OMG You Guys HAVE to check out this program!!!!

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boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
Do u know how to automate the downloads? it says to use the program for the windows version, but when I go to the other website, it doesn't explain how to automate the thing, plus it's in german I think.

That's the site you want. Click on Downloads and then on Screenshot under winxplanetbg...... The screenshot of the Download settings tab has an explanation above it. It explains the use of the "Leech Timer" and has a link to download a batch file to automate it.

The batch file is somewhat over my head. I have it installed in the correct directory, and it's downloading the file, but it's not processing it properly. I am unable to make head or tails of it actually. I need time to analyze it to try to understand it. New frontier for me. Hope you have better luck. :)
 

neomits

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2001
3,228
0
76


<< ok this may sound stupid but how do you get the volume controls, and the winamp controls on the toolbar? >>



Not a stupid question at all. Its a program called True Launch Bar
 

narzy

Elite Member
Feb 26, 2000
7,006
1
81
hit the key on your keyboard that says PrtScn then open MS paint Paste it, and save as a Jpg
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
OK...I pulled a high rez moon shot off of NASA's web site (lots of cool stuff there BTW----do a search for jpg's on their site for backgrounds!) and I sharpened the starfield a bit. Pretty good now:

My Desktop
 

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
I've got it working. The key, I believe, is the Leech Timer. I have entered in the time I desire to download. This must be in 24 hour format. It downloads the cloud data and applies it automatically.

I am running the "globe" if you will, basically in the default setting. I have it fixed using latitude and longitude coordinates for my area of the country. It rotates through night and day cycles as the earth does.

If you have it locked on daytime, nightime, or perhaps other display means, you will need to create a batch file to create files tailored for your specific mode. There is a sample batch file for download if you go to http://www.mkoe.de/. click on download and then screenshot under winplanetbg_1.0.151.zip. If you analyze the contents of the sample batch file to the Parameters he is using in his Checkbox, you will see the correlation between the two.

I'll post some screen shots in a minute or two to show how mine is set up. My desktop is nothing exciting, but I have a screenshot a number of post back in this thread that shows how I am displaying the earth on my desktop. If that helps.

XPlanet setting tab
Download settings tab

Remember too, that the clouds files are only updated every six hours, so there will not always be a new one available for download.

I'm using large fonts so the xplanet boxes don't display quite right. I'm under the impression that this program is open source, so anyone that knows how the correct this, please have at it. :)
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
I have a picture of the moon that I downloaded, how do I get it to display with the earth? If I do -body moon, the moon image just replaces the earth image. I want a small earth in the upper right, and the larger moon in the lower left, is that possible? Also, I notice the images directory has shuttle and iss images, how do I get those to display?
 

neomits

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2001
3,228
0
76


<< I have a picture of the moon that I downloaded, how do I get it to display with the earth? If I do -body moon, the moon image just replaces the earth image. I want a small earth in the upper right, and the larger moon in the lower left, is that possible? Also, I notice the images directory has shuttle and iss images, how do I get those to display? >>



I don't think that you can have too, updating roatating entities at the same time. I have my Background just as a set Jpeg of the moon.
Like Mine
as far as the satalites and stuff put in the parameter -satfile iss I think the shuttle pic can be used if you make a file for the shuttle's path. If you go to the folder satalites, and open those files in notepad you'll see how they are made. Also if you want cities to show up on your globe just pu the parameter
-markerfile earth as well you can open up those files in the markers folder and open them with notepad and see how to adjust settings in there.


Hope that helps some
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
Damn, I can't get the space station to work. I added the -satfile iss line, but nothing happens.

EDIT: nevermind, I got it to work, not sure how I like it though.
 

neomits

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2001
3,228
0
76
yeah.... its alright but I got rid of it in the end. you can change the color of the lines if you want. Just open up the file in notepad like I posted earlier
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
I took off the lines for the space station. Here is a picture of my desktop with the space station, and the city markers on.
 

Swag1138

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2000
3,444
0
0
Neomits....where did you get that moon background?

and did you register your TrueLaunch bar? If not, how did you get rid of the stupdi truesoft logo?
 

neomits

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2001
3,228
0
76
OK HERE is the background that I use


and also I'm using a different night image (the current one is a little unrealistic) You can find that Here