ZLauncher Iconset Factory

[Festus440]

First a big thanks to the_iceman for his help and support!

For the past few months I’ve been working on a Windows application called ZL Iconset Factory, ZLIF for short.

ZLIF is a utility for making ZLauncher iconsets. (BTW, it's not for editing the icon artwork.)

OK, so what’s so special about that?

A lot of people may not realize that a properly formatted ZLauncher iconset, can replace ANY or ALL icons on your PDA, in a fashion similar to programs like AppIcon. However, creating this type of iconset isn’t particularly easy to do, especially if you don’t have any programming chops.

Also, since there are so many Palm applications, distributing this type of iconset is likely to result in wasted memory for icons that won’t be used.

What’s needed is an application that makes it simple for any user to make an iconset for themselves. And that’s the purpose of ZLIF.

I know that many of you are familiar with my ThemeMaker program. ZLIF doesn’t work anything like it. Virtually everything in ZLIF is automatic. Here are some of the things ZLIF does:

Modify existing iconsets or create new ones.

Automatically keeps track of new programs you install, so those icons will be available.

Automatically converts to other color depths on the fly.

Automatically converts images you load or paste to the correct color depth.

Automatically selects the transparent color for you, and displays icons using the transparent color.

Automatically strip out all of the low or high res icons, depending on what you need.

Create templates from any iconset with your favorite program icons.

If you’re curious to see what ZLIF looks like, there are some screen shots on my web page.

OK, now for a couple of pieces of “bad news”.

1) ZLIF isn’t going to be free. I apologize if anyone on the board got the impression that it would be. There are several reasons for this, but the biggest reason is the huge amount of time I’ve had to put into it. (As a comparison, the ML background converter on my web page took about a week and a half from start to finish.) If there’s any good news in this, it’s that I plan on making it quite inexpensive.

2) The second piece of bad news is that even though ZLIF is pretty much fully functional now, I can’t sell it because it’s currently using PilRc to compile the iconset. Even though PilRc is a free application, it has licensing restrictions that don’t allow it to be used with anything other than a free program. The program can’t be sold until I finish writing my own resource compiler, and to be honest I’m not certain how long that will take yet, but hopefully not too long.

So the reason I’m posting this today is I would like to get a few more people who would be willing to be testers. So hopefully when the resource compiler is finished, the front end will be pretty bullet proof.

If you’re just curious about ZLIF, please don’t volunteer to be a tester. If there’s enough people who just want to check out the program, we can make a demo available for anyone to download. The demo version will save ZL system icons, but will only save 2 application icons per iconset.

I will give the first 5 people who ask, a reg key code and the location where the program can downloaded.

Most of the testers that I’m currently using are members of ClieSource. So if you have a question or problem, please post it here first to let the others know and in case other testers can supply the answers. (Which gives me more time to finish the program.)

Again, if you don’t want to commit to being a tester, but are interested in seeing the program work, post a request here.

Thanks,

Bob (Festus440)

OK, I'm off to the state fair to have a deep fried Twinky on a stick. (No I'm not kidding!)

[mattyj2002]

OK, I'm off to the state fair to have a deep fried Twinky on a stick. (No I'm not kidding!)

 

LOL :D:D:D

[TheUltimate]

I would like to try it out and help ya..
email me at hteasthope (at) yahoo.com..also sent ya a PM

[X Destruction]

I know this won't log me in inside the post but w/e. I want to be a tester too! dasilverblaze (at) hotmail.com

[jeisner]

I would be happy to beta test for you!

joelshovel (at) hotmail.com

[NJL!2016]

Any estimated release date?

[Festus440]

I think it's a Minnesota thing, everything on a stick at the state fair. Pancakes, pizza, pork chops, deep fried candy bars, and of course the Twinkie (with chocolate syrup). The rumor is that next year its deep fried White Castle hamburgers on a stick :D

As far as the release date, I'd like to get a little more into resouce compiler before I commit. I've done all the compression routines before in ThemeMaker, and I'm already doing the palette conversions in the dll that comes with ZLIF, so I'm hoping it won't be too bad. I'm as anxious as anyone to get it finished. Its been a long project.

[the_iceman]

mmmmmmmmmmmmm white castle... none of those out here.... waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

well... I can get 'em frozen at Costco.... but not the same.

[Festus440]

I'll think of you when I'm eating the deep fried burger next year :D

Looks like the tester slots are filled.

Thanks.

[gnlew]

hey Festus, we went to the state fair yesterday. I did try the Deep Fried Twinkie on a Stick. Found it to be much better than last year's deep fried Snickers on a STick!!!

As for your ZLIF, I would like to see that too! May not be as good as trying the food experiments at the fair. I always like the Food Building too......where is my Bromo Selzter?:p

[the_iceman]

work from home day tomorrow festus ...... I can concentrate more on the current ZLIF I have :)

[LaStigmata]

Festus, I would love to give it a try. I just dug out the old skinning tools and have started in again (now that zztech is not changing there format every release ) I would also like to be the first to purchase it when it is released. You have done so much for the skinning community an I would like to give something back. Just let me know.

Thanks Dave

[jpolz]

I'll be a beta tester...I've been waiting for this program for a long time...

[Festus440]

Sorry, but no more testers please.



BTW - Since my normal Yahoo e-mail address appears on a lot of web pages, it's getting constantly clobbered with Sobig virus e-mails. (Sometimes up to 30 per hour!) So it gets filled up quick.

Another one that can be used is festus440 [AT] zlthemes.com

Version V0415 has been uploaded this morning with following changes / fixes.
**************
Fixed problem that caused start-up search to happen regardless of the setting.
Unknown icons can now be modified.
Added some additional Palm OS system icons.
Fixed lockup that occured when changing the application of an unknown icon.
**************
There's a history file in the root of the install directory.

[Unregistered]

Think I might be to late, but I would like to be count as a beta tester too.

[Demonstar]

Festus, I not sure why I just showed up as unregistered, but just to make sure the last post was mine; Demonstar.

