New startsplash

[comradekingu]

This is the current situation for 1.8.1

Should be "GPS" and "XMP". Other such issues.

[hvdwolf]

Just corrected the splash logo and committed to repo. I also removed the "bold" font for the Exif, GPS and XMP.

[mrtngrsbch]

Hummm... Coming soon a contest for the logo v2?

[comradekingu]

The "It would be hard to point a camera at anything worse"-competition :) Who will make the exifitive decision? I can't decide and participate, and you should be disqualified :)))

[hvdwolf]

The logo was first used for my pyExifToolGUI out of 2011 (2012 to Github). First of all: I'm not a programmer, and secondly: I'm not a designer. I build something because there was (at that time) not something open source that could do the same. And yes: then this piece of software needs an icon and splash logo.

But is it really so bad? "It would be hard to point a camera at anything worse" If someone can come up with a better logo: be my guest.

[mrtngrsbch]

I personally have a certain attachment to this "retro" logo. But I think it lacks the essence of the functions it has. I think it would put more emphasis on the power of metadata. I would launch the logo change with the diffusion of weblate and a big request to the community and take advantage of the generated inertia, but without any requirement to change it if the results are not as expected.

Although the most important thing, for me and @gregreser , is to be able to work in the interface.

[comradekingu]

In jest it is bad. In reality I think it is a bit generic. I first saw it in 2021, which isn't an easy transition. I think a "behind the scenes" image of something breaking first into an animated complexity and then something data-like would do. Lets say a structure goes into a 3D wire structure mesh, and then breaks into some artistic representation.

Can functionality be reconsidered in terms of advertising for something the user already has installed, and decided to open? This is from my phone, as an example

[hvdwolf]

What is "Exiftive"? And I like the image of the boat, but from photographers perspective the dynamic range fails short and the lighter parts are blown out, missing detail. Maybe one would not even see that in a small splash screen, but those are details I am looking at.

The name jExifToolGUI was chosen for a reason. As mentioned, the previous python/pySide program was pyExifToolGUI. I heard from several users mentioning the name was complicated or too difficult, but at the same time never forgot it anymore. There was a review in a french magazine exactly saying that. I wanted the same for jExifToolGUI, but maybe there is a more catchy name possible.

[mrtngrsbch]

jExifToolGUI is a complex and unique name. Changing it after +10 years I don't think it is relevant unless we want to sell it to a large corporation. What I don't like about the current logo is that the landscape with a tree looks like a windows wallpaper, but it still makes me laugh.

If I were to make some minor changes, I would limit myself to the typography and texts. I would incorporate "VRA Core", just to emphasize the professional orientation to archives.

Anyway, for the moment I see it secondary to restrain energies on this topic.

@hvdwolf if you send me the original logo maybe I can play with it a little bit.

best

[MetadataDeluxe]

jExifToolGUI is a bit long, but it explains what it app does and is memorable. I think it would be a mistake to change it. The changes you made to the logo (GPS, XMP, and removing bold) are better. I agree with @mrtngrsbch that this is not the most important thing to spend time on. Actually, I think the logo works very well as a small taskbar icon. It's unique and easily recognizable.

[mrtngrsbch]

Possibly we can work on a splash screen + a logo. but I think we have already had this conversation with @hvdwolf and some Java limitations, that I don't remember now.

As for the tree... I think it would be nicer to see it bigger and without text in the taskbar.

[hvdwolf]

I don't want to mention all metadata options, as this is really dependent on what the user the user wants. I think that less than 1% of the users even know what ISAD(G) or VRA Core means. Of course: if this will be only one of the very few tools that do support isadg and vra that precentage might grow ;) Yesterday evening I created another logo, very quick&dirty, (currently maybe even uglier), describing very general what it does. For me it is now more about the text. Is this a more suitable text?

@mrtngrsbch : The image is in the reppository as Gimp "jexiftoolgui-splashlogo.xcf" inside images. The splashlogo itself is "/src/main/resources/icons/jexiftoolgui-splashlogo.png"

[comradekingu]

Gave me an idea. For an icon, what about a camera pointed at the user, and then the magnifying glass is the lens looking into it? I think that can be made to look different from a lens-shifter if the colour is different.

[hvdwolf]

For an icon, what about a camera pointed at the user, and then the magnifying glass is the lens looking into it?

Something like this? But then "iconized"

Or a background for the icon like: http://s3.amazonaws.com/digitaltrends-uploads-prod/2013/09/pile-of-polaroids.jpg

[comradekingu]

I was thinking something like

[mrtngrsbch]

I liked this because it focuses on "metadata tagger" and the image is very technical and less pictorial. "The image metadata tagger" sounds like an excellent title to me.

PS: But be careful Harry... one day archivists and museologists will take over the world and they will all be under our boots ;-)

I don't want to mention all metadata options, as this is really dependent on what the user the user wants. I think that less than 1% of the users even know what ISAD(G) or VRA Core means. Of course: if this will be only one of the very few tools that do support isadg and vra that precentage might grow ;) Yesterday evening I created another logo, very quick&dirty, (currently maybe even uglier), describing very general what it does. For me it is now more about the text. Is this a more suitable text?

@mrtngrsbch : The image is in the reppository as Gimp "jexiftoolgui-splashlogo.xcf" inside images. The splashlogo itself is "/src/main/resources/icons/jexiftoolgui-splashlogo.png"

[hvdwolf]

I agree with Greg that I should not spend too much time on the splashscreen/logo, but I did another attempt using a royalty-free image.

[comradekingu]

It looks sharp. For me it triggers a response of having a camera directed my way. If the title is descriptive, what is the text doing?

[MetadataDeluxe]

This is really good. I like that the reflection is abstract and invites interpretation. To me, it represents metadata, but then again, I see metadata in everything.

I agree with @comradekingu that the text might not be needed.

[hvdwolf]

Then I think it will become like this.

comments welcome.

[mrtngrsbch]

I'm loving these judicious advancements.....

My observations:

• the glare on the lens is "disturbing" the idea...
• for the splash screen I would leave the full text: "The image metadata tagger" (is it possible to have )
• I think they are missing some color (when you search "camera lens" on the web, there are many interesting images).

Personally I have a lot of affection for the Konica brand, which has always been an excellent manufacturer without mass marketing. I have 2 Konica Auto s3 and they are very well-loved in my museum. ;-)_

If you agree, when the idea is completed, I can ask my brother (designed) to give us a hand with the design and general aesthetics.

[hvdwolf]

Hi Martin,

If anyone can improve the logo (even more 😉 ), then that's fine with me. But I don't understand the:

the glare on the lens is "disturbing" the idea...

Disturbing what idea? If there is no text on the logo, there is nothing to disturb, and if we add the text to the (bigger) splashscreen, the text speaks for itself. Please correct me if I do not understand what you mean. Next to that: To me the glare makes the image more "interesting", instead of only a "boring" closed lens aperture. But that is of course a matter of taste...

[mrtngrsbch]

hehe... Excuse me for my creative wording

I meant to say that the reflection of colors on a neutral image looks like a stain and the image loses homogeneity. It's just an emotional appreciation

Question: can this image be 3:2 or 16:9 ?

[hvdwolf]

Question: can this image be 3:2 or 16:9 ?

Currently it is 1:1, but the splashscreen can be any aspect ratio. You define a splashscreen as png, and java displays it. The original copy-right free, royalty free image was 16:9 being 1920x1080. I did a "square" crop and then resized it. I do these kind of things all in layered xcf gimp images.

[MetadataDeluxe]

For me, the lens glare adds intrigue because it is not the typical round shape of a light bulb or the sun. Just like metadata and ExifTool (command line), the glare is kind of mysterious and hard to figure out :) jExifToolGUI is the answer to that mystery.

I think the version with text looks good. We could get into debates about font and placement (should the "e" in "image" be so close to the iris), but those are matters of taste that are hard to resolve by a group of people.

[mrtngrsbch]

That's why I offered to approach my brother designer once we agree on these formalities... I'm sure he can offer us some interesting improvements to make a better choice.

[mrtngrsbch]

now i remember why the current logo reminds me to windows ;-)

[MetadataDeluxe]

Yes, I remember this image!

[mrtngrsbch]

Hi @hvdwolf , Here we have been thinking about the logo and we have some questions:

Can we create a splash screen and a different logo for the icon bar? The comment from @MetadataDeluxe seems important to me [https://github.com/hvdwolf/jExifToolGUI/issues/135#issuecomment-904200534]

Furthermore... We liked this font: https://fonts.google.com/featured/Plex and something similar to this for the icon bar

also an icon with metadata references like this other one

[mrtngrsbch]

I love that lens "made in Paraguay" ;-)

obviously I wouldn't use the texts on the lens... it's just illustrative.

[hvdwolf]

Are the images copyright free or Creative Commons or some other open license?

[comradekingu]

I just picked some camera icon to start with and drew a magnifying glass on that, but it can be redrawn easily. I tried to find the lens since I don't know of any lenses made in Paraguay https://yemilo.com/ "Aperture laboratories" and others use similar logos to the last one.

[hvdwolf]

It could be something like this, but seeing it on that website, I'm afraid it is copyrighted.

[mrtngrsbch]

Are the images copyright free or Creative Commons or some other open license?

Yes, obviously we will use free licensed images.

