Q-Client How to: customize the Visu

[Warichet]

Hi,

I'm willing to re-do my Visu, but I'm stumbling on several difficulties.

1) How can I edit/change the bottom line of a Visu page; i.e. replace the word Menü with Menu (Pic1). Didn't fid it in FixText nor on the files.

2) How can I edit/change the text on this crummy buttons i.e. replace the word AN with AUS or maybe by Off (Pic2)
NB: this is NOT an XAML file, so a XAML editor can NOT help. It's a PNG file, hence I can NOT edit it in a professionnal way without the source of the picture. Yes, I know, I could overwrite it, but then I need to get the right fonts, but no thanks, I prefer to forget about the whole stuff and look for more adequate alternatives.

3) How can I type a single left quote in a Visu text ?
I mean the character ' not the `
So far, I'm using a dumb trick, that is Alt Gr and the key 7 (on a french/France KB).
Please don't tell me it's a KB problem (too easy) as the same keyboard can type the ' in all other applications.
I would like to replace the word Gästezimmer by Chambre d'amis. Maybe I'll put it on the list for Santa, next year (but if it yeilds the same result as this year )
I just discovered yet another dumb trick (even more dumb than the previous one). I type the ' in NotePad and paste it in the Experte, pfffff

Thank you for any hint.

[DJ.Picasso]

Hi Warichet,

I would directly recommend using a grafical tool like Photoshop or Gimp to prepare/work on your images, icons or buttons.

The big advantage in using such a tool is:

- you can work with layers which means creating a button or whatever only once and modifications you can reach through enabling or disabling the different layers.

In the attachment you can see 2 different files, one with items (frige, coffeemachine etc.) and another file with icons (ok, cancel, info, off, etc.)
On top of the right hand side you can see a number of layers (disabled, because only "ok" is enabled)

In merging these 2 files you can create hundreds of different buttons only in enabling/disabling layers.

Same procedure of course with text layers.
1 button and 100 different texts!

You should try it. Best way in supporting layers is to save files as .psd!

Ciao
DJ

[Warichet]

Hi DJ,

I would directly recommend using a grafical tool like Photoshop or Gimp to prepare/work on your images, icons or buttons.

I undestand your recommendation, and obviously have to agree, but ... having such a tool doesn't make me a graphic artist nor a professionnal designer. I suspect you are .

The learning curve is HUGE. I've made the current version of my Visu with CorelDraw, it was a pain of an experience. Spending more time learning the product then drawing icons .
I want to avoid the trouble again, so I though re-using as much material as possible, but as you noticed, I'm bumping into difficulties.
I thought all icons were XAML, which would alleviate the problem, not so ! It's a mix of PNG and XAML, I'm seriously questionning this architectural decisions (among "other" decisions ...).

- you can work with layers which means creating a button or whatever only once and modifications you can reach through enabling or disabling the different layers.

I understand the concept of layers, I've been using Visio for a long time now, drawing all the plans of my house with the tool. Visio is rather easy to use and has a large library, but it is not well suited for the task at hand.

Same procedure of course with text layers.
1 button and 100 different texts!

This implies redoing the whole stuff ! Oh noooo, I prefer to push my stuff to eBay and look for something else.

I've to admit that the QC has a nice and neat design (only the fundamental options don't suit my needs).

Do you think it's normal for a user to work like mad in order to use a product ?
Wouldn't it be normal to have the necessary tools to bring some elementary changes to the icones ?
I've absolutely nothing against the german language (quite to the opposite) but no one in french speaking countries would like a (red ) button with the engraved text "AUS". No way!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking DaCom or Gira to make a "special" version for a lonely, crummy "froggy" burried deep in rural France.
I'm just asking for the tools and maybe a little help to do it myself.

Is that really asking too much ???

If so, let them put a big red warning on the HS box: "For Germany, Austria and Switzerland ONLY".
I'm well aware that "other" countries represent 0,000000001% of the HS market , and I think it will remain that way.
A pitty for a wonderfull product.

[DJ.Picasso]

Hi DJ,
I undestand your recommendation, and obviously have to agree, but ... having such a tool doesn't make me a graphic artist nor a professionnal designer. I suspect you are .

.... sorry, but I am anything else but designer .
The icons I found in the internet (free of charge). You only need to import them into the design-tool (e.g. gimp).

And the learning curve is quite small, definitely. Let's say max. of 1 or 2 days and thinking about the time savings it's obviously convinient.

