TT3 DIA & Keyboard Layout Maker V 2.00

[DomG]

The V 2.00 is out :)

You can now make the keyboard layout.

You can download here : TT3 Layout Maker V 2.00 (http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/dom_g/)

[MythoFactory]

ah bin bravo, c'est du joli, oter mon pain de ma bouche ;-)

ahem... wow!... I was waiting for such a thing with apprehension, well, you're the one who could do it, congrats!

[DomG]

quand on a ton talent on ne risque rien ;)

and thanks Mytho

[Velo]

Impressive! Thank you very much for this tool. I will start using it at once!

//Velo

[DomG]

Hi,

Did somebody have some problem with the installation ?

[cskaplan]

Absolutely Stunning Application!!

I can report 2 problems, one of which I fixed, the other I need help.

The one I fixed was a "type mismatch" error message on installation. After detailed investigation it turned out that I needed to go into start->settings->control panel->regional settings on my PC and change the language to French. I hope that helps someone else.

But the other one is that when I run the program and create new Pnkb bin files, I copy them to Skinmaker and the resulting skin file has a bad header and won't install on simulator, won't respond to par or pdbdec utilities. That never happened to me before - any ideas? Maybe I am neglecting to copy an essential file into Skinmaker?

-Chuck

[DomG]

Chuck, thanks for your investigation.

Did you copied the folder "Copy to T3_SkinMaker folder" in the Skin Maker app ? because I modified some files (T3_skinMaker.rcp, added some bin files and bitmaps)

[DomG]

For the people who have a problem of installation, I added a multilanguage install file

Here (http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/dom_g/)

Let me know if this version work



Thanks

[cskaplan]

DomG-

I think I found the source of the trouble. When I created a bin using the alphakeyboard portrait mode, I get the bin file Pnkb4dbc in the bin folder but after I run skinmaker I don't get the corresponding resource in the StatusBarResources (Pnkb 19900). So skin maker (at least the version I have) ignores non-native Pnkb bin files? I need instructions on how to add that resource manually into StatusBarResources. I think Velo posted this somewhere but I forgot.

Chuck

[bam]

hmm..cant seem to dnld this........
bam

[cskaplan]

DomG you can disregard all of my previous questions. I found a lot of answers by just being persistant. I just needed to make sure my rcp file matched my bmps and bins.

The only unresolved problem I can see is that TT3 Layout Maker gives me an error message (invalid file) when I try to load a keyboard landscape layout. (This does not happen with any others such as keyboard portrait, numberic, special). This even happens if I create the layout file with Layout Maker.

Thanks again,
Chuck

[DomG]

Hello cskaplan,

Thanks a lot for testing my app ;)

You are right, I had made a little mistake when you "Load" layout :confused:

You can download v2.01 Here (http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/dom_g/)

[chandra]

In SkinMaker, I have an error : unable to find Bitmaps/abmp19506-8.bmp
Why?

[laak]

Originally posted by chandra
In SkinMaker, I have an error : unable to find Bitmaps/abmp19506-8.bmp
Why?

Yeah, I think there is a typo in the rcp file. Open the T3_SkinMaker.rcp file in a text editor, search for "19506" and replace the lines with these:

BITMAPFAMILYEX ID 19506
BEGIN
BITMAP "Bitmaps/abmp19506-1.bmp" BPP 8
TRANSPARENT 0 255 0
BITMAP "Bitmaps/abmp19506-1-d144.bmp" BPP 8
DENSITY 2 COMPRESS
TRANSPARENT 0 255 0
END


I also have a few questions. When I modify the bmp files, do I need to copy it to both Layout maker and Skin Maker bitmap directories?

Some keys bitmap have a line of transparent color (green)
e.g. abmp19802-8-d144 right edge; abmp19807-8-d144 bottom edge.
Are there any significance? Why did they include the transparent line? Can I leave them out?

If I want to include a numeric pad in the tricell layout, is there any way to configure a key with corresponding keypress bitmap? Right now, I can only draw a key outline in the background, but no change in graphics on keypress.

Thanks DomG and Festus440 for great programs!!

PS BTW, is there any difference between current TT3LM2.00Setup.exe and TT3 Layout Maker V2.zip I downloaded last week apart from a full installer of the former?

[DomG]

If I want to include a numeric pad in the tricell layout, is there any way to configure a key with corresponding keypress bitmap? Right now, I can only draw a key outline in the background, but no change in graphics on keypress.The only way is to draw a key in the background

is there any difference between current TT3LM2.00Setup.exe and TT3 Layout Maker V2.zipThey are two different install file to avoid the errors, but it is the same version.

[MythoFactory]

Originally posted by laak
If I want to include a numeric pad in the tricell layout, is there any way to configure a key with corresponding keypress bitmap? Right now, I can only draw a key outline in the background, but no change in graphics on keypress.


as I read somewhere "you can't draw on the DIA" :D the keypress feedback is done by inverting the colors of the BG iin the sensible zone you defined; look at the abc ABC 123 buttons of the tricell in the default skin, thats the way it works...

