In the name of Canon; To err or not to err.

[ZellDenver]

When we see LCARS displays on the show, we inevitably notice errors; do we ignore the errors, and include then in our own animations, or not?

The best example is the Metaphasic Shield screen¹ from Star Trek: TNG "Descent II". The SWF^? loaded into the template file has a white BG (probably a deleted BG layer, or something). We know it's an error, because we see masking on the text and we can barely make out the focal points of the Enterprise. I know some follow these errors to the letter, but what about you guys?

1. Image: http://i.thebluprint.org/vuiqx

[Kmpr´rak]

I know what you mean. I would not follow major errors. I would change it to a right from.

Well, the SWF you mentioned ... it is also okay with the white BG. Yes, they forgot something there, but in this graphic it is not so bad, I think!

[ZellDenver]

I'm quite divided really. In the example in the OP, I would use black, for a few reasons. The first being, I know it's a mistake, and the intent was to be black. Second, Correcting the error would make the animation more appealing in that the Enterprise would not be shrouded with the distracting white background. And finally, when TNG gets remastered, it's likely that it'll be fixed in post production anyway.

[deif]

personally i try to avoid this discussions. the reason is, i've got to much hurt by misunterstandings and insults during the years - all in the name of "canon"!
first of all, all LCARS stuff we are working with is fictional. there is no relation to the real world and the real life of anybody of us. don't aloud your enthusiasm for scifi in general and for star trek in specific to become your religion! you will become discouraged one day for shure!
if you like to do your work as accurate as possible and call it "canon" - do it! but if you feel free to do your stuff in a more personal and interpretative way - do it also!
my opinion is, that the major thing should be the articulation of each ones creativity. if it's "canon" or not is secondary. and that's why i like this forum until today. we encourage the expressions of creativity here, whatever style they follow or not. and as long i'm aloud to moderate the forum as well, i will take this stand. that's my two cents.

[deus]

personally i try to avoid this discussions. the reason is, i've got to much hurt by misunterstandings and insults during the years - all in the name of "canon"!
first of all, all LCARS stuff we are working with is fictional. there is no relation to the real world and the real life of anybody of us. don't aloud your enthusiasm for scifi in general and for star trek in specific to become your religion! you will become discouraged one day for shure!
if you like to do your work as accurate as possible and call it "canon" - do it! but if you feel free to do your stuff in a more personal and interpretative way - do it also!
my opinion is, that the major thing should be the articulation of each ones creativity. if it's "canon" or not is secondary. and that's why i like this forum until today. we encourage the expressions of creativity here, whatever style they follow or not. and as long i'm aloud to moderate the forum as well, i will take this stand. that's my two cents.

I agree with deif on this one. However, my own projects have been exploring the potential of the LCARS as a real user interface. That said, I think that Mike Okuda (and any contributors to the LCARS project(s)) designed this from a "what if it were real" point-of-view. They would be the first to innovate and improve the system, and I think that fact became more evident as the shows (and screens) matured over several years.

I think that the real 'canon', at least the relevant one, is the series of design pillars that are the framework of the LCARS system throughout Trek's evolution. Beautiful, homogeneous shapes and colors, intuitive and intelligent layout, and a balance of efficiency and effectiveness.

[ZellDenver]

Wow, Deif. You make an excellent point there. There's a huge divide within the LCARS community with regards to canon. Personally, I use canon (circa ST Nemesis) as a framework for LCARS and then build upon that, making my own personal canon as it were. I've not made an animation or a static screen in years that hasn't required a ton of algebra. But y'know, I discovered I like mathematics through LCARS and now use LCARS as conduit for my learning math - a subject I hated at school, and swore I'd never use.

I guess we all find our own personal canon.