I've absolutely nothing against the german language (quite to the opposite) but no one in french speaking countries would like a (red ) button with the engraved text "AUS". No way!

.... I agree . I've been working in France for quite some time (12 - 15 month) in the last years, so I know.

Ciao
Der DJ

[Warichet]

You only need to import them into the design-tool (e.g. gimp).

And the learning curve is quite small, definitely. Let's say max. of 1 or 2 days and thinking about the time savings it's obviously convinient.

OK, got the message, I'll have a look at Gimp (although I've never heard about it).

So far, I've already spend some time with the QC demoprojekt, tanslating the text wherever it applies. I'm only concerned about the "user visible" part, I don't mind the Experte internal menus..

About my first question

1) How can I edit/change the bottom line of a Visu page; i.e. replace the word Menü with Menu (Pic1).

I just discovered (by accident) that there is a transparent layer on top of a white text on top of a black text. I guess the black text is a kind of shadow, nice stuff.
So I moved the transparent layer a bit away,
edited Menü to become Menu on both text layers, but then it is very difficult to put things exactly back in place, so I dropped the black text
There are no such things as "snap to grid" or "snap to ruler", positionning the objects by hand is really difficult.
Also, I found it difficult to put the trasparent layer exactly back in place.
I found the group/ungroup function a bit lousy... normally, there should be a ungroup function (which does only ungroup the upper most level) and a ungroup_all (which ungroups all objects, irrelevant of the number of grouping layers)
It looks like the ungroup function is rather an ungroup_all grmmmbl

What is the purpose of the transparent layer on top ? kind of protection ?
It would make more sense to group all components into 1 object, but how can I group 2 objects having excactly the same size and position ?

I've been working in France for quite some time (12 - 15 month) in the last years

What offense have you comitted to get such a punishment ?

[DJ.Picasso]

What is the purpose of the transparent layer on top ? kind of protection ?
It would make more sense to group all components into 1 object, but how can I group 2 objects having excactly the same size and position ?

... to be honest I am not very familiar with the QuadClient. I have tested it a couple of months ago, also the way how images are created etc.

Currently I am working with the VISU importing and creating all images as gifs, jpgs, or pngs.

What offense have you comitted to get such a punishment ?

... I did not listen my mother telling me: Pay attention in school ... to not get "punished" later (in France and UK)!

Ciao
DJ

[Warichet]

Hi,

I'm trying to add some icons to the "Hauptmenü".
I noticed that the while isn't really white (255,255,255) and the black isn't really black (0,0,0), hence the added icons do impair the overall sight. Not nice.

Where can I find the technical details about the Visu ? i.e. the RGB codes for the above colors, plus any other details that might be usefull when creating new icons ?

Thanks in advance.

[Warichet]

I noticed that the white isn't really white (255,255,255) and the black isn't really black (0,0,0), hence the added icons do impair the overall sight. Not nice.

Where can I find the technical details about the Visu ? i.e. the RGB codes for the above colors, plus any other details that might be usefull when creating new icons ?

Really ? no one can help ?
I guess the source code of the icons is strategic material, hence not for public use.
Do I really need to fish out every detail ? (or should this HS take the path to eBay and make room for a more modern device)
Maybe you guys are happy with the stuff at hand and don't need any extra. But in my case (old farm house) I need some "unusual" icons, and I'm happy to make them.... with a little help.
I thought that what I'm trying to achive is nothing special, adding some icons to the main menu, with the same look and feel as the original ones.

It's worth noting that there is QuadClient SDK, I'm sure this is very usefull for developing extra-terrestrial functions, but customizing some menus seems to be an overhelming effort.
Oh Paradox !

[DJ.Picasso]

Hey frenchman ,

don't get frustrated!! It seems to be your challenge .
Seemed to be you, talking about punishments?

I noticed that the while isn't really white (255,255,255) and the black isn't really black (0,0,0), hence the added icons do impair the overall sight. Not nice.

I suppose this is not based on the settings of the RGB code. IMO this is part of the screen funcs and props.
A lot of screens do have problems displaying the "non" colours black and white. The RGB setting 255,255,255 and 0,0,0 are right and can't be modified.


Additionally to be honest I do not understand your problem regarding the menu icons.
In you Homeserver path - my path is GERMAN (DE): $HOMESERVER\Gira\HS+FS\exp23\DE\quad\client\previe w\de\menu - you can copy all your menu-icons in .png or whatever, restart the software (expert) and ---- surprise ----- you'll get the icon. You should check the size before but that's it.
I have tested it, keep in mind that I did not work with QuadClient and it took me only 5 minutes to solve this issue.

