Launcher2

[PyTom]

Something I spent a few hours playing around with... a redesign and rewrite of the launcher, which is currently terribly crufty.

Right now very little works (Select Project, Launch, and Game Directory). But I wanted to put this out there so that I could get some feedback. Some of the big new features will be:

- Select Editor - Making the SciTE folks happy.
- Add-ons - Allow people to download additional things. I'm considering making editors available this way.
- Projects Directory - Lets you keep projects in a single place, rather than moving them each time you reinstall Ren'Py.

[Samu-kun]

That's actually a pretty good idea. Have you considered commissioning an artist to make the GUI?

[sake-bento]

I like the clean and simple look. I don't think it needs a fancy GUI.

That said, the new features are nice.

[PyTom]

Right now, I'm liking the simple look, although if someone wants to propose an elegant new theme, I'd be willing to consider it.

I do need an artist to redesign scrollbars in a way that matches this look. But that could be very simple, as simple as a circle on a vertical line, perhaps with horizontal-line "serifs" at the top and bottom.

I'm starting to realize that as I'm unable to create good-looking complex themes, I should stick to simple ones.

(Implemented Edit, Lint, and Delete Persistent.)

[mugenjohncel]

although if someone wants to propose an elegant new theme, I'd be willing to consider it.

I do need an artist to redesign scrollbars in a way that matches this look. But that could be very simple, as simple as a circle on a vertical line, perhaps with horizontal-line "serifs" at the top and bottom.

You called?...

"POOF" (Disappea... no wait!... I'll stay)

[PyTom]

Here's what the new theme chooser looks like. The scrollbar should probably be replaced. Also, not sure I like the color of the hovered button.

[killdream]

I like the simple n' clean look too. And that "Project Directory" feature will be really great.

The new choose theme screen is better too, it's not good if you have to click lots of times the 'next' button to find a theme (altough I just select the basic blue anyways).

[PyTom]

I should retire Basic Blue from the list of themes.

Anyway, making decent progress on this thing. Today I finished up the Change Theme support. It's now a two-step process, asking the user to first select a theme (like Roundrect or Outline) and then to select a color scheme for that theme. This should make alternative themes more accessible to users.

If someone could take the time to make a vertical scrollbar and horizontal progress bar that fit in nicely with the current theme, I'd appreciate it. My GIMP-fu is lacking, and that's one thing that I will need to get done to finish this. I'm thinking a simple scroll bar, just an I shape with a circle that moves around in it. But other ideas will be entertained... simpler is better, with this new philosophy.

I could also use images representing checked and unchecked checkboxes. That would let me make toggle buttons, which I'll be needing here.

Next up, I'm considering doing the build distributions screen. I'm thinking of adding at least two more types of distributions: a 3-platform build, and a mac app build. I'll probably also make the other types of builds toggleable... if someone can get me images for the toggle buttons.

[Magedark]

Oh noez why retire it? I enjoy it. I'm liking the new layout though of the launcher.

[PyTom]

Making quite good progress on this. Today I've been implementing the Build Distributions screen. Right now, launcher2 can build all 4 distribution types, respecting the user-selected options. I just need to add the progress screens, and this will be done.

That's right, there are now four types of distributions:

- Windows
- Linux
- Mac - now we're building a proper Mac application, placing the game files inside the app.
- All - This new type includes all 3 platforms into a single file. For a 200 MB game, this means you'd need to find hosting for a single 210MB file, rather than three 200MB files.

Anyway, here's a screenshot of the new Build Distributions screen:

[PyTom]

Also got the archiver working, with a similar interface to Build Distributions. I'm actually quite happy... the new code is much cleaner than the old.

[jack_norton]

Looks great, good job

[Counter Arts]

I like the All-in-one distribution.

It's good that I won't have to make 3 separate cds for each distribution.

[jack_norton]

For mac really the .zip is becoming the "standard". You can have an installer on mac, but since is a different OS from Windows (you can unzip it on any directory and just works) is quite pointless (if you check apple site itself they reccommend to devs to use a .zip file).
For Windows wouldn't be possible either, only installer you can control through a script I know is NSis but I really think would be too much to ask to Pytom. Also, you might want to customize a sidebar image, title, EULA, licensing and other things.

[Counter Arts]

I guess what I'm thinking of is that to make one disc that would work with all three platforms and having a windows installer without duplicating art assets.

EDIT: Wait... I found a Nsis plugin that let's you decompress zip files. I can probably figure the rest out.