I'd like to contribute in the artistic department

[Chris H.]

Guys,
Can a non-programmer like me download the latest source code for Forge?

Maybe this has been asked like hundred of times already, and I did poke around the forum but I can't find the link to the source code.

Thanks

`
If you use the Windows OS then you can try the scripts found in this topic:

SVN Build, Do It Yourself

The scripts are the easiest method but it will still take some time and some tech ability. I use Mac OS and can not use the scripts myself. There are some good people here who may be able to guide you and anyone else who would like to try the scripts.

A number of people, myself included, access the source code on the SVN using Eclipse, Subversion and Subclipse. This topic provides some useful info for people who are willing to try this option:

How to get started?

[Chris H.]

Some symbol ideas, hope you guys like them.
I did them all in circle shape to have the uniformity feel

`
Thank you, they are a step in the right direction.

[Sloth]

Some symbol ideas, hope you guys like them.
I did them all in circle shape to have the uniformity feel

I really like your symbols, choppic! Great work.

[friarsol]

Some symbol ideas, hope you guys like them.
I did them all in circle shape to have the uniformity feel

I really like your symbols, choppic! Great work.

Yea those came out really well. I'll take a look to see what needs to be done to integrate them in the UI.

[Rob Cashwalker]

I like the direction of some of the symbols.... Not sure I like forcing them into circles... makes me think of Ghostbusters.

Summoning Sickness = hypnotizing swirl.. perfect.

These are the icons I had made for the Kid Magic MSE Template:

Don'tlet the filenames sway your thoughts on what they should be used for, that's just how I used them in my set. And yes, I used a lot of the "No" symbol... the part that reminds me of Ghostbusters....

The Sword and Shield for attack and blocking are where I was headed as well.

My idea for haste isn't great, it was one of the last ones I did and I did so, hastily.... In my case, I was using the lightning bolt for damage... the only cards in my set with "deal damage" was Shock and a easier-to-pronounce version of Prodigal Pyromancer. I only had one haste creature, a goblin I believe.

I think a generic, non-denominational, blank (or gibberish characters to provide texture) headstone for the graveyard would be better.

I wanted trample to be like a dinosaur foot print, and I tried... but it was really difficult to find a good clip-art style foot print.... Not sure we really need an image for it anyway, but that would be my choice... a BIG footprint. (maybe an icon for the trample damage assignment screen?) Also a possibility - a giant foot about to stomp on smaller creatures?

[Chris H.]

The new 12-22-2010 beta release has an attack icon that overlays attacking creatures. This icon is only seen while using the new GUI (battlefield display.)

The current icon is a .png file and this file can be found in the folder:

/forge/res/images/symbols-13/

The attack icon is named "attack.png".

During the declare attackers mode, the border of the message screen turns red, and it may be a good idea to make the attack icon red.

During the declare blockers mode, the border of the message screen turns green, and it may be a good idea to make the attack icon green.

[choppic]

Chris, are we going to use the Ghostbuster circle style?
Or should I try creating another non-circle set?
Maybe I can help with the PNG files

[Chris H.]

Chris, are we going to use the Ghostbuster circle style?
Or should I try creating another non-circle set?
Maybe I can help with the PNG files

`
Sloth's attack.png file is only 25 x 25 pixels. Anything bigger than this might hide the card jpg picture when the the card jpg picture is set to the smallest size. I do not think that we can get a lot of detail into the attack.png file, yet I think we would want something that people would be able to recognize fairly easily.

I liked the pics provided by Rob. They might help to provide some artistic inspiration. I like the idea of having the attack icon red in color and the block icon green in color.

I do not think that we are far enough along to be able to decide whether we should use the circle type icons or if we should try something different. The small number of pixels may limit the icons that overlay the card jpg pictures to a symbol sort of icon.

I seem to remember that there is a way to imbed a picture into a button. It might be possible to do a 40 x 40 pixel or so pic of a tombstone and then imbed this into the graveyard button. A larger size pic would allow more detail.

I am starting to get ahead of myself. If you can find some time you could try editing the attack.png file and see if you can come up with something for us to consider.

[DennisBergkamp]

I actually really like the "Ghost Buster" style icons Very well done, they're so clear and simple.
Now, like Chris said, I'm not sure how well they would show up through 25x25 pngs. Another idea would be to borrow some ideas from Shandalar / MTG Online... but I personally think Choppic's designs are an excellent start.

And yes embedding images into buttons is very easy, just look at some of the Quest code.

[Chris H.]

I do not have any artistic talents, but what the heck. I copied the ghost buster style attack sketch and then scaled it down in size to fit a 25 x 25 pixel canvas.

I discovered that a one pixel thick circle does not stand out. I had to make the circle portion a good two to three pixels thick to be recognizable as a circle. This left very little room inside for a sword type shape.

As I said, I do not have any artistic talents, but I threw together a quick attack icon. My pic is just an early and rough draft and may help to get the ball rolling.

`

[Rob Cashwalker]

We should look towards the various archives of windows icons, which are 32x32 and I've seen some really good ones out there for the RPG genre and stuff..

[Chris H.]

We should look towards the various archives of windows icons, which are 32x32 and I've seen some really good ones out there for the RPG genre and stuff..

`
Icons are treated somewhat differently under Mac OS and I have always used the built in ones. The archives of Windows Icons sound interesting. They would at least provide some inspiration.

I remember you stating that the screen size of your old laptop was fairly small. I think that you may have been at the smallest size supported by forge. What about your new laptop. It might be nice to get some input on what size we should use for these icons before we get too far along in the process.

[Rob Cashwalker]

My laptop is 1280x800. I haven't played yet since the attack icon has been added. I also don't use the mana icons in general, so I would feel more comfortable with larger format action icons...

[Chris H.]

I have now play tested using 16 x 16, 25 x 25 and 32 x 32 sized icons. I discovered that the mtg cards can shrink to a small size by the mid game. I am not sure what size icon would be ideal.

I also changed the code on my local copy to match Dennis' suggestion, this moves the attack icon towards the bottom left corner.

[choppic]

Guys,
I try to make 16x16, 25x25, and 32x32 size attack icons.
I let you guys decide if these icon is clear enough in small size and can be used for the game