CD Art Display 1.0 Preview 1 (24May2007)

[Carlos11]

CD Art Display 1.0 Preview 1 Build 196 (02Jun2007)

Read me first

- RC6 is required (install it first): http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/CD_Ar...ay/1109367710/1

- text position and alignment will be necessary for old skins (go to "Control Panel>Text area")

- In the zip you'll find the main executable and the "Default" skin with required files. Copy "Default" skin into CAD Skins folder before trying the new build!

- If you still don't know what to do wait for the 1.0 final that will include an installer because this build is for users who like to test beta software and know how to handle basic issues

What's new?

# = new in Preview 1

- = RC6 builds changes

Case and cover area

# All graphic elements can be positioned over case/cover area

# New "Skin transition" and "Blend" effect for cover transition ("Control Panel>Options")

- New mirror effect engine ("Control Panel>Effects")

- New rotation feature ("Control Panel>Effects")

- New rounded cover feature ("Control Panel>Effects")

- A skin may have a "backeffect.png" that will be drawn before case/cover (see Celluloid skin by OtisBee)

Text

# Added the 4th text line just for time tags

# All 4 text lines are completely independent (own shadow, alignment and so on) (**)

# Added scroll text for the first 3 lines (see Small Fade 2007 skin)

# A scroll line has click event to disable/enable scrolling

# 4th line has click event to toggle time (progress/remaining)

# New %remaining% time tag

# Added %comments% tag

- Soft shadow/halo thanks to LaVolpe

Ratings

# Any size of ratings image (png) is accepted now

# Changed the vertical ratings orientation

# Added mouse over effect

Progress bar

# Added seek function for all players that support it (***)

- New "Skinned" progress bar

- New "Circles" progress bar

- Added "Height" setting (each types have default/min values)

- Added Anti-aliasing option for progress bar

Toolbar

# Added mouse over effect (up to the skin)

# The skinner may decide the toolbar buttons order ("Control Panel>Other Elements")

# Updated toolbar appearance styles ("Control Panel>Other Elements")

# A toolbar may be attached to the new "Panel" feature ("Control Panel>Panel")

- Added vertical toolbar support (up to the skin)

Panel

# New Panel graphic element (uo to the skin)

This is still a working in progess feature. Text, ratings, progress bar and optionally toolbar may be attached to a Panel working as the elements background. The Panel can be e.g. hidden while the case/cover not (see "Brushed View" skin)

Lyrics

- Skinnable lyrics viewer (lyrics.png)

- ID3 (unsync) lyrics frame tag support

- Always on Top added to the Skinned Lyrics context menu

- Added Shadow option in "Lyrics"

- Added prev and next page to the Lyrics context menu

- Added mouse wheel to change Lyrics page

Misc

# A lot of code improvements

# Bugs fixed

- Notifier alike appearance style ("Control Panel>Options")

- Minimize (Hide) on Stop for players that support stop status message

- Vista tweaks (user folder for some procedures instead the application one; removed pin to desktop since Vista won't pin a layered form as XP does - there isn't a solution for that)

- Added "Click through" ("Control Panel>Options")

- Added mouse wheel volume control in "Options"

- Added "Show in track change" in "Options" (****)

- Added "Troubleshooting" node in "Control Panel"

- Added custom position in "Troubleshooting" (may be useful for dual monitors)

- Added "Force read mode" for ID3 cover tag in "Troubleshooting"

- CAD will create a cover icon for the system tray just in memory now (it'll not save a temp file anymore)

Builds

Build 3 - 24May2007 - Time tags updated to iTunes

Build 3 - 24May2007 - Blend transition bug fixed

Build 3 - 24May2007 - Appearance style bug fixed

Build 23 - 24May2007 - Just added the new AlbumPlayer interface (so this build is just for those who use this player); it requires AP 4.9 which will be released soon

