EQMac.com

I have been making changes to the poweroftwo UI to make it more suitable for use on widescreen monitors (since I use one) and as a result have made some extensive changes to the layout of some textures and the EQUI_Animations.xml which I would like to reflect back into the poweroftwo default release.

The changes are mainly as follows...

1. Gauges broken out of pot_windows.tga into their own file

2. Icon backgrounds such as BlueIconBackground, SpellIconBackground etc broken out into their own file

3. pot_buttons.tga and pot_windows.tga extensively reshuffled to make better use of the vacated space and pot_windows.tga reduced in size

4. Every gauge on a window made more efficient and easier to read

5. EQUI_HotButtonWnd.xml widened, 12 quick click slots added for (currently) 8 primary inventory slots plus pri/sec/rng/ammo and player stats, resists, xp and aaxp displayed but all removed from EQUI_Inventory.xml

6. Percentages added for XP, AAXP, health, mana, energy and group member health

7. F2-6 added on group window

8. Buff window has been changed to show buff names and better coloured background behind the buffs. This has a knock-on effect on the spell book so the changes have been reflected there too. This would be an optional change in the UI release along with left and right-handed versions and a compact no name version of the buff window.

9. Cast spells window has been enhanced to show better coloured backgrounds to indicate spell type and names have been added. There is scope for several interesting variations here along the lines of compact (as it is now), 64px coloured blocks with no spell names in horizontal and vertical arrangement and the full 128px coloured blocks with spell names and of course left and right-handed versions.

As a result of these changes to the gauges, they have become wider but much easier to read. I have also improved the mini-gauge so I believe these benefits can be retained in the standard version of the poweroftwo UI. For example offering a full-size 128px gauge with useful endcaps as standard and a smaller 64px mini-gauge on permanently visible windows as an optional download for those who need the screen space.

I am not sure how best to document these changes for developers as they are numerous and wide-reaching but I think the result will be well worth it.

Here is a sample screenshot at 1920x1200 of how it looks on my Cleric (some photoshop used to make gauges visible in this screenshot).

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iMac (mid-2007), c2d 2.8GHz, 4Gb ram, ATI HD2600Pro 256Mb, 10.6.4, Wacom Intuos4

That looks superb. I want it!

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Aerili, Storm Warden
Officer of <Destiny>

Sweet work Mak!

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Yummy I can't wait

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I have not forgotten about this update but my wife has just had to start a new course of steroids for an MS relapse. As a result, I am getting almost no sleep at the moment due to the side effects she is having with the steroids. I will be waiting till she has finished the course in just over a week before restarting my work on the UI because I don't think my quality control will be up to much at the moment.

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iMac (mid-2007), c2d 2.8GHz, 4Gb ram, ATI HD2600Pro 256Mb, 10.6.4, Wacom Intuos4

Sorry to hear about your wife Mak. RL > EQ always. I hope the steroids help her feel better soon and the side effects go away.

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I should be resuming work on the next version of Po2 very shortly. As mentioned, it will most suit those of us with widescreen macs but I will be putting in some narrow-fit options for the "slimmer gentleman".

I may need some guidance on enhancements to the memmed spells list as I have a few choices of graphic there. I'll ask when I have prototypes to show.

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iMac (mid-2007), c2d 2.8GHz, 4Gb ram, ATI HD2600Pro 256Mb, 10.6.4, Wacom Intuos4

Woot! I'm excited. I really like the user interface in the screenshot you have above.

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http://www.allakabor.com/profile/index.php?id=900
Sell me a Fungus Patch Vest!

Will the new spell bar changes work with the classic spell icons?

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Crickett & Sprint

Yes of course - all three spell icon sets will be available.

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iMac (mid-2007), c2d 2.8GHz, 4Gb ram, ATI HD2600Pro 256Mb, 10.6.4, Wacom Intuos4

I have finished working on the next release now and am just collecting screenshots of all the variations to go on the website. Should be a couple of days then I'll upload. I need to formulate a Changelog for other UI developers who want to update to this code base.

I intend to upload a "one size fits all" universal package which will cater for those with small screens as well as the more relaxed full Po2 extended experience. All three spell icon sets as well as the "tiny buffs" options will be embedded in the release too.

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iMac (mid-2007), c2d 2.8GHz, 4Gb ram, ATI HD2600Pro 256Mb, 10.6.4, Wacom Intuos4

Sweet Mak, I think I'll take bits and pieces of the new UI. Even with a big screen, I really like the feel of the small spell book you made but I also love the look of your new all in one Hotkey/clickies/player screen

Note for UI developers - the changes from the Po2 - DEFAULT up to Po2 - EXTENDED are pretty far reaching and too numerous to comment individually.

There have ben some deep changes to the EQUI_Animations.xml which go beyond just changing the locations of textures (some buttons have moved to fill gaps left by pieces which were broken out into their own textures) because of the need to reference .tga files and their textures in a very specific place in the .xml. The majority of changes to the EQUI_Animations.xml should be apparent and mainly affect the buffs, spellbook and cast spells windows.

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iMac (mid-2007), c2d 2.8GHz, 4Gb ram, ATI HD2600Pro 256Mb, 10.6.4, Wacom Intuos4