[WIP] DDR X2 AC theme for Stepmania 4-ssc

Yes. I am taking on the ultimate challenge, and this is what I got so far.



So why am I posting such shambled looking WIPs?

A. As proof I'm getting something done. Yes, its getting somewhere.
B. As a appeal for those who want to help.
C. To show off that SM4 can do some of the new things added in newer mixes.

So, your thoughts?

And yes, the Mungyodance packs do use square banners, and they scale into the theme nicely. I am yet to implement the "cover flow" effect though, but I hear it is possible. I just wanted to get something rudimentary in, but yes I will try and get it looking as close as I can.

To those wondering, if you use non-square banners, well this happens

This also happens when your song's name is in Russian.

Looks really good so far!

Thanks, If anyone wants to contribute stuff like font info and clearer screencaps, I'd be more than happy.

YAY, SOMEONE IS TAKING THEIR TIME TO MAKE A AC DDR X2 THEME! So far I REALLY like what I see, and it makes me excited to know that I'm gonna have to make square banners in photoshop, and slightly scared because I have over 200 songs in my song solder. Guess I better start right away, so when this is done I can just copy and paste the banners right away. Keep up the good work, and I can't wait for it to be done!

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Finally one started this ! I wish you Good luck

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What I know is that the square banners that DDR X2 uses now are the backgrounds of the songs back then. Take "Captain Jack Grandale Mix for example, it's banner is the song's background

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If i using BG as a banner
this is Example (edited NCR theme for 3.9)

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256x256 will be the size recommended.

And what we know (thanks to AJ 187) is that a background wheel is really, REALLY slow.

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Just a question to ask too. And I know the resolution is at least possible/done in SM4. But could this theme be made in 848x480, 1280x720 like the arcade one, even 1920x1080p full hd widescreen? I've just always wondered if stepmania 4 could even go that high in resolution and still work well. And if other old themes could be done as well.

Edit: I think SM4 can at least do 848x480 on the default theme right?

I'll tell you something, the background elements (well the gradients anyway) are implemented using "quads", which are a sort of internal system for making vector rectangles. I plan on making that "panel" the radar and difficulty list are on as a quad too. As for resolution, I'm not sure. I made some of the graphics so far using vectors, so I might see if I could use the doubleres function in StepMania on them

As for widescreen, how SM handles it is interesting, in SM you can use relative positioning (like SCREEN_CENTER_X-30 or SCREEN_LEFT+40 for instance) to position stuff. I will try and make sure it looks as correct as possible in 16x9 mode, though I probably won't be able to have some of the widescreen positioning act "exactly" like AC though

Thanks for the info, I should probably save that info in notepad or something.

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My screen is 800x480, if that helps any. Also if you can work with 200x200 images, you can simply copy-paste or drag-and-drop the official/custom BG's into a media player, and that'll autogenerate a hidden file in that subdirectory called "Folder.jpg" - a format that SM *does* support, btw. That will work for most songs, but songs from the same mix by the same artist may have to be done manually - for instance, dragging "bag-bg.png" OR "sakura-bg.png" will apply whichever one to both songs. So be wary of that, but all in all the approach should cover 90% of DDR content. Just add an alias of "Folder.jpg" = "Banner.png" or something after that, and voila!

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Updates:

Gameplay, we're getting there! I fixed that idiotic bug with the title display and got the lifebar all fixed up


And I got the right top font too (and I redid the tab graphic too)

This theme looks fantastic so far. Can't wait to see this progress
I might try tinkering around myself with SM 4.0. If I get something interesting, I'll be sure to post.
That and I might research on some SM 4.0 theme tutorials online if any.

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Oh wow, this theme just might make me make the switch to ssc because this work is SEXAY.

Just a couple aesthetic questions:

How are subtitles being handled on both the song select screen and during gameplay at the bottom?
Is it still possible to [ESC] out of a group in the song select screen and be left with just the song folders?
Will foreign languages (Japanese, Cyrillic, etc.) eventually be supported?

Maybe we should start a project to make official cover art for all DDR songs... *thinks*

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1. I am using LUA functions. LUA functions are a major part of StepMania 4's platform, and can allow better dynamic content in themes

2. I'm not sure. I might see if some sort of "exit folder" shortcut could be implemented

3. Hopefully. I'm going to try and make a workaround to load up the current code pages for it (cause surprisingly it DOES NOT fall back on the japanese/foreign language pages)

It'll be available in sm-ssc v1.0 RC2:
(the default mapping is MenuUp+MenuDown, though it can be changed in [CodeDetector] of course.)

That's a relief.

Also please excuse the mess while I try to get the song wheel thing correct





Gameplay almost done

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Ah I see you've gotten the banners to be slanted towards the song selected That music wheel is looking quite epic
Curious to ask, have you started working on the other screens?

Oh and I think the font used for the word 'STAGE' on the life bar is Bolster Ultra-Light. Although I noticed from videos, the S, G, and E look like they have a bit of a hook on the ends. I'm not sure if it's from the video quality or the font is actually like that.
Anyone care to assess my font choice?

STAGE Bolster (something like that but less bold)

Oh and this may be a good image for reference: http://digieater.com/image/anti-matter.jpg Nice clear image I came across while in the DDR X2 thread.

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