Build 28 - 24May2007 - The context menu will show the shuffle/repeat status (checked/unchecked) for all players that support the message (Winamp, MediaMonkey, QMP, WMP11 and iTunes - foobar2000 should work but not tested; AP will be included soon)

Build 196 - 02Jun2007:

- Extended panel added into "Panel" feature (*****)

- Volume control added

- New AlbumPlayer interface implemented

- fixed some bugs

(*) removed the old fade

(**) old skins will have to be reconfigured in that matter

(***) Winamp, MediaMonkey, QMP, WMP11, AlbumPlayer and iTunes (the foobar2000 plugin is not handling the message as it should)

(****) CAD will be placed in the foreground when a new song is played; for now this feature will not work if CAD is pinned to the desktop

(*****) See "Brushed View" skin as a sample: http://closetosoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2075#2075

Screenshots

SinKin by OtisBee

Recommended setting: set "Skin transition" in "Control Panel>Options (Cover transition)"

This great skin makes use of all independent lines, skinned progress bar, ratings, toolbar and an unique cover transition effect

Topic: http://closetosoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=286

SmallFade by Me :)

This skin is here to show some of the new CAD features like the entire case as a background, vertical ratings, text scrolling and a different toolbar buttons order

Topic: soon

Round Cover by Me :)

Inspired in one skin I saw in a forum (I don't remember the name) shows that CAD can handle rounded corners as well as mirror effect

Topic: soon

Brushed View by Me

Shows how to use the "Panel" and its extended window feature

Topic: http://closetosoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2075#2075

Download

http://www.closetosoftware.com/temp/cadp1b196.zip

Acknowledgment

I'd like to thank you all for support CAD in any way.

Specially I'd like to thank OtisBee for all his ideas and help regarding all new features.

:)

Edited June 4, 2007 by Carlos11

[Meshuggah]

It's not remembering negative positions again. :/

I see you added a few new things from the build you sent me as well. Pretty nice!

[ThePitt]

thanks!

[peewee41]

hey Carlos,

since I'm not a member of your closetosoftware forum, thought I'd just post my query here...

Any ideas as to why OtisBee's ThaDisplay skin comes up with this error when I try to use it?

The skin loads, but no text (just graphics) due to that error. I've installed the fonts and the skin in the right place. I've also got the latest build of the Preview version.

[Carlos11]

peewee41

Soon I'll post another build.

Meanwhile, check "Control Panel>Options>Appearance" and make sure "Show case and elements" is selected because it's a kind of requirement for ThaDisplay. Don't pin CAD to the desktop to use this kind of skin.

Try to restart CAD.

In addition: what was the previous skin you were using before applying ThaDisplay?

Finally: did you try it with a different font?

Edited May 30, 2007 by Carlos11

[peewee41]

peewee41

Soon I'll post another build.

Meanwhile, check "Control Panel>Options>Appearance" and make sure "Show case and elements" is selected because it's a kind of requirement for ThaDisplay. Don't pin CAD to the desktop to use this kind of skin.

Try to restart CAD.

In addition: what was the previous skin you were using before applying ThaDisplay?

Finally: did you try it with a different font?

i got it working on my vista laptop...the problem before was with my xp comp if that's any help

- the 'show case and elements' option was selected in the first place with both comps

- restarted it, but still shows the error

- the previous skin was OtisBee's Celluloid one

- nope, i haven't tried changing the font yet...will do when i'm back on the other comp

hope all those replies help ;)

[Carlos11]

CAD 1.0 Preview 1 Build 196 released (02Jun2007)

- Added extended area to "Panel" feature

- Added volume control

- Fixed bugs

See detail in the initial post above.

[Meshuggah]

everytime you update you forget about me :/

Error again, lol

[Carlos11]

@ Meshuggah

I don't know what happened. :blink:

Sorry. :blush:

I have uploaded the build correcting (again) that procedure.

[acies]

Is there anyway to make the panel layer go under the case layer??

[Carlos11]

@ acies

Go under?

