Obsolete screenshots of Celestia in app stores

[SpaceExplorer2008]

The Celestia Mobile screenshots featured in all app stores are obsolete, after all Celestia has updated its textures and data, not to mention hundreds of new addons. I think we also need it to be clearer about the existence of downloadable addons, which could be shown in the images.

Although this is not a serious issue, I think we better update this.

[levinli303]

we need a curated list of cel URLs and descriptions text more suitable for App Store screenshots.

[Anthony-B-Russo10]

There also needs to be a screen shot showing that addons can also be downloaded on the appstore pages. I figured an image like this one would work for showing addons.

[SpaceExplorer2008]

My suggestions, based on current images

Look up Information about Stars, Planets and More:

Relive Historical Events:

Real Time Simulation:

For "Explore the Outer Space" I used a different nebula with a sprite model, it might be more flashy:

[levinli303]

I'll think about it later. to be consistent across platforms, the app screenshots in the App Store now are actually generated through a program, not by manually taking screenshots on device. so it will be some code to write to show pages other than just the rendered scene.

[TheLostProbe]

For "Explore the Outer Space" I used a different nebula with a sprite model, it might be more flashy:

looks nice but the galaxy brightness should be toned down so the nebula stands out more, it will look better that way if need be i would be glad to take screenshots

[levinli303]

we need new URLs and new text

[TheLostProbe]

from what i understand, the app store images are not screenshots of celestia but rather "generated by a program", correct? so how does the text work, then? do i just give you the text and it is converted into whichever special format the app store requires?

[levinli303]

from what i understand, the app store images are not screenshots of celestia but rather "generated by a program", correct? so how does the text work, then? do i just give you the text and it is converted into whichever special format the app store requires?

1. automation tools to take screenshots based on URLs and save to disk
2. use a program to add the title text to each screenshot with the same style (white text on iOS/macOS blur)

so we just need URL and title text

[TheLostProbe]

okay, i'll see what i can come up with

[TheLostProbe]

so i have some preliminary screenshots and text (of course cel://URLs as well). the text is probably bound to change, and i also have yet to remake the "relive historical events" screenshot, as the cassini addon has compatibility issues with stock celestia's cassini. ive decided to not just reword some of the texts, but also add new ones. for some of them, i couldnt decide on which screenshot was best, so just pick whatever one you think looks best. i will highlight those ones in bold. new text will be at the top in quotation marks, and the old text that it replaces will be in italics. if it doesnt say what it replaces, then it will instead just be a new image entirely

"Look Up Information On Stars, Planets, And More" Replaces "Look up Information about Stars, Planets, and More" cel://Follow/Sol:Earth/2022-12-16T12:11:33.33082Z?x=oOtGUlHsv/7//////////w&y=lH9a9/+2Rg&z=eOxzMALSdf///////////w&ow=0.55236083&ox=0.14125372&oy=0.82113796&oz=0.026026227&select=Sol:Earth&fov=14.475634&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=205445015&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

"Relive Historical Events" Not done

"Real-time Simulation Of Space" Replaces "Real Time Simulation" cel://Follow/Sol:Jupiter:Callisto/2022-12-29T13:02:21.24573Z?x=0EFPSCT9F////////////w&y=BmRHSaN8Eg&z=MIAHvTU8qP///////////w&ow=0.54309326&ox=-0.06545507&oy=0.83556646&oz=0.050931282&select=Sol:Jupiter:Callisto&fov=6.1299043&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=205445015&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

"Explore The Known Universe", option 1 Replaces "Explore the Outer Space" cel://Follow/Abell%207/2022-12-16T12:15:00.62247Z?x=AAAAALCdE75EMj///////w&y=AAAAAMgpyNqfmDz//////w&z=AAAAAGwlGEbd1nA&ow=0.65527683&ox=-0.5153391&oy=0.11648787&oz=0.5398782&select=Abell%207&fov=14.475634&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=205445015&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

"Explore The Known Universe", option 2 Replaces "Explore the Outer Space" cel://Follow/Westerhout%2051/2022-12-16T04:50:13.95181Z?x=AAAAAADehUISqN7h/////w&y=AAAAAABU9/H2YZAQ&z=AAAAACCdFYTK9iAC&ow=0.6373956&ox=0.53932494&oy=0.32490343&oz=-0.44417697&select=Westerhout%2051&fov=14.475634&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=205445015&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

"Stunning And Realistic Graphics", option 1. Text may be changed in the future cel://Follow/Sol:Saturn/2029-10-08T17:29:11.41940Z?x=QA5JTLyKZ/3//////////w&y=1BGVQCtEPQ&z=gBACMAOaavb//////////w&ow=-0.024031289&ox=0.07931858&oy=-0.9965278&oz=-0.007966335&select=Sol:Saturn&fov=14.475634&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=205445015&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

