Hi Prot!
I have a question regarding the customization of the MODUS THEMES
and am already (depending of lightness and mood) using
the "tinted" customization from the manual. Reading your blog
post about it I realize that there are certainly a lot of
options/colors to customize :-)
What I have been wondering is there some place where to look up which
background is used where? For example which =bg= is used for
modeline, or the blocks and things like that? Some options I have
figured out, but some I can't seem to locate.
Also: what kind of system do you use to determine the shades of the
colors, say, the background colors? I can't image you move some
sliders and check what looks good (which in truth would be what I
would be doing :-)).
My main/only interest would be to create a customization which merely
reduces the contrast between foreground and background. In certain
occasions I sometimes wish for the dark-theme to be a little less
contrasty, or maybe a bit tinted, but still want the colours to be
consistent across all aspects of the theme.
This leads me to another question/idea:
I once have used the GRUVBOX and the SOLARIZED theme, and both (I
believe it had been both) had three options for each the light- and the
dark-
theme. If I recall correctly it is something along the lines of light,
medium and strong. Could something like that could be also a useful
addition for your themes.
That being said, I really enjoy the modus-themes and use them
exclusively.
All the best,
Sven
> From: Sven Seebeck <mailbox@svenseebeck.me>> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:49:29 +0300>> Hi Prot!
Hello Sven!
> I have a question regarding the customization of the MODUS THEMES> and am already (depending of lightness and mood) using> the "tinted" customization from the manual. Reading your blog> post about it I realize that there are certainly a lot of> options/colors to customize :-)
Indeed, there are a lot of things to consider here. This necessarily
gets into the do-it-yourself zone as it involves at least some
experimentation.
> What I have been wondering is there some place where to look up which> background is used where? For example which =bg= is used for> modeline, or the blocks and things like that? Some options I have> figured out, but some I can't seem to locate.
There isn't. Perhaps there should be though. What we have right now
are comments in the source code where the original colour palettes are
defined. Excerpt:
(defconst modus-themes-operandi-colors
'(;; base values
(bg-main . "#ffffff") (fg-main . "#000000")
(bg-dim . "#f8f8f8") (fg-dim . "#282828")
(bg-alt . "#f0f0f0") (fg-alt . "#505050")
;; specifically for on/off states and must be combined with
;; themselves, though the backgrounds are also meant to be used with
;; other "active" values, defined further below; bg-active-accent
;; can work as a substitute for bg-active
(bg-active . "#d7d7d7") (fg-active . "#0a0a0a")
(bg-inactive . "#efefef") (fg-inactive . "#404148")
(bg-active-accent . "#d0d6ff")
;; these special values are intended as alternatives to the base
;; values for cases where we need to avoid confusion between the
;; highlighted constructs; they must either be used as pairs based
;; on their name or each can be combined with {fg,bg}-{main,alt,dim}
;; always in accordance with their role as background or foreground
(bg-special-cold . "#dde3f4") (bg-special-faint-cold . "#f0f1ff") (fg-special-cold . "#093060")
(bg-special-mild . "#c4ede0") (bg-special-faint-mild . "#ebf5eb") (fg-special-mild . "#184034")
(bg-special-warm . "#f0e0d4") (bg-special-faint-warm . "#fef2ea") (fg-special-warm . "#5d3026")
(bg-special-calm . "#f8ddea") (bg-special-faint-calm . "#faeff9") (fg-special-calm . "#61284f")
;; foregrounds that can be combined with bg-main, bg-dim, bg-alt
(red . "#a60000")
(red-alt . "#972500")
(red-alt-other . "#a0132f")
(red-faint . "#7f1010")
(red-alt-faint . "#702f00")
(red-alt-other-faint . "#7f002f")
In general, those comments should give you an idea of what shows where.
For example, the default active modeline is bg-active, while the others
are bg-inactive.
I am happy to improve things on this front and provide insight where
necessary.
> Also: what kind of system do you use to determine the shades of the> colors, say, the background colors? I can't image you move some> sliders and check what looks good (which in truth would be what I> would be doing :-)).
