SkinStudio 6 Beta 2 released
Too many tweaks to list
Thursday, September 20, 2007 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
For the uninitiated: SkinStudio is a program that lets users creates skins to change the look & feel of the Windows GUI. These skins are applied by the program called WindowBlinds. Both WindowBlinds and SkinStudio come as part of the suite of programs called Object Desktop.
SkinStudio 6 is a complete rewrite of the program designed to make it much easier for users to make skins. Over the years, as WindowBlinds got more powerful, the existing version of SkinStudio (versions 1 through 5) were extended and extended to the point where it was simply too complex for new artists to easily get into.
SkinStudio 6, by contrast, has been re-designed so that skinners can skin Windows step by step. And anything they choose not to skin is automatically skinned with the native elements of the OS (Aero on Vista, Luna on XP).
Beta 2 has tons of small changes (and a few big ones like a tree view option and classic color choosing). It's only available to users of Object Desktop presently.
The final version of SkinStudio will have a free version and a Pro version with additional functionality. Let us know what you think.
ArileenDesign
Reply #2 Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:30 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:30 PM
looks good now i like the tree view added 
it just miss some features like: "groups box" in control on sks5 i can't find it on sks6
if not i like it a lot now
thank you so much Stardock to make it 
it just miss some features like: "groups box" in control on sks5 i can't find it on sks6
if not i like it a lot now
thank you so much Stardock to make it 
Life is a Game
Reply #3 Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:55 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:55 PM
good job stardock!
any chance of adding and improving the support for creating windows media player skins?
any chance of adding and improving the support for creating windows media player skins?
Z71
Reply #4 Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:41 PM
Reply #4 Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:41 PM
I put this in the beta thread this morning, then Beta 2 comes out. After using Beta 2, these are still an issue, so I'll place them here also.
I noticed today, that whenever I want to put in a "Negative" number for any section, I get an error saying, "Please enter an interger".
If I need my margins to be ( -153 ), I don't really want to hit the button 153 times. I just want to type in -153.
Also, there needs to be an easier way to pull up skins. I have 2 choses,
1. I can click on "Open Skin" choose which skin I want, then choose which version of the WB I want.
2. I can click "File - open current windowblinds skin" then still have to choose which version I need to work on.
Both are time consuming because you have to do it every time you open Skin Studio.
Sure you have the "Recent skins" but you still have to choose which version to open, if you have more than one version in the folder. It's ok if you only have "one" version.
In the old version of Skin Studio, you could click a button and choose between the last 4 skins you were working on. It didn't matter if they were XP or Vista, it would keep the "Version" of the WB you were working on.
Just something to keep in mind.
I noticed today, that whenever I want to put in a "Negative" number for any section, I get an error saying, "Please enter an interger".
If I need my margins to be ( -153 ), I don't really want to hit the button 153 times. I just want to type in -153.
Also, there needs to be an easier way to pull up skins. I have 2 choses,
1. I can click on "Open Skin" choose which skin I want, then choose which version of the WB I want.
2. I can click "File - open current windowblinds skin" then still have to choose which version I need to work on.
Both are time consuