Dark mode on Libra H2O - Page 2

davidfor · 08-17-2021, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Activating developer options gave me access to Invert Screen, rather than messing with the config file. So I'm wondering if now, Dark Mode will just show up instead.

No it won't as it is a fully supported feature on appropriate devices. The devices that are supposed to use it, have an option to turn it on. The Developer options are there to test new function or debug existing. That makes it easy to enable and disable options when working with users. The fact that it made it easy for others to use was just a bonus.

Pjama · 08-23-2021, 09:24 AM

Hi all, hoping someone can help me after multiple factory resets.
Last week all was well with my Libra after updating the software and setting up the Dark Mode toggle in the config file.

Something very strange happened almost immediately after I made a post thanking various people for instructions on this board. It was very weird, I must have tempted fate by making the post.

I wish I had a video of what happened, as it was (to me) so inexplicable. I was reading one of epub books with dark mode off and I rotated it to get the two column layout - well, when I rotated it, it changed to dark mode! Even though I had not selected this from the menu.

Then - it would not change back, even after I restarted it by pressing the start button for 20 plus seconds. Stuck in dark mode. I plugged it in to my computer and checked the config file in the nm menu, which looked perfect.

I also checked the general config file - which was empty - I don't remember doing anything to this file, but as it was empty, I figured that wasn't right, so I reset my Libra to factory settings.

I set everything up again, was going to keep it in the old software so I could use 'invert screen' but decided to update and try installing dark mode again.

To cut this very long story short, I have tried this (resetting my reader and adding nickel etc) three times, each time resulting in the 'toggle' src error.

I have tried to always use the most up to date tgz file - but the most up to date one from git hub dates back to June 2021 - way before the dark mode option was available through Nickel on the Libra. So maybe this is not really up to date enough? I have the impression this will never work for me until a new version of this is released. I looked at builds on GitHub which mentioned the dark mode hack - but there was no software download including these.

Please help me.

DNSB · 08-23-2021, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pjama

Hi all, hoping someone can help me after multiple factory resets.
Last week all was well with my Libra after updating the software and setting up the Dark Mode toggle in the config file.

Something very strange happened almost immediately after I made a post thanking various people for instructions on this board. It was very weird, I must have tempted fate by making the post.

I wish I had a video of what happened, as it was (to me) so inexplicable. I was reading one of epub books with dark mode off and I rotated it to get the two column layout - well, when I rotated it, it changed to dark mode! Even though I had not selected this from the menu.

Then - it would not change back, even after I restarted it by pressing the start button for 20 plus seconds. Stuck in dark mode. I plugged it in to my computer and checked the config file in the nm menu, which looked perfect.

I also checked the general config file - which was empty - I don't remember doing anything to this file, but as it was empty, I figured that wasn't right, so I reset my Libra to factory settings.

I set everything up again, was going to keep it in the old software so I could use 'invert screen' but decided to update and try installing dark mode again.

To cut this very long story short, I have tried this (resetting my reader and adding nickel etc) three times, each time resulting in the 'toggle' src error.

I have tried to always use the most up to date tgz file - but the most up to date one from git hub dates back to June 2021 - way before the dark mode option was available through Nickel on the Libra. So maybe this is not really up to date enough? I have the impression this will never work for me until a new version of this is released. I looked at builds on GitHub which mentioned the dark mode hack - but there was no software download including these.

Please help me.

I think you are confusing dark mode and inverted screen. Dark mode is only on the reading screen and leaves images uninverted while inverted screen affects all screens and inverts images.

If you want dark mode, use NickelMenu with the appropriate settings. Inverted mode can either use the tgz addon for earlier firmware or Kobopatch to replace the enable/disable Adobe epub page numbers toggle with an invert screen toggle or a NickelMenu option (there is also a developer option which I'm leaving out of the discussion). With 4.28 firmware, it appears that inverted screen needs a restart to apply.

Pjama · 08-23-2021, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

I think you are confusing dark mode and inverted screen. Dark mode is only on the reading screen and leaves images uninverted while inverted screen affects all screens and inverts images.

If you want dark mode, use NickelMenu with the appropriate settings. Inverted mode can either use the tgz addon for earlier firmware or Kobopatch to replace the enable/disable Adobe epub page numbers toggle with an invert screen toggle or a NickelMenu option (there is also a developer option which I'm leaving out of the discussion). With 4.28 firmware, it appears that inverted screen needs a restart to apply.

I used to use the devmodeon option on the old firmware. I then changed to use the NM to select invert mode.

After the last firmware update I changed my NM config file to use the new dark mode setting which replaced the invert setting.

It worked for a while, and then, when I had it toggled off, it came on automatically when I rotated an ePub. After that, I could not get my Libra out of dark mode so I reset it to factory settings.

