Object Bar Theme Settings
Text and Color Adjutments
Tuesday, October 24, 2006 by BigDogBigFeet | Discussion: Object Desktop
I've begun using Object Bar 2.0 and I am enjoying its functions. It really does make it easy to have a custom bar for your desktop. But I've encounterd some areas that would improve with additional settings being available. For example, I can adjust the color of the text on the main bar, but I can't adjust the color of the text on shortcut dropdown lists. I have desktop folders on my desktop which contain regularly used shortcuts. The text that appears is invisible on the dropdown list because it is the same as the drop down list background color. You will find many Blinds that produce this result with Object Bar. I know I have. Dynyx by z71 which is a pretty good blind produces this result. This same problem occurs with any toolbar titles on the taskbar. Try setting the taskbar toolbar to Desktop with this blind and you will see what I mean. I am hoping there is a simple means of fixing this bad text color and background color combination for Object Bar drop down lists from shortcuts. I would also like to see more color control of the bar color and drop down lists and menu colors. Will something like this be possible? In the interim is there a way to edit the blind in SkinStudio where I can fix the problem there? I've never tried to use SkinStudio, but i would be willing to try with some expert help. Thanks.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #2 Tuesday, October 24, 2006 7:47 PM
Reply #2 Tuesday, October 24, 2006 7:47 PM
Yes seldomseen I've seen that also. Have you tried taking a Desktop Folder which contains shortcuts and dropping it on the Accessorize bar theme. That will also give you a drop down menu with the Icon visible or not visible selectable but no choices in background image or text color. I'm using the Accessorize bar theme set to use the taskbar in my Window Blinds theme for visual appeal and ease of application. ObjectBar 2.0 works great for that. But that is where the lack of font choice and color along with background image color tweaking for the main bar and drop down items would really make ObjectBar a top product in my opinion. Ease of use (its there), broader customizing options for the novice user (needs some additions) is the next improvement to ObjectBar that would appeal to me. Any thoughts on this seldomseen or anyone else?
seldomseen
Reply #3 Tuesday, October 24, 2006 10:06 PM
Reply #3 Tuesday, October 24, 2006 10:06 PM
I've just re-discovered Desktop X after years of not using it. Now, it's a whole new program! I've been trying different combinations of Object Bar 2, DX, Sysmetrix, ObjectDock+, and the matching bits and pieces. Yes, I agree, Object Bar 2 has a lot of potential (thanks, jeff!) and I check often for any themes or new offerings/news regarding this program. So far, only the one (new) theme, but that could change any time. I like the "chameleon" effect OB is capable of. It makes it easy to match WB taskbars as the default is to copy the appearance, making a "taskbar" top and bottom, if wanted. Or autohide one or both bars for a clean look. I usually add a couple of buttons to sysmetrix also: Send to Tray, and Toggle Icons, so as to be able to minimize everything on the desktop, or bring up any/all of the running programs, icons, etc.
With the GUI Contest in full swing, there's a feast of incredible works at hand for me to mix and match.
Definitely, a broader range of customizing options for novices and those like me who enjoy customizing, mix-and-match assembly, but aren't quite up to SkinStudio or VB code to polish the results.
An occasional *bump* on this topic probably wouldn't hurt to keep it in the "this just in" box. Curious as to just how widely ObjBar and esp ObjBar 2 are being tried /used.
I'll try the "Accessorize" bar and the others to see how far I can tweak it and not zonk my PC.
Right now it's completely full of Buuf themes and Africa wallpaper so I'm going to leave it all as is for a day or so to just enjoy it. Also just get outside and do Fall stuff b4 the snow comes.
With the GUI Contest in full swing, there's a feast of incredible works at hand for me to mix and match.
Definitely, a broader range of customizing options for novices and those like me who enjoy customizing, mix-and-match assembly, but aren't quite up to SkinStudio or VB code to polish the results.
An occasional *bump* on this topic probably wouldn't hurt to keep it in the "this just in" box. Curious as to just how widely ObjBar and esp ObjBar 2 are being tried /used.
I'll try the "Accessorize" bar and the others to see how far I can tweak it and not zonk my PC.
Right now it's completely full of Buuf themes and Africa wallpaper so I'm going to leave it all as is for a day or so to just enjoy it. Also just get outside and do Fall stuff b4 the snow comes.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #4 Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:19 AM
Reply #4 Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:19 AM
I'm hearing you seldomseen. I've decided I will show in some way the amazing visual effect of Object Bar 2.0 using only it ease of use capabilities. I hope my next screen shot will show it right!
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #6 Thursday, October 26, 2006 7:19 PM
Reply #6 Thursday, October 26, 2006 7:19 PM
Okay, so like I promised, I did a Screen Shot with, what I think, is a good example of Object Bar's ease of use features. The Screen Shot is called Vista Red ODNT and I've shown an example of a cutomized Accessorize Theme. I set it to use the WB Blind Azenis for a quick easy way to produce a themed appearance. I also created a folder in My Documents containing what is usually my desktop foldetr shortcuts. This enabled me to clear my desktop of my typical desktop setup of about 8 folders of shortcuts (the first 2 Object Bar Icons on the left are the stock entries that are on the Accessorize Bar Theme). I then opened Icon Developer to select the Icons from the Apogee Icon package and did an individual save so as to place one of each desired Icon in the same folder. Then it was just a matter of dragging and dropping the desired shortcut folders onto my new Bar, group them all, set them to display Icons only, etc. If you experiment with Object Bar 2.0 you will see how easy it is. The whole process of having a complete, organized and fully customized Bar Theme took about 1 hour (1/2 of this time was spent viewing and selecting Icons). There was no skinning required and no writing any code. So try it out for yourself! You'll see how easy it is to have your very own custom OB Theme.
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Reply #1 Tuesday, October 24, 2006 12:41 PM
I was able to change text color, however, on newly-created popup and drop-down menus by somehow, hit-or-miss, working down to the next layer in the config menu system and then adjusting color with the option provided on the Properties page of the form. Case in point: the "Stardock" icon at the right-hand end of "Minimal" bar didn't do anything or change state when hovered or clicked, so I deleted it and replaced it with a homebrew dropdown menu with submenus, all with font color of choice.