[mrtngrsbch]

It could be something like this, but seeing it on that website, I'm afraid it is copyrighted.

wait @hvdwolf... this image I have sent is ONLY an example for you to understand the way to follow. Just an example and NO texts or marks

[mrtngrsbch]

I just picked some camera icon to start with and drew a magnifying glass on that, but it can be redrawn easily. I tried to find the lens since I don't know of any lenses made in Paraguay https://yemilo.com/ "Aperture laboratories" and others use similar logos to the last one.

Hi @comradekingu, "Made in Paraguay" is a joke of some comic guy. Indeed Paraguay never manufactured a lens ;-) I just sent the image for illustrative purposes.

[mrtngrsbch]

Hi @hvdwolf,

What do you think about creating 2 images? Is it possible? 1- Splash image 2- Icon bar image

[MetadataDeluxe]

The Noun Project is a great source for Creative Commons icons https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=lens

[mrtngrsbch]

Cool.... and this: https://wallpaperaccess.com/ and this: https://www.vectorstock.com/

We just need a few days without haste to make something interesting. My brother and I believe that the JTG icon should have these ingredients.

Here we have added colors

[MetadataDeluxe]

I like the concept of camera lens iris and a tag filled with metadata

[mrtngrsbch]

Hi @hvdwolf , @MetadataDeluxe, @comradekingu

Apologies for my weeks of silence... I would like to move forward with the idea of the new logo and I need feedback in order to get it to a successful conclusion.

Do you think it is correct to move forward with the last proposal?

best

[comradekingu]

@mrtngrsbch The outside circle is already a logo, and the closing tag is also familiar as a "logo" of its own. The addition of an inner circle is further removed from what only alludes to a lens. Colours isn't my strong suit, however. With the colours it looks 90% like a logo, when I only care about what the logo is and then for how refined it is. I always thought that if you cant present it in a brutal black and white then it doesn't work. That is my opinion for how to do me, but you can do you.

I think you could have gotten a bit closer with an outer ring instead of the internal, and no </> in the tag. The eye is drawn towards the more radiant colour, which is the red in the background, so maybe trade that for the pink. The green and yellow fields seem sized at random. Turn the elements to where they align better. Get the same width of the black outline everywhere. It makes me unwell, but then again I notice more than I am supposed to.

Suffer the dread of not having eliminated variance. Toil away till you are confident in your concept, and that it is the best representation of what you are trying to do.

I obviously have a dog in the race, so I may have proven my insight, but then only gained preference.

Edit: Whatever the case, massive improvement.

[hvdwolf]

We are talking about a logo and an icon, but what do we exactly mean? The program icon as it is sitting in a menu, on the desktop, wherever? Or the splashscreen as we started this thread with?

For the splash screen I really like to have something less "iconized", like indeed the "real looking lens with glare" ("my" splash screens of 25 Aug). I did like that one myself very much 😉 . I looked at many apps already and lots of them have a program icon and a completely different splash screen, even changing per major version. I like that as well.

For the program/menu/desktop icon: I do like the the colored icon as created by @mrtngrsbch and his brother. Just as it is it, but I also wondered if a darker center blue almost black circle would work, as every lens is dark when you look at it. Didn't try that my self yet. Maybe this doesn't look good in which case the current colored icon is good for me as well.

[mrtngrsbch]

I think it would be convenient to use this inertia and make some improvements for the icon and the splash screen. Fortunately we don't have a deadline and we can think about it. The icon we have made is very appropriate and stands out from other applications and we will study the modifications that have been suggested.

For the splash screen I think it would be convenient to add more information regarding the metadata. I think this challenge is a bit more complex and should be in line with the icon.

In a few days I will meet with my brother to see what we can imagine about it.

Thank you very much for your feedback !

[mrtngrsbch]

Hi guys,

I started to play with the ideas ;-)

• one idea is a peaceful transition with the current splash
• another idea is a rethinking from scratch

[mrtngrsbch]

other version...

[hvdwolf]

Sorry. I know my own icon looks like the Win95 landscape, but that I don't want anymore. I do like the the fade-in of the binary numbers. I like the 2nd one, but then with another background, but to say "The best GUI ..". I'm not sure.

[mrtngrsbch]

Hi... OK for the landscape background... "the best" is a momentaneous joke ;-)

the binary numbers are from demo > they should be metadata, but I have to do that 'by hand'.

[mrtngrsbch]

Update in honor of Bruegel & Netherland https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/435809

[mrtngrsbch]

I'm making these sketches to get closer to a formal idea. Then the elements can be changed easily, like texts and images. The main thing is that we are happy with the splashscreen mockup.

PS: Brueguel imasge is in Public Domain !

[comradekingu]

I like how friendly the second one is. Pair it with a better more simple image. I think some structures with the text is better. Like roots from a tree or similar. Just the blue with a little avatar next to the text?