love it. I was wondering if you were planning on adding more colors to it. The Famicom color is my favorite, btw.

                                    Keep up the great work.

                                    alphatoanantA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • alphatoanantA
                                      alphatoanant @SP
                                      last edited by

                                      Thank you @SP! I don't have any other colors current planned but I am open to ideas as well.

                                      My RetroPie Themes:
                                      Art Book https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-art-book
                                      Art Book Next https://github.com/anthonycaccese/art-book-next-retropie
                                      TFT https://github.com/anthonycaccese/es-theme-tft

                                      SPS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • SPS
                                        SP @alphatoanant
                                        last edited by

                                        @alphatoanant Is there a way to remove the darkening filter on the screenshot when using the list (no metadata) variant?

                                        Screenshot (33).png

                                        P 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • SPS
                                          SP
                                          last edited by

                                          Nevermind. I figured it out.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                          • R
                                            Remote @alphatoanant
                                            last edited by

                                            @alphatoanant Looks amazing! I'm new to retropie and doing some research on images. Does your theme work with all images?

                                            alphatoanantA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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