181 replies to this topic

[minneapolisJon]

     Welcome to my little corner of FM-View.  My name is minneapolisJon, and I do background packs.  I've released megapacks for 132 leagues now in three seperate packs and many updates.  I have also released a National Stadia pack, containing every nation in the game.  I want to do more.  Help me out by suggesting leagues to do.

.

     I'm currently over 2,400 stadiums in all of my megapacks and updates (as of 30 June, 2011).  I have put many, many hours into these shots, and love creating BG's for people.  I think that it's such a little thing, but a little thing that makes a huge difference to the playing experience - With my packs, you get to see where every game is taking place - the actual stadium, the actual fans.  It was something that I discovered a year ago - I downloaded a background pack.  After I downloaded skins, logos, kits...I figured "why not?"  I fell in love.  It was the biggest change in my personal gameplay experience.  Many backgrounds have been done - there are a ton out there.  Take a look.  I did.  I decided that the only thing that would make doing this worthwhile was to make them stand out.  A clear shot, where you can read the adboards.  A widescreen shot, where the images are not stretched.  Those were my standards, and they still are.  Look at the release pages to see some of the shots.

.

     This is where I put up the main info on things I am working on, or at least plan on working on when I get around to it.  I take requests, but be patient - I take my time with these shots, and will not release something that is below my standards.  Some people are still waiting from last year.  That's okay - because they know that when it is quality, it takes time.  (I miss almost all of my ETA dates)  I am proud of the work that I have done, and I am honored that you stopped by to see what's cooking in the kitchen.

     ~ minneapolisJon

.

Current WIP list:

.

NEW:  I am proud to announce a truely awesome new partnership:  Geordie1981 & I have teamed up to create the single most detailed BG project ever concieved of.  Geordie is a legand, and was the one whose packs inspired me to get into GFX in the first place.  I am stoked to work along side Geordie, as I consider him to be one of the best in the business in GFX as well as a class individual.  His BG's are awesome, and with his level of skill coupled with my level of OCD for getting every team possible - well, you see that this is kind of a match made in heaven.  
.

The features:

- Three sets of resolutions (for those with different screen ratios, that means you'll be able to get the packs in the aspect ratio of your screen - 16x9, 16x10, and 4x3)

- the same High-Quality images that you've come to expect from both of us.

- incredibly deep packs, running down the nations as far as possible.

- Not one, but two authors of the pack, allowing us to create at twice the speed without sacrificing the quality.

.

sorted by nations

.

Peru - top league - by request

Poland - top league (will wait for new stadiums)

Venezuala - top league

Columbia - top league

UAE (United Arab Emirates) - top league - by request

China - top league (FUCK ME) - by request

Russia - First League (2nd tier) - by request

South Africa - top league - by request

Denmark - (2nd Tier) - by request

Serbia - DONE!  Update released 25 June 2011

Turkey - 1. Liga (2nd tier) - by request

Greece - (2nd Tier) - by request

Indonesia - by request

.

Recent Nations Completed:

Wales

Serbia

USA

Faroe Islands

.

Info on WIP:

  

These are the current projects I am working on.  If there is something that you'd like to see added, please let me know here - I am always happy to take requests.  

.

There are no currently no release dates posted at this time.

.

I am working on a few new leagues and a few new nations (more DEPTH!) before FM 2012 is released.  If there are any requests for leagues, please post it here, and I'll see what I can do for you.

.

Nation-by-Nation backgrounds: minneapolisJon's nation - by nation Download Section!

.  

Meagpack backgrounds: minneapolisJon's megapack Download Section!

.

Help Pages

I created some simple "do it yourself" help pages for people that are having a spot of trouble, but are too afraid to ask for help.  Use them with my compliments.  And they will have more and more additions as issues crop up.  If there is anything that you would like to see set-up as a reference page, let me know.

DIY - how to fix the "stuck" backgrounds problem

DIY - how to manually adjust a config.xml file

.

Other Projects/Downloads that I personally recommend:

Dazs8's Competition backgrounds - Release Page

Dazs8's Homepage - with new comp backgrounds - Dazs8's Site

Metallic Logos megapack, by Kremmen - Release Page

XpertView '11 logos, by Jonas & Jack - Release Page

.

Articles to assist you with your Fooball Manager experience (I am a staff writer here...)

Vertical Links (understanding passing and the vertical transition game) - Article Page

Width, Defensive Line Height and Speed (the damned Sliders) - Article Page

.

My Career Game

The Shipping Up To Boston

.

My Advice Thread

Ask the Beard

[kumquat_s]

Quality work Jon. KIU. In the not too distant future I might be able to help you again with research. I'll keep you informed. Finally got myself a new computer with 24'' screen over Xmas so have finally been enjoying the full quality of your work.  When you say you are updating the All England pack, is that just updating the xml, getting new photos for clubs that were missed first time or trying to find better images too?