[Demonstar]

forgot my email address. demonstar_tx@hotmail.com

[k1w1pdaman]

Originally posted by Festus440
BTW - Since my normal Yahoo e-mail address appears on a lot of web pages, it's getting constantly clobbered with Sobig virus e-mails. (Sometimes up to 30 per hour!) So it gets filled up quick.

Another one that can be used is festus440 [AT] zlthemes.com

Version V0415 has been uploaded this morning with following changes / fixes.
**************
Fixed problem that caused start-up search to happen regardless of the setting.
Unknown icons can now be modified.
Added some additional Palm OS system icons.
Fixed lockup that occured when changing the application of an unknown icon.
**************
There's a history file in the root of the install directory.

Good on you Festus!

Seems despite the Sobig virus you got my emails with the bugs on 0.4.14 OK and fixed them already!

Cheers
K1w1pdaman :)

[Festus440]

I keep cleaning them out. They seem to be slowing down.

A new build is coming out in a few minutes.

I'll post here when it's up.

[Festus440]

OK, V0416 is uploaded.

Testers... when you find a bug, feel free to post it here. That way the other testers know about it.


Here's the changes / fixes in 0416:

Forced CR LF in print # routines for batch and rcp file. Some machines want to skip the CR.(Strange!)

Fixed bug that kept new icons from being edited after they lost focus (self inflicted wound!).

Add multiselect to delete apps.

If an icon doesn't have any images, it's node in the tree is now turned blue.(Helps find them when you add multiple icons, or use a template.)

[style]

i am late too...:( :(
want to be a beta tester as well....if there is a chance, please send to vkong012@yahoo.com.hk

Thanx !

[the_iceman]

program izzzzzzzzzzzzzzzza 'Kickin' Festus440!!!!!!!!!! :)

[jpolz]

OK...I'm a noob to this sort of thing, so I tried to laucnh the help manual, but nothing happened...Festus can you help a brotha out?

[Festus440]

jpolz,

Sorry, the help file isn't hooked into the menu yet.

You have to open it manually. It's an html file located in the "docs" folder.

[Festus440]

For those who missed out on becoming a tester, or just want to give it a try, here is the link to ZLIF:

http://festus440.zlthemes.com/

Without a reg code, ZLIF will work normally, but only save 2 application icons. (It will save any number of ZLauncher system icons.)

When I do the next build, I’ll up that to 5 until the program is finished.

[LaStigmata]

Festus, all is working well. Could you not sell this with a link to pilrc as a required add-in. This makes iconsets easy. Still would like to see it extract the old icons from the apps so they could be edited.

Thanks Dave

[the_iceman]

I would think.... you could use the palmbmx to extract icons. I'm not sure what you are exactly saying... when you say 'extract old icons from apps'. are you talking about extracting the existing icons from say acidimage..... so when you add acidimage to ZLIF ... it would pull the existing large/small icons?

[the_iceman]

After thinking about it for a min or so ........ ZLIF would be used to 'replace' existing icons using the overlay method. I'm not exactly sure why we would want ZLIF to draw the 'default' icon from the application itself if it is going to be replaced with something different?

It might be something 'useful'..... if you liked the icons you have... but would like to replace the background... with say a template to give it a certain 'look'. That I guess I would understand. But for replacing Icons .... I would rather not have them 'auto-import'.

[LaStigmata]

Just to modify the exsisting icons a bit.

[the_iceman]

LaStigmata,

Perhaps there might be a smidgeon confusion about ZLIF. I don't believe, and I'm sure festus440 can correct me here, that ZLIF is designed to be used for 'editing' icons/graphics. One feature you can use with ZLIF is to take a graphic and set the transparency of the graphic. so when it goes through the compiling ... it knows what the transparency index should be set to. As far as editing of the graphic, even small changes, would still need to be done with a graphic program.

I think I can understand what you are saying.... you could draw in say the default acidimage graphic..... perform a 'copy' on the graphic and then paste it into a graphic program such as PhotoShop ... and make your small changes. Then you could perform another copy/paste back into ZLIF. I would guess.... it might be best, presently, if you want to modify the current graphic of an application .... to just grab it with something like CodeWarrior and go from there.

Might be something good ... as an enhancement... or something to 'bake' into version 2 of ZLIF. Good suggestion :)

[jeisner]

I actually also made the same suggestion to festus440, and wanted it to work as you suggested iceman...

[LaStigmata]

Originally posted by the_iceman
LaStigmata,

I think I can understand what you are saying.... you could draw in say the default acidimage graphic..... perform a 'copy' on the graphic and then paste it into a graphic program such as PhotoShop ... and make your small changes. Then you could perform another copy/paste back into ZLIF. I would guess.... it might be best, presently, if you want to modify the current graphic of an application .... to just grab it with something like CodeWarrior and go from there.

Might be something good ... as an enhancement... or something to 'bake' into version 2 of ZLIF. Good suggestion :)

This is exactly what I am talking about. I do not need ZLIF to edit the icon just to grab it from the app and copy it to PhotoShop. Without the hassle of CodeWarrior. Don't get me wrong I think that ZLIF is a wonderful app and I will be glad to pay for it. I also will use it as it is. This was only a suggestion.

[Festus440]

When I first started working on ZLIF back in May, I decided that I'd like to have a utility so that people could easily grab the original program icon to use as a starting point for their new icons. That's the reason I wrote PalmBMX, as a utility for Iconset Factory. People probably use it more for looking at skins, but it's original intent was for pulling out program icons.

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14128&highlight=PalmBMX

I won't rule anything out for future versions, including some simple editing capability. But there are a couple of issues with having ZLIF import the program icon.

1) Would only work for apps, unless I kept libraries of Palm and ZL icons, and if I did, what icons to use for those.

2) When the iconset is built, ZLIF skips any icons that don't have images. If I imported the original icons, I would have to keep track of whether the icons had been edited. You wouldn't want to have the original icons in the iconset.

3) The ZL iconset only has 2 icons per resource, but an app often has more, depending on what OS it supports. With double density I believe they can technically have up to 8 for large and 8 for small. (Look at the ZLauncher program. It has 4 large and 4 small icons.) So I would have to sort out which icon to import depending color depth, etc. Doable, but a bit of a pain.

