[Freeciv-Dev] Re: SDL client: tilespec and themespec

[Mike Kaufman <kaufman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> We should change loading specfile procedure :
> 
> Client on start should read only main "*.specfile" and here should be 
> moved some info from current *.tilespec ( like used font ,  paths , 
> start resolution , etc ). In "main.specfile" should be only 2 entry of 
> spec files :
> 
> 1) *.tilespec - for map/unit/cities/fx graphic.
> 2) *.themespec - for gui theme graphic.
> 
>                             name.tilespec
>                          /
> name.specfile
>                          \
>                            name.themespec
> 
> Secound *.themespec file should fill secound theme_hash_table ( in 
> tilespec.c ) which will be available outside of tilespec.c. Each client 
> should have own theme sprite array and code to setup this array from 
> theme_hash_table. We can unificate part of this theme array and put 
> into common side but not all, this give us flex. to adding and removing 
> gfx from theme and open way to new unification of some theme graphic.
> 

I'm concerned about why the theme_hash_table needs to be available outside
of tilespec.c when the tile_hash_table does not? This does not follow. I
agree in principle (without having followed this thread that closely).
Theme code in client/ is fine. What I want to make sure of is that the
loading coding for the themes is independent of the tiles and that the
loading code is called from the gui_main.c so that we don't load
unnecessary graphics in the other clients.

> > As for the triplicate intro graphics, I think the best solution here
> > is
> > to provide a single graphics file that has a smallish (510x300)
> > content
> > area but has a large background.  Then the image can be displayed
> > *without scaling* so that the content area is centered, but as the
> > canvas gets larger more of the background is shown.  Imagine
> > freeciv-test's intro3.png with a more regular background, or
> > http://www.techdeck.org/freeciv-heb.jpg with the background texture
> > continuing as far outward as necessary.

we are _not_ distributing this game on CD. We need to pick one intro 
graphic (for the distribution) and live with it.

> This should be configurable by specfile ( not hard coded in code ).
> Code should support all case that creator of tile theme want.
> if creator want intro :
> 1)  "solid" backgrount with center "small" texture then specfile should 
> have such info and code should make such "solid" bcgd and draw center 
> texture.
> 2) image with "w" and "h" then code should draw it ( or scal and draw ) 
> Creator should know what is doing :)

There should be _one_ theme distributed with freeciv since it costs so much
in terms of filespace. I want to make sure that it is not so 
gui-sdl-specific that it cannot be used by other clients if they would want.

-mike