GUI Generator - Create your own custom GUI Skins

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GUI Generator is a tool for quickly creating good looking UI elements, or skins, for use with any GUI engine.

View in the Asset Store

Website
Questions & Support

Development Roadmap & Feature Voting​

Does not require any GUI engine as it creates stand-alone skinnable textures, however it seamlessly integrates with the following at launch:

• nGUI
• uGUI (Unity's new GUI system, requires Unity 4.6 or above)

Example video of usage with uGUI:

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Some screenshots:

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I've added some clearer screenshots as I'm preparing an working on the next update.

 

GUI Generator Web Page launched.

 

I'm busy with the final tweaks and tests for the next update coming to the Asset Store.

If you have any feature requests ... now's the time

 

I have a need for producing speech bubbles - these are actually quite similar to the rounded rect sliced sprites that your GUI Generator creates for buttons and panels, except they have a little arrow on one side. There are a few things that would need to be tweakable such as the arrow width, curve, position length etc. This could also be used for callouts - for example in a tutorial when pointing to a button with some text explaining what the button is for.
Keep up the good work... I hope you can add my feature! Matt

 

Hi Matt,

The roadmap certainly includes alternate corner shapes within the short term, and shortly after that alternate shaped individual sides (left/right/top/bottom). In fact, my previous update already included the groundwork for these to be built on as it's a definite direction I'm heading in.

The next update will allow thicker header / trailer or side bars individually selected, allowing space for icons on buttons (for example) once that update is out I will begin work on alternate shapes for individual corners, one example I'd use this myself is that I rather like buttons shaped where the top left and bottom right are round, but the top right and bottom left corners are square.

The way the shaped sides will be added will be algorithmic, and Scriptable ... meaning that anyone can create their own tiny "Corner Shape" script which will just be a single function with some Math and using that they could extend GUI Generator to create their very own shaped sides.

I hope this answers your questions

[EDIT] You wont need to script, it'll ship with several shape scripts, but you can do so if you desire to.

 

Sounds really good. When are you aiming to roll out some of the above features?

 

Hi teevus,

The features will be rolled out iteratively:
* individually sizable "padding" on all dimensions (about a week)
* shaped sides (about a week or so after, depending on my own bandwidth and time & Asset Store vetting process timelines)

 

If you'd like to get notified immediately, regarding updates etc, feel free to subscribe to the newsletter on the right hand side of this page:

http://www.darkarts.co.za/gui-generator

 

Hi DarkArts!

This is pretty amazing. Could be possible to use textures to fill the shapes instead solid colors?

Cheers!

 

Hi @Danirey

That's definitely on the road-map. The next update will offer different corner shapes allowing more than just "round" or "square" or "somewhere in-between" as current, but any shapes you could imagine for the actual borders.

After that (the shape changes) I will be looking at extending the effects and most especially high on the priority list is texturing. Keeping in mind these are simple generated PNG files, even right now you can create a texture with a transparency (high alpha) and simply open it in any image editor of your choice and "underlay" a texture, or better yet have a panel underneath the alpha'd effects which you can control and tile ensuring that it'll be seamless. That said, textures built-in to GUI Generator are en-route.

 

Nice!

You have a really usefull asset here. And with the new uGui could be a great combo!!!

Good job, i'll buy this for sure!

 

Thank you Yes I'm getting many reports back of people having great success with this tool. I am always open to suggestions from those who own it, that formed most of the first update, was feedback after the first people bought it.

It's progressing nicely and I should have the shapes update ready some time this week.

I'd love to know what all you'd like to be able to do with textures though, so I can take this into consideration as I move on to the next phase.

 

Bought it!
I'll send you some feedback as soon as i can and what would be nice (for me) to do with textures....

Right now i'm thinking in some blending modes for texture/Solid color or Texture/texture. Some add and multiply modes(the more the better of corse )

Cheers!

 

Great to hear, I'm not always able to check the forums, feel free to send me questions / suggestions or anything else to support@darkarts.co.za for more immediate responses.

If you'd like to hear about updates as soon as they happen you can subscribe to the news-letter on the right hand side of the GUI Generator page at: http://www.darkarts.co.za/gui-generator

 

I will, thank you!!

