Icons and Graphics

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 1:04 pm

At http://www.codelathe.com/mmex/mmex_development.php you ask for help in creating web buttons and program icons.

What are the specifications for these images, dimensions, colour depth, file format, etc.

As a sample I grabbed the image on Start Page image, adapted it, and attach it. I should be able to do better if I had the original files to work from.

As I am a Windows user, and not a program coder, I need a little assistance to find the files I need. Any help would be appreciated.

: Sample Icon; pound.png (21.35 KiB) Viewed 8095 times

Post by **Nikolay** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 1:26 pm

We already have iso in svg format.
http://moneymanagerex.svn.sourceforge.n ... s/mmex.svg

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:22 pm

Thanks for that link. I've almost no experience with SVG files but I'll see what I can do with it.

I know nothing about programming, other than having given some assistance on documenting and providing graphics for Windows-based product. Those guys required BMP and ICO files of specific dimensions/colour depths. Are you really saying that you can generate everything you need from that one SVG file? I ask because I notice that the MMEx Title Bar icon doesn't appear to be generated from that file as it appears to have a hexagonal background to it (which doesn't make it seem especially pretty).

I guess I had in mind producing something to replace that initially and, perhaps, later a similar set of files in BMP or ICO format based on the same background but with different currency logos on them, on the assumption that the program could be developed to include icons that reflected the users main currency (defaulting to a $ symbol where an appropriate symbol wasn't available).

As I say, any guidance on formats, and what your priorities/needs/ideals are, would be helpful.

Post by **Nikolay** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 7:04 am

Try http://inkscape.org/download/
svg may be exported to any formats.

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:42 am

Inkscape is the program I'm used to for working with .svg files. It's fine for the main program logo file you pointed me at.

So far all I've done is ungroup the image and set the dollar to be its own layer and added a £ layer. I'll also add a € layer. I don't know enough about either programming or other currency symbols to know what might be required, and users - as distinct from you programmers - might be able to use the SVG file to produce a a program icon that will display their own currency symbol for launching or when running the program.

I have now downloaded the source, but have not been unable to locate the files that represent to images on the toolbar buttons and menus (and what program might handle them).

I would hope to produce more (The icon used for FILE > CLEAR RECENT FILES is the same as ACCOUNTS > DELETE ACCOUNT and that is not good.) and offer others that might offer a better suite of matching images.

Post by **Nikolay** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 12:17 pm

in mmex used xpm file
http://moneymanagerex.svn.sourceforge.n ... vision=857

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 12:42 pm

Thanks Nikolay,

As a Windows user, I didn't recognise xpm as a graphic file type. I think I've found all the icons in the source folder:
mmex_0.9.9.0\resources\

The GIMP seems to handle the files fine, so I should be able to provide you with some alternative icons in due course.

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:52 pm

Here's a collection of toolbar/menu icons that may be suitable for the next release.

I haven't attempted to recreate all the icons as a number that appear in the source code appear to be unused in 0.9.9.0. (I haven't encountered them yet in the Windows version.)

On the other hand, it would appear that there are some gaps where I cons could be placed and there are some that are used more than once when they shouldn't be.

Let me know if those in my collection are acceptable, if you'd like me to re-work any or if you need more to fill the gaps.

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:09 am

Oops! I now realise there are multiple versions of my "about" icon. I meant to remove "GCabout.xpm" and "GCabout2.xpm" and rename "GCabout3.xpm" as "GCabout.xpm" before attaching the zip.

Post by **Nikolay** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:02 pm

Hi,

Unfortunatly you have provided wrorg files
If you open this file by text editor you will see:

Code: Select all

/* XPM */
static char * K:\MMExDevelopment\Source\mmex_0_9_9_0\resources\GCabout3_xpm[] = {

but it should be

Code: Select all

static const char *about_xpm[] = {

Is it possible to provide picture to compare curent and your icons?
For example left side current icons - right side your icins to every users can decide which icons better.

