


Didnt realize it was possible to make these, now I know and cant wait to get started! Looking at the other posts and tutorials, im getting a little confused. Is there a difference with dynamic themes and animated themes? When people talk about them, I cant tell if they are using either word at random or they are specifically referring to one or the other. I see Glowballs tutorial for Animated themes (seems he is the forums fav!). If there is a difference, is it also possible to make Dynamic themes?
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@KELLYJAYE: Well, actually there is a difference between dynamic themes and animated ones...
Technically speaking, custom dynamic themes were born from other already existing themes (like Prince of Persia, or Heavy Rain) used as starting base, and over time they evolved by modifying their scripts thanks to certain tools, or directly acting on their code strings.
Instead, animated themes can also be created from scratch by drawing a background and all the elements that have to move on the screen.
Then, with specific programs (like Gimp, for example) is possible to animate those elements by creating all the frames needed for the animation.
To get an idea of what I mean, you can take a look at "The NeverEnding Story" theme, which is an example of what can be done using the "animation technique": background and elements are hand made by me, and Faxtron made the animation and the lighting effects by working on them frame by frame.
The only problem with animated themes lies in the limit of usable frames, which is related to the background's graphic resolution. In short: if you want a very high resolution theme, the max frames number for the animation is 15; instead, if you want a smoother animation, you can use 34 frames, but you need to decrease the background's resolution.
Both procedures require some commitment, of course: it all depends on the skills (and willingness to learn) of who wants to start making themes like that...
Oh! By the way: welcome aboard!
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@RADZ: Hmm... Is it irony?
LOL! Just kidding!
Well, you know... whenever I could, I always tried to help anyone who needed it, especially newcomers because I believe they need to know everything there's to know to start making themes: then, once they've started, all the rest depends on them...
@KELLYJAYE: We'll be waiting!
And I'm curious to see your first theme

@OPTIMUS
Well its probably going to be a Pacman theme, Im kind of a dork over that :-P. I have a few other quickies in mind I may try also but definitely want to make a quality Pacman one. I made one some years ago but it was a non-dynamic theme. Also it no longer worked after a firmware update. Figuring it was early on in the theme making thing, the program used was a little confusing and I didnt want to have to remake it everytime there was a firmware update, so I just gave up on it. Now its a few years later and Im hoping its a little easier. Besides, I want animation! I havent even changed the theme on my PS3 from the default one or the one on my computer. But some animation abilities will change that
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Are you saying that it is possible to make animation themes with the "Dynamic Theme Editor" using Gimp? I was wanting to get it but when I saw I would need PhotoShop I decided not to download it. If I can use Gimp then I am game.
OPTIMUS said:
"Then, with specific programs (like Gimp, for example) is possible to animate those elements by creating all the frames needed for the animation."
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You can use GIMP to create animated themes but you need to install the DDS.exe plugin to Gimp for use it to create those class of themes. You need to install the plugin to export images to DDS format. And install the Gimp Animation Package to export videos on GIMP.
DDS plugin for Gimp : http://code.google.com/p/gimp-dds/
Gimp Animation Package (GAP) http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/old.html
BTW : To create animated themes using "videos" you can't use "Dynamic Theme Creator" you need other tools to achive those class of themes. Go to the Glowball tutorial and download the tools needed there.

can you make dynamic themes by using gimp
Faxtron said
You can use GIMP to create animated themes but you need to install the DDS.exe plugin to Gimp for use it to create those class of themes. You need to install the plugin to export images to DDS format. And install the Gimp Animation Package to export videos on GIMP.
DDS plugin for Gimp : http://code.google.com/p/gimp-dds/
Gimp Animation Package (GAP) http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/old.html
BTW : To create animated themes using "videos" you can't use "Dynamic Theme Creator" you need other tools to achive those class of themes. Go to the Glowball tutorial and download the tools needed there.
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