DarkerBoxed UI

If you are looking for a nice simple UI that is completely modular, then this is the one. Small, easy to see, read, understand and yet simple.
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Version
Version: 2.0a- 1871
Vanguard Build: GU6
Created: Dec. 11, 2024
Updated: Sept 12, 2024
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1 Introduction
2 What this Custom UI does
3 How to install
4 Resetting back to Default
5 Uninstalling This Skin
6 Credits
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1) Introduction

If you are looking for a nice simple UI that is completely modular, then this is the one. Easy
to see, read, understand and yet small and simple.

This has been an ongoing project since mid-beta, to provide a simple, clean interface for
those that prefer the minimal Interface. Many people have contributed to this project. See "Credits"
below for those that have made this possible.

There are two versions of this UI. One has InfoMap (Darker2.0) and the other does not (Darker2.0b).
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2) What this Custom UI does

Removed the dependency for most ajoining windows. More separate windows to move where you want them.
a) Separate Player stats from the Defensive Target for easy layout of your choice.
Changes default size of all bags, inventory, banks and more.
Added resizable mini map for the non-InfoMap Darker2.0 version.
Changed the default font size for pop up / mouseover windows. (For what the server will allow)
Adds in the drop in box for the Market Exchange Broker.
Removes the "extras" from the ui such as added graphics in the player stat window, group
window and offensive window.
Adds in the option for a horizontal group window.
Consists of 6 horizontal Hotbars and 2 vertical.
Adds in the HUD interface to choose your options you would like to have displayed in game.
ie: Combat, Stats, clock and more!
Adds in a Healer Helper hotbar for heal and buffs abilities.
Smaller and more abilities on each page.
Quest window adjusted to fit more quests in visible line.
Quest listings include Level and sphere
Ability to organize your quests by Level and Sphere.
Display of 36 parlay cards per page.
Smaller Parlay table
Updated XML to current for Vanguard.

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3) Changes
New:
By request, DarkerBoxed has been updated to Game Update 6.
Adjusted the XML to be compliant to the latest updates.
Adjusted the Advanced Settings window.
Adjusted the HealerHelper
Old:
Brought back the Health Meter to the Healer Helper. (you can now see the life meter on the healer helper again.)
Added back in the Mini Bags (Mini Bags and Crafting Mini Bags)
Fixed the placement for the pet window health.
Updated the XML to match current changes for Game Update 6 Build.
Updated all changes to match the current build and Default UI.
Widened the bags and invatory so you can now see all item counts over 99.
Added in a Guild Site button (with instructions on how to change it)
Redone XML to match Vanguards fixes in the last two patches on the Test server.
Reduced almost all xml errors at load up.
Modified and tweaked the graphics to be a little smoother and sleek.
Brought back the Mark keys with updated graphics for the icons.
Reworked the Parlay cards to the current version of XML.
Changed the layout of the Darker2.0 Advanced settings to be more organized.
Added new Icon buttons for both the Healer Hotbar and Darker2.0 Settings.
Changed the background Parchment to a darker version of the default.
Added in custom Icons for the changing window.
Merged the clocks together into one window (real time and game time).

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4) How to install

Now that you have downloaded one of the UI mods, what are you suppose to do?

Unzip the file using your favorite zip/rar program.
Copy the folder included in the zip to your c:\Program Files\Sony\Vanguard\VGUIAssets\Shells
folder.
Open the c:\Program Files\Sony\Vanguard\bin\vgclient.ini file in a text editor (notepad is fine).
In the [UI] section change the shellname to "ShellName=ModFolderName" where
ModFolderName is the name of the folder that was in the zip file.

Inside your vgclient file, you will find [General] section, below this fairly large span of text you will find [UI].
Some times, I have found, that after a new patch or full file scan, there is nothing below the [UI].
So here is what it aught to show. You can copy and paist this below the correct section and replace

1) Download the zip file.
2) Extract and copy the folder Darker.zip to "..\Vanguard\VGUIAssets\Shells\"
in your Vanguard install folder
(default: C:\Program Files\Sony\Vanguard).
You should have a new folder "..\Vanguard\VGUIAssets\Shells\Darker\"
3) Open up your Vanguard install folder.
4) Open the "/bin" folder, and find vgclient.ini.
5) Open vgclient.ini (with notepad, i.e.) and search for [UI],
below it change "ShellName=Default" (should be line 66)
to "ShellName=Darker".

Should look like this:
[UI]
ShellName=Darker
ValidateXML=False
ChatAutojoin=regionsay,auction
LoadGameplayWindowsAtStartup=False
PresentLogin=True
GuildNotifyOnline=True
LootFollowsMouse=True
FilterProfanity=False
ShowChatBubbles=False

4.1) Changing the Guild Site URL
In Game Update 5 we now have an ingame brouser. By Default this is set to Yahoo (http://search.yahoo.com/). But if you would like to change the url to your guild site follow these simple steps:

a) Open folder named Windows- Find VGUIPetitionWnd.xml
b) Search for line 367 and change the url to what you would like.
Example:
line 367: <Action event="_go_url_button" senderName="_guild_forums_button" strData2="http://andronnai.com">
c) Save and you are done!


4.2) Help- Lost Offensive target
Please note that some people have had problems with "losing" their Offencive Target window. This usualy happens when someone changes or switches custom UI's. This is caused by the window being "off" the screen. And its a simple fix.

If you have this problem and you cannot see the Offensive Target window, just do the following:
Find the Test.txt in the main folder
Drop it into your Bin folder
In game, type in /uiload test
All your basic windows will be present
Change the layout to your liking

NOTE: you do NOT need to log out to apply this fix once the UI is already installed.

Some things to remember:
Make sure that you have not accidentally doubled the UI folder. (This is a usually cause for crashing when entering the game.)
Make sure you modify the ini folder correctly. If there are caps in the name of the mod, you have to include those.

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5) Resetting back to Default:

If you want to reset back to the default User Interface, just do the following.
Make sure to exit the game completely before doing this.

1) Locate your Vanguard installation directory. (Ex. C:\Program Files\Sony\Vanguard\ )
2) Inside the "bin" directory is the following file "VGSettings.xml" deleting it will reset
all windows

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6) Uninstalling This Skin:

1) Locate your Vanguard installation directory. (Ex. C:\Program Files\Sony\Vanguard\ )
2) Inside the "bin" directory is the settings file "vgclient.ini", Open this up for editing.
3) Scroll down until you find the entry "[UI]" then bellow change "DarkerBoxed"
into "ShellName=Default". Save and the file.

You may then delete the "DarkerBoxed" folder from your Shells. Just make sure you do NOT delete the "Default" folder.
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7) Credits

Thank you so much to all those that have helped, created, coded and worked with the xml!
Soresha, Cobal, Nadger, Xndyr, Zacara- For the InfoMap (Darker2.0e Map)
Nadger- For his HUD, scripts and reorganizing everything into easy to read formats.
Miggy- For the classic look and assistance on the xml
House Andronnai- For patience and .. well patience.
Customm and all the wonderful Testers that helped me out and was patient with me the last few weeks.