7 replies to this topic

[Bencrest]

I see that side-art has been mentioned recently on a couple of threads. It's something that I'm actually a bit anal on, and while I totally appreciate people can do whatever they like with their layouts, it might be worth getting some discussion going for the few people left who are still creating layouts.

 

Someone mentioned that they couldn't find the author for a certain DX layout, I forget which one.

 

Back 'in the day' it was quite common for a layout designer (or design team) to include either their forum nickname / username, and often the domain name of the forum they were 'affiliated' with.

 

For example, a layout from DAD would probably say 'DADsFME' prominently on the side-art. One from Pook would say 'DX'CELLENT'. Mine would probably have said whatever my name was at the time, and probably a link to Fruit-Emu (although admittedly I've released a few under different names).

 

Why include these details? Well, firstly, if someone wants to contact me about a layout, they know I made it and which site I'm on (admittedly this can change, but it can provide clues if nothing else).

 

Secondly, it's a pride thing. If I've put loads of work into a layout, I want people to know I made it. 

 

Thirdly, including a link to a forum in the sideart means that if someone (god forbid) pays silly money for an emulation disc from eBay or similar, they may get directed here. 

 

People sometimes ask about keyboard shortcuts for layouts.

 

I know some authors do this and some don't. I always - on my later releases - used to include keyboard shortcuts in my side-art, mainly so that if someone downloads a new machine, the information they need to play is in front of them. While a lot of keyboard shortcuts are obvious, some might not be and sometimes you can't use the mouse easily as you might need to press keys simultaneously (skill-stops and the like).

 

That's about it for the moment but I'd be interested if we could get some debate and things going. 

 

 

[vectra666]

 Very good subject. I normally put my name above the layout as if I put a "logo" on the artwork I'd think I'd spoil the sideart as for shortcuts I normally add them in the release notes again if there's loads like mpu5/scorp4 layouts then I normal add them on the right of the sideart as a label so they don,t spoil the design.

 Back to finding the true creator of older layouts I too have difficulty in finding the original creator as the layouts have been submitted by members that haven't necessarily made the layout so now I know its wrong in certain cases but if its a old layout I'm remaking for lappy I just use it then thank whatever members submitted the layout.

You never know as I get better I may include a logo of sorts.  

[andy-1]

It's an interesting one this, there are members who like side art the there are some that don't so I think it would be a good idea to place a user name and site onto it.

 

The only problem about putting the site name on is that people could join here just to leech layouts.

 

I sometimes put the keyboard shortcuts in a text file and place it in the folder, It would be a good idea to put a user name in the text so if anyone wants to use the classics or DX's they will know who to contact.

[aaamusements]

It's an interesting one this, there are members who like side art the there are some that don't so I think it would be a good idea to place a user name and site onto it.
 
The only problem about putting the site name on is that people could join here just to leech layouts.
 
I sometimes put the keyboard shortcuts in a text file and place it in the folder, It would be a good idea to put a user name in the text so if anyone wants to use the classics or DX's they will know who to contact.

The way it's set up these days means that fortunately they won't be able to leach very much. So it doesn't matter who comes to the site.
In fact the more traffic we get, the better.

[ady]

That's what was also good with the official MFME Emulator releases...there was a 'note's option.

[andy-1]

Thanks for the reply aaamusements.

 

It would good if we could get some other views from members about the side art.

 

  I normally put my name above the layout

The problem with putting your name on above the layout is that it can easily be changed. I think this is why we need to put the name of the creator either on the side art or in a document.  But even then these can be tampered with.

[vectra666]

It's not a case of being erased it's for future reference, again if the layouts were submitted by the original creator/or as in some cases the creators name mentioned either in the new release post or better still in a first review under the download would be the best option can't be altered in the review.