[LaStigmata]

I will take what I can and like it. I know that Festus puts in a lot of time on these tools to make skinning a lot easier and I give him loads of respect for what he does. It's just that when I started working with ZLIF as any new app you try every thing you can. You also expect it to do some things that it does not do. It does not make the app bad. Just that the developer has something else in mind when he makes his app and I might have something else in mind when I use it. When I sat down and used the ZLIF, this was one of the things that I expected of the program and thought I would just make the suggestion. My knowlege of programming is very limmited and I do not know how much work it would be. I have a feeling I am digging myself into a hole here and I don't want it to be that way. I am on Festus and Iceman's side here and it was just a simple suggestion. If it is to much work I wouldn't do it. So in closing I would like to thank Festus and Iceman for there hard work on this project and it is working wonderfully.

Thanks
Dave (LaStigmata)

[Festus440]

No problem. I want to hear people suggestions. I think the testers will confirm that in most cases, if a feature has been suggested, I will try to implement it. If something is difficult to do, I also try to let them know why.

[Festus440]

I just uploaded ZLIF V0417.

The only change is the number of icons for the demo version has been increased to 5.

[mattyj2002]

All is good here, not a single problem so far :D

And my request has been dealt with already! I really happy with this app and cant find a single thing wrong with it!!

...although it is very picky with the transparency colour, ive had to save my images as .bmp to reduce the artifacts so the whole transparent are goes transparent!!

Great work Festus!!

[na2rboy]

Looking forward to it, Festus! :cool:

[Demonstar]

Hi Festus440, ZLIF seems to be working fine so far for me. I have noticed one thing through. When it first starts up and after updating the apps. I sometimes get a small hanging up. It appears to occur when the tip of the day starts up. It will hang up here and I will have to shut it down and re-open ZLIF one more time. I didn't want to de-select the tip of the day until I found out if this is a bug or a glitch in my system. Any other tester run into this yet?

[Festus440]

That may be normal. Something I need to tweak a little.
Actually what happens is the search creates a list of programs to check. (That's what you see on the screen.) Afterwards, it then actually goes throught the list to check the programs. (That may be the pause you're seeing.) I need to change it to show the latter part so it doesn't look like it's stuck.
The time it take to do the search seems to vary. My guess is it's due to things being cached. (Which is why it would be faster the second time.) So I guess the question would be, if you wait, does it finish?

Thanks for the reports guys!

I only know of one serious problem that's only effecting one user. It has to do with creating the rcp file and batch file (which won't be in the final version anyway, but I want to fix it.)

Got a new computer this afternoon, so I'll be down while I get things setup and moved over to the new machine. If there's no other serious bugs, I'll be able to focus on working on the compiler this weekend.

[k1w1pdaman]

Hi Festus

Got 04.17 up and running.

Thanks for adding the Panels to the Palm Apps database in 04.16

Can you add the folllowing Apps to the Palm apps database:

vpad - Palm Voice Recorder
npad - Palm Notepad
HsDb - Palm Handspring Date Book (Handsprings Rom of DtBk3)
kDem - Palm Keyboard App (Tungsten C/W)

Bugs


1. Assigning new apps to orphans
Tried to "fix" Darhorns orphaned icons set as per link below:

Darhorn's Icons set (http://www.cliesource.com/sdownload/fileinfo.php?id=4362)

You can assign an App to one orphan Ok but on trying to fix a second orphan using the Assign Orphan button ZLIF Crashes completely :-(


2. ZLIF still doesn't allow replacement of Icons by Opening .bmp files for Unknown Applications. It does allow saving of the icons though which is nice if you want to rip a single icon out of a set.


3. I did try opening two copies of ZLIF for copying and pasting as suggested in tips of the day but the App got a bit "confused". So its probably not recommended. Maybe more stable under XP than '98.

Hope the new PC goes OK
Cheers,

K1w1pdaman

(For other CLIESource members info, along with Iceman I've also happily been helping Festus on ZLIF since Alpha 0.2. Festus has been working really hard on this (sometimes there were more frequent ZLIF updates than when ZZtechs was doing their daily ZL Betas) so give him as much support as you can!)

[Festus440]

k1w1pdaman,

Thanks for finding the bug! (You consistently find ones nobody else does!)

The bug is occurring in the routine that changes the node color. However, the actual problem lies elsewhere. (Still looking.) I'm guessing that if you changed an icon to different app, and then deleted both images, the error would happen then also. (Haven’t tried that yet, myself.)

I won’t be able to look for it till the weekend.

How quickly I fix bugs, obviously depends on the severity of the bug, and my schedule.
For the past couple of months the schedule for working on ZLIF has been:

Monday – Friday, 5am to 7am
Tuesday and Thursdays evenings from 7pm to about 10:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday from 7am to about 3pm
Plus a few extra hours here and there

So from that, you can sort of get an idea of when new builds happen.

[X Destruction]

Wow, this app is EXTREMELY useful. I used it to fix a couple of broken transparencies on icons (using white as a transparency with white being in the actual image = big no no), I fixed those with a 255, 0, 255 bg, and they're fixed! Also, I changed up the verichat icon to an msn, aim and icq button put together. I also changed a few other icons, have a lookie.

http://twz.cnh-online.net/screen5.jpg

[k1w1pdaman]

Originally posted by Festus440
k1w1pdaman,

Thanks for finding the bug! (You consistently find ones nobody else does!)

I won’t be able to look for it till the weekend.

How quickly I fix bugs, obviously depends on the severity of the bug, and my schedule.
For the past couple of months the schedule for working on ZLIF has been:

Monday – Friday, 5am to 7am
Tuesday and Thursdays evenings from 7pm to about 10:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday from 7am to about 3pm
Plus a few extra hours here and there

So from that, you can sort of get an idea of when new builds happen.

Festus440

Yup. I'm testing for you from about 9pm to 11pm most week nights especially if a new release is out (unless I'm out on a work function - hic!) so that why I'm finding the bugs. My view is a tester's job is to try to "break" the program so that the end users will have a product that works bug free.