"Stunning And Realistic Graphics", option 2. Text may be changed in the future cel://Follow/Sol:Saturn/2029-10-08T17:31:00.75524Z?x=sBzn/Rm2/v7//////////w&y=0AhBqvL6TgE&z=AKLoSFBPPOz//////////w&ow=0.016952747&ox=0.13201164&oy=-0.989903&oz=-0.04876145&select=Sol:Saturn&fov=14.556272&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=205445015&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

"Enhance Your Celestia Experience With Add-ons" cel://Follow/Cygnus%20X-1/2022-12-16T23:11:57.94245Z?x=ANJh4Db8Ovb//////////w&y=EITP3yFVuQ&z=OPTXLW94+Q&ow=0.7684056&ox=0.12378075&oy=0.6219163&oz=-0.086320505&select=Cygnus%20X-1&fov=14.475634&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=205445015&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

"Scientifically-accurate Simulation Of Space" cel://Follow/Sol/2024-01-11T01:56:52.13252Z?x=AABgteEERHjQAQ&y=AABAASRKA5+TAw&z=AAAAAdt2DglE+v///////w&ow=-0.11243869&ox=0.081805296&oy=0.95028406&oz=0.2786138&select=Sol&fov=14.475634&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=205445047&nrf=255&lm=6151&tsrc=0&ver=3

"Your Companion For Stargazing" cel://SyncOrbit/Sol:Earth/2024-08-30T15:14:01.19552Z?x=XXaSVpHn9f///////////w&y=rE24LnS6Kg&z=5Q2nfEwK+////////////w&ow=0.018914364&ox=-0.09317433&oy=0.9845414&oz=-0.14710201&select=Sol:Earth&fov=35.80111&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=205453215&nrf=255&lm=15&tsrc=0&ver=3

i was also thinking that instead of having every first letter in each word capitalized, it could just be all lowercase. its a very commonly used modern design choice and also imo looks better than having each first letter capitalized example:

[levinli303]

I'm also looking to change the text style, the current white on blur is not really the best one to show text, and I've lost the code for generating them anyway.

What I'm thinking is

1. Remove all HUD information text on screen
2. Place bigger (white) text on bottom right with no background, in two lines (aligned to the right side). The first line being a verb with bigger font. For example:

           Explore
The known universe

[TheLostProbe]

that text design... i swear ive seen something like that before somewhere. i suppose i can make a concept draft in GIMP tomorrow, and maybe experiment with different styles (like aligning it to the left and changing the margin etc.). also i think there should definitely be at least one screenshot of the HUD and UI so people know what the program looks like when youre using it

[levinli303]

an example here:

i suppose i can make a concept draft in GIMP tomorrow, and maybe experiment with different styles (like aligning it to the left and changing the margin etc.).

you can experiment and start a vote somewhere

also i think there should definitely be at least one screenshot of the HUD and UI so people know what the program looks like when youre using it

Only UI (of add-on page or info page UI), not HUD. So for each screenshot, we will need

1. cel URL
2. add-on ID if exists (at most two screenshots)
3. show info page or not (at most one screenshot)
4. caption

[levinli303]

@TheLostProbe any updates?

[DaveBowman2001]

Lux H.M.T from Discord (@exl001) made this Celestia trailer that highlights its mobile version! Might be cool and handy to be included also on its PlayStore page as it has a mini-tutorial about the UI controls included: https://youtu.be/74l8xLRXHOY

[TheLostProbe]

@TheLostProbe any updates?

around the time i was planning to do it life got pretty busy and i eventually just forgot, then school started again which meant i had far less free time, so even if i remembered i still probably wouldn't have been able to do it this honestly shouldn't be that hard to do so i will hopefully be able make something tomorrow

[exl001]

Heres a trailer i made for the celestia mobi... Hope you enjoy! :)

https://youtu.be/74l8xLRXHOY

[exl001]

There also needs to be a screen shot showing that addons can also be downloaded on the appstore pages. I figured an image like this one would work for showing addons.

Where did you get the background orion nebula from? 😮

[levinli303]

Heres a trailer i made for the celestia mobi... Hope you enjoy! :)

https://youtu.be/74l8xLRXHOY

This is amazing. I'd like to put the video on the App Stores.

For Google Play, the requirement is listed here: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9866151?hl=en#zippy=%2Cpreview-video Your preview video may also be displayed on both home and search page. Your preview video may autoplay inline with muted audio up to 30 seconds depending on the user device, setting, network connection, and surface area. Whenever your video does not autoplay, a play button is overlaid on your feature graphic. For games, some sections of Google Play show groups of recommended games in a large format using preview videos.

For Apple App Store: The requirement is listed here: https://developer.apple.com/support/app-previews/ Most notably: Each preview should be between 15 and 30 seconds long and will appear in all countries and regions where your app is available.

