WindowFX 3 preview!
Beta already on Object Desktop...
Saturday, March 18, 2006 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
If you have Object Desktop make sure you try out the WindowFX 3 (2.89 is the current one). We're gearing up for WindowFX 3 and it has some pretty cool stuff. It will require a good video card in order to make the most use of and right now it works a bit better on ATI cards than nVidia cards.
First thing is that it has a much cleaner interface including a wizard to guide new users through the process so that they know what it can and can't do and recognize what might be overdoing it (i.e. turning on every effect at once may not be a good idea)
We had this feature in before Windows Vista added it. Mouse over previews of what's in the taskbar.
Similarly, new alt-tab options for displaying currently running windows live.
This is probably one of my favorites - a bunch of new, subtle open and close animations that work very nicely.
We're still putting the final touches on WindowFX 3. It's very cool but it isn't for everyone as you need a decent hardware set up to make the most out of it and you need to be savvy enough to know what features you'll want to use and which ones you don't (i.e. different people will want different effects -- some people might want shadows under their windows, others might want swaying windows, others may want to mix and match).
If you don't have Object Desktop, you can get it at www.objectdesktop.com
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Venom339
Reply #2 Saturday, March 18, 2006 3:23 PM
Reply #2 Saturday, March 18, 2006 3:23 PM
I just purchased OD yesterday, checked out the beta & it was fine.
But I did have an issue with some skins which appeared with the bottom half blackend, and some windows were stuck on a small size.
The problem turned out to be the transitions, anyone had the problem?
But I did have an issue with some skins which appeared with the bottom half blackend, and some windows were stuck on a small size.
The problem turned out to be the transitions, anyone had the problem?
Matt Holder
Reply #5 Saturday, March 18, 2006 6:35 PM
Reply #5 Saturday, March 18, 2006 6:35 PM
So will the shadows be re-enabled for per-pixel WB5 skins. I had no problems using the prior WFX version's shadows with WB5 per-pixel skins, but was disappointed to see that it is disabled in the WFX version 3 betas. I don't like using skins that make the shadows part of the border because WB5 does it all wrong. The shadow shouldn't be part of the resize handle.
thomassen
Reply #6 Saturday, March 18, 2006 6:59 PM
Through Stardock Central. Mind you, you have to have an ODNT subscription.
Reply #6 Saturday, March 18, 2006 6:59 PM
| Where do we download the 2.89 beta version? |
Through Stardock Central. Mind you, you have to have an ODNT subscription.
peterzeke1
Reply #7 Saturday, March 18, 2006 7:21 PM
Reply #7 Saturday, March 18, 2006 7:21 PM
I've been enjoying WindowFX for a long time -- especially the shadow feature. It's nice having windows which appear to be hovering above other objects.
My concern though is that a recent build of WFX I tried out no longer has an awesome feature that can be found on a previous build-- the ability to right-click on a window and "set transparency" on the fly. One of the more current releases now requires that you go into WFX to set the transparency for an application -- it would be nice to have both features available. Losing the on-the-fly transparency effect is a bummer, which is why I've decided to stay with the previous build instead of the current release.
My concern though is that a recent build of WFX I tried out no longer has an awesome feature that can be found on a previous build-- the ability to right-click on a window and "set transparency" on the fly. One of the more current releases now requires that you go into WFX to set the transparency for an application -- it would be nice to have both features available. Losing the on-the-fly transparency effect is a bummer, which is why I've decided to stay with the previous build instead of the current release.
Morpheous416
Reply #9 Sunday, March 19, 2006 12:19 AM
Don't feel bad about that at all. Microsoft is notorious for adding "new" features to it's software that have already been implemented in other operating systems, office software, browsers....you name it.
3D desktops have been around for a bit, tabbed browsers ....please!! Windows itself is nothing but a rip off from the original Mac OS.
Keep up the good work.
Reply #9 Sunday, March 19, 2006 12:19 AM
| We had this feature in before Windows Vista added it. |
Don't feel bad about that at all. Microsoft is notorious for adding "new" features to it's software that have already been implemented in other operating systems, office software, browsers....you name it.
3D desktops have been around for a bit, tabbed browsers ....please!! Windows itself is nothing but a rip off from the original Mac OS.
Keep up the good work.
Venom339
Reply #10 Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:04 AM
Shouldn't you be worshiping the ground Steve Jobs walks on.
I'm sure the cult, I mean, pack will miss you.
Reply #10 Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:04 AM
| 3D desktops have been around for a bit, tabbed browsers ....please!! Windows itself is nothing but a rip off from the original Mac OS. |
Shouldn't you be worshiping the ground Steve Jobs walks on.
I'm sure the cult, I mean, pack will miss you.
thomassen
Reply #11 Sunday, March 19, 2006 5:26 AM
Reply #11 Sunday, March 19, 2006 5:26 AM
Come on. Relax. Please no MS vs Apple.