[laak]

Hi DomG, is there any way to change the dimension of the key? I changed the bitmap (e.g. abmp19800-8-d144.bmp) to a smaller size so that I can accomodate more keys (like what you did with your french keyboard layout, but I want it smaller still). However, the new dimension is not recognized by the program; looks like it is hard coded in the program. It still draw the key as 26x24. Can you give me some advice?

BTW, where I can find the specs for those bin files used by Skinmaker?

Thanks.

[DomG]

Hi laak

Aye, all the keys are hard coded.
Give me the size of the keys which you want to add, and i'll release a new version asap ;)

[laak]

Originally posted by DomG
Give me the size of the keys which you want to add, and i'll release a new version asap ;)

That would be GREAT! Thanks in advance, I appreciate all your help. I'd send you an email once I double checked all the dimensions.

[laak]

Originally posted by MythoFactory
[B the keypress feedback is done by inverting the colors of the BG iin the sensible zone you defined; look at the abc ABC 123 buttons of the tricell in the default skin, thats the way it works... [/B]

Thanks, Mythofactory, for your info. But I'm not sure how it can be done; I am just using Layout Maker tools by DomG.
Are you interested in writing a tutorial for skinning for newbies like me?

I looked through the Skinmaker instructions, PilRC manual etc. Still can't make much sense out of all the bin and rcp files.

[MythoFactory]

you don't have to do anything, the system will invert the colors of the selected button in the zone defined by DomGs' layout... but come to think of it, I don't know what it does if you are using a middle grey... :(

[MythoFactory]

BTW, when you tap a button on the silkpad you made with DomG tools, do you still get the graffiti feedback?

[abecdd]

Hi DomG,

great application.

Is it possible to integrate Characters 'ß' and 'µ'. They are verry often used in technical German and verry difficult to access in Graffiti 2.

Thanx
Axel

[DomG]

Hi Axel,

Use ASCII 181 for µ and ASCII 223 for ß.
All the chars exist on the drop-down char menu ;)
Some char does not appear properly due to PC TTF font .

[MythoFactory]

there's a small app called symbolfinder on palm that will help you find the chars ASCII codes :

http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&SID=C0E46F42-CF18-ADC1-AA31F429DCAF730B&PartnerREF=&prodID=49801

it's not a very stable app, but it does the job

[caihan2003]

I try to use this software to make an extended keyboard for my T3,but still got problem

here is how I use the Keyboard Layout Maker,
I opened the Keyboard Layout Maker, load a keyboard layout, and made some change(I didn't add or remove any key, just changed the function of the key), then saved layout and press "make bin" to generat bin files.

I copied all the files in "Copy to T3_SkinMaker folder" to T3 Skin Maker's folder(I am sure the new bin file is in there), and overwrited T3_SkinMaker.rcp, then used T3 Skin Maker to generat a skin(I didn't receive any error message, the size of the skin file is 176kb). After I installed the skin into my T3 and softreset, I found the keyboard area became blank, there isn't any key in there, but when I tap the blank area I can see the corresponding characters and numbers come out, I think the new skin partly worked, but why can't I see anything in the keyboard area? look s like the T3 Skin Maker didn't collect the bmp files into the skin at all.

is there anything I did wrong when I make the skin? please help me.

Thanks

[DomG]

Hi caihan2003,

Make a layout (with your modifications) save and send me the layout file.
I will take a look if you are doing something wrong, or maybe there is a little bug

[abecdd]

Originally posted by DomG
Hi Axel,

Use ASCII 181 for µ and ASCII 223 for ß.
All the chars exist on the drop-down char menu ;)
Some char does not appear properly due to PC TTF font .

Sorry, doesn't seem to work. The chars are not in the drop-down list. I can write "Char ß" into the white drop-down field but if I press Validation everything is empty again.

Axel

[abecdd]

Hi, now logged in.

Maybe we misunderstood. I dont want to make a keyboard but just a couple of keys on the triple DIA (19700.bmp) with some frequently used special characters.

--
Axel

[DomG]

Hi

Maybe we misunderstood. I dont want to make a keyboard but just a couple of keys on the triple DIAOops sorry :p
Then i'll add these 2 chars ;)

I'll release a new version soon, i'm adding an Option to modify all the keys sizes.

[abecdd]

Thats good news. Thank you.

--
Axel

[DomG]

The V 2.10 is out :p

- Added "BMP Size Option". You can modify the BMP Keys size (only for the Keyboard Layout)
- Added "µ" and "ß" chars for DIA Layout

Download Here : Version 2.10 (http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/dom_g/)

[Stitch_Man]

Hey DomG,

This application is great, and i've had no problem using so far. Keep up the good work Pal.

I was just wondering if it was possible to place an image in the background of the keyboard? I have around 10 pixels of blank space in height all the way along and would either like to change the colour or add a bitmap, instead of having it white.

Hope my request makes sense.

Cheers,
Stitch.

