Introduction
Creating a NiepLook file really isn't that difficult. It depends on how much you want to do, but, for an example, changing the display colors will only take a few minutes. Completely redoing the whole interface shouldn't take more than a few hours. If you've never done something like this, don't fear. There's a first time for everything, and the most damage you could do would be to crash Niep. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to email me at nieplook@thinstone.com.Note that the NiepLook specification is still in it's preliminary stage. It may change in the future. I will, however, do my best to notify NiepLook authors prior to releasing versions of Niep with incompatible specifications.
The most recent version of this document can always be found at:
http://www.thinstone.com/Niep/nieplookman.htmlEnjoy!
You need...
Three Step Manual
1) Create a "mock up" of your dream player window using a graphics software. This "mock up" will later be a major step in the actual creation of a NiepLook file (i.e. you'll have to copy & paste it into the resource).
2) Open the file "NiepLook Template" (located in Niep/NiepLook/) using a resource editor
3) Alter the resources as you see fit. See the section below for information on which resources serve what pupose.
4) Open the new NiepLook in Niep (double click it in the Finder, drag & drop it to the player window, or choose "Select NiepLook" from options menu.
Reference
In this section, I will explain what each of the resources do. Some will be obvious, and other won't be as obvious, or they may appear obvious but have hidden "features".'PICT' Resources
The PICT resource contains four pictures:
200- Main player display
201- Main player display with ALL buttons depressed
202- "Pause" button
203- "Pause" button (depressed)
NOTE- The "pause" button pictures' sizes and location (w/ regard to it's surrounding picture) should correspond with DITL id 130 item 13.'cicn' Resources
The cicn resource contains certain UI elements that can not be depicted as static pictures. Such items include scroll controls and progress bars.
130- Up arrow button in scroll control
131- Up arrow button in scroll control (depressed)
132- Down arrow button in scroll control
133- Down arrow button in scroll control (depressed)
134- Top portion of scroll thumb
135- Top portion of scroll thumb (depressed)
136- Mid-section of scroll thumb
137- Mid-section of scroll thumb (depressed)
138- Bottom portion of scroll thumb
139- Bottom portion of scroll thumb (depressed)
140- Not used
141- Not used
142- Progress "dot" or bar'clut' Resources
1281st color- Display background color
2nd color- Text shadow color (also window title bar text color)
3rd color- Text color (also window title bar color)
4th color- Playlist hilited background color'DITL' Resources
The DITL resource is used to hold button locations and sizes, as well as boundaries and text display position/sizes.
1301- Track volume up button
2- Track volume down button
3- Previous track button
4- Next track button
5- Reverse button
6- Fast forward button
7- Not used
8- Delete selection button
9- Program button
10- Loop button
11- Random button
12- Stop button
13- Play/pause button
NOTE: It may be easiest if you create a picture item containing the main display picture in it first, then position/resize the button boxes on top of that. Simply delete your background picture item when you're done.
1311- Track volume display
2- Progress display
3- Main display
4- Master volume display
5- Total volume display
6- Track title (font size = height - 2)
7- Track number (font size = height - 2)
8- Time indicator (font size = height - 2)
9- Play mode displays
10- undocumented
1321- Minimum window size
2- Player display size'DLOG' Resources
This resource may be ignored (i.e. don't change anything).
When you're done...
Send your NiepLook to nieplook@thinstone.com! All submitted NiepLooks will be posted at the Niep! website, and may be included in the default Niep! package as well (let me know if you don't want us to distribute it for some reason). Don't forget to give me your name so I can give you due credit!