Image Format

There are currently three compatible image formats for themes with specific use cases;

  • .bmp - the bootlogo only (24-bit, True Colour bitmap)
  • .png - any static images within ./images/static/, backgrounds in ./images/wall/, and overlay.png

If you decide to use images for your themes please ensure that you use the correct resolution for the device!

If you are struggling to find a method to easily convert an image to a 24-bit .bmp file, there are many online converters that can do this for you. There are also similar places to convert a video file to a .gif file easily as well.

Menu Graphic Design

If you are new to graphic design in this context, there are many places you can start with to get the most out of the MustardOS theme engine. Most people designing visual assets will use software such as Photoshop, Photopea (this one is online and free to use), Illustrator, GIMP, Procreate, Aesprite (pixel art app), or Affinity.

With the introduction of individual list item images , theme creators can simulate complex navigation you would see in other CFWs or software menus. The most common use case example for MustardOS is altering the main menu (muxlaunch) from vertical lists to icon-based navigation.
Single row horizontal navigation across two pages
GamePal (by vacarotti)
Multiple row horizontal navigation
GbOS (by ciskao)
Vertical scrolling navigation
Plexus (by LMarcoMiranda)

To achieve this, refer to both the Theme Structure and Scheme File pages - but to put it simply in these three specific cases…

  • Create an image folder within ./image/wall/ named muxlaunch, with files named; explore.png, favourite.png, history.png, apps.png, info.png, config.png, reboot.png, and shutdown.png
  • Duplicate ./scheme/default.txt and rename it to muxlaunch.txt. All values here under [LIST] must have their alphas set to =0 to make the list items invisible, and [MISC] NAVIGATION_TYPE=0 or =1 (0 is vertical navigation, 1 is horizontal navigation).

Feel free to take inspiration from other themes if you are struggling to find a way to implement the perfect type of menu navigation for your theme.