Thanks

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 7:10 pm

I will prepare images and upload later.

Meanwhile, I have a question...

The program I use is GIMP 2.8.0. It does not offer an option to set that text in the header of the file as I export it from GIMP.

I could use a text editor and search and replace all the files, to take out:

Code: Select all

char * K:\MMExDevelopment\Source\mmex_0_9_9_0\resources\GC

and replace it with:

Code: Select all

const char *

Is that all that needs to be done?

Your files have a further comment line that changes with each file.

Post by **Nikolay** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 5:56 am

GregChapman wrote: Is that all that needs to be done?

Exactly

Post by **Nikolay** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 5:58 am

GregChapman wrote: Is that all that needs to be done?

Exactly

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:06 pm

I'll work on completing and improving all the icons/graphics and post a URL of my samples when I've done.

It won't be till after the weekend - maybe longer.

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:31 pm

Hi Nikolay,

I have just uploaded my first batch of proposed icons/graphics. So far it is only designs for the Menus and Toolbar.

It will be a few days longer before I tackle the rest.

Find them at:
http://www.gregchapman.plus.com/mmex/

On the web page they are in .gif format but I can zip the .xpm versions if it is agreed to adopt them.

Hope you like them. I am happy to do small changes if needed.

Post by **Nikolay** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:05 pm

Thank you Greg!

I like your icons more than original ones.

Please, make Show App Start Dialog more light
Online Update Currency Rate not nice. May be $ should be a bit smaller and moved forward?
Budget Setup looks like stocks quotes (I like it)
Transaction Report Filter I don't like

PS Unfortunately wxMenu don't support SetBitmap. We can't use Print Preview..., Print..., Recent Files etc
PSS I've updated a lot of icons for mmex 0.9.9.1
http://moneymanagerex.svn.sourceforge.n ... te#dirlist

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 12:21 pm

Nikolay wrote:Thank you Greg!

I like your icons more than original ones.

Thank you!

Please, make Show App Start Dialog more light

I made it dark because at it's natural colour I found it lacked contrast as it matched the normal menu background colour. I could give it a near white background instead.

Online Update Currency Rate not nice. May be $ should be a bit smaller and moved forward?

I agree that it is too messy. I will try to make the arrows smaller and separate them, as you suggest.

Budget Setup looks like stocks quotes (I like it)

I was planning to make the "Stocks" icon on the navigation pane a red down arrow and blue up arrow, (the colours on traders screens) to make it so not to be confused with the budget icon.

Transaction Report Filter I don't like

I know the "funnel" is a common icon on database programs, but I don't understand why a funnel should represent a filter. That's why I chose something different. My version was based on another program's filter icon. It makes more sense to me with the vertical line representing a screen with holes that only certain items can pass through. That makes sense as a filter to me. A funnel lets everything through - but slower!

PS Unfortunately wxMenu don't support SetBitmap. We can't use Print Preview..., Print..., Recent Files etc

I think you are saying that you can't have an icon on an item where there is a second cascading menu. Is that right?

PSS I've updated a lot of icons for mmex 0.9.9.1

I am still working on the other graphics. Do you have a sample .mmb file? My installation doesn't use Stocks, Assets. Budget or Custom SQL Reports, so I may miss some of the graphics within the main pane.

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:11 pm

GregChapman wrote:
Nikolay wrote:Please, make Show App Start Dialog more light
I made it dark because at it's natural colour I found it lacked contrast as it matched the normal menu background colour. I could give it a near white background instead.

I have now lightened it.

Nikolay wrote:Online Update Currency Rate not nice. May be $ should be a bit smaller and moved forward?
I agree that it is too messy. I will try to make the arrows smaller and separate them, as you suggest.

I've added more contrast to the dollar symbol on all icons and move the components on the update version around.

