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Updated application icons

Started by Max-Max, September 12, 2013, 11:30:58 PM

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Max-Max

I have updated the Simutrans application icon to the current format for Windows and Mac.

The icon for Windows contains these icon sizes:
256x256 (compressed)
64x64
48x48
32x32
24x24
16x16
All in RGB/A, If you require 256 colour versions, just let me know. These sizes covers both Windows Classic, Windows Vista and newer icon formats.
The Windows zip can also be downloaded in the file section as Simutrans_WinApp.zip

The OS X icon sizes are:
1024x1024 (compressed)
512x512 (compressed)
256x256 (compressed)
128x128
32x32
16x16
All in RGB/A. I do not own a Mac so I can't test these Icons. I got the size spec. from Apple's design guide.
The OS X Zip file is to big to post here, but can be downloaded in the file section as Simutrans_OSXAPP.zip

Let me know what you think...
I propose that we replace the outdated version with these new ones.

***EDIT***
I also have some proposals for MakeObject application, .pak, .tab, .sav and .nut files if there is an interest.
Since Simutrans doesn't register it's file extensions, this has to be done by the installer (.msi for windows) and equivalent for Mac.
I have written file registrations for windows before, but that is highly Windows specific and I don't know how it works on Mac and Linux.
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

prissi

Thank you for the Icons. I assume Win2k can still use those?

Simutrans does not register it files, since it cannot run these at all. There are applications (like tab) which maz be already bound to on editor (on my machine), which is not a bad thing.

I have written such handler too (I am probably the only one who uses his own DVI viewer on windows for LaTeX). If registration is wished for, it could go into simsys_w, ince this constains only window code. Or it can go to simsys and then some and ifdef __WINDOWS__ or so.

Max-Max

I assume it would work on Win2K as well... I have included all the recommended sizes. Classic for the versions prior Vista and the sizes used from Vista and up...

When it comes to registering file extensions, we could simply have a checkbox for each file extension we want to register with Simutrans. In the registration we only need to add the verb open to have simutrans start with the selected file (you can add params to the verb).

Can you start Simutrans with a saved game correctly? Will it automatically load the PAK used in the save game?
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

Fabio

I was thinking to register. sve files to "%path%\simutrans.exe -load %1"
It might open directly a saved game.

prissi

No simutrans does not start with the savegame filename only, you need to specify "-load xxx.sve" to load. Moreover, windows would try to run simutrans in the savegame directory. You could, of course, have a batch file connected with sve, which then loads simutrans with a proper commandsline form the correct directory.

Personally however, I dislike software that does something to my installation without me explicitly asking for it to do. So maybe the best place is the installer, which could generate a batch file to start simutrans from sve, and maybe even a -pakautodetect parameter. The latter is almost trivial. This could still fail if addons were required, or it is a complete different paksetversion, or the savegame is still too old and did not yet include the pak string, or it is an experimental savegame ...

VS

First, the save needs to be loaded with its pakset. Does that work already?

Then there is this small problem, SVE is a rather generic extension, just like SAV, GME, and so on...

My projects... Tools for messing with Simutrans graphics. Graphic archive - templates and some other stuff for painters. Development logs for most recent information on what is going on. And of course pak128!

prissi

#6
The savegame dialogue already extracts the pak string. Hence it would be very easy that simutrans (on having a -load string specified) extract this string from the filename, if no pak is given.

About SVE extension: I am with VS, I had encountered at least two programs claiming it for them. On was a packer.

EDIT: added pak detection to simmian when called without "-objects"

Max-Max

Quote from: prissi on September 14, 2013, 11:41:35 AMAbout SVE extension: I am with VS, I had encountered at least two programs claiming it for them. On was a packer.
I don't know how this works on Mac or Linux, but Windows isn't restricted to a 3 character extension.

Some suggestions for save extension:
.sgs      (Simutrans Game Save)
.sga      (Simutrans Game)
.sgame    (Simutrans Game)
.simsave
.gam      (Game)
.save    (maybe to generic?)

Let me also remind all of you that registering the extension should be voluntary, not mandatory.
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

prissi

Back to the icon: A closer inspection revealed lots of differences to the SVG, like the yellowish tree or the stripes on the egnie. Did you use the SVG at all?

Max-Max

Nope, I made my own SWG. Is there another SVG for download somewhere?
Just give me the link and I can make a set of new ones...

***EDIT***
Another SVG similar to the one I draw. The one you posted is bigger, or do you want that one as Icon? It will not look too good in smaller sizes.
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

prissi

It is where all simutrans logos are derived from. Obiously there was only the right half used. But I though ICO is a bitmap format, so SVG is only used to create the bitmaps then?

Max-Max

Yes for Windows and Mac, I believe Linux can use SVG as icons.

But no problem, as long I know what image to use I can make new icons.
Usually the smallest icon sizes look different due to readability, while the largest ones can have more details added.

Maybe we should use the whole SVG and add the text Simutrans beneath it for 256 and up?
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

prissi

Well, the current ICO was handdrawn after the scaled down SVG.

FOr lerger size one may use the whole image; but I am a bit sceptical about the text. I never saw icons with the name of a program so far.

Ters

Quote from: prissi on September 19, 2013, 08:24:15 PM
I never saw icons with the name of a program so far.

Dosbox has the name in the icon, and I'm sure I've seen other. They were likely all cases where the logo essentially was the name written in some fancy way, though. Quite a few have the name's initials in the icon. Dosbox's name is so short that it works. I don't think it does for Simutrans, nor does Simutrans have recognizable initials. Simutrans has a logo that is recognizable without the text.