[minneapolisJon]

kumquat_s, on 27 January 2011 - 02:29 PM, said:

Quality work Jon. KIU. In the not too distant future I might be able to help you again with research. I'll keep you informed. Finally got myself a new computer with 24'' screen over Xmas so have finally been enjoying the full quality of your work.  When you say you are updating the All England pack, is that just updating the xml, getting new photos for clubs that were missed first time or trying to find better images too?

First off - congrats on the new computer - 24" is going to be fantastic for school and work FM.  I'm sure that the BG packs look great on it.

Regarding the update for the All-England Pack, My main focus is the config.xml file.  It has to be flawless, but the amount of time it takes to go in and do everything by hand is daunting.  I'm also organazing all the teams into their proper leagues, which is time consuming at levels 9 & 10 - 28 leagues between them.  I didn't sort the pack when I made it due to the amount of time it would take - I regret that decision now.

I am still looking for photos for some teams - Uxbridge, for example.  I got most of them (I think, according to FM 2010) - I missed only one or two.  Nothing was availible.  I'm going to find them.  There are some new teams, but sadly I cannot confirm which teams got added for FM2011 -  I know that Chester FC and Maldon & Tiptree did (thank you, Aird), but there may be more.  I'll be needing help with the research end of it for the update, tbh.  I just don't have the game, so no editor to verify anything with.  I am creating a list of new things, but I am going to need BETA testers to see the clubs that I missed (if any), and any config.xml issues.

Teams may have changed stadiums, expanded, etc. - and I am looking to get those changes right.

And yes - I'll be adding/improving pics as time allows.  First off is the God awful Man U pic.  What the hell was I thinking?  It's ugly as hell.  There's bound to be about 1 or 2 or 4,000 shots out there better than that.

I'm sure that you noticed that the images for the later packs look better than the "All-England" ones.  I did very little work to the shots in that pack, originally.  I plan on tweaking all the shots to bring the colors more forward, balenced, and pronounced.  It will be a long road with that end of things, as the 46 leagues in the pack will take forever.  But, I'll do the top leagues first, down through level 7 most likely, and release the update at that time.

But I will release a 100% flawless, working config.xml for this pack before ANYTHING else.

I kind of have to - seeing as it's been downloaded over 8,000 times.  People probably want a working config for it.   Everything else is on hold atm until that gets done.  And to do that, it will take some time.  My goal is 2/15/11, but it is not set in stone yet, as I'm waiting to see how long the DB will take to create.  Then I have to have it tested on FM 2011 - AND have those beta testers do the leg work on why something isn't working (UID's, new team, etc.) get the correct info, and edit that config.xml.

...then it's on to the packs, which I love doing.  Config.xml's, on the other hand, I hate with a passion that I reserve only for Reece Witherspoon movies.

Cheers,
minne

[minneapolisJon]

I will be needing BETA testers for my All-England megapack update.

The requirments are:

- You MUST use FM 2011 to test
- You are willing to track down UID's in the editor for both teams and correct stadiums
- You can PM me with the correct information

That's it.  It is not anywhere near being ready, but give me a week, and it will be.  It's just the little things, people.  The little things take forever.

Sign up here if you want to do some BETA testing.

Of course, you'll get a mention in the "credits & Info" page, and you'll get the pack before anyone else, so there is that....

Cheers,
minne

[geordie1981]

I usually make the config as I go along takes about 5 seconds at a time the way I do it and there's less mistakes because all of the id's are fresh in the mind. Here is the template (I guess) that I use if it helps. Download.

Basically just copy and paste the id's from the editor into the relevant places in the "copy and paste" config and then keep copying and pasting both of the lines you need together into the gap in the actual config. It will also make it easier for people to edit the config if needed because there'll be a space seperating the team and stadium lines in the config.

sorry about the screenie just not sure I explained the bold bit properly.

[minneapolisJon]

Geordie - You are the man.  Just downloaded.  Sick little tip, mate.  I think that this way my life will be easier.  By far.

- minnie

[kumquat_s]

Is there any way that an admin can make a subtopic for these backgrounds. It's unfortunate that all the ID requests and pack releases aren't under the same topic. FM GFX --> Misc --> Backgrounds.

Something like that. Then we can have a download thread, update thread, request thread. Etc....

Just a suggestion.

[minneapolisJon]

kumquat_s, on 28 January 2011 - 07:11 AM, said:

Is there any way that an admin can make a subtopic for these backgrounds. It's unfortunate that all the ID requests and pack releases aren't under the same topic. FM GFX --> Misc --> Backgrounds.

Something like that. Then we can have a download thread, update thread, request thread. Etc....

Just a suggestion.

Solid idea, mate.  I'll pass it along to the Admins.  In my role as a Staff Writer, I'll write them a cunningly arranged note, detailing the benefits of a subtopic, and attempt to win them over with the power of clear logic and sharp analysis to show the inhierent merit of such a proposal.  That's the power I have in my role.  

We'll see if it works.

cheers,
minne

[minneapolisJon]

MinneapolisJon, on 28 January 2011 - 07:53 AM, said:

Solid idea, mate.  I'll pass it along to the Admins.  In my role as a Staff Writer, I'll write them a cunningly arranged note, detailing the benefits of a subtopic, and attempt to win them over with the power of clear logic and sharp analysis to show the inhierent merit of such a proposal.  That's the power I have in my role.  

