[axbmcuser]

(New) Easy install method (Added 2024-07)

The repository & skin can now be installed without any manual file copying. 
See easy & detailed instructions at:   axbmcuser.github.io

Cheers

[axbmcuser]

New releases now online for Kodi 19-22 (17-18 will be following)

Code:

6.7.31 (2024-07-10)

Wall View improvements

Wall 2X, 3X, 4X and recently added 5X now have dedicated visual variants for displaying add-ons
This greatly improves the visual feel when browsing add-ons with Wall Views

- Adapted Wall View changes to Add-on Info Dialog

- Further improvements for context menu and visually related Game OSD menu

- Minor x-position fix for Games section sidebar

- Updated skin name and all icon variants

- Minor code improvement for suppressed dialog [PlayerControls]

Textures:

- Updated 330x330-rounded.png and added white_border34.png for Add-on Info Dialog changes
- Added 4 rounded diffuse masks for new Wall View add-on variants
- Added 4 focus borders for new Wall View add-on variants
- Slightly improved DefaultAddonsRecentlyUpdated.png and DefaultAddonsUpdates.png (smaller dots)

[axbmcuser]

After yesterdays releases for Kodi 19-22, the Kodi 18 version is now online (17 will be following)

 

Code:

4.7.32 (2024-07-10)

Minor code improvements
Minor improvements to addon.xml

Internal notes:
Kodi 18 needs to use ListItem.Icon instead of ListItem.Art(icon). Kodi 19+ seems fine with the latter. Code now covers both

Edit: Followed by just released 5.7.32 and 6.7.32 for Kodi 19-22

[axbmcuser]

New releases for all Kodi versions 17-22 are now online

We have now reached full feature parity on all Kodi generations again.

Code:

6.7.33 (2024-07-11)

Improved "Text" View focus animation (Text color change now transitions smoothly)
Minor code improvements

Kodi 17-20 only:

Removed the "Show "Versions" and "Extras" buttons" option from My Skin settings since only Kodi 21+ has this feature
(minor merging regression introduced with previous update)

[axbmcuser]

@KillroyWasHere

Feel free to chime back in for the cinemascope-variant when you got the time. (It's summer, real life and all - so no hurry, of course)

Meanwhile, as an update, i wanted to let you know that i already made extensive preparations for a full Cinemascope-variant of the skin over last last few weeks.
So were are not just talking about partial scope optimizations anymore.

Also, an all new Wall 5X View got added in the previous updates in foreshadowing. 5X and all other Wall Views could have a native Cinemascope variant which would look quite good i think.


For everything else just read my previous posts adressed to you.

Cheers

[axbmcuser]

New releases for all Kodi versions 17-22 are now online

Code:

6.7.34 (2024-07-14)

Scrolling duration and easing type refinements for Wall Views and Fanart View

Removed conceptionally questionable automatic scrolling letter indicator
(Might be replaced by a manual scrolling letter button implementation in the future)

Minor code improvements
Minor improvements to addon.xml

Kodi 20+ only:

Textures:

Further refinements to recently updated CalibrateReset.png (Fixed barely visible scaling inconsistency)

[Marklar]

@axbmcuser really been enjoying the updates, using the bottom homescreen menu mode with hidden sub menus. Looks really clean and shows off the wallpaper. Wondering if you know why tv episodes don't show ratings? I have the option enabled in the view options.

[axbmcuser]

@Marklar

Regarding 1)
Good to know! I also really like the new auto-fade-out sub menus.
Could you send me "real-life user-screenshots" (or some quick but meaningful smartphone pictures if screenshots aren't possible on the system) of how you your home screen looks with your custom configuration? (Thread or also possible: via PM)

Regarding 2)
I'll get back to you on this at another time - i'm in a bit of a hurry right now.

[axbmcuser]

New releases for all Kodi versions 17-22 are now online

Code:

6.7.35 (2024-07-24)

Visual refinements for all Wall Views
Improved spacing and positioning of Wall items and container

Video Info Dialog
Formatting simplification and improvements for multiple strings like genre, director, writer, budget/revenue
This changes are supported by corresponding updates of the "ListItem Helper" and "Cinema Helper" add-ons

My Skin settings language strings and text formatting improvements

Misc improvements:

Minor code improvements
Fonts code changes without visual changes, added font for improved generic add-on compatibility

Internal:

Further preparation for a potential future cinemascope skin variant

Kodi 18+ only:

Games section improvements

[axbmcuser]

New releases for all Kodi versions 17-22 are now online

Code:

6.7.36 (2024-07-26)

Improved context menu
Minor code improvements

Games section improvements
Improved GameOSD (games menu), Game windows and more

Kodi 21+ only:

Games section improvements
Added new "Ports + Players" window (Kodi PR #23548)
Added non-hard-coded button combos (Kodi PR #24147)

[axbmcuser]

New releases for all Kodi versions 17-22 are now online

Code:

6.7.37 (2024-07-29)

Reworked Add-on Info Dialog
Improved visuals and usability for the Add-on Info Dialog

Improved Custom Search Dialog
Improved DialogKeyboard and DialogNumeric
Improved usability and navigation in context of search, keyboard and numeric dialogs
Improved GameOSD (games menu)
Minor code and visual improvements

[axbmcuser]

New releases Kodi versions 21-22 are now online (17-20 will be following)

Code:

6.7.41 (2024-08-02)

Improved focus visuals of Custom Search Dialog

Improved focus visuals of Game dialogs and Video Bookmarks dialog

Improved scroll animations of Select dialogs (General, Game) and Video Bookmarks dialog

6.7.40 (2024-08-01)

Slightly increaed button spacing in Video Bookmarks dialog to match game dialogs (spacing being too narrow before)

Follow-up refinements:

Improved settings level indicator/button navigation targets with a workaround to avoid a Kodi bug causing double grouplist focus in rare situations

Games section

Added "First Run"-info for Game Menu

Updated button combo help/info sheet

Completed Pre-Game Savestates dialog with "New" button and "Saved with:" emulator info

6.7.39 (2024-07-31)

GameOSD (Game Menu) Rework follow-up refinements
Shortened text strings within "Controls" sub-menu

6.7.38 (2024-07-31)

GameOSD (Game Menu) Rework

Context menu improvements for "Seasons" View (Fixes minimal visual context menu cut-off at the top)

Improvements for System Settings
Reworked settings level indicator/button
Added rarely used highly transparent scrollbar for edge-case scenarios where the left settings category count is very high (RetroPlayer build "Services" cat)

[token stranger]

Hi, I love using this skin. Any possibility of adding the Arial-based font option to the skin? The Arial-based font is needed so that the Chinese fonts become legible, instead of just boxes.
Thanks in advance.

[axbmcuser]

@token stranger

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I evaluated this before and did not find a solution i was happy with yet.

We might figure something out.

Questions:

- When using the default "Estuary" skin & the "Arial based" font option of Estuary: Does this cover all your needed chinese characters?

[token stranger]

HI. Thanks for the response. Estuary allows the option of Arial based fonts which enable the Chinese characters to be displayed correctly.

I have modified the Font.xml in your skin add-on (my apologies for not seeking prior permission) with the option for Arial based fonts to be available. With each update of the skin, I have to copy and paste with a file manager to restore this function. it is pretty straight forward with external android boxes (where you have access to hidden files). However I am now adding Kodi to my Smart TV and they no longer grant access to these files. I can modify the zip file, but it is only proper and right for the developer of the skin to do so.

My apologies.

Steve