By the way, i'm thinking that with sliced sprites, it would not be very good idea to use textures, because they will be streched, isn't it?
That only could work with fixed size sprites... right?

 

Yes, however I have some tricks in mind that might help with that

And, if you're planning on using fixed sized buttons (for example) why shouldn't you use textures?

At bare minimum I'll support fixed sized buttons/panels etc but I do have some other ideas I'd like to experiment first before I mention them but it's looking good so far.

 

Ok!
I can't wait to see your ideas!

Please, keep us informed!

 

By the way, One cool thing could be a random noise generator to blend with the solid colors?

Cheers!

 

GUI Generator v1.2 update coming soon to the Asset Store.

Includes initial per-corner styling (more styles to follow in later updates):

 

Nice feature!

Cheers !

 

An offset (X and Y) for the shadow would be nice. In some cases, I just want a drop shadow to the lower right.

 

Hi @ScrappyRMH That's definitely coming soon! It's a feature I desperately want myself and is very high on my priority list. I'll re-look at it and see if I can get that feature in sooner since it's now definitely something others want too.

 

I agree! It is important for me too

 

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to let you know I've begun work on the v1.3 update.
Firstly I wanted to flesh out the corners since with the removal of "curviness" in v1.2 there was no way (anymore) to blend between two different corner types (pre v1.2 this was just round and square) so I've added a "blend" corner type to allow you to blend between any two corner types and I'v also added a "shear" corner type to extend this (see crazy screenshot below) -- this will come with v1.3.

My focus for v1.3 will now be effect offsets (eg shadow just to bottom right) then my focus for v1.4 will be adding the first basics of texture support.

 

That's nice! This is going on pretty well! I like it!

It will help a lot, to prevent the use of external image editors almost completely!

Cheers!

 

If you guys are using and enjoying GUI Generator, please take the time to rate and review! I'm still quite surprised that GUI Generator does not have any reviews yet although many people have purchased and are using it.

And remember, don't by shy about feature requests, as you've seen I will always drive my development based on your needs.

Teaser screenshot of what I'm working on today -- Multiple Layers! each with own offset allowing layering of background offset shadows (for example):

 

@ScrappyRMH & @Danirey you'll be happy to know that GUI Generator's next release with offsets should happen in the next week. I'm mostly code complete, now just for testing to ensure there are no problems. The next release is fully supporting multiple layers each with individual offsets (as many layers as you'd like) means besides just offset shadows (as shown below) you can also add layer offsets for corner embellishments like this:

 

Hi there!

You are totally right! COME ON GUYS! THIS ASSET WORTH IT!!!! RATE IT !!!!

Thanks for the update! Awesome Job! Layers by the way, are a great feature too.

Cheers!

 

If existing customers are interested in joining beta testing (keep in mind this is pre-release testing) prior to updates going to the Asset Store. Please send an email to support@darkarts.co.za with your Asset Store order number as verification and an email address that I can add you on a Google Group where you will be given access to try out early beta versions and you can help drive development as well as help with testing to speed up the GUI Generator release cycle.

Next beta sessions starting soon for v1.3

 

This is so very useful, for both the new UI system, but also existing solutions like NGUI.
Please, keep up the awesome features!
I would recommend looking at various photoshop layer styles for inspiration.

 

Hi @jc_lvngstn , that's exactly what's coming in the next update (see my screenshot just above your post) ... multiple layers including different offsets per layer

 

Sorry, I didn't mean layers specifically. I meant layer effects and styles. Bevelling, texturing, glows, all those other goodies.
Not a must have, it's already awesome, just some suggestions.

 

GUI Generator v1.3 is now available on the Asset Store for download.

Changes as follows:

Layers:

• GUI Generator Sprite Generator now supports multiple blended layers
• Interior width (for each layer) can now be altered

Corner Effects:

• Sheared Corners
• Blended Corners (mix two types of corner)

Fixes:

• Corner data now serializes correctly and isn't lost
• Preview settings (zoom & colour) are now saved
• General code cleanup & refactoring preparing for future features

Menus:

• Information submenu renamed to "Support" & added forum and documentation links

Don't forget to rate and review, your support is always appreciated

 

Hi DarkArts!