Creating the icons is identicall to what I have explained before - you should start working with a layer based grafic tool (like gimp or photoshop).

So, keep calm ..... and have a nice glass of wine.
Things need time to grow.

Bye and BR
DJ

[MatthiasS]

Really ? no one can help ?

I think so. This is because nobody really wants to use this incredible piece of software.

QC has so many crazy limitations - it absolutely makes no sense to use it. Therefore, no help available, sorry.

I swear, I will never use it

[Warichet]

Hi DJ,

I appreciate your strong sense of humour.
You seem to have a good time laughing at a poor saoul.

Hey frenchman

I'm not a frenchman, although I do speak french (heck, nobody is perfect).

It seems to be your challenge

The last thing I need !

Was it you, talking about punishments?

Grrrr

I suppose this is not based on the settings of the RGB code. ?

Listen Picasso, I'm not going to teach you paintings , you are supposed to be the master , but when I create an icon of my own, import it, put it on the menu, well "my" white is more bright then the "original" white. When put side by side, there is a noticeable difference. This made me write the statement "the white isn't really white" I would like to know the RGB code or the source code or a doc or a hint. Instead of that I get an SDK to mess up beyhond all repair

Additionally to be honest I do not understand your problem regarding the menu icons.

Maybe you didn't really try to modify/edit some (it looks like you are not a massochist).
In the process, I learned that there is transparent layer on top, this has to be put aside. Underneath is an icon with transparent background, this is the one to be edited. It is on top of the menu text.
When trying to create my own icons, I can't achieve the same nice resolution as the original, although I start with a much larger format, I thought that reducing it to the original size would keep a good resolution, well, not so, maybe it has to do with pixel interpolation or scaling techniques that I don't understand, hence my request for some hint.

Creating the icons is identicall to what I have explained before - you should start working with a layer based grafic tool (like gimp or photoshop).

OK.
I though it would be a good idea, not to reinvent the wheel. I find the design fine, personally I think it looks great. This tiny grey line at the bottom of each icon is fine. So, when creating a new menu icon, I want the same look and feel as the original. Something wrong in this idea ?

So, keep calm ..... and have a nice glass of wine

Patience is not my major asset.

Things need time to grow.

On top of having a strong sense of humour, you are also a man of great wisdom.

Thank you very much for your moral support.

PS: next time you call me a frenchman, I jump into my car and come to kick your ass. OK ?

[DJ.Picasso]

Hi Warichet,

I appreciate your strong sense of humour.
You seem to have a good time laughing at a poor saoul.

... that's the typicall kind of german humour ... mind you, gloating (Schadenfreude) is the best kind of humour

I'm not a frenchman, although I do speak french (heck, nobody is perfect).

... sorry about! There was at no time an intention of a personal affront.

The last thing I need !

It could be even worse.

When put side by side, there is a noticeable difference. This made me write the statement "the white isn't really white" I would like to know the RGB code or the source code or a doc or a hint.

... sorry, never had that issue and there is no other rgb for white than 255,255,255.

Maybe you didn't really try to modify/edit some (it looks like you are not a massochist).

... I prefer to be a massochist in other situations . It's more effective!

I can't achieve the same nice resolution as the original, although I start with a much larger format, I thought that reducing it to the original size would keep a good resolution, well, not so, maybe it has to do with pixel interpolation or scaling techniques that I don't understand, hence my request for some hint.

There's no need to work in larger formats or higher resolutions.
Best is to work on 100% with 72 dpi. This is the typical resolution for internet apps.
Printings should be much higher but also in CMYK not in RGB.

Sorry to repeat my comments but in grafic tools like gimp it is no problem to create these kind of images with transparent backgrounds etc.
And again: I am not a designer. I am using it only for creating icons etc. That's it!

OK.
I though it would be a good idea, not to reinvent the wheel. I find the design fine, personally I think it looks

It has nothing to do with it. Again, I only use these tools for changing/merging/modifying existing icons, etc. nothing more but also nothing less.

Patience is not my major asset.

You should work on it, that's also a challenge

On top of having a strong sense of humour, you are also a man of great wisdom.

Thanks a lot, my children call me: smart-arse

PS: next time you call me a frenchman, I jump into my car and come to kick your ass. OK ?

Hey, your are always welcome ... and I'll gonna pay the wine

Ciao
DJ