[ChuckE]

Originally Posted by hewee

Hey is there a size limit on the Oemlogo.bmp.

(I pulled my quick response, I just realized that the recent forum HD crash wiped out the detailed response, that I made earlier today.)

Briefly...
Yes, there is a size limit - on what gets seen.
No, there is no size limit as to what you can use for the oemlogo.bmp

More detail:
I have used images as large as 1280x960 for my oemlogo.bmp
BUT what gets displayed is the center portion of that oversize image up to the max pixel size permitted by the OS (there are different values for each OS, and I do not know what the exact numbers are).

For my WinXP Pro, I found that my max SysProps oemlogo.bmp area is 180x114 pixels. That means of the 1280x960 bmp I named as my oemlogo.bmp only the center 180x114 pixels showed through.

No errors are generated, it just is more image than will display.

[hewee]

Hi chuck, I see at the oemlogo site how to make them and the size etc so I edit the post of me asking but you must of seen it.

Good More detail info you posted too.

Yes I just posted about all my post being gone from the last time I was here and it show I was here last the time that was for the time before that.

[ChuckE]

If you want to find out what your max oemlogo.bmp pixel size is for your OS and system combination, just make a 300x300 pixel all-black oemlogo.bmp file.

Actually it can be any color, but black is very noticeable. It also can be any size, but you do want to make sure it is something exceeding what possible max size might be for your computer, and 300x300 will fit that bill.

Once you can see that the black oemlogo.bmp displays in the SysProp page, then snapshot that window and use any of the many image tools to measure what your displayed area is.

I could detail the steps, but I won't presume that you'll need that amount of detail. I'm sure you don't.

[hewee]

Ok the size I can go is 180x114 but I forgot to save it in 256 color 8 bit like it said.
I saved it as 24 bit true color and it still worked.

[ChuckE]

I never said anything about the colors. Don't worry about the amount of colors. I said any BMP can be used. No errors are going to get reported. So, of course it is going to work.

I actually don't know what the color depth of the display area is, and if you find out - please don't tell me.

If all the colors don't display, who cares? It is just a cute little image to dress up your SysProps page. It doesn't have be Michelangelo quality.

What you might play around with now is the transparent color you can also use in that image. Just Google for the clue on how to do that.

[hewee]

It is at the site here http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian...4/oemlogo.html that it has the size of 180 x 114 pixels range to make it fit so I got that part right.
But then it says...
Note that there is one restriction for a transparent oemlogo. The color palette can only have a maximum of 256 colors (aka 8 bits)! However, editing in 256 colors will always produce poor quality images. So I recommend doing all the editing, and especially resizing, in true color. Then change to 256 colors right before you save. You may have to experiment a little with the options in your graphics software to keep the inevitable quality loss during this process within reasonable limits.

Ok maybe because I took up the whole 180 x 114 pixels range and nothing was transparent was why. It is making a .bmp show the transparent part that you have to do it as it says I bet.

[hewee]

Another thing you can do ChuckE if you want it to look better but look like you have a transparent is use the eye dropper and get the color from the SysProp and then make you background that same color.
Now you can save the oemlogo at 24 bit true color and it will look like you have a transparent. But it will look better then saving it at 8 bit 256 colors.

[ChuckE]

But that's cheating. You are just using the color of whatever the background of your current SysProp's page is NOW. If ever you change the color scheme of your Windows, then that one color you used will no longer be "transparent".

Like I said, there is a way of really making one color the real transparent color. Then, no mater what your color scheme is, that color will be transparent to the background color of your SysProp's page.

[hewee]

He hee but it works and it keeps it looking better because it has more colors and is 24 bit. 256 color 8 bit is a downgrade.

[QUOTE]Like I said, there is a way of really making one color the real transparent color.

How do you do this?

Wait someone told me but I forget. It is I think a pink color. No it was making the skins for Ad-Aware where you had to do something lie this.
But I could not get the skin program to work and some other with 98 could not get it to work either. Darn I can not look at the post either because Ad-Aware closed there forum down.

[ChuckE]

Like I said, you should Google the answer.

I think this is the answer:
"the color of the second pixel from the left on the bottom row of pixels becomes transparent throughout the image if it is saved in 8 bit/256 color mode. A 24 bit image with potentially millions of colors will work, but cannot use transparency."

[hewee]

You got me lost now.

What keeps that second pixel from the left on the bottom row in the image from being transparent?

[ChuckE]

It isn't transparent, it is the "key" the one color defined to be transparent.

For example if that pixel is RED, then all the RED in the picture does not show, it is transparent.

[hewee]

I just tried it but it did not work so I am doing something wrong.

[ChuckE]

I will try it tomorrow and get back to you. It is getting late.
But you might check to ensure your image is just 8-bit (256 colors).

[hewee]

Ok see you later Chuck.
Your right about the 8 bit 256 colors may be what it has to be.
But then I would not be able to keep the better image that is at 24 bit true color.
Does not matter if you have a more plain type of image but if it is a photo the 8 bit 256 color will not look as good.

Good night