✨ Feature Req - default main menu backgrounds

[TimboZero]

Skin section

Widgets

Feature description

For the default and used by most users (eg videos,music,etc) could we have some default backgrounds (such as a cinemas for videos, a really nice TV on a stand with ‘cinema’ speakers for TV shows etc)

Why is this feature needed? Please justify and explain.

The UI is great but currently somewhat ‘plain’ looking, some basic default background images (have them as an independent image lib if you like, with a switch to use or not use, maybe if you have too much time an option to add custom ones to lesser used and custom widgets a users own background.

Screenshots and Additional Info

Whilst these are not my work I believe them to be GPL for anyone to use and I could download these to a user data dir, an option in each widget to add a path to such an image in such a collection as a local url would be perfect.
HTTPS://wallpapersafari.com/kodi-background-1080p-wallpapers/

Checklist

• I have opened a separate discussion for each feature I am requesting.
• I have searched the discussions and this feature has not been requested.
• I am using the most recent skin version.

[jurialmunkey]

Not exactly this request, but next version adds an option in Interface settings to disable blurred backgrounds on classic widgets: 8351fd8

Need to still think about best way to handle menu item backgrounds but it is definitely on the cards.

[TimboZero]

Thank you, I am a patient man and the news that it’s on the cards is more than acceptable it’s good news.
Thanks JM
Tim

[TimboZero]

Been thinking about this a lot today, and for clarity I haven’t written any code in 15+ years and never python….
For things like movies and tv shows the skin pulls the fan art as background right?
Couldn’t for non fan art items (such as collections I made for various universes, addons etc) have a background override (not use fan art or some default background like some addons have) but allow user to point to a single directory which has files such as Universes.png for Universes category etc..
That is to say the directory is predefined by the skin (say userdate/addons/skins/arcticfuse2/userart obviously I don’t know the exact structure without checking my setup) and the file must match the category title?

[jurialmunkey]

You should already be able to do exactly what you're suggesting to add art to collections as an inbuilt feature of kodi

https://kodi.wiki/view/Movie_set_information_folder

[TimboZero]

The collections was are distraction from the feature req.
And my universes aren’t collections, they’re using marvel as example in chronological universe order not release order, which took a little tinkering

[jurialmunkey]

Yeah I understood that you were speaking more broadly than just for sets, but thought it worthwhile to point out that feature did exist as it is pretty hidden. But yeah, if they're "universes" using the playlist method rather than "real" collections then it wouldn't work anyway.

The folder idea is interesting, but the big roadblock is that the skin engine isn't particularly suited to file checks -- there's nothing along the lines of File.Exists(filename), which means you'd end up with the inverse problem (if the file doesn't exist then the background would end up black rather than at least showing the default fallback).

I might be able to do something with SkinVariables custom submenus (found in the experimental widgets) to allow setting a "background" image to be used. It'd mean you'd need to setup your own custom submenu widgets with the shortcuts - so a bit of manual handling - but upside is that it basically gives complete control over label+icon+background for each item in the list.

[TimboZero]

I understand the roadblock and black background if matching file not found, but if it’s a ‘default/custom’ switch for each category then user hasn’t broken anything and just need to turn off switch or figure out what they did wrong with the custom image ;)
As long as the feature doesn’t ‘brick’ something I don’t think you as the dev have a responsibility to compensate for the ‘idiot factor’ ;)
And if someone can’t work out how to do it and wants to, well that’s what your Kodi forum thread is for :)
If you are happy with the principle and want to add it as an undisclosed feature and let me know, I will idiot test it as I am qualified lol