We'll see if it works.

cheers,
minne

Yep, it worked.  Thank you Admins!  I am going to make this place comfortable, as it will be my new home.

(I'm no longer relagated to the "misc" as a GFX maker.  I'm now a "Backgrounds" GFX maker)

-  minne

[minneapolisJon]

I am currently working on the update to my All-England Pack.  I have a database request up (for those of you that don't know, I don't have FM2011) over in this thread:  32 Teams to look up

If anyone cares to take a pass at it, I'll love you forever.  XOXO.  With a focus on the "O".

It's maybe 20-45 minutes of work.  Depending on the obvious "drinks/triedness/skill" ratio that gets us all.

Thanks!
minneapolisJon

EDIT - DONE!!!!  do not waste your time with this!

[minneapolisJon]

UPDATE NOTICE:  The new add-on pack for the "All-England" megapack has just been announced.  It will by done by 2/20/2011.  It will feature a new config.xml that fixes all the problems of the old one (which will be released as a stand-alone download as well), new BG's of the new teams added in FM 2011, all teams sorted by current 2010-2011 leagues, and updates to shots that needed improving - such as Manchester United, Everton, Tottonham Hotspur, etc...

It is a big project, espically when I'm dealing with other things at the moment.  I gave myself until the 20th of Feb. to finish it.

So expect it on the 22nd.  I hate deadlines.

Cheers,
minneapolisJon

[minneapolisJon]

UPDATE RELEASED - Top Leagues of the World, version 1.02 - has been released.  Click here to go to the release page:

Official release page for 1.02 update

Cheers,
minneapolisJon

[troy]

So cool Minnea  

[minneapolisJon]

Glad you like Troy - you're always class, yourself...

[minneapolisJon]

Updates on the Top Leagues of Europe Megapack: (confirmed nations)

Israel
Ireland
Iceland
Finland

That's all I can confirm at the moment.  Some nations are rather difficult to find high-quality pics for.  If you guys didn't know, my hard drive crashed - I'm currently sorting through the 1,000's of pics, but they lost their labels.  They were renamed in numerical order, starting from the date of download. so its 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7....etc. - Instead of with the team's name or UID - It's going to be a while before anything is sorted or anything new released.  I'm hoping to have this whole nightmare sorted in the next month or two.

Don't worry, I'm still releasing the "All-England" update.  Our very own admin ChrisOrmie has offered to assist in doing the research, so I can work on the pics.  Big ups to Ormie for the assist.

We're still looking to be on target for the 2/20/11 date, but it's liable to change - just like all of my packs.  Don't fret - it's comming.

Oh, I'm sorry about the pics not showing up for hardly any of my packs atm - Photobucket is saying that my account has exceeded it's viewing bandwith.  I'm not paying for more, as I'm so broke I haven't bought FM2011.  You'll have to wait until the 20th (or 18th, something like that) when my account refreshes.

Cheers,
minneapolisJon  

[minneapolisJon]

Alright - even more work is done...another update:

Updates on the Top Leagues of Europe Megapack: (confirmed nations)

Israel
Ireland
Iceland
Finland
Czech Republic
Slovakia

Anyone have any requests for leagues?  Let me know - I'll add it to the WIP list and release it with an update to the packs...

Cheers,
minneapolisJon

[Qvordrup]

First of all: GREAT WORK!!

Second: You might Want to brush up on your Geographis ;-) Czechoslovakia is two countrys: Czech Republic and Slovakia and has been sins 1992

MinneapolisJon, on 11 February 2011 - 10:43 AM, said:

Alright - even more work is done...another update:

Updates on the Top Leagues of Europe Megapack: (confirmed nations)

Israel
Ireland
Iceland
Finland
Czechslovakia

Anyone have any requests for leagues?  Let me know - I'll add it to the WIP list and release it with an update to the packs...

Cheers,
minneapolisJon

[minneapolisJon]

Qvordrup, on 12 February 2011 - 03:56 AM, said:

First of all: GREAT WORK!!

Second: You might Want to brush up on your Geographis ;-) Czechoslovakia is two countrys: Czech Republic and Slovakia and has been sins 1992

I know, I know - I'm getting gruff for the old reference.  But I still refer to East Germany and the USSR.  So there.

I'm doing both, so don't fret...

Cheers,
minneapolisJon

PS - shows you how old I am with that reference... Most you boys weren't even a glimmer in your mother's eye then....

[Qvordrup]

I'm 34   , stop calling it old  

MinneapolisJon, on 12 February 2011 - 04:56 AM, said:

I know, I know - I'm getting gruff for the old reference.  But I still refer to East Germany and the USSR.  So there.

I'm doing both, so don't fret...

Cheers,
minneapolisJon

PS - shows you how old I am with that reference... Most you boys weren't even a glimmer in your mother's eye then....

[minneapolisJon]

Hey - I'll call it whatever I want to - I'm only 33, you old man  


Minne

ps - you're not my real dad.