I'm not an artist so I won't be ripping and selling other people's art (like a certain other user on this site) but I am having a LOT of fun remixing existing icons sets for my own use.

Look forward to the next release, have a good weekend.
Cheers

k1w1pdaman

[Festus440]

Just uploaded V0418.

Here are the fixes / changes (Also in the history file.)

Fixed problem that caused crashes when assigning app to orphans.(Node not being assigned correctly.)

Changed routines that write the make.bat and rcp files to write these file in binary format. Hopefully the will cure the problem for the user whose machine refuses to write carriage returns.

Added max size captions under the preview images.

Fixed a problem that prevented the automatic trasparent color picker from working on images that were empty in the original file.

[k1w1pdaman]

Hey Festus

One bugs to report

It isn't an 04.18 bugs per se but ones I've just found.

The Panels Icons don't work. I know I asked you to add it earlier and it seemsed to work until i loaded a set onto my actual Palm Pilot and found it they don't work properly. Seems ZLauncher doesn't use the real Palm icon creator names. eg it uses frmt for the OS Formats Panel - I've emailed you an icon set that contains a lot of panels that work and I'll leave you to decipher what's going on. They show as Unknown apps.

Cheers
K1w1pdaman

[k1w1pdaman]

Festus

I think that you may have to define the panels as ZL file types.

Cheers

K1w1pdaman

(any body else out there testing...like the 5 volunteers.... hellooooo?)

[k1w1pdaman]

Festus

Sorry, one more.

If you cancel a "Save as" you get a Run time error 32755 and ZLIF crashes competely - a nasty one!

Cheers
K1w1pdaman

[Festus440]

The "save as" crash is an oops. I had an error trap turned off for debugging purposes and forgot to turn it back on. I'll upload the fixed version later on.

I'll look at the panel icon issue. I'll be the first to admit I don't understand all I know about them. (Early on, I had to e-mail ZZtechs and ask them where they show up :) )

[Festus440]

I just uploaded V0419 that fixes the "save as / cancel" crash.

Also:
The Palm SnHp panel icon is really a Sony icon, so moved it to the applist database.
Added a couple of additional panel icons.

Added a list of panel apps to the help doc.

Fixed some icons to panel icons that were incorrectly identified as appl.

Still trying to get to the bottom of the panel icon issue. However, the panel icons won't show up unless there is a application on your PDA. (It would be an app in ROM with the same Creator ID as the panel icon.) You can check this with the ZL file manager.

[k1w1pdaman]

Hi Festus

Loaded up 04.20

The Buttons, Digitizer, formats, phone and shortcuts Panels are now working.

Per your mail you have correctly identified these Sony and 3rd party panels:
SnHp --> Sony Hi res
>ScPr --> Screen Prefs
>BaPr --> Battery Prefs

I have BaPr which is the battery prefs app: Link (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&prodID=13848)
and ScPr which is the screen depth app: Link (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&prodID=7547)

Can you add these to the default database as Panels? or add the ability for the end user to add Panels? eg I have funbook (fMM2) which also has a panel and the web clipping app (wclp) is a Panel.

As for:

abtp ???
sdal ???
scrt ???
powr ???

I'll have to do some homework as to the Apps behind these, will let you know if I have any luck

Cheers
K1w1pdaman (not Jeff)

[Festus440]

Opps! I sent that at 10am so I can't even blame it on not having enough coffee :rolleyes: (sorry!)

Right now, the search routine only looks for the appl type. I'll have to change it to also look for panl, and allow that in manual entry also.

Thought I had added those to the applist. I'll make sure to really do it this time!


Thanks!

[Festus440]

OK, I just uploaded V0422.

ZLIF will now recognize the "panl" type ID as a valid app.

If the typeID is "panl", it automatically appends "Panel" to the program name. (I think that's a good idea?)

[the_iceman]

I'll bang away at it tomorrow festus!!!!!!!! I haven't forgotten!

[k1w1pdaman]

Festus

Major problems whoop whoop whoop!

Version 04.22 won't load Icon sets. Program keeps running but sets won't load.
I tried uninstalling and reinstalling a couple of times but no joy.

Went back to 04.20 and all was fine.

Cheers
K1w1pdaman



:(

[Festus440]

Hmmmm.

No problem here.

Are you saying that nothing happens after you select a file to load?

[Festus440]

k1w1pdaman,

Trired it on a different machine and still OK here.

Are you using the dat files that came with the program, or are you using modified ones?

[k1w1pdaman]

Yes I open file from dialog box and nothing happens, literally.

Maybe I need to delete the program directory. Might not be clearing out all the files from previous versions or something.

Will have another go tonight...

[k1w1pdaman]

Festus

OKay I had a night off last night but am now back at it.

1. Re the no loading of Icons problem

The problem exists only in Win98.

I have installed ZLIF on the XP side of my machine.
No problem with loading of Appliations icon sets on the XP side.
Therefore I see why you couldn't replicate my problem as you obviously are running XP.

I note that if you turn off scan for new applications on the Win98 side the problem goes away.

Leave you to work out why this suddenly stopped working.

2. New Problem - only since ZLIF 04.22

Its affecting both Win 98 and XP sides.
The scan of the Palm folders is not picking up all Apps or Panels.
Something to do with the way the coding has been done on the search for Panels or .prcs?


Or is it a problem with long filenames (>8 chars) or folder names?
I have some apps that are buried quite "deep" that don't get added to the App database. eg
c:\palm\Add-on\downloads\Blazer2\Blazerbld49{k2]\Blazer.prc


Using edit App List neither the Automatic Search for Applications button or Add Applications in specified folder (even selecting the (Blazerbld49[k2] subfolder) works to add the App. Using the Add Applications by selecting .prc file does work.

Bug 3

The "Apply and reload icons set" button from the Edit App List crashes ZLIF.

Whew! Srory about this festus. All my fault for asking you to add all this Panel stuff 'cause none of these problems exited before.