[TheLostProbe]

so there's a slight problem with my plan, which is that i can't copy the cel://URLs in any way, it just copies the name of whatever body is selected ("Earth", "Callisto", "Saturn" etc.)

i can definitely make the images but they won't be of any use without the URLs

[levinli303]

so there's a slight problem with my plan, which is that i can't copy the cel://URLs in any way, it just copies the name of whatever body is selected ("Earth", "Callisto", "Saturn" etc.)

i can definitely make the images but they won't be of any use without the URLs

direct share is broken on mobile, try desktop to get URLs. Or you can add it as bookmark, and long press on the bookmark to share (and get the URL).

[levinli303]

so there's a slight problem with my plan, which is that i can't copy the cel://URLs in any way, it just copies the name of whatever body is selected ("Earth", "Callisto", "Saturn" etc.)

i can definitely make the images but they won't be of any use without the URLs

Fixed in 1.5.22, will be live on Google Play soon

[TheLostProbe]

well, i allocated myself some time to make new images. i can make modifications if necessary

URL: cel://Follow/Sol:Earth/2023-07-02T13:52:59.06554Z?x=gHqIoxcYrv7//////////w&y=JAcLdlkIUQ&z=ySumWO0O/v///////////w&ow=-0.73719114&ox=-0.26776052&oy=-0.6141897&oz=0.087318935&select=HIP%204385&fov=15.534161&ts=1&ltd=0&p=1&rf=71227287&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

URL: cel://Follow/Sol/2023-06-10T04:01:09.36594Z?x=AADgxNkenTx7Ag&y=AAAAeu5N7SvJAw&z=AABAbpqtfATN+v///////w&ow=-0.1762914&ox=0.039147615&oy=0.9339327&oz=0.30847773&fov=15.497456&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=71227315&nrf=255&lm=6147&tsrc=0&ver=3

URL: cel://SyncOrbit/Sol:Earth/2024-07-30T06:00:31.79943Z?x=5H8ym9O86f///////////w&y=Jx39zwAGIw&z=6bKOqSApDw&ow=0.88020444&ox=-0.3483816&oy=0.18829681&oz=-0.26156196&select=TYC%204123-1214-1&fov=51.175&ts=1&ltd=0&p=1&rf=71235487&nrf=255&lm=15&tsrc=0&ver=3

URL: cel://Follow/Westerhout%2051/2023-06-10T03:31:39.13768Z?x=AAAAAABxRUqY3KUS&y=AAAAAAA1xr8Nhgv2/////w&z=AAAAAAC8ueP73lXs/////w&ow=-0.4382953&ox=0.5837729&oy=0.678968&oz=0.07815942&fov=15.497456&ts=1&ltd=0&p=0&rf=71227287&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

URL: cel://Follow/Sol:Jupiter:Callisto/2023-07-02T11:03:12.01362Z?x=YJG63ya8Sf///////////w&y=k1RN8wszCw&z=ZY4WNWkjGQ&ow=0.7285262&ox=-0.043709736&oy=0.682417&oz=0.0405734&fov=5.30302&ts=10&ltd=0&p=1&rf=71227287&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

URL: cel://Follow/Cygnus%20X-1/2023-07-02T13:52:59.06554Z?x=ACwEriWpVvv//////////w&y=cKpIoLiUl////////////w&z=AOyX+4hMTQg&ow=0.10665737&ox=-0.3053027&oy=-0.0070079123&oz=0.94623744&select=HD%20226868%20A&fov=15.534161&ts=10&ltd=0&p=1&rf=71227287&nrf=255&lm=2048&tsrc=0&ver=3

do we need more images, or is this enough?

[Anthony-B-Russo10]

That looks to be enough.

[levinli303]

@TheLostProbe they look good. although i think we can reword "Educate yourself"

[TheLostProbe]

i tried several other sentences for that one and they were either too long or just didn't make any sense. you requested that the first word of the sentence be a verb, so that kind of limits me in terms of what i can write. like yeah there are heaps of verbs, but i just couldn't find the right one for that particular sentence i have the xcf files for all of them so changing the wording shouldn't be a problem

edit: hmm, what about "learn about the universe" or "learn about space"? idk those just kinda popped up inside my head

[levinli303]

"Learn about space" sounds good.

[TheLostProbe]

done, how does it look?

[levinli303]

I will re-generate images with scripts for all platforms based on the URLs and whether or not to show an Info/Addon view instead of using the ones provided here directly.

For fonts i will use the default ones on each platform to avoid issues, Apple screenshot will use San Francisco, Windows with Segoe, Android with Roboto.

[levinli303]

@TheLostProbe can you point me to where the "EXPLORE the universe" add-on is

[TheLostProbe]

it should be this

[levinli303]

I've generated images for all platforms and start uploading them to app stores. some app stores needs a new app version to be updated

examples: Android: iOS (iPhone): iOS(iPad): macOS: Windows:

[DaveBowman2001]

I can see the new screenshots now on PlayStore! They're all beautiful

[DaveBowman2001]

Wait, the Celestia trailer wasn't yet attached to the new screenshots?

[levinli303]

Wait, the Celestia trailer wasn't yet attached to the new screenshots?

trailer needs editing.