One question: Do you think it could be possible to add some kind of pattern layer (let's say a square grid or hexagon grid)? Think in a space game. An orange hud with a grid pattern with blurred edges… If you can choose a pattern and his size you could make something interesting.

Let me know!

Cheers!

 

@Danirey That is an AWESOME idea!

Just how awesome? (keeping in mind this is a work in progress) ... Fill Patterns will be coming to GUI Generator v1.4

Work-In-Progress (buggy) example:


For GUI Generator v1.4 expect the following "Fill Patterns":

• Solid Colour (this is what's currently available in GUI Generator v1.3)
• Textures (asked for by a few of you)
• Gradients
• Grids (asked for by Danirey)

 

Thank's to you!

It is great to contribute !

 

I love it when I get great ideas too! Looks like v1.4 will be ready later this week I'm making good & quick progress with Fill Patterns:

 

Another GUI Generator v1.4 preview:

 

@Danirey This work-in-progress texture support screenshot if for you

Happy to report it definitely works on nGUI as well as uGUI (nGUI support is definitely better though hopefully Unity will fix uGUI tiling it's a bit messy sometimes) -- if you choose your textures well though it looks great, this screenshot is uGUI

 

A note at this point for potential GUI Generator owners. With the v1.4 update (expected during the course of next week) I will be increasing the price of GUI Generator on the Asset Store. With the introduction of layers & offsets in v1.3 and the coming of Fill Patterns / Texturing and more in v1.4 GUI Generator has now become a much more comprehensive product than the asset originally published. Those who already own it, own it and all updates for life so this doesn't affect you at all, thanks for your support it's because of you I'm able to spend the time on this product that it deserves.

 

Nice!

Thank you so much!

It looks really good

Cheers!

 

Hi @jc_lvngstn With v1.4 update, all effects you gave examples of will be in. If you have a look a few posts up you will see a screenshot (for the coming update) in which I used a texture and bevelled the edges.

Glows are already available to you, use "shadow" effect and select a lighter colour rather than a dark black shadow to achieve glow, as in this example (I chose a light-green "shadow" - which gives a glow effect):

 

Hi again!

I'm playing a bit and found a new idea in the way... Using layers i wanted to create a base square that will filled with a gradient from some color on the top to alpha in the bottom. And now, i want to add a new layer on top as header but not a square one, but a square stretched. Now you can make a square fill width but it could be another great thing to allow the height manipulation too... What do you think?

Like this:

This is only for referenze, forget the textures....

 

Hi @Danirey ,

I know exactly what you mean because this is something I need as well.
I've been working on adding this. When I started GUI Generator everything was square. As I've been adding features I've been changing core code to accept width & height (but currently always the same) throughout all the various components but we're not quite just there yet. You will also notice the end result texture is always square (example, add a non-primary layer with a large enough offset to be in a corner, you will notice the other sides even though empty/alpha will also expand even though they contain nothing).

There are still parts of GUI Generator that expect and need "squareness" and since the beginning that's been core to how it works, but it's definitely something I'm re-factoring and fixing as I go.

I can't promise this with v1.4 but I'm definitely targeting v1.5 for this.

Once GUI Generator can handle non-squareness throughout it's code base there's another feature I can't wait to add which will be that individual effects (inside a layer) you'll be able to choose which sides (currently all) the effect is applied upon. The result being one side alone could "expand outward" eg: a quick in-layer header. Of course you would also be able to then add another overlay header above that space with it's own effects.

 

Great! The per side effect would be the next sggestion.... thanks again!

Good job

 

@Danirey two more screenshots of v1.4 work in progress showing the final feature request you had for v1.4

 

God! This is exactly what i was talking about!! Great job man!!

 

@Danirey Great!

This moves GUI Generator into testing, cleanup & optimization phase for the v1.4 release.

If anyone has any final requests for v1.4 (and if they're small enough that I can squeeze them in) today's the time to speak.

Any feature requests received after today (Thursday 11 September) will only be considered for v1.5 and after.

 

GUI Generator v1.4 has hit the Asset Store, ... oh my ... so much feature!