Just be happy that both platforms got the features. After all, it seems everybody wants them. So just be happy that they are there.
Just be happy that both platforms got the features. After all, it seems everybody wants them. So just be happy that they are there.
Venom339
Reply #12 Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:32 AM
Reply #12 Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:32 AM
Your right, I did sound a bit rough.
Sorry didn't mean for it to sound as bad as it did.
Sorry didn't mean for it to sound as bad as it did.
Morpheous416
Reply #14 Sunday, March 19, 2006 1:42 PM
Reply #14 Sunday, March 19, 2006 1:42 PM
Just stating simple facts, Venom. Microsoft likes to call it's new ideas "features" in it's upcoming products, that other people have already been using. I think they like to do that, because we've already purchased that software from other vendors, loved using it..and it's MS's way of trying to take that back. IMHO, folks like Stardock just do a much better job at coding the software, more reliable, better support contacts...and if the software dies, ya just restart the app..not the whole system!
No offense taken.
No offense taken.
Venom339
Reply #16 Sunday, March 19, 2006 2:28 PM
Reply #16 Sunday, March 19, 2006 2:28 PM
Thank for putting it in such a perfect perspective, just check out the time I posted the comment.
I was just on one of those moods, and not having slept a decent night in the last week didn't help.
But really, imagine the possiblities once Vista has been released, skins would be able to run off the 3D engine.
I was just on one of those moods, and not having slept a decent night in the last week didn't help.
But really, imagine the possiblities once Vista has been released, skins would be able to run off the 3D engine.
Morpheous416
Reply #17 Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:03 PM
Reply #17 Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:03 PM
If you take Looking Glass for instance, the 3D desktop environment for Linux, it's built completely on Java...and from what I've heard, you can now run it in Windows as well. There's also another that runs your desktop in a complete 3D sphere environment (forget the name of it at the moment). Which leads me to believe, if the programmers really wanted to stretch their wings, they don't have to rely on the core of the OS to provide the tools. If memory serves, doesn't WB already run it's own code for it's special effects?
But, indeed...what an OS can deliver does help in the overall standing of what it's companion software can do. But not always.
Can't wait to see what they (Stardock) come up with.
But, indeed...what an OS can deliver does help in the overall standing of what it's companion software can do. But not always.
Can't wait to see what they (Stardock) come up with.
Venom339
Reply #18 Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:55 PM
Reply #18 Sunday, March 19, 2006 3:55 PM
Good points,
Anyway one of the big reasons why I bought OD was because I had a friend tell me about the WindowFX beta.
Basically three things made me want to get it:
-WindowFX
-WindowBlinds
-Objectbar
Once I actually bought the package I saw how much programs actually come with OD,
It's a pretty damn good deal once you open SDC & check out the full list.
I haven't regretted buying it for a second.
You know something, to tell the truth I had fully working warez, no problem at all.
I didn't like the demo much, but once I got my hands on the full version I knew the devolpers deserve the money for the time they spend creating thier software.
(Plus I didn't want to have any problems after the install, & I knew buying it would give me that ease)
Hey the 3D Desktop is run by a program called SphereXP, I worked with Humar (The original creator) to code a snip of the API.
Anyway one of the big reasons why I bought OD was because I had a friend tell me about the WindowFX beta.
Basically three things made me want to get it:
-WindowFX
-WindowBlinds
-Objectbar
Once I actually bought the package I saw how much programs actually come with OD,
It's a pretty damn good deal once you open SDC & check out the full list.
I haven't regretted buying it for a second.
You know something, to tell the truth I had fully working warez, no problem at all.
I didn't like the demo much, but once I got my hands on the full version I knew the devolpers deserve the money for the time they spend creating thier software.
(Plus I didn't want to have any problems after the install, & I knew buying it would give me that ease)
Hey the 3D Desktop is run by a program called SphereXP, I worked with Humar (The original creator) to code a snip of the API.
thomassen
Reply #19 Sunday, March 19, 2006 4:26 PM
Reply #19 Sunday, March 19, 2006 4:26 PM
Looking Glass on Windows? hmm... I'd thought we'd hear more about it then. But if it did, then: wicked! 
laurentfr
Reply #20 Monday, March 20, 2006 3:15 AM
Reply #20 Monday, March 20, 2006 3:15 AM
The app is fantastic.
Only bug I have
- not compatible with Live WB5 skin (black borders)
- not compatible with Springfolders (when animation for opeining windows are on)
Only bug I have
- not compatible with Live WB5 skin (black borders)
- not compatible with Springfolders (when animation for opeining windows are on)
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Reply #1 Saturday, March 18, 2006 3:03 PM
Looking forward for the release -- and thanks in advance