I’ve Started working on the UI for Pulsar4X and thought I’d start a new thread for Discussing UI Design/Implementation.
To start with I’ll be doing everything in straight winforms to keep thing simple. This means using the Picturebox + .Net Drawing tools for System/Galaxy Map. This is similar to what Steve is doing with Aurora, so you can expect about the same from Pulsar. I might still swap this out for OpenTK’s OpenGL Canvas if the picturebox proves too limiting.
I’ve Implemented a basic Tabbed layout for the UI. The Tabs work in a similar fashion to those in a web browser, i.e. you can re-order them and drag them out into a new window (see screenshots). At the Moment all I have done I a preliminary layout of the System Generation and Display windows, taken directly from Aurora. This gives the guys working on Stargen and the DB something to link to for testing…
None of the above is set in stone and I’d happily implement anything we come up with that’s better.
I’m not the best designer when come to UI, so what I do will be very utilitarian. I would appreciate help from any Designer/Artists out there. If you produce Mock-ups for me I can code to them.
What We Need:Pulsar4X Icons, For windows Title bar and shortcuts.
Pulsar4X Logo, For about box, splash screen, things like that.
System/Planet Images
Button icons.
Race Portraits.
Window Mockups\Wireframes.
Stuff I forgotten???
I would like to get some Icons/Logos ASAP, as this would really help the give the project its own flavour/personality.
Reminder: If you want to get involved then send your Skype Name to Sublight or Antagonist and join the developer Discussions on Skype. Or grab a copy of the current source from github and let us know what you think:
https://github.com/PsiDog/Pulsar4x Remember all feedback is welcome.