1. You can make (in the same case.png) an area to display text and so on... Like in "Small Fade 2007" skin.

2. The extended panel (that you can see in Brushed View showing Album, Genre and Year information) and its animation is just a design matter. See "Brushed View" skin above as a sample.

3. Next forum build the Main Panel will support animation (like the extended one) and you can make like the Panel is sliding out the case...

You will be ble to select what elements Panel should display. I'm finishing a skin (another sample) that shows how to include just the toolbar and ratings in the "Panel". Tho the screenshot can't show the little Panel will slide in/out once case/cover area is clicked (a little animation):

Join CAD skin forum if you'd like to make a skin: http://closetosoftware.com/forum/index.php

[acies]

OK I see. What I want to do is make it animate like this:

[Carlos11]

@ acies

Great graphics! :)

What you'd like to show in the LP? Just simple text (no effects)?

If that's all you need then you can download ThaDisplayEVO and see how Panel plus its extended window were used:

http://closetosoftware.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=310

If you'd like to display more graphics elements like rating, toolbar text with effects then you have to wait the build I'm working on.

However, if you'd like to help me fine ajust the build you can email me ([email protected]) and I'll send it to you along with sample skins.

:)

[acies]

Thank but there not my graphics i stole them from coversutra :shiftyninja:

I got it animating similar to how ThaDisplayEVO does.

thanks!

[Carlos11]

@ acies

OK... That'd be a cool skin if you had the permission!

[freedom77]

Is it possible to have a Lyrics displayed on the animated panel?

[Carlos11]

freedom77

For now it's not possible but I'll make some tests ASAP...

By the way, when you have some free time please join CAD skin forum:

http://closetosoftware.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=10

It'll be really great to have your skin(*) there!! :)

(*) https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?show...amp;p=588525096

In addition, you can get the last CAD build with tons of new features.

Of course as soon as the new features are ready/stable I'll post here.

[ProclaimDragon]

I haven't tested these latest version but I need to tell you something that's really important for me, probably for other people which makes it important to the software.

For us, Vista users, that would like to use CD Art Display on Vista but don't like to use it cause the option "pin to desktop" doesn't work, I might have some information that could help... I was just installing Samurize on Vista, copying all my configs back and realized something. Samurize has to 2 to pin to the desktop, one is probably the same hack everyone uses and a second one which they call "compatibility mode".

As far as I tested, this "Pin To Desktop (Compatibility Mode)" looks to be working just fine on Windows Vista, perhaps you could contact Samurize author and ask him for a few tips? I would really love to see that implemented in the next versions or at least in 1.0 final.

[Carlos11]

@ Nazgulled

Thnak you for the information.

By the way, in your opinion what's the main advantage to have a program like CAD pinned to the desktop?

Thanks.

[ProclaimDragon]

I don't know exactly... I just like to have these kind of apps below all other windows and I like to make sure that that happens. Pin-to-desktop does that, otherwise, for some reason, the program "window" could be in front of other windows and I simply don't like to see that...

[acies]

The lyrics box won't seem to show box to show in the latest build.

[Carlos11]

@ acies

If you mean the lyrics background just copy the lyrics.png from the Default skin into the one you're using right now then go to "Control Panel>Lyrics" and check "Show background".

[acies]

That doesn't seem to make it work, i just click Lyrics and nothing seems to happen, I have also tried it on other skins, but it doens't seem to work.

[Carlos11]

@ acies

It's working here but please try the build below:

http://www.closetosoftware.com/temp/cadp1b805.zip

In addition there's a chance the lyrics viewer is out of the screen. Open "settings.ini" (not the skin.ini) and delete the following entries:

"LyricsViewerTop"

"LyricsViewerLeft"

Remember that if you're using Vista the settings.ini is in the "Compability Files" (open CAD folder and you'll see "Compability Files" button in Explorer green toolbar).

[acies]

None of those seem to work... it's strange. Maybe I should try and reinstall.