Help with BackImages for ZLauncher

[srjeannine]

I am trying ZLauncher and would like to change the BackImage. I have downloaded several jpeg images and have converted them to 8 bit gray scale. I have a Clie SL10. I am able to preview them in the theme manager, but when selected they do not appear. The BackImage supplied by ZLaucher: SandBeach_320_320_4B.pdb works just fine. Is there a way to convert the jpeg to this database format. I looked in the manual, but am still in the dark.
Thanks,
Sister

[Sonico]

Maybe you missed this chapter from the ZL manual, I quote:


<B>Converting Background Image: </B>ZLauncher can directly convert BMP/PGP/JPG files into background image databases. There's 3 ways for converting your own background image files:

Drag a supported picture file to the <B>Create BackImage/ShortCut</B><I> </I>button, then it will be converted into a background image, and set as the current background image automatically.
Tap on the supported picture file for one second, then select "<B>Back Image</B>" from the popup menu. Then it will be converted into a background image, and set as the current background image automatically.
Go to the <B>Theme Manager</B> (file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/BIGL605I/Mis%20documentos/Herunterlassen%20vor%20Palm/ZL2221/Help/indexen.htm#ThemeManager), then open the <B>BackImage</B>, select a picture file, then tap the "<B>Select</B>" button from the pop up Operating Dialog. When you tap the <B>OK </B>button to exit the Theme Manager, the selected picture file be converted into a background image, and set as the current background image automatically.
<B>Note:</B>

Because the JPG support is based on the <B>Sony JpegUtil Library</B>, which is only available on the Clie NR/NX/NZ series and Clie T650C/T665C/T675C. However, if you install the <B>Sony JpegUtil Library(JEPG_Library.prc </B>and<B> JPEG_Util_Library.prc) </B>to your handheld, the JPG support maybe work on the handheld(except for Palm T|T).<B> </B>You can find the <B>Sony JpegUtil Library</B> in the ROM of the above listed handheld models.<B> NOTE: WE TAKE NO REPSONSIBILITY FOR USING THE Sony JpegUtil Library, YOU TRY IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.</B>
If the background image database is converted in the Theme Manager, it will be marked as a temporary background image. Once you change to other background image, temporary background image will be deleted from RAM automatically.
If you want to get the best quality of the converted back image, you should change the display color to the proper depth before converting the image. For example, if the picture file is 16-bit color depth, you should change the display mode to 64K colors mode before the conversion.
If the<I> </I>current display color depth is less than the color depth of the background image, it will not be available. For example, if the color depth of the background image is 16-bit, and the current display color depth is 8-bit(256 colors), then the background image will not be displayed.
Modifying the picture files on desktop computer before the conversion is recommended.
If there is no expansion card available for your handheld, you can convert the picture file in PalmOS Emulator which can do the job, then export the converted background image database from the PalmOS Emulator, and synchronize it to your handheld.
ZLauncher supports all color depths of supported picture files. No exact dimension limitation for the picture files. If the background image is smaller than the screen, ZLauncher will tile the background image to full fill the screen.
To import BMP/JPG files to the expansion card, you can use some software such as <B>SyncWizard</B>, <B>CardExport</B>. If you are using a Sony Clie, you also can use <B>MSImport</B>.Importing the picture files to the <B>/Palm/Programs/ZLauncher/BackImage/ </B>directory is recommended, so that the Theme Manager can recognize them.


<B>Setting Current Background Image:</B> You can change the background image with the installed images. Go to the <B>Theme Manager</B> (file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/BIGL605I/Mis%20documentos/Herunterlassen%20vor%20Palm/ZL2221/Help/indexen.htm#ThemeManager), then open the <B>BackImage</B> page, select one of the list backround image, then tap the OK button.


<B>WARNING: Do NOT insert or remove the expansion card when it is busy to avoid any damage to it.</B>

[srjeannine]

Thanks,
I am going to purchase a memory stick. I will then be able to drag the image and see what happens! The JPEG_Util_Library.pcr file they speak of is not included with the Sony Clie SL10. I don't know if it is possible to get it anywhere. Maybe it will not be needed with the memorty stick.
Thanks again,
Sister

[Sideway]

Sorry to tell you this but you still need the JPEG libraries even with the MS. And there are two files you need.

There was a topic a while ago with a link to download the two libraries. Try doing a search to see if you can find it.

