Aurora 4x

C# Aurora => Development Discussions => Topic started by: Desdinova on April 03, 2020, 10:22:17 PM

Title: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Desdinova on April 03, 2020, 10:22:17 PM
Months ago, I started a simple utility program to make creating custom medal ribbons easier. With the C# release being imminent I figured I'd share it with the community since I imagine I'm not the only one who might want to create custom ribbons, or be uncomfortable using real-world military awards.

Here's some example ribbons it can create:

(https://i.imgur.com/0avdtN7.png)


Bitbucket Link (https://bitbucket.org/dd721/ribbonmaker/src/master/)

Link to releases (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kuWf345EhyHkAvNOZtb1BEbHVvRCaAY0)
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Garfunkel on April 04, 2020, 05:49:11 PM
Great idea!
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Aloriel on April 08, 2020, 11:59:16 AM
Ohhh! Where was that a decade ago when I was making campaign ribbons for my STO fleet! Thanks for making this!
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Desdinova on April 08, 2020, 12:31:22 PM
I just posted a new version. It now creates a fabric-like texture that I think greatly enhances how the ribbons look:

(https://i.imgur.com/f8P0Rys.png)

I want to add some new elements that can be put on ribbons, like stars, skulls etc. I'm open to any feature suggestions.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Wieseltrupp on April 08, 2020, 12:50:37 PM
I like your ribbon creator very much and am happy that you consider adding icons so i would suggest:
Code: [Select]
Planets
Ringplanets
Moons(maybe with small craters to distinguish them? is that even possible on that resolution?)
Asteroid or Asteroids
Stars
Rocket(the mockup kind)
Missile, Missiles
a single Eye
Fire
Crown
Weapon(like, a Rifle or something maybe)
Peace Symbol(Bird with a twig in its mouth maybe)
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: TinkerPox on April 08, 2020, 02:13:48 PM
Quote from: Desdinova link=topic=10626. msg120615#msg120615 date=1586367082
I want to add some new elements that can be put on ribbons, like stars, skulls etc.  I'm open to any feature suggestions.

I would suggest Bronze, Silver, Gold stars.  Even multiples perhaps? For example if an award is received multiple times it will display multiple bronze stars, then upgraded to silver and henceforth.  Also "V" device , i. e.  the Combat V. 
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Desdinova on April 08, 2020, 03:01:58 PM
I'll try to add that but it's up to Steve to allow a different image in place of multiple awards.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: TinkerPox on April 08, 2020, 05:16:55 PM
Quote from: Desdinova link=topic=10626. msg120620#msg120620 date=1586376118
I'll try to add that but it's up to Steve to allow a different image in place of multiple awards.

Oh I'd never expect Steve to add a functionality for that.  Although simple, it only adds a slight RPG element.  I'd assumed someone would remove the previous award and award the following one with any added decorations.  But thanks for this utility, sorry I did not say that before!
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Kristover on April 08, 2020, 05:20:07 PM
I played with this the other night and I think I'm more of a fan of the textured look.  I'll be honest and say the thing holding me back was the lack of icons (Stars, Numbers, Wreaths, Oak Leaves, etc).  Add that functionality and I will definitely make my own ribbons with this program rather than use existing ribbons/medals.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Desdinova on April 08, 2020, 06:06:34 PM
I added a new version to the test folder in the google drive. I added an undo button, a checkbox to make the fabric texture optional, and some more graphical elements - just some stars for now.

(https://i.imgur.com/RD7maYo.png)
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Gimlie on April 08, 2020, 07:47:33 PM
This is really cool.  Thanks for making this tool and releasing it to the public.  I'm sure it will enhance gameplay for many of us.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Erik L on April 08, 2020, 08:22:00 PM
I linked this to the droplist under Aurora Utilities.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Desdinova on April 08, 2020, 09:07:26 PM
New Version is up, with some basic devices added.

(https://i.imgur.com/kD8rG0H.png)
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Steve Walmsley on April 09, 2020, 02:49:33 AM
This is a really good idea.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: stabliser on April 09, 2020, 03:07:30 AM
I couldn't get it to run on windows7
I guess I'll be making my ribbons on win10
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Tree on April 09, 2020, 04:40:53 AM
I couldn't get it to run on windows7
I guess I'll be making my ribbons on win10

I couldn't get the first version to run on Win 7, but by the time I wanted to report it, the new version worked just fine.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Desdinova on April 09, 2020, 09:11:54 AM
I couldn't get it to run on windows7
I guess I'll be making my ribbons on win10