Cheers
K1w1pdaman

[Festus440]

k1w1pdaman,
There’s certainly no reason for you to be sorry. The panel icons weren’t being handled properly, and I appreciate you pointing that out. I may have to set up a machine with Win98 to sort out some of the problems.

I assume that you aren’t getting any error messages. One thing I need to do is some tweaking of the error trapping. There are several “errors” that are normal and ZLIF needs to ignore those. But a side effect is that other errors can hang the program and don’t issue a message.


On Bug 2.
I setup a directory tree the same as you mentioned, but it seems to have no problem pulling apps from there, but I’ll keep checking. If you copy those apps higher up in the directory, does it still skip them?

On Bug 3.
I’m not seeing that here. Do you get that on the XP side of your machine?

Thanks,
F440

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by Festus440
k1w1pdaman,
There’s certainly no reason for you to be sorry. The panel icons weren’t being handled properly, and I appreciate you pointing that out. I may have to set up a machine with Win98 to sort out some of the problems.

I assume that you aren’t getting any error messages. One thing I need to do is some tweaking of the error trapping. There are several “errors” that are normal and ZLIF needs to ignore those. But a side effect is that other errors can hang the program and don’t issue a message.


On Bug 2.
I setup a directory tree the same as you mentioned, but it seems to have no problem pulling apps from there, but I’ll keep checking. If you copy those apps higher up in the directory, does it still skip them?

On Bug 3.
I’m not seeing that here. Do you get that on the XP side of your machine?

Thanks,
F440

Loaded the test version you sent me - we have the solution!

"Runtime error 67 - too many files" on loading up the application list in Win 98. I have a truck load of Palm files on my PC, obviously too many for ZLIF to handle. Probably the cause of error 2 and 3 too!

(yes I'm getting error 3 on XP side too)

Ye hah!

Don't know why we didn't have that problem in the earlier versions?

Cheers
K1w1pdaman

[k1w1pdaman]

Ah Festus, you old dog you are too quick!

I see 0424 is up on the site already and you have fixed the files open problem (yes, I read the histroy files) which was causing the bugs all of them 1,2 and 3!


Well done everything's now working. Normal service has resumed.

I can go back to checking out how the Panels generate onto my m505 before we were distracted by these file errors!

Cheers
K1w1pdaman

[Festus440]

Oh My! That's great news!

Actually there was another user that had that problem, so the fix was there before your bug report. I made the (bad) assumption that since I hadn't heard that error here, nobody here had seem that problem. So I didn't post about the new build.

Last night, I changed the app search routine to use short filenames on Win98. I guess I'll leave that in for now, cause it's seems like a good idea. (If not, I'll rip the code back out.)

BTW, ZLIF uses "temporary" bitmaps stored in the temp file to use for the preview. When the color depth is changed to 4 or 8-bit, I change the pixels to the nearest color in the 4 or 8-bit Palm color palette but the actual image file is 24-bit. In the next version all of the bitmaps will be written out by the ZLIF.dll and everything will be 24-bit in the temp file. This change should be invisible to everyone. The reason I'm doing it this way is to make the compiler a bit simpler, since I will only need to deal with one color depth on the input side. (Of course the bitmaps in the new iconset will be 4,8, or 16-bit as needed.)

Thanks,
F440

[k1w1pdaman]

F440

This site is the BEST for iconsets eg MAC /OS5/Noia/Smurfs

You can use PalmBMX to strip out the resources and then you can just open the icons into ZLIF.

IconTopia (http://member.telpacific.com.au/theopoon/
Link here: (http://member.telpacific.com.au/theopoon/)

Cheers
k1w1pdaman

[Festus440]

TESTERS, WHERE ART THOU??

Even if you don’t have any bugs to report, I’d like to hear from you.

Others that have downloaded the demo version, feel free to post comments, suggestions or questions. (Great, stinks, what’s an icon?, etc.)
==============================================
I’ve just uploaded ZLIF V0600 to http://festus440.zlthemes.com

Changes and Bug Fixes in V0600

1) Changed to an MDI style interface to minimize taskbar clutter.
This was a major rework of the ZLIF front end, so I hope I didn’t shoot myself in the foot with this change! (the_iceman, is this what you had in mind? :D )

2) ZLIF.dll file now handles writing bitmaps for the previews. The code in dll file was optimized for improved speed on file load, bitmap import and paste operations.
With the dll now doing a lot of the binary operations, you should see a noticeable speed improvement.

3) On Win98, short file names are now used to do app search and when opening an iconset.(May not be needed, probably doesn't hurt.)

4) Added check marks the to view menu. Changing view option in setup menu now changes screen view and checked options in view menu.

5) Added "Demo" to title bar when ZLIF isn't registered.

6) Changed to option "Buttons" in add new icon window for icon type and icon size.

7) Added support for drag and drop of both iconsets and images.

Although it’s probably obvious, my concept for drag and drop with bitmaps is to store your bitmaps in specific folders, and then change those folders to thumbnail view in explorer. That way you can easily drag the icons you want into ZLIF,visually. If you drag a bitmap to a preview window, it will just paste in. If you drag a bitmap anywhere else in ZLIF, you will be asked if the bitmap should be applied to the high res or low res icon.

Drag and drop of bitmaps will only work from Windows explorer. (IE: You can’t drag from the browser in Paint Shop Pro.)

You will notice spots on the forms that will not accept drag and drop (mouse pointer will change). These are areas where there are hidden controls. In order to accept files everywhere, I would have to add OLE hooks on every control, which didn’t seem worthwhile.


8) “Clear deleted icons” control disabled if there are no icons marked for deletion.

9) Fixed some inconsistancy in reporting max icon dimensions. Small low res icon size changed to 15 x 11.
You may notice that there are some iconsets that have images larger than the "Max" dimension shown. ZLIF will allow these and write them back out, but you can't add images larger than the max size. At some point this will probably need to be configurable since the newest Palm OS versions support larger icons.

10) Disabled "Save", "SaveAs", and "Export Template" menus when a file isn't loaded.