When I added NM and config file to my restored Libra, the dark mode toggle did not work, I then reset and tried several times, and it has not worked at all since. I’m using the most recent nickel files I can find but the result is always the same.

DNSB · 08-23-2021, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pjama

I used to use the devmodeon option on the old firmware. I then changed to use the NM to select invert mode.

After the last firmware update I changed my NM config file to use the new dark mode setting which replaced the invert setting.

It worked for a while, and then, when I had it toggled off, it came on automatically when I rotated an ePub. After that, I could not get my Libra out of dark mode so I reset it to factory settings.

When I added NM and config file to my restored Libra, the dark mode toggle did not work, I then reset and tried several times, and it has not worked at all since. I’m using the most recent nickel files I can find but the result is always the same.

The only Nickel file you should be using is the one that comes as part of the firmware install. For dark mode, that would mean 4.28.17925 for the Elipsa and 4.28.18220 for all other touch screen models. I did manage a glitch when playing with dark mode and 4.28.17925 on my Clara HD but that was due to trying to change dark mode and invert screen as a single NM command.

If you were referring to the NickelMenu download, I used the one from message #555 in the NickelMenu thread.

I haven't found an issue with rotating my Forma where dark mode is on for both portrait and landscape or off for both.

The KoboRoot.tgz invert screen installer is basically just of historical interest now.

NiLuJe · 08-23-2021, 04:59 PM

Of particular technical interest is that, on devices where Dark Mode is "unsupported" (i.e., it's not even available in the Dev settings), Invert Screen is still there, but doesn't behave like it used to: it's no longer relying on hardware inversion, it's instead doing full-screen software inversion... I don't quite recall if that was the case earlier, but it also disables REAGL on devices where that's otherwise supported (which makes sense, as those waveform modes and processing passes are optimized for black-on-white text).

(This is probably a byproduct of technical limitations on the only device where Dark Mode is currently supported: the Elipsa, which doesn't support hardware inversion, but does support nightmode waveforms).

This is purely an interesting technical quirk. To make either of these modes actually bearable, having dedicated waveform modes is of much stronger importance than how the sausage gets made

. (Which is why it's unsupported and/or hidden away on every device that doesn't have those

).

Pjama · 08-23-2021, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

The only Nickel file you should be using is the one that comes as part of the firmware install. For dark mode, that would mean 4.28.17925 for the Elipsa and 4.28.18220 for all other touch screen models. I did manage a glitch when playing with dark mode and 4.28.17925 on my Clara HD but that was due to trying to change dark mode and invert screen as a single NM command.

If you were referring to the NickelMenu download, I used the one from message #555 in the NickelMenu thread.

I haven't found an issue with rotating my Forma where dark mode is on for both portrait and landscape or off for both.

The KoboRoot.tgz invert screen installer is basically just of historical interest now.

Thanks - I will try using this zip.

Just to say that whenever I’ve been adding Nickel I’ve been using the one-step KO reader installer, which installs NM automatically - perhaps if I do the stand-alone Nickel installer I will have better results - I’ll update this thread once I’ve tried it.

Pjama · 08-23-2021, 05:54 PM

I just tried again and it still came up with the toggle error.
Here is the text from my config file - everything else is working.

menu_item:main:Unblock It:nickel_extras:unblock_it
menu_item:main:Solitaire:nickel_extras:solitaire
menu_item:main:Su Doku:nickel_extras:su_doku
menu_item:main:Sketch Pad:nickel_extras:sketch_pad
menu_item:main:Word Scramble:nickel_extras:word_scramble
menu_item:mainark Mode:nickel_setting:toggle:dark_mode

I used the zip file from your post, DNSB, and downloaded the tgz file from the nickel menu thread into my .kobo folder. The update worked, and installing Nickel worked - so what is wrong? The menu item is there for Dark Mode and when I press it, it has the error message
unknown setting name 'toggle' (arg: 'toggle:dark_mode') (src/action_cc.cc:356)
Before, the error number was 240 iirc.

Although I have no spaces in my config instructions, I read somewhere that this doesn't matter - plus this matches the instructions for Su Doku etc., so shouldn't be a problem.

I previously reset my reader both through using the page button + home button reset and by using the on device menu.

Can you see anything wrong with my instructions? Thanks everyone.

P.S. Although I have done multiple factory resets, could something still have been unchanged deep in the system?

ETA - ha ha, I see what it has done to my instructions - could that have something to do with it? I have tried it with a space before the :, so maybe I should try with a space between the : and the D ? Is that crazy?
ETA2 - but it is specifically the instruction 'toggle' that it does not like, so I don't suppose changing the spacing would make any difference.

