Splash screens for running multiple versions of Celestia...

[Chuft-Captain]

I usually have various versions of Celestia installed on the same machine, and as I have a lot of addons loading, it can take a long time to startup.

I've found it useful to have some hacked/modified splash screens (example below) so that I know which version is loading (mainly because if another version is not already running, then clicking on a celURL will always startup the most recently installed version of Celestia, and sometimes I forget this).
So if it's the wrong one I can see this immediately and kill it off in Prog. Mgr and then start the intended version rather than wait for all the addons to load. (It's just a bit of a time saver).

splash.jpg

So, they have limited usefulness, but anyway they're HERE for anyone who might want to use them.
Just unzip and then replace splash.png in each of your Celestia installation directories with the appropriate one from the selection.

Of course, it would be quite possible (and better) for the compiler to include the version / build information and display it as part of the startup process, but I guess no-one's ever got round to doing that. That would make these splashes obsolete.

In the meantime, I hope at least someone finds these useful.

CC

[ElChristou]

Waaaahhh...

[t00fri]

After we had these exhausting word wars one year ago, about Serif versus Sans Serif fonts etc. let me remind everyone that the VERY best splash is from an artist rather unknown in our community (dhromed):



Even after one year of daily use, I still find it the most sophisticated one...

Otherwise, only my own splash proposal would have a chance for winning :



Ahem...

Cheers,
Fridger

[ElChristou]

Since a few weeks I can finally (yeah! ) appreciate the rings' shadows on Saturn... I like the above splash but maybe I'd like much more something more "dynamic". Now that quite a time has passed with my old splash as default, what about changing it? What about the serif/sans serif topic? Could we try with a sans serif font?

To illustrate what I call a more dynamic structure, here a quite "hard" exemple (composition, contrast, etc):

[chris]

We should definitely change the splash screen for version 1.6.0.

A few opinions on the splash screen:

- I much prefer the sans serif font
- I don't care for 3D or metallic effects on fonts
- I think the transparent band in Fridger's splash screen is a pleasing design element
- I like the elegance of the type in Fridger's splash, but find that Helvetica is overused; something slightly more distinctive would be nice
- The version number should be shown, but it's much too prominent in the first example
- No pigs

--Chris

[BobHegwood]

Well I suppose that I am in the minority here once again, but I simply and absolutely LOVE the current splash screen associated with Celestia 1.5.1.
Change this at your peril... Just kidding, but I really do like the current (absolutely beautiful) screen. Just my opinion of course.

EDIT: One other thing here... As Celestia loads on my system, it clearly shows you which version is loading. This does not occur for versions other than 1.5.1?

[Cham]

I like this font. However, the version number should be on the right, instead of the left.

IMO, this Saturn close-up is too dark and too static.

[ElChristou]

- No pigs

LOL

I like this font. However, the version number should be on the right, instead of the left.
IMO, this Saturn close-up is too dark and too static.

This one is just a quick exemple, I took the first font I met in my default fonts, so there is more to do at this level. Same for the version number, I put it here but of course it could be elsewhere.
I do agree this splash is static, but in that case, it was a bit the idea, kind of monolithic representation, something much more abstract than figural. The point here is the composition of the entire picture, the game of the curves, the contrast. I do understand it's not an easy splash (too much character I would say) but that the kind of stuff I actually like.
Also I think it is quite related to the sophisticated level of Celestia, specially good for the incoming HDR version where pure black will be much present...

Anyway was just an exemple to show that we can play quite a bit with this game of shadows...

[ajtribick]

That one has echoes of the parting shot of Neptune that Voyager 2 took, I like it.

The advantage of the serif font that is currently used is that it is consistent with the website design, particularly the olde-stylee constellationne mappe in the background.

[Fightspit]

Why not this one

[BobHegwood]

Why not this one

Probably because it might remind a lot of people that some Brain-Dead jerk also uses Celestia.

[ElChristou]

The advantage of the serif font that is currently used is that it is consistent with the website design, particularly the olde-stylee constellationne mappe in the background.

Was the principal reason of it's use... (see the old thread)

[duds26]

To illustrate what I call a more dynamic structure, here a quite "hard" exemple (composition, contrast, etc):

The text that says 1.6 should have a bigger font to be clearly and to be readable in a glance.

[zhar2]

Why not try something besides a gas giant, maybe mars?

some view like this for example?

[BobHegwood]

Can one ask why all this discussion here in the first place?

I mean, you can already use any screen you like. All you hafta do is replace the current splash image. Yes?

[ElChristou]

Why not try something besides a gas giant, maybe mars?

You are free to compose any splash and present it there or in some specific related thread!

(BTW, could you be kind enough to reduce (or better remove) your huge/obtrusive/useless signature which is not really in harmony with our community?)

[zhar2]

Right ill remove the signature, i apologise, i wasnt trying to disrupt harmony (im just used to using large signatures in other forums)

sorry.


About the splash page i would like to try something out, but i was thinking about maybe using more transparencies, but that will have to wait till the end of the week (first i gotta finish exams )

[Imy]

Hi,

I only want to say how I like the new ElChristou's splash : I think it 's until now the best one. It's elegant, simple and feels really modern ; it invits you to travel, a dream travel into space... I think it's a good way to follow.
Modern, surely, the font makes effect for that. I Like the new version caption, small and in a left-to-right reading, it's quite original : it's like a technical stuff : don't you think you've been inspired with a title like 2001, a space odyssey? 1.6 Celestia?
The relative small font used to write the program's title lets place for space itself and what it contains ; isn't the aim finally?

[ElChristou]

@ zhar2: Tx for your sign, but be free to use a small one!

@ Imy: As I say before, was a quick example but I like it too! ; I put the 1.6 here because in that case (composition) it works pretty well here. Now as it's unusual, most people won't like it because too far from what they are used to see. I just propose then the dev team will have the last word for this kind of details (after all they are the boss! )

[BobHegwood]

I just propose then the dev team will have the last word for this kind of details (after all they are the boss! )

I still do not understand what all the fuss is about here. If we can use any image we like, then why does it even matter? I mean, I do understand that you might be concerned about the "official" releases, but if the user can change it to whatever they prefer, then what's the big deal?

Confused (as usual) Bob