I’ve beat on this version quite a bit, but since there’s been so many changes, I’ll leave V0424 up also.

(k1w1pdaman, thanks for the link!)

[Unregistered]

Hey I really like your program and am trying out the demo. I uploaded an icon and made a set easily. When I uploaded it to my T|T, the icon replaced the aeroplayer icon which worked except the icon was shifted over to the left and them some. Is this just because of the "demo?"

Thanks Kikkoman

[Unregistered]

In ZL when icon zoom is turned off it is centered, with icon zoom on it is pushed to the left. Any idea?

[Festus440]

It's not a problem with the iconset. It's either a problem with ZL or with Palm.

I get the same thing in the Palm Simulator unless I also add a low res icon. (Icon must have both a high res and a low res icon.) No problem on Clie with only high res icons.

I'll ask ZZtechs about it.

F440

[the_iceman]

downloading the newest version now festus :)

[Festus440]

the_Iceman, let me know what you think :D

I just took the standard ZL iconset and deleted all of the low res icons. Does the same thing in Palm Sim, eveything pushed to the left. Work OK in the Clie Sim however.

Sending this to ZZtechs tonight.

F440

[k1w1pdaman]

Originally posted by Festus440
TESTERS, WHERE ART THOU??

Even if you don’t have any bugs to report, I’d like to hear from you.

Others that have downloaded the demo version, feel free to post comments, suggestions or questions. (Great, stinks, what’s an icon?, etc.)


I second this. Apart from Iceman there haven't been any other posts here except from me. What happened to the "5" who offered their Beta testing skills?

Post your errors HERE so that the rest of us can see them.

Wow FESTUS the new version sounds exciting, I'll load it up now.

I was going to do a Warm Noia set for my Low Res conversion of ToonXP but I'l put this on hold and have a look at the new version of ZLIF!

Cheers
k1w1pdaman

[k1w1pdaman]

Whoa festus.

Bug already.

There is a problem that wasn't in 04.24.

The icon sizes you have assigned to the Hires/Large and Low Res/Large are confused with the Hires/Small and Lowres/Small.
If you try to open a BMP that is 32x22 (ie lowres but large icon) into the LowRes large it won't let you. But you can incorrectly open the icon into the Hires small icon.

The dragging function is cool, though just need to tweak this bit!

Cheers
k1w1pdaman

[LaStigmata]

Still here Festus! Slep all day, just seen the new release. Soon as I get home I will give it a shot. I have not had any problems so far with the prev. release. New one looks good!

[Festus440]

k1w1pdaman,
I'll get this right eventually :)

Going back to my early emails with Li he says that for the small icons, 15 x 9 and 30 x 18 are recommended. But then he goes on to say that using 15 x 11 and 30 x 22 is easier for creating icons. So I changed to the larger sizes.

It gets a bit confusing (for me anyway) because in the early days of ZLIF I had high res and large "mixed up", and its still actually that way in the code. There are so many references in the code to the old way that it would be a nightmare to change now :). I'll get it eventually. Actually, there probably was an error in V424 also. Drag and drop uses the same routines as "Open" in the preview area, which I hadn't changed. The paste from clip board uses different routines and checks.

On the problem with icons being shifted to the left, here is what Li said this morning:

"It seems this is a problem of PalmOS 5, since ZL only uses the system
function to display icons on OS 5 handhelds.

Also, to ZL, an iconset without low-density icons is an incomplete
iconset. So an iconset containing low density icons is recommended."

I'll have to get some more information on the last part, because I thought that leaving out the single density icons (low res) was OK.

V0601 is on the FTP now.

F440

[Unregistered]

Hey, I posted yesterday and saw your post pretaining to the "left shift of the icon" problem. I went back into ZLIF and opened the icon set I made. I added the low res icon and then tried to save it again with the high and low res icons. I keep getting an error message "Can't save. The icon set doesn't contain any images." Any idea or is this a demo thing? Thanks for your speedy responces.

[Unregistered]

After remaking the icon set and adding both the hi-res and low-res the hi-res icon is now centered in the "picture" with zoom icon enabled. Thanks much.

[Festus440]

Unregistered,
Glad you got it to work, but you shouldn't have seen that error. I'll look into it.


LaStigmata, thanks for checking in :)

[Festus440]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, ZZtechs recommends that low res icons be included in your iconset.

However, It appears that the bottom line is you need to test this on your PDA to see if it’s compatible with having only high res icons.

As a convenience for those that need the low res icons, the next build of ZLIF will add an option to create the low res icon by scaling the high res icon in half. This can be set to happen automatically whenever you add a new high res graphic (it will only create the low res icon automatically if it’s currently empty). I’ve also added an additional front panel control to manually create the low res icon.

Unregistered – I have a question about the bug you found when trying to add the low res icons. Can you send me an email? Thanks.

[mattyj2002]

Hi guys,

Sorry i havent been posting much, im moving back in2 my house and its all manic here ;)

As from friday i will be on broadband, and will be online alot more, so i will try to post more often :)

Anyway, i have used the program quite alot, and so far on my WinXP Pro machine, no probs to report at all.

I have found that using Jpegs with this prog is not very good, as of all the jpeg compression artifacts. BMPs work best as there is none of this and transparency goes well.

Anyway, see you all later, thanks for the great prog festus, i need to find more icons to convert and test ;)

[k1w1pdaman]

Hey Festus

I've been testing 0601. No major bugs yet.

Nearly finished the Noia warm set.

Cheers

K1w1pdaman

[the_iceman]

Festus.... I'd also like to give a brief recap.... nothing 'strange' that I've come across as of yet ..... seems solid. ..... nice adaptations to some of my suggestions :)

[Festus440]

Thanks for the reports!

Since everyone has different "ways" of doing things, It's good to have several reports.

I guess my thought for the day is "back up more often!".
In a (stupid) attempt to save 10 minutes worth of work in the middle of a development system crash, I managed to wipe out 8 to 10 hours worth :(

I think I'm back to where I was, but have more testing to do. Should have a new build this weekend with some more fixes and the "auto low res icon" feature added.

