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Just an idea

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January 7, 2012 - 4:05pm
#1
rj10328
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Just an idea

i dont know how the customized theming situation is coming along but i have an idea that will make it easier for users that would like to use custom menu buttons in PAM.

In the PATheme.ini settings file there can be an [Menu Buttons] feature added that can be used to locate the users specified button image location.
for example:

[ThemeDetails]
Name=PortableApps.com Classic Light
Version=2.0
Author=PortableApps.com
URL=https://portableapps.com/

[MenuIcons]
OptionsButton=X:\PortableApps\PortableApps.com\App\Graphics\MenuIcons\options_CL.png
BackUpButton=X:\PortableApps\PortableApps.com\App\Graphics\MenuIcons\backup_CL.png
HelpButton=X:\PortableApps\PortableApps.com\App\Graphics\MenuIcons\help_CL.png
AppsButton=X:\PortableApps\PortableApps.com\App\Graphics\MenuIcons\app_CL.png
SearchButton=X:\PortableApps\PortableApps.com\App\Graphics\MenuIcons\search_CL.png

this would make it much easier for users to access their custom buttons when they switch themes instead of going into the MenuIcons folder and changing the file name of the image when they change themes.

just a thought

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January 8, 2012 - 11:33am
John T. Haller
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No Need

If you have a file like that within your theme directory, it'll use that, otherwise it uses the default. No need for an INI entry for it. The code is actually already in the release for it but none of the themes use custom images for menu icons or buttons. Things like button_close_normal.png right in your theme's path, things like button_scrollup_hover in a directory called MenuButtons in your theme's path, and things like backup.png in a directory called MenuIcons in your theme's path. It will use those first. If they don't exist, it uses the default.

It's not done or documented. You're welcome to start messing with the built-in stuff now to get a headstart. But don't complain when you think something that's not finished, supported or documented doesn't work the way you want Blum

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

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January 9, 2012 - 4:49pm
(Reply to #2)
rj10328
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is this right?

ive made a sub folder called MenuIcons inside the themes directory and placed the image files inside of that folder.
like this:
portalbleapps/app/graphics/theme/default/MenuIcons

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January 11, 2012 - 4:28pm
(Reply to #3)
rj10328
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bug

this must be where development is incomplete

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January 11, 2012 - 8:38pm
(Reply to #4)
solanus
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Theming is incomplete

Actually, custom theming was a lot better in the earlier 2.0 beta 5 version of the platform. It was quite easy to create custom themes, menu icons, folder icons, etc.
Check out my homepage for a lot of info on the theming as it worked then.
Currently, custom themes created for 2.0b5 CAN be made to work in the current version of the platform, but it causes errors when you open the Options window.
I even created an app that allows you to very easily make custom themes - I'll be updating it for the new platform, once JTH adds support for custom themes.
Unfortunately, there's no ETA on that happening.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

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January 11, 2012 - 11:38pm
(Reply to #5)
rj10328
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experience w/current platform

all custom images placed inside the theme directory work as they should except for folder icons(explore, documents and etc.) and menu icons(backup,options and etc.).
to me is seems like PAM looks only in the default MenuIcons folder for them instead of looking for them in the theme directory.(i think they should be configured in the Theme.INI file)
Also PAM does not allow transparent pixels to be truly transparent, when modifying those images in the chrome directory

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January 12, 2012 - 4:29am
(Reply to #6)
solanus
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Please read my Theme Tutorial Blog

Please read my Theme Tutorial Blog on my homepage.
http://paskins.sourceforge.net/themetutorial.html
Almost all of that info still applies to custom themes in the current platform, I'm guessing because JTH hasn't touched the code for custom themes yet.
If you construct a theme in the structure I have listed, it will work:
Put all images in X:\PortableApps\PortableApps.com\Data\Theme\, except for the icons.
Put folder and menu icons in X:\PortableApps\PortableApps.com\Data\Theme\menu_icons.
Activate the custom menu by editing the menu ini file: First exit the platform, then open X:\PortableApps\PortableApps.com\Data\PortableAppsMenu.ini, and change the 4th line to say Theme=Custom.
Your custom theme and icons should work fine, but now when you open options you will get a "List index out of bounds (-1)" error. That's because custom theming is not yet supported in the current platform.
As for transparency and Chrome images: custom chrome images have never been supported in custom themes, and I talk about some of the transparency issues in my blog.

Again, while I am a huge fan of custom theming, I am reluctant to put TOO much effort into custom themes until John decides to re-add that functionality into the platform. Once he asks for ideas, though, I'll be on the front line!

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

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January 12, 2012 - 6:06am
(Reply to #7)
rj10328
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Thanks!..Partially

i used the folder name menu_icons instead of MenuIcons in my theme directory and it FINALLY worked, Folder icons and Menu icons! the current PAM directory structure for themes is sufficient but the folder names are case sensitive and needs the underscore or PAM wont detect it. so there is NO bug, pertaining to menu icons

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January 25, 2012 - 3:49pm
(Reply to #8)
Motosuwa
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About that fourth line...

Say I have a somewhat complete theme with an edited theme.ini (which I do). Would changing the line to say Theme=ThemeNameHere work at all, do you know?

You know what, I've been thinking. When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life TAKE THE LEMONS BACK! Get mad!! I don't want your lemons; what am I supposed to do with THESE!?

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January 25, 2012 - 4:20pm
(Reply to #9)
Gord Caswell
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Nope

No, it has to say Theme=Custom

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