[MythoFactory]

When i made my skins, I tried to put a 320*160 background button in the back of my keys, but it would disable all the other keys, and come up if ever you tap it :( it seem obvious, but I had to try ;) So AFAIK, the best way to do it is to make your bitmaps bigger than the visual keys so that each one will include the part of the "background"... the problem is that you will need at least 7 keys (4corners + up and down centers), plus the various sizes. and since it would become orientation-dependant, it may be difficult to reuse the bitmaps for landscape view... a puzzle game ;)

but again, it's AFAIK ;)

[Stitch_Man]

Sorry, more questions.

Is it possible to change the colours of the keyboard keys to anything other than white? Can the same also be done with the time colour at the bottom?

Thanks,
Stitch

[Vidge]

I'm a little late to this party but I'd like to try my hand at these keyboards and numeric keypads. Can somebody point me in the right direction? I've downloaded the program above, looked at the tutorial, but I still don't see how to add the stuff in :(

[laak]

I am assuming you want to add a keypad in the graffiti area.

Unlike the keyboard where a button bitmap is used for multiple keys, you need to manually draw out the "keys" on the graffiti DIA area bitmaps ("simulating" key buttons); and you need to manually draw the individual key labels as well. Let's use abmp19700-8-d144.bmp as an example.

Once that bmp file is modified and your planned keys location is drawn out, you can load Layout Maker. Set the Options-> Paths, go back to home screen and click on "BMP 19700". Your previously drawn abmp19700-8-d144.bmp should appear on the background. You can then proceed to configure the coordinates of each "key".

Select key function from the drop down menu, then move the 4 sliders for X and width, then Y and height so that it overlay ontop of your planned key position. Click "Validation". A shadowed box would appear, hopefully where you want it to be. Adjust position if necessary. Don't forget to click "Validation" once more to save the positions.

Once satisfied, click on a new tap for the next keys. Repeat.
You would have to configure the graffiti areas as well.

Finally, "Save Layout" and "Make Bin".

[Vidge]

Thanks laak. I'll try it.

Is changing the keyboard layout similar? Or is there something else I need to do?

[laak]

Is changing the keyboard layout similar? Or is there something else I need to do?

Changing the keyboard layout is a little bit different. But it is in the same principle as the way you make your skin.

Assuming you want to change the layout, say adding an extra row of keys. First you plan on the dimensions of the keys to fit into the DIA area, and decide on which key buttons bitmap graphics pair to use/modify.

Note that you do not need to modify/draw all the buttons bitmap graphics in the resource file, there are some which are only used in foreign language keyboards, and not used in the US english keyboard.

One more thing to watch out: all buttons bitmap dimensions should be in even number (e.g. 24x22 is OK, but 25x22 is NOT), otherwise you would wonder why all the bitmaps do not fit together as you have planned. If you want to leave a gap (white space) between buttons bitmap graphics, the minimum is a 2 pixels wide gap. If you want to leave a 1 pixel wide gap (as in my OriginalPlus), you should draw your buttons bitmap graphics with a 1 pixel transparent color as the gap; and not leave any space between the keys while configuring their location coordinations.

Otherwise, using Layout Maker for keyboard layout is similar.

[Vidge]

OK, so I've just tried working thru this and found that I can't see the shadow box because my keys are black :( Is there any way to change the color of the shadow box?

[Velo]

Vidge,

I have just posted a small tutorial in the how to section describing how to change the colors on the DIA keyboard text and the background as well. I think that's what you wanted to do?

http://www.palmonecity.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3230

EDIT: OK, I see now that you meant the Layoutmaker program not the actual color on the T3.....

[DomG]

Vidge,

I just compiled with yellow shadow box. I dont have time to add Option Color :(

I hope yellow box are ok

You can download here : Version 2.10 Special (http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/dom_g/)

[Vidge]

Velo - thanks for those instructions. I'm sure they will come in handy as I have some time to work on my skins (now that tax season is over).

DomG - awesome! I really appreciate this.

[DomG]

Originally posted by Vidge
DomG - awesome! I really appreciate this.
I am happy that this modification is appropriate to you, and a big thanks to you ;)

[Vidge]

Well, I just got around to trying the mod and I'm getting a error 53 - file not found :( Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? I just unzipped the file and double clicked on the exe file. Is there something else I should be doing?

[DomG]

Rename the old EXE and unzip the new into the "TT3 Layout Maker" folder.
You got error 53 when the "Bmpfiles.cfg" is not present in the folder.

[Vidge]

I figured it out. I had a heck of a time finding that "bmpfiles.cfg" file. I guess I skipped a step when trying to reinstall the program. I went from v2 which doesn't have that file to the special version 2.1, but I needed to reinstall the 2.1 update first.

Thanks again for all of your help.

[Vidge]

I must be doing something wrong :( I laid out the numeric keypad and assigned the key functions and the coordinates as shown in the attached. I hit "Make Bin" and then ran Festus' skinmaker program to create the skin, but none of the buttons function (I just get periods for each one :(). In the subdirectory for the T3 Layout program, I see another subdirectory that is titled "Copy to T3_Skinmaker Folder." So I copied those into the folder, put my bitmaps back in, ran the program again and remade my bins. Ran Festus's skinmaker and still the keys don't work. Any help would be appreciated.

[Vidge]

A little more playing around & I think I've got it. I had the paths to my bins set wrong.