Replacing manual image creation with a Dynamic UI-driven Template

[Michal198569]

Hi Allsky Team,

I've been testing the new custom notification image feature using the myFiles/notificationImages directory. While it works well, I noticed one major drawback for average users: creating and maintaining 12+ separate image files manually is quite difficult. If someone later wants to change the background, font style, or add translations, they must recreate every image again from scratch.

Because of this, I experimented with modifying generateNotificationImages.sh into more of a dynamic template engine, and I believe this approach could significantly improve the notification system in the future.

Advantages of the Template Approach

No Manual Image Editing

Users would only need to provide a single background image instead of creating every notification individually in a graphics editor.

Automatic Rendering

The script dynamically handles:

• text placement
• font scaling
• colors
• overlays

Easier Localization

I added support for a secondary language parameter, allowing all notification images to be translated automatically at once.

Proposed WebUI Integration

Instead of requiring users to edit files manually or modify Bash scripts, this could eventually become a simple WebUI feature:

• Upload one background image
• Translation table for localized strings
• Font size and Y-position sliders
• Live preview of the generated image
• One-click "Generate" button

The system would then automatically generate all required notification images into the correct directory.

I believe this would be much more user-friendly than the current myFiles workflow and would allow users to create professional-looking localized notifications without needing terminal access or graphics editing skills.

About My Prototype

I managed to create a working proof-of-concept by adapting the original script with the help of AI tools. The dynamic rendering, background layering, and dual-language support are already functional on my station.

However, I'm mainly sharing this as inspiration for the official developers. My implementation is only a hobby project and not production-quality code, but I believe the overall concept could be a valuable direction for Allsky in the future.

Attachments

I'm attaching several examples generated by my modified script (StartingUp.jpg, DarkFrames.jpg, Error.jpg, etc.). The custom backgrounds and dual-language support significantly improve the visual appearance and readability.

> > > >

I'm also attaching a simple UI mockup showing how a future "Notification Image Editor" could look inside the WebUI.

Features shown in the mockup:

• Live preview
• Translation table
• Visual font/position controls
• One-click deployment

I'm just a hobbyist and tinkerer, but I hope these examples help demonstrate why this could be a useful addition to Allsky in future releases.

[spanzetta]

@Michal198569 may I ask you where to find this "the new custom notification image feature" ?
Is it related to 2025.xx.xx ?

[Michal198569]

This is not part of version 2025.xx.xx; it’s just my idea for a feature. It depends on the developers whether they decide to implement it.

[Michal198569]

@spanzetta I forgot to mention that this is about the option to upload custom images. It was mentioned in one of the released updates: https://github.com/AllskyTeam/allsky/releases/tag/v2024.12.06_02

[spanzetta]

thanks for the clarification.. I was a little bit confused ;-)

[Alex-developer]

It's a really nice idea and I like the mockups. This is too much for the next release but I will create an issue from this so that we can look at it in a later release

Alex

[EricClaeys]

See Issue # 5155.

@Michal198569,
It would help Alex and I a lot if you could download v2025.xx.xx and start looking at how to implement your feature into that release. We're still making changes/fixes to that release, but the basic structure is set.