[srjeannine]

I was able to find and download the two files for the JPEG Library. Do I install them on the Clie directly or on the MS? Would someone be able to give me a mini lesson on the "How-to" of converting JPEG's to ZLauncher BackImage. They said I can just drag and drop the .BMP images and the Theme Manager witll convert them. Do I have to use the JPEG Library file first and then take them into the ZLauncher Theme Manager.
I will not get the MS for a few days, so I want to know what to do onece it arives. Any help would be appreciated. Please forgive my lack of knowledge in this area--rather new!
Sister

[Sideway]

Just install the two libraries to your RAM and you can start viewing JPEGs on your Clie. You don't need to do anything else.

Put the backimages in the /palm/programs/zlauncher/backimage directory. Now you can select them from the Theme Manager.

[srjeannine]

Thanks Sideway,
I really appreciate all the help you have all given me on this forum. It is nice to know we are not alone! (well, some of us knew that already!)
]:) =

[Sonico]

Originally posted by srjeannine
Thanks Sideway,
I really appreciate all the help you have all given me on this forum. It is nice to know we are not alone! (well, some of us knew that already!)
]:) =

&nbsp;

I'm glad I could help you... Is always nice to be part of a big family...

Have a nice day, Sister...

[Sideway]

No problem. That's what this forum is for. :)

[srjeannine]

I recently got a MS for my Sony Clie SL10. I have been following the threads concerning backimages. I am using the only one available with ZLauncher (B&W 16 bit gray scale) and it works fine. I was told take a .BMP file and drag it to the create BackImage button and ZLauncher would use it. I did this and it created the backimage which can now be seen in the Backimage directory (I put the .BMP ifle in the ZLauncher/backimage directory). I can preview the image, but when I tap select if says the backimage is not availabe. Can anyone help. I have tried draggging .JPEG, .bmp, etc, but nothing seems to work. Iam sure it is something simple that I am NOT doing! I downloaded the ,JPEG Utility Library and can also preview these images, but they do not appear as backImages.

[srjeannine]

I have the MS, but am still having trouble viewing the Backmages. I put the image files in the Programs/ZLauncher/Backimages file and dragged them to the make backimage button. It made the backimage because I can see the file in the directory. I can "preview" the backimage, but when i try to select it I get a file.bmp or jpeg no available. Any suggestions as to what I am doing wrong?

[TWauki]

i´ve got the same problem ... using sl10 too ... =(

tried lots of different backimages with different colour dephts and i get the same message everytime ... =(

[TWauki]

just received a mail from zztechs! *yeah*

"Hello,

Since the bitmap converted by Sony's Jpeg_Util_Library is 16bit.
Though you can convert it and preview it, but you can't use it as a
back image, since it's very slow to be diaplayed which you must have
noticed.

I just tried converting a 4bit(16 grayscales) BMP file into background
image, and it worked fine. So i suggest you use BMP files instead of
JPG files. 16 grayscales BMP is not too larger than JPG.



If you have any questions or ideas on ZLauncher, please let us know.

Best Regards,

Li Xiangming
ZZTECHS
www.zztechs.com
2003-04-08"


thats how back images for sl10 work!!!!!

[TWauki]

look @ http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9096

[srjeannine]

Thanks,
I just got the same message and will try sometime today. I don't know if the paint program on Windows 98 will give you a 4 bit choice, if not perhaps I can install a different Paint program.
I will let you know.

[srjeannine]

Thanks,
I tried at different sites in the forum in hopes that someone would answer. Let me know if you have any success and what conversion program you used.

[TWauki]

i haven´t found any program which can convert normal bitmap files to 4bit greyscale yet ... =(

plz tell me if you find any prog!!!

[TWauki]

i´ve finally done it! =)

use this tool to convert to 4bit 320x320 greyscale images:
http://www.evolutionary.net/palmtools.htm

then just put them in background folder of zlauncher and it WORKS for sl10! =)

[Sideway]

You can use IrfanView (http://www.irfanview.com) to do this as well. It's a freeware image viewer.

[srjeannine]

Thanks,
I used the first program and it WORKED!!! Now with the new ZLauncher 3, it should be fun to look at all the backimages on PalmSpirit. Thanks again for all your help.
Sister

[srjeannine]

TWauki

I don't know if you have had trouble with the skins that are shown on this site. I have not been able to get the 64 bit ones (that's all of them!) to work on the Sony Clie SL10. I asked at zztech and they sent me a beta that will fix this. IT WORKS!!!! I don't know alot about sending files. I don't know how to send the attachment to you. Please e-mail zztechs.com and they can give it to you.

Sister

[Israotz]

Sony JpegUtil Library??? WHERE CAN I FIND IT...???