Nikolay wrote:Budget Setup looks like stocks quotes (I like it)
I was planning to make the "Stocks" icon on the navigation pane a red down arrow and blue up arrow, (the colours on traders screens) to make it so not to be confused with the budget icon.

That is now done.

Nikolay wrote:Transaction Report Filter I don't like
I know the "funnel" is a common icon on database programs, but I don't understand why a funnel should represent a filter. That's why I chose something different. My version was based on another program's filter icon. It makes more sense to me with the vertical line representing a screen with holes that only certain items can pass through. That makes sense as a filter to me. A funnel lets everything through - but slower!

I have not changed that one. Keep the old one if you hate the new version too much!

Nikolay wrote:PS Unfortunately wxMenu don't support SetBitmap. We can't use Print Preview..., Print..., Recent Files etc
I think you are saying that you can't have an icon on an item where there is a second cascading menu. Is that right?

Still awaiting a reply to this point!

Nikolay wrote:PSS I've updated a lot of icons for mmex 0.9.9.1

I'm looking forward to seeing the result!

NOTE: A number of the earlier versions of my icons have been changed again (e.g. "Organise Currency") so do update the complete set when I post them.

Do you have a sample .mmb file? My installation doesn't use Stocks, Assets. Budget or Custom SQL Reports, so I may miss some of the graphics within the main pane.

I haven't got a "sample" file with all possibilities included, so I still have a large number of icons I haven't found used in 0.9.9.0.

I have updated the page at:
http://www.gregchapman.plus.com/mmex/index.html
If you are happy I will attempt to generate the .xpm files with the header edited as you require.

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:48 am

Oops! My sample page wasn't complete. I've done a minor update this morning:
http://www.gregchapman.plus.com/mmex/index.html

Post by **Nikolay** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 7:31 am

Thank you very match Greg,

Nice icons. I'll include all of them into new release.

Could you please provide more icons for accounts.
Like cash, credit cards, Pay Pal etc

That for sutisfiy suggestions provided by another user.

4. Usability: to extend more predefined accounts types: Cash, Bank account, PayPal, e.t.c.
8. Usability - ability to change icons used to accounts.

Post by **Nikolay** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 7:59 am

some images from openclipart may be used

dog
http://openclipart.org/detail/19951/gal ... uhin-19951

http://openclipart.org/detail/78949/fal ... 2010-78949

http://openclipart.org/search/?query=credit+card
http://openclipart.org/detail/171231/di ... rfx-171231

http://openclipart.org/detail/82507/pig ... -wildchief
http://openclipart.org/detail/4922/beaker-by-harmonic
http://openclipart.org/detail/4470/pape ... lomar-4470

http://openclipart.org/detail/26945/red ... y-boobaloo
http://openclipart.org/detail/18383/a-n ... by-jturner
http://openclipart.org/detail/35725/gas ... -by-mairin
http://openclipart.org/detail/37879/sta ... -anonymous

http://openclipart.org/detail/77113/sho ... y-shokunin

http://openclipart.org/detail/87901/egg-icon-by-jhnri4

http://openclipart.org/detail/167316/sun-by-frankes
http://openclipart.org/detail/3181/gree ... -ryanlerch

http://openclipart.org/detail/10351/too ... ishu-10351

Post by **Nikolay** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:14 am

Some icons updated

: Selection_059.png (40.76 KiB) Viewed 5296 times

GregChapman · Post by **GregChapman** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:00 am

Nikolay wrote:Thank you very match Greg,

Nice icons. I'll include all of them into new release.

I see that you seem to have generated the .xpm files that you need already - or is your latest post just a graphics mock-up?

Could you please provide more icons for accounts.
Like cash, credit cards, Pay Pal etc

I will work on that but it will not be for another couple of weeks. I have other projects I must complete first.

That for sutisfiy suggestions provided by another user.
4. Usability: to extend more predefined accounts types: Cash, Bank account, PayPal, e.t.c.
8. Usability - ability to change icons used to accounts.

I like that idea too!