I'd need to see the output to diagnose the problem but you probably need to update your .net framework (https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net472)
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Kristover on April 09, 2020, 02:57:26 PM
I've attached my first batch of Awards I created with this tool that I plan on using for my first C# Federation game.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: SpaceMarine on April 09, 2020, 03:40:27 PM
Just want to say thanks, this utility is really nice and adds to the RP, I will personally be using it in my crusade play through of C# when its out, as I can essentially recreate all of the actual medals from lore and their ribbons using this, in addition its great to see the hopefully start of utilities and tools for C# that will be coming out pre and post release of C# itself. 
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Tunsku on April 10, 2020, 02:20:13 PM
This is really good! Already used it to make like a hundred ribbons.  Only problem seems to be that sometimes it feels impossible to have a vertical line be completely centered.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Desdinova on April 10, 2020, 02:26:20 PM
This is really good! Already used it to make like a hundred ribbons.  Only problem seems to be that sometimes it feels impossible to have a vertical line be completely centered.

Just a tip: to center anything exactly, check the symmetry button, which creates two elements, then move the position slider all the way to the left so they overlap completely.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: TinkerPox on April 10, 2020, 03:32:12 PM
I know these ribbons are 100x30 pixels. Are there set dimensions for all awards in C# Aurora? I found every ribbon used by the US Military on Wikipedia, but they are all 124x34 pixels.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg/124px-National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png)
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Desdinova on April 10, 2020, 03:38:01 PM
I know these ribbons are 100x30 pixels. Are there set dimensions for all awards in C# Aurora? I found every ribbon used by the US Military on Wikipedia, but they are all 124x34 pixels.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg/124px-National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.svg.png)

According to this thread (http://aurora2.pentarch.org/index.php?topic=10435.45)  custom ribbons should be 100x30 PNGs. Steve already included all US awards & those from a couple other countries.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Steve Walmsley on April 10, 2020, 03:45:26 PM
Yes, that's correct. 100 x 30 pixels.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Father Tim on April 11, 2020, 12:48:05 AM
New Version is up, with some basic devices added.

(https://i.imgur.com/kD8rG0H.png)

Fantastic!  Now all I need is another simple utility program to make all the devices I want, like left-looking eagle, right-looking eagle, octopus, hammer, fern leaf, crossbones, skull-and-crossbones, anchor, crossed anchors, cannon, streamer, etc.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Tunsku on April 11, 2020, 01:44:05 AM
Quote from: Father Tim link=topic=10626. msg120768#msg120768 date=1586584085
Quote from: Desdinova link=topic=10626. msg120631#msg120631 date=1586398046
New Version is up, with some basic devices added.

(https://i. imgur. com/kD8rG0H. png)

Fantastic!  Now all I need is another simple utility program to make all the devices I want, like left-looking eagle, right-looking eagle, octopus, hammer, fern leaf, crossbones, skull-and-crossbones, anchor, crossed anchors, cannon, streamer, etc.

What I have been doing is using paint. net to add all the symbols I need, since it is pretty powerful for exactly this kind of bitmap stuff.  I look up the symbol (or draw it), crop it out using the erase tool, add some basic shading (darkness on the lower edges and brightness in the upper left), resize it.  Then I add a backshading by copying the layer and coloring it black and blurring it.  Then I adjust contrast until it looks metallic.  Alternatively, if you want not a metallic symbol but instead a printed symbol, you can simply color it monochromatic and set the layer to "multiply".

Examples:
(https://i. imgur. com/nQI9SYB. png)
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Tunsku on April 11, 2020, 01:45:20 AM
Ah the image link doesnt seem to be working.  Here is an attachment as an example:
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Luftwolfe on April 12, 2020, 02:03:01 PM
Would it be possible to optionally choose or upload a transparency/texture overlay in a future version? Cheers for this utility though, it's made my automation with ribbon making so much easier!
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Steve Walmsley on April 12, 2020, 02:04:55 PM
BTW I used this program in my test game. I highly recommend it.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Barkhorn on April 12, 2020, 03:16:48 PM
I love this program!!  I just wish it had more devices.
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Doren on April 14, 2020, 10:18:31 AM
Could the position and width bar perhaps have a number of currently selected value for easier of aligning subsequent ribbons with same values.

Right now it is rather annoying to squint my eyes to check the notches whenever I want ribbons with same positioning

Edit. So I used the Oak Leaf Cluster with green color and they appear as black on the actual ribbon but look just fine on the preview screen

Edit2. Looks like it's the color that is causing issues: RGB 23, 164, 45

Edit3. Looks like all green colors turn a lot darker on the actual ribbon. Maybe green color is not being transferred properly?
Title: Re: I made a utility program for making custom ribbons
Post by: Erik L on April 15, 2020, 06:18:38 PM
With Desdinova releasing 0.4 I created a new forum (C# Utilities) and a subforum specifically for the Custom Ribbon Maker. I'm locking this thread now, but feel free to use the other forum.