RobertJSawyer · 08-23-2021, 09:19 PM

@Pjama, this is my Nickel Menu file; it works flawlessly on my Clara HD, although you have to do a shutdown (hold power button until the screen goes dark) and power up to have the toggling of Invert Mode take effect:

Code:

# Sunday, August 22, 2021, at 3:32 p.m.
# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
menu_item :main    :Dark Mode       :nickel_setting :toggle :dark_mode
menu_item :main    :Invert Screen   :nickel_setting :toggle: invert
menu_item :main    :Portrait        :nickel_orientation :portrait
menu_item :main    :Landscape Right :nickel_orientation :landscape
menu_item :main    :Landscape Left  :nickel_orientation :inverted_landscape
menu_item :main    :My Articles     :nickel_open: library: pocket
menu_item :main    :Screenshots     :nickel_setting :toggle :screenshots
# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
menu_item :reader  :Dark Mode       :nickel_setting :toggle :dark_mode
menu_item :reader  :Invert Screen   :nickel_setting :toggle: invert
menu_item :reader  :Portrait        :nickel_orientation :portrait
menu_item :reader  :Landscape Right :nickel_orientation :landscape
menu_item :reader  :Landscape Left  :nickel_orientation :inverted_landscape
menu_item :reader  :My Articles     :nickel_open: library: pocket
# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
menu_item :library :Dark Mode       :nickel_setting :toggle :dark_mode
menu_item :library :Invert Screen   :nickel_setting :toggle: invert
menu_item :library :Portrait        :nickel_orientation :portrait
menu_item :library :Landscape Right :nickel_orientation :landscape
menu_item :library :Landscape Left  :nickel_orientation :inverted_landscape
menu_item :library :My Articles     :nickel_open: library: pocket
# ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pjama · 08-23-2021, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertJSawyer

@Pjama, this is my Nickel Menu file; it works flawlessly on my Clara HD, although you have to do a shutdown (hold power button until the screen goes dark) and power up to have the toggling of Invert Mode take effect:

Code:

# Sunday, August 22, 2021, at 3:32 p.m.
# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
menu_item :main    :Dark Mode       :nickel_setting :toggle :dark_mode
menu_item :main    :Invert Screen   :nickel_setting :toggle: invert
menu_item :main    :Portrait        :nickel_orientation :portrait
menu_item :main    :Landscape Right :nickel_orientation :landscape
menu_item :main    :Landscape Left  :nickel_orientation :inverted_landscape
menu_item :main    :My Articles     :nickel_open: library: pocket
menu_item :main    :Screenshots     :nickel_setting :toggle :screenshots
# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
menu_item :reader  :Dark Mode       :nickel_setting :toggle :dark_mode
menu_item :reader  :Invert Screen   :nickel_setting :toggle: invert
menu_item :reader  :Portrait        :nickel_orientation :portrait
menu_item :reader  :Landscape Right :nickel_orientation :landscape
menu_item :reader  :Landscape Left  :nickel_orientation :inverted_landscape
menu_item :reader  :My Articles     :nickel_open: library: pocket
# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
menu_item :library :Dark Mode       :nickel_setting :toggle :dark_mode
menu_item :library :Invert Screen   :nickel_setting :toggle: invert
menu_item :library :Portrait        :nickel_orientation :portrait
menu_item :library :Landscape Right :nickel_orientation :landscape
menu_item :library :Landscape Left  :nickel_orientation :inverted_landscape
menu_item :library :My Articles     :nickel_open: library: pocket
# ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you - I copied this all across to my config file (as when I just copied the first two lines, it had no effect for some reason). I am still having the toggle error with the src code 356.

But at least for now, I have the dark screen mode activated after restarting. But I cannot switch it off.

I will see what happens when I do a shutdown and wake it up in the morning, because I am going to enjoy reading in the dark just now.

I really think something is messed up inside my kobo, because, logically, this should work. What I mean is, why would it work on your Clara but not on my Libra?

NiLuJe · 08-24-2021, 06:49 AM

The nm version bundled in the OCP packages doesn't include this feature, which might explain the issue

.

Semwize · 08-24-2021, 10:53 AM

@NiLuJe

By the way, this is the second case when claim that Dark Mode does not work on Libra... So I have some doubts.

PeterT · 08-24-2021, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semwize

@NiLuJe

By the way, this is the second case when claim that Dark Mode does not work on Libra... So I have some doubts.

Dark mode works perfectly on my Libra H2O

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Semwize · 08-24-2021, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

Dark mode works perfectly on my Libra H2O

This was the purpose of the post - to get confirmation from the owners Libra that everything works fine and there are no errors. Before that, there were only opposite messages

davidfor · 08-24-2021, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semwize

This was the purpose of the post - to get confirmation from the owners Libra that everything works fine and there are no errors. Before that, there were only opposite messages

I'll disagree with @PeterT and state that Dark Mode works adequately on the Libra H2O. And the other devices I have tested it on. It is not perfect as the ideal waveforms do not exist. Which is what @NiLuJe was talking about.

