Vector versions of vB buttons and icons?

It's no secret I dislike the default vB template, and that includes the buttons and icons. Not just because I don't like the status icon images, but their graphics pack is hard to work with... I find it hard to even change the colors of the simple icons. Has anyone made a vector-based vB images pack that graphics n00Bs like me can easily recolor and resize? It doesn't have to look exactly like the default vB pack, just have the correct number of images to re-do everything.

 

The reason why the vbulletin (GDK) is so difficult to work with is because the GDK graphics were created first using Lightwave. And then they ported it to a .psd format. Fine if your never wanting to create true re-coloured version of the buttons and graphics but that's never the case. Whenever you re-colour a stock vbulletin set you automatically forfeit quality because jelsoft seemed fit in giving us a psd with embedded gradients on buttons and icons that we cannot adjust remove in photoshop. The GDK is an absolute nightmarish experience and they ought to have produced a better way of managing the gdk. In short, they did it all wrong in every way possible.

 

So I'm not alone in my problems with the GDK? I've been trying to recolor those damn little icons for the longest time and getting terrible results, and thought I just didn't know how to work well enough with Photoshop.

Someone needs to come up with a new GDK.

 

heck no, your not alone. I've been saying this for years. Their GDK is so shit I wouldn't wipe your arse with it let alone mine. Even staff working with jelsoft will say the same thing.

How the hell can anyone work with re-colouring buttons when blending modes/gradients and other elements are embedded, embedded and implemented from using another software and then out putting it to a .psd format?

why even release a layered psd if the only thing you can do is re-colour with absolutely poor results? It's probably why princeton over at vb.org re-coloured the style which looks piss poor. And I've even mentioned this to him.

If vb4.0 gdk is anything like the 3.0 gdk then they can shove it were the sun don't shine. Seriously, the amount of re-colouring jobs I've had to do because people cannot work with the psd. Then again, would you expect anything less than plain difficult psd management from the no1 software company. Absolutely not, because not a member on their team thinks further than code.

 

(Everybody had better keep their rears covered whenever Shelley is working with the vB GDK.)

At this point it's probably too late to do anything about the current GDK, but if the team makes the same mistake again hopefully the vB community will come up with an alternate version.

 

Doubt there will be a GDK for 4.0 since a good portion of the images are gone. None of the buttons (new thread, new reply, quick reply, etc...) use images. Changing the colors of gradients? Its done with CSS, don't need to edit the graphics themselves. Everything else will probably be replaced with mini-icons and there are numerous status icon replacements so that people shouldn't need to recolor them.

 

That's good news, hope it makes the pages lighter! And now I have to go look up CSS gradients, because I've never heard of them being done with pure CSS, no repeating image.

 

They use a 24-bit alpha transparent PNG image. Since the background color is applied before the background image, you can change the color and it will appear through the image.

 

See what I find funny wayne. And selfish on jelsofts part is that you cannot (and probably ever will) give a clear cut answer. I think whenever jelsoft is involved, they look after number one, with no thoughts about the community. I'm sure we will debate about this, and maybe someday I will but this is new. you doubt? now, I was thinking.. because alpha and beta are only to be released to a select few aka not what you know but who you know, people running resources site don't know what buttons to update or what styles to update and everything is left to the last minute.

Now, your not enticing me one bit, but I'm sure that some peoples mouths are watering at the thought of these titbit hints. That doesn't help anyone. I don't think there will be a GDK, I'm not quite sure there will be X... It's replies of uncertainty that help absolutely nobody which is one of the reasons why when it comes to communication jelsoft fail miserably.

It's great to hear the community who support the product with resources won't get their hands on a product till the last second and then work like crazy to update their resources.

I know you've heard this argument before, but when you can give a clear cut response I may even remotely act interested. The only reason I'm even responding back was because you quoted me directly wayne otherwise I wouldn't have even bothered.

I'll be sticking with 3.8. I have no plans in ever supporting 4.0.

 

Whatever... I'll take care not to respond to you in the future for any purpose. Don't worry, I'll delete the smilies you made from my site because quite frankly, I feel like less of a person associating with you to begin with.

 

Use them, don't use them I couldn't care less. And, speaking of character, forgetting the pm you just sent? If this is how you react to people with questions then I think you need to re-evaluate who you associate yourself with in the first place.

I sure you would like everyone to agree with you on every turn and get all excited about titbits of information that is purely speculation, not substantial fact. nobody knows anything useful about 4.0 and what you posted is yet more senseless garbage.

"I doubt". Not definite Wayne. Read again, what I wrote and ask your self why this information is nothing more than useless info to people outside the inner circle.

Regarding the pm...

 

*carefully backs out of the thread*

 

._. I'm getting scared...

 

Please keep all information sent through the private messaging system between the recipients - do not share this with (or continue on with the discussion in) the public.

 

Yeah, it got a little rocky in there for a moment. I thought maybe we were going to see a seriously bout of forum rage. Regardless of which, whatever said in pm stays in pm unless i actually take a screenshot and accidentally post it on twitter.

Anyway, back to the vb3.0 gdk. Another reason why it's not user friendly, when you save a button you have to save each button one at a time whilst hiding the others when the more effient method would have been to slice the psd for a one click saving option. If there was ever an instance when a company got everything wrong the gdk for 3.0 is a prime example of "how to get it wrong" and your going to be happy about it.

 

I've always wondered if there was some kind of script available for Photoshop that would cycle through the different layers and save each on the background, with the layer name. I've never found one to do that.

 

x.x... Well if some one takes the time to make a PSD like that, it's possible. It's what I do for MyBB[personal use] I just separate the big, small and medium buttons.

Example; Post Reply, New Thread and Closed would be in one pack. E-mail, WWW, Find, Profile would be in another pack.

 

Attaching the gdk as 1 psd at a specified size for the canvas allows that. That is how I save my gdk out with 1 click of a button and with that one click my whole button set, forum status icons, threadmarkers, smiles etc etc is saved with one push of a button. It's very easy to do if you know how to work with slices. If not, when I have time I will write an article up and submit it.

It's really a time saver. If a member requests for a certain background matte i just highlight the slices select the matte colour and save. everything saved in less than 10 seconds. when time permits and pending people require it I will submit a tutorial.

Below is the struture and method I use. It shows you how it will look after slicing.

 

Damn! MsJac missed some highdrama - This is better than Guiding Light
I suppose tis a good thing I am still stuck with PhotoImpact from Ulead LOL

Jacquii.

 

Shelley, I love your work and I enjoy your posts thoroughly, I have to disagree on this point though, I think Wayne's answer *was* reasonably clear cut.

Now you may know I've got my own issues over vB at the moment so I'm not simply wading in and defending them for the sake of it. But Wayne has been very upfront about many things, as much as he possibly can anyway, he has even taken the time to post stuff over here and help people out and I for one am extremely grateful for that.

Not a dig at you in any way, you understand.