I derive all colours manually. This is due to my experience with hex
values (the modus-themes are not my first project with themes). I
generally have a pretty good idea of what colour the value represents.
Then I test everything to make sure it looks right in context.
I know this sounds inefficient, though it works better for me than its
alternatives.
[ Of course, I always test the colours for accessibility. ]
> My main/only interest would be to create a customization which merely> reduces the contrast between foreground and background. In certain> occasions I sometimes wish for the dark-theme to be a little less> contrasty, or maybe a bit tinted, but still want the colours to be > consistent across all aspects of the theme.
Maybe the dark "summerime" re-spin I wrote about and included in the
manual gives you the result you are looking for?
> This leads me to another question/idea:>> I once have used the GRUVBOX and the SOLARIZED theme, and both (I> believe it had been both) had three options for each the light- and the > dark-> theme. If I recall correctly it is something along the lines of light,> medium and strong. Could something like that could be also a useful> addition for your themes.
Technically, this is possible. Though if we make it a customisation
option, we will be violating the very claim of the themes for WCAG AAA
accessibility.
Furthermore, once we introduce variants, we walk down the slippery slope
of supporting all sorts of permutations. Someone may like a pure black
background but with less intense foregrounds, another wants the
opposite, a third wants a "summertime" aesthetic, a fourth something
else, and so on.
By making those do-it-yourself at the outset, we keep things
maintainable while also giving the user ultimate freedom. Plus, I am
always here to help towards that end: expand the manual, answer
questions, et cetera.
> That being said, I really enjoy the modus-themes and use them> exclusively.
Thanks!
All the best,
Prot
--
Protesilaos Stavrou
https://protesilaos.com
Hi Prot!
Thanks for your reply.
> There isn't. Perhaps there should be though. What we have right now
> are comments in the source code where the original colour palettes are
> defined.
No problem. I will look through the code and will find what I'm looking
for also. Also I figured I can just M-x modus-themes-list-colors and
look for the right color there.
> I know this sounds inefficient, though it works better for me than its
> alternatives.
No it doesn't. I just wondered if there is some logic behind creating
the shades.
> Maybe the dark "summerime" re-spin I wrote about and included in the
> manual gives you the result you are looking for?
This is already nice. I will have to check how I can/could adjust that one.
> Furthermore, once we introduce variants, we walk down the slippery slope
> of supporting all sorts of permutations. Someone may like a pure black
> background but with less intense foregrounds, another wants the
> opposite, a third wants a "summertime" aesthetic, a fourth something
> else, and so on.
>
> By making those do-it-yourself at the outset, we keep things
> maintainable while also giving the user ultimate freedom. Plus, I am
> always here to help towards that end: expand the manual, answer
> questions, et cetera.
I absolutely agree. Doing it myself I can get just what I would like, it
was just an idea anyway.
I think I'm all set here, and will dive a bit deeper into the
customization options.
All the best,
Sven
On 7/28/22 17:28, Protesilaos Stavrou wrote:
>> From: Sven Seebeck <mailbox@svenseebeck.me>>> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:49:29 +0300>>>> Hi Prot!> > Hello Sven!> >> I have a question regarding the customization of the MODUS THEMES>> and am already (depending of lightness and mood) using>> the "tinted" customization from the manual. Reading your blog>> post about it I realize that there are certainly a lot of>> options/colors to customize :-)> > Indeed, there are a lot of things to consider here. This necessarily> gets into the do-it-yourself zone as it involves at least some> experimentation.> >> What I have been wondering is there some place where to look up which>> background is used where? For example which =bg= is used for>> modeline, or the blocks and things like that? Some options I have>> figured out, but some I can't seem to locate.