08-23-2021, 04:59 PM	#21
NiLuJe BLAM! Posts: 13,506 Karma: 26047202 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Paris, France Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E	Of particular technical interest is that, on devices where Dark Mode is "unsupported" (i.e., it's not even available in the Dev settings), Invert Screen is still there, but doesn't behave like it used to: it's no longer relying on hardware inversion, it's instead doing full-screen software inversion... I don't quite recall if that was the case earlier, but it also disables REAGL on devices where that's otherwise supported (which makes sense, as those waveform modes and processing passes are optimized for black-on-white text). (This is probably a byproduct of technical limitations on the only device where Dark Mode is currently supported: the Elipsa, which doesn't support hardware inversion, but does support nightmode waveforms). This is purely an interesting technical quirk. To make either of these modes actually bearable, having dedicated waveform modes is of much stronger importance than how the sausage gets made . (Which is why it's unsupported and/or hidden away on every device that doesn't have those ). Last edited by NiLuJe; 08-23-2021 at 05:02 PM.

08-23-2021, 05:54 PM	#23
Pjama Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 2347200 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: TX Device: Scribe and Libra Colour	I just tried again and it still came up with the toggle error. Here is the text from my config file - everything else is working. menu_item:main:Unblock It:nickel_extras:unblock_it menu_item:main:Solitaire:nickel_extras:solitaire menu_item:main:Su Doku:nickel_extras:su_doku menu_item:main:Sketch Pad:nickel_extras:sketch_pad menu_item:main:Word Scramble:nickel_extras:word_scramble menu_item:mainark Mode:nickel_setting:toggle:dark_mode I used the zip file from your post, DNSB, and downloaded the tgz file from the nickel menu thread into my .kobo folder. The update worked, and installing Nickel worked - so what is wrong? The menu item is there for Dark Mode and when I press it, it has the error message unknown setting name 'toggle' (arg: 'toggle:dark_mode') (src/action_cc.cc:356) Before, the error number was 240 iirc. Although I have no spaces in my config instructions, I read somewhere that this doesn't matter - plus this matches the instructions for Su Doku etc., so shouldn't be a problem. I previously reset my reader both through using the page button + home button reset and by using the on device menu. Can you see anything wrong with my instructions? Thanks everyone. P.S. Although I have done multiple factory resets, could something still have been unchanged deep in the system? ETA - ha ha, I see what it has done to my instructions - could that have something to do with it? I have tried it with a space before the :, so maybe I should try with a space between the : and the D ? Is that crazy? ETA2 - but it is specifically the instruction 'toggle' that it does not like, so I don't suppose changing the spacing would make any difference. Last edited by Pjama; 08-23-2021 at 05:58 PM.

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08-23-2021, 09:24 AM	#17
Pjama Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 2347200 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: TX Device: Scribe and Libra Colour	Hi all, hoping someone can help me after multiple factory resets. Last week all was well with my Libra after updating the software and setting up the Dark Mode toggle in the config file. Something very strange happened almost immediately after I made a post thanking various people for instructions on this board. It was very weird, I must have tempted fate by making the post. I wish I had a video of what happened, as it was (to me) so inexplicable. I was reading one of epub books with dark mode off and I rotated it to get the two column layout - well, when I rotated it, it changed to dark mode! Even though I had not selected this from the menu. Then - it would not change back, even after I restarted it by pressing the start button for 20 plus seconds. Stuck in dark mode. I plugged it in to my computer and checked the config file in the nm menu, which looked perfect. I also checked the general config file - which was empty - I don't remember doing anything to this file, but as it was empty, I figured that wasn't right, so I reset my Libra to factory settings. I set everything up again, was going to keep it in the old software so I could use 'invert screen' but decided to update and try installing dark mode again. To cut this very long story short, I have tried this (resetting my reader and adding nickel etc) three times, each time resulting in the 'toggle' src error. I have tried to always use the most up to date tgz file - but the most up to date one from git hub dates back to June 2021 - way before the dark mode option was available through Nickel on the Libra. So maybe this is not really up to date enough? I have the impression this will never work for me until a new version of this is released. I looked at builds on GitHub which mentioned the dark mode hack - but there was no software download including these. Please help me.

08-24-2021, 06:49 AM	#26
NiLuJe BLAM! Posts: 13,506 Karma: 26047202 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Paris, France Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E	The nm version bundled in the OCP packages doesn't include this feature, which might explain the issue .

08-24-2021, 10:53 AM	#27
Semwize Guru Posts: 913 Karma: 275656 Join Date: Jun 2016 Device: Kobo	@NiLuJe By the way, this is the second case when claim that Dark Mode does not work on Libra... So I have some doubts.

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