[k1w1pdaman]

Hi Festus

1.A suggestion that will make life easier. Now that we have 3 floating windows (preview/Main/Icons stats) it would be nice to have a window option to snap them into alignment like tile in Excel.

2. A very minor bug. Under the "Main" title bar the colour seems to be transparent for a few scan lines and occasionally you get some bleed through. See attached .jpg. Not a major one, mainly cosmetic.



Sorry to hear about your crash!


Cheers
K1w1pdaman

[k1w1pdaman]

Festus

Just sent you an email regarding with an icons set cretaed with 0424 that won't save under ZLIF 0.6.xx - problem is in Hires icons.

Cheers
K1w1pdaman

[Festus440]

k1w1pdaman,

Thanks for the bug report. Looks like I have a floating point number in a spot that should be an integer in the routine that calculates the RGB value from the 16-bit color pair.

[Festus440]

ZLIF V0610 uploaded with the following changes / fixes:


V0610 6-23-03
Added 4X zoom to transparent color picker window.
Added program option to automatically create low res icons. (On by default in program options.)
Added control to main window to create low res icons. (See note about low res icons in help file.
Fixed bug that caused itbl to be added to iconset even if there are only zl icons.
Fixed but that prevented iconsets from loading if they only have ZL icons (no itbl resource.)
Fixed some misc. bugs that prevented iconsets from being saved.
Fixed a bug in calculating the rgb value of transparent colors.
Fixed error in dll calculating pad bytes for 4-bit images with odd number of pixels
Fixed bug if a ZL icon is changed to an app icon (or vice versa). In these cases resource IDs need to be changed or created.
Added an arrange windows option.
Changed Window toolbar on main window to fixed single style. (Hopefully will prevent menu bleed.)

F440

[k1w1pdaman]

Woo Hoo hoo hoo!

You've been busy Festus!

I check it out now.

Cheers
k1w1pdaman

[Festus440]

k1w1pdaman,
Once again, thanks for your help:D

The iconset you sent should save properly now.

I noticed that the transparent colors on some of the icons now need to be fixed. Once corrected, they seem to work fine.

Some of the transparent colors used "seem" odd" (ie: 49,255,0), however that seems to be the actual colors used in the graphics and ZLIF appears to be handling them properly.

A general note to eveyone about 16-bit and transparent colors:

If you use non-standard colors for transparency, you may notice that the RGB color values appear to change. This isn't a bug.

Transparency for 16-bit images is specified with an RGB value (0 to 255 for each color), HOWEVER, RGB is really 24-bit. (256 X 256 X 256 = 16,777,216 colors)

In the Palm OS, 16-bit color is in a format known as "5-6-5". This means there are 5 bits of Red, 6 bits of Green and 5 Bits of Blue.

So in reality there are only 32 values of Red, 64 values of Green, and 32 values of Blue available. ZLIF, and paint programs such as Paint Shop Pro, will interpolate those colors back to the 24-bit RGB values, and this is where the apparent color may change slightly.

(If you use PRCExplorer, you might have noticed that transparent colors such as Green (0,255,0), show up as 0,252,0. That's not a bug, that's the actual color in the 16-bit palette.)

[the_iceman]

I'll get the lastest festus.... thank you for the info! .... I've been a smidgeon busy... as you have probably gathered from the other email I sent to you with what I'd been working on.

:)

[the_iceman]

love the new layouts... and functionality..... seems to be working great.... I created an IConset with it ... (course they all had the same 'base' graphic in it......Working Great Festus.

One thing I did notice..... when there is no existing graphic being used for an Icon... it doesn't display the 'maximum dimensions' which can be used. It seems to show when you have a grahic in 'em ... but might be more critical to have the dimensions showing when there is no graphic being used as if the program accepts a graphic ... it would 'fall into the acceptable size range set forth.

[Festus440]

the_iceman,
Thanks for the report!

It should show the max sizes regardless of whether there's any graphic loaded. So you're saying that if you click on an icon in the tree, nothing shows up under the preview window?

[k1w1pdaman]

F440

Sorry for no reports lately, been a bit too busy with the family.

The auto lo res icon is quite nice however some time half size, ie 16 x 16 small icons are a little too small. A bit hard to get the dithering right to go from say 32 x 32 to 22 x 22, so i guess you'll have to leave that for users to use JAsc paint or Photoshop.

The program is pretty good as it is now, just the big challenge of you writing the replacement for PilRC and the compression program.




Cheers
k1w1pdaman

[Festus440]

k1w1pdaman,
Thanks for the report.
I'm glad to hear there aren’t any major issues.
I knew the auto low res feature wouldn't be perfect. The main reason I added it was as a convenience for people that needed to have low res icons in order to get their high res icons to work correctly. (on Palm PDAs).

[Festus440]

Thought I would give people an update:

I'm definitely behind schedule on development, these things never go as fast as you think:(

The latest version is still V0610.
As you may recall, the last big part of the project is writing my own Palm resource compiler.
The first true Beta version that uses my own compiler should be out pretty soon.

Status:
My compiler is up and running and currently supports:
Iconset template files
Uncompressed images
Scanline compression for 4, 8, and 16-bit images
Packbits compression for 4 and 8-bit images

Still need to complete:
Packbits compression for 16-bit images
RLE compression

Once I get to that point, I’ll post a new version. There’s also been a few little bug fixes.

F440

[Torsten]

Hello Festus, i've download your ZLIF Beta to test the features, but i can only make five icons (demoversion) can i get a registration or can i buy at this time?

Torsten

[Festus440]

Torsten,

I'm working on this.

The latest version (V0901 as of this morning) has my new compiler built into the ZLIF.dll file, and PilRc is no longer being used in ZLIF.

BTW - The default compression is for Palm OS 3.5. (scanlines and RLE)

If you want to add packbits compression (works well with 16-bit icons), turn on compile for Palm OS 4.0 or higher in the program options.

In either case, ZLIF tries all selected compression methods and then uses the smallest version.

[the_iceman]

*drooling* .......