> > There isn't. Perhaps there should be though. What we have right now> are comments in the source code where the original colour palettes are> defined. Excerpt:> > (defconst modus-themes-operandi-colors> '(;; base values> (bg-main . "#ffffff") (fg-main . "#000000")> (bg-dim . "#f8f8f8") (fg-dim . "#282828")> (bg-alt . "#f0f0f0") (fg-alt . "#505050")> ;; specifically for on/off states and must be combined with> ;; themselves, though the backgrounds are also meant to be used with> ;; other "active" values, defined further below; bg-active-accent> ;; can work as a substitute for bg-active> (bg-active . "#d7d7d7") (fg-active . "#0a0a0a")> (bg-inactive . "#efefef") (fg-inactive . "#404148")> (bg-active-accent . "#d0d6ff")> ;; these special values are intended as alternatives to the base> ;; values for cases where we need to avoid confusion between the> ;; highlighted constructs; they must either be used as pairs based> ;; on their name or each can be combined with {fg,bg}-{main,alt,dim}> ;; always in accordance with their role as background or foreground> (bg-special-cold . "#dde3f4") (bg-special-faint-cold . "#f0f1ff") (fg-special-cold . "#093060")> (bg-special-mild . "#c4ede0") (bg-special-faint-mild . "#ebf5eb") (fg-special-mild . "#184034")> (bg-special-warm . "#f0e0d4") (bg-special-faint-warm . "#fef2ea") (fg-special-warm . "#5d3026")> (bg-special-calm . "#f8ddea") (bg-special-faint-calm . "#faeff9") (fg-special-calm . "#61284f")> ;; foregrounds that can be combined with bg-main, bg-dim, bg-alt> (red . "#a60000")> (red-alt . "#972500")> (red-alt-other . "#a0132f")> (red-faint . "#7f1010")> (red-alt-faint . "#702f00")> (red-alt-other-faint . "#7f002f")> > In general, those comments should give you an idea of what shows where.> For example, the default active modeline is bg-active, while the others> are bg-inactive.> > I am happy to improve things on this front and provide insight where> necessary.> >> Also: what kind of system do you use to determine the shades of the>> colors, say, the background colors? I can't image you move some>> sliders and check what looks good (which in truth would be what I>> would be doing :-)).> > I derive all colours manually. This is due to my experience with hex> values (the modus-themes are not my first project with themes). I> generally have a pretty good idea of what colour the value represents.> Then I test everything to make sure it looks right in context.> > I know this sounds inefficient, though it works better for me than its> alternatives.> > [ Of course, I always test the colours for accessibility. ]> >> My main/only interest would be to create a customization which merely>> reduces the contrast between foreground and background. In certain>> occasions I sometimes wish for the dark-theme to be a little less>> contrasty, or maybe a bit tinted, but still want the colours to be>> consistent across all aspects of the theme.> > Maybe the dark "summerime" re-spin I wrote about and included in the> manual gives you the result you are looking for?> >> This leads me to another question/idea:>>>> I once have used the GRUVBOX and the SOLARIZED theme, and both (I>> believe it had been both) had three options for each the light- and the>> dark->> theme. If I recall correctly it is something along the lines of light,>> medium and strong. Could something like that could be also a useful>> addition for your themes.> > Technically, this is possible. Though if we make it a customisation> option, we will be violating the very claim of the themes for WCAG AAA> accessibility.> > Furthermore, once we introduce variants, we walk down the slippery slope> of supporting all sorts of permutations. Someone may like a pure black> background but with less intense foregrounds, another wants the> opposite, a third wants a "summertime" aesthetic, a fourth something> else, and so on.> > By making those do-it-yourself at the outset, we keep things> maintainable while also giving the user ultimate freedom. Plus, I am> always here to help towards that end: expand the manual, answer> questions, et cetera.> >> That being said, I really enjoy the modus-themes and use them>> exclusively.> > Thanks!> > All the best,> Prot>
> From: Sven Seebeck <hello@svenseebeck.me>> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2022 18:50:27 +0300>> Hi Prot!
Hello Sven!
> Thanks for your reply.
You are welcome!
> > There isn't. Perhaps there should be though. What we have right now> > are comments in the source code where the original colour palettes are> > defined.>> No problem. I will look through the code and will find what I'm looking > for also. Also I figured I can just M-x modus-themes-list-colors and > look for the right color there.
Yes, there is that command as well. If you need any help, please let me
know. This sort of feedback can also give me a better idea of what the
main obstacles may be.
All the best,
Prot
--
Protesilaos Stavrou
https://protesilaos.com