Max-Max

#14
I know a lot of programs and games that has either the name or initials in their icons.
As you can see in the examples I posted here the largest versions are much more detailed than smaller which are more simple.

This is also the recommended way for both OS X and Windows (in the design guides).

Simutrans full logo is rectangular and icons are square. The text makes the logo a little bit taller to fill out the icon better.
It is of course only suitable to add text in the larger formats where it is readable.

As you can see The text is only added for the 256x256 version and only visible if you use the large icon mode in Windows.
The OS X version Use this style from 256 up to 1024.
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

Ters

The suitability of text in an icon depends a bit on the context. If an icon is used on its own, like the Windows task bar in Vista style, or perhaps a Win8 start screen (I don't remember if it had labels), text in the icon works (I still use Win95 style task bar). When the icon appears along with text, such as on the start menu or desktop, the text appears twice, which seems a bit silly.

(Some of those game icons look like they just took the box cover art and shrank it, without actually trying to adapt to the size and context. I've got a handful of such "icons" in the Games folder, and they look far worse than the Simutrans logo with text. What were they thinking?)

Max-Max

The text is only shown in 256x256 and up. Win95 don't even support this and all other Winows versions don't use the 256x256 in the taskbar or window caption, so you will be safe there ;)


I do need to add the 256 colour and 24bit versions as well for older windows systems.
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

Fabio

Most icons are squared. You cold check with An_dz who worked heavily on logos, including a square iOS icon...

prissi

I am still undecided. Could you show the text version and the cutted version side by side.

Personally, I think rectgular like icons are more pretty. And at least some of the "professional" ones are really ugly.

Max-Max

#19
Remember this is the layout for 256x256 and up. In Windows you must turn on the Large View to see this version (and how many people really use the large view in the file explorer, except for pictures?)

Quote from: prissi on September 20, 2013, 04:46:35 PM
Personally, I think rectgular like icons are more pretty. And at least some of the "professional" ones are really ugly.
I showed them not because they where pretty, I only wanted to show that they don't need to look the same across all sizes and that it isn't uncommon to have the application name in them.

A rectangular icon, such as the full Simutrans logo, creates a lot of negative space, which is something designers and photographers try to avoid. By adding the text the negative space is reduced.
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

Ters

Apart from the fact that it's difficult to see that the train is a train, I like the leftmost the most. Even with the text, the full width logo has lots of empty space.

Still, the full width logo with text might be most suited for the right hand panel in the Game browser in Windows Vista/7. I'm a bit unsure how Windows decides what to show there, though. For a few games I have that predates Vista with about a decade, Windows still manages to display the box cover. It then also uses that for the icons in the Game browser, although those games have different icons on the Start menu that are more suited for icons.

prissi

Hmm, I still find the leftmost pretty, or rather the others too empty. Also with text, it is still lots of empty space. If a log with text, that rather something derived from the german logo:
https://a.fsdn.com/con/app/proj/simutrans/screenshots/146952.jpg

jamespetts

I have to say, I am rather a fan of the Pak.German logo in Prissi's last post.
Download Simutrans-Extended.

Want to help with development? See here for things to do for coding, and here for information on how to make graphics/objects.

Follow Simutrans-Extended on Facebook.

Max-Max

Is the German logo available as SVG?
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

prissi

No Alexander Brose drawn it pixel by pixel. Here the international version without jpg pixel ...

EDIT: Just found my old log folder. Here are some other tries:

An_dz

Quote from: Fabio on September 20, 2013, 03:42:15 PM
Most icons are squared. You cold check with An_dz who worked heavily on logos, including a square iOS icon...
Thanks for the mention Fabio.

I would use, and am using on my builds, my square logos. The mac logo is not cool. It's better to use one logo for everything. Here are the downloads (Nightly included):

Windows:
http://simutrans-germany.com/files/upload/SimutransLogos.7z

Mac:
http://simutrans-germany.com/files/upload/SimutransLogosMAC.7z

SVGs on my signature.
Or on http://simutrans.com/resources (only standard)

Max-Max

Looks great!!

The German logo is something I had in mind for a new logo. It shows the diversity of transport types, not only trains.
An_dz's logo looks great, far better than my attempts ;) I really like the idea of a special nightly logo...
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

prissi

It is only for the large size (64x64), soe for the smaller once, I would just use the current cutted you did before. Coudl you merge them into a single ICO file?

Max-Max

Yes, I can make icon files for both Windows and Mac.
So if I get you right, "My" cut version from 16x16 and An_dz icon from 64x64 and up (1024x1024 for Mac OS X)?

Since An_dz's icons are in SVG I could make them all from his version.
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

prissi

I am not sure round corners look nice in 16x16 ... but why not.

Max-Max

Alright, I will use An_dz's icon for all of them. The 16x16 usually needs some manual retouch anyway...
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

An_dz

Quote from: prissi on September 22, 2013, 08:37:42 PM
I am not sure round corners look nice in 16x16 ... but why not.
Just look forum and portal favicons.
Quote from: Max-Max on September 22, 2013, 08:55:40 PM
The 16x16 usually needs some manual retouch anyway...
The nightly ico and icns I provided have manual retoutch for 64x and below.

prissi

Yes, and I like the quarter circle more for the small sizes.

Max-Max

@An_dz

I did reduce your Windows Icons a bit. For example, a 256x256 in 256 colours isn't supported in any of the Windows versions. So I removed the sizes and colour versions not specified by Microsoft for an application icon. I have not rescaled or changed any pixels, only removed the some formats.

Do you have more application icons for Release candidate and debug? :P
- My code doesn't have bugs. It develops random features...

prissi

If you attach your final version, I could put it into the SVN ...