[the_iceman]

wooooooooo hoooooooooooooooo ZLIF is now available at ZLThemes.com (http://www.zlthemes.com). Just go to the Utilities section and you will see it there.

Check out this wonderful program by festus440!!!!!!!!!!!!

The program is currently in Beta (Version 0.91B) and can be purchased for such a nominal fee! Give this program a whirl and see how easy it is to create your own Iconsets too be used with ZLauncher for your own PDA.

Lets support the man who has given us so many wonderful tools in the past to help us with programs aiding us in the creation of themes and many other things to be used with different launchers and PDAs!

This is a MUST HAVE for all of us ZLauncher users!!!!!!!!!!

[the_iceman]

*bump*

[pcemergency]

When can buy in Palmgear or Handango. Buy PayPal Sucks!!! i have to wait to long time for my number

[the_iceman]

buying through PayPal doesn't suck. Most will get registration information in < 1 day ... sometimes even less than 4-5hrs. I do know that festus440 does a good job of checking his mails for purchases.

I think anyone who has purchased memberships or themes from ZLThemes.com has received responses in very short timeframes.

PayPal is usually 'best' for the developer .... Handango and PalmGear take 30% of sales. a $5 item only yields $3.50 to the developer. With PayPal.... they retain much more of their purchase ... something like $0.20 per purchase... and 2% of the purchase price (or somewhere there abouts). So with PayPal .... the developer would retain about $4.70 from a $5.00 purchase .... much better for the developer themselves.

[Festus440]

I do check my mail frequently.

I may put the program on PalmGear, but not until at least version 1.00 is complete. I offered the beta version now because there had been requests for it.

Current todo list for final version:
Ability to edit the Palm System Icon database from inside ZLIF - Done this morning
Windows help (context sensitive) - in process
Some misc. error trapping and code optimization

[lesliefranke]

When can buy in Palmgear or Handango. Buy PayPal Sucks!!! i have to wait to long time for my number

I received my registration information and confirmation email, from both ZLThemes and Festus440, within a few hours. Try out the program, it is worth it.

[Festus440]

Thanks Leslie!
(Great looking Iconset!)

I should mention that there is a newer build available from the FTP site mentioned below in my sig. I don't think the_iceman has had a chance to update his site. (I'm probably going to be keeping him busy :)

See the history.txt file for info.

I thought I would also pass along a little tip. In the past, I've never used thumbnail view in Explorer. But it does come in hand for creating iconsets with ZLIF. This is from the ZLIF help file I'm working on.

F440

http://www.festus440.happypalm.com/Img_DD.gif

[the_iceman]

I've updated the website Festus440 :)

[lesliefranke]

I thought I would also pass along a little tip. In the past, I've never used thumbnail view in Explorer. But it does come in hand for creating iconsets with ZLIF. This is from the ZLIF help file I'm working on.

Neat little trick. I did not figure this one out on my own. It makes adding icons to the set much faster, especially in the beginning.

[pcemergency]

Please i can´t use PayPal, somebody have PayPal? Give me a acount number to send $5.00 then buy Iconfactory for me and send me the serial. PLEASE!!!!!!!!

[Festus440]

Once V1.0 is complete, I'll post it on PalmGear as well as ZL Themes.

The help file is done and hooked into the F1 key. There was one more bug fix done. (Problem re-exporting template files.)

Should be ready tommorow or Wednesday.

[lesliefranke]

Festus

As an aside, there is one small misspelling in the application the Palm Calendar entry is spelled "Calandar". But, who am I to talk the spell checker just told me I misspelled "misspelling" wrong.

[Festus440]

:D Oops....

[pcemergency]

PayPals sucks, i can`t use that. I Try a million times tu open a PayPal acount and i can`t. It´s imposibile. I NEED buy ZLauncher Iconset Factory and i can`t wait until is in PalGear. I only can pay with my credit card. PLEASE HELP MY

[pcemergency]

Originally posted by Festus440
Once V1.0 is complete, I'll post it on PalmGear as well as ZL Themes.

The help file is done and hooked into the F1 key. There was one more bug fix done. (Problem re-exporting template files.)

Should be ready tommorow or Wednesday.

When V1.0 is complete? When you post on PalmGear ? PLEASE HURRY. I want buy NOW i need NOW. PLEASE i can´t sleep for having.

[Festus440]

Should be tonight :)
Found one more bug that only happens in demo mode.

[pcemergency]

Thank You

[Festus440]

Version 1.00 has been released.
Available now at www.zlthemes.com

Pending approval at PalmGear.

F440

[the_iceman]

woooooooo hooooooooooooooooo

For all of you who wish to use PalmGear (http://www.palmgear.com)....... it is now there!!!!!!!!



Click HERE (http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodid=52897) to get to his wonderful product on PalmGear!


Get it while it is HOT!!!!!!!!!

[pcemergency]

I just buy. Thanks. I only wait for my registration code

[lesliefranke]

I just buy. Thanks. I only wait for my registration code

Look forward to seeing what you make.

[pcemergency]

As soon i finish

[Festus440]

I just uploaded V102.


Fixed bug in demo mode if all low-res or all high-res icons are removed from edit menu.

Fixed bug that can occur when changing the application associated with an icon to a different application.

Now allows numbers in Palm system Creator IDs.

Fixed a bug that caused ZLIF to choke when saving iconsets with bitmap images that were 16-bit (such as exported from PRC Explorer, or PalmBMX if convert to 24-bit wasn't enabled.

OK I confess, forgot to put dates in the prc files:) This was causing a problem with the T3. Arbitrary dates being put in for now.

Problems have been noted regarding the compiled html help system (ZLIF.chm).
Sometimes F1 doesn't start help. (Restarting ZLIF usually fixes.)
Compiled help requires MS Internet Explorer.
I'm looking at creating the help in the older "hlp" format for better compatabililty.

F440 (been a long day......)

[pcemergency]

The error:

Error! Incorrect color depth found. Can`t continue

Is fixed?

[Festus440]

Should be fixed in V102.

F440

[neosen]

i need to buy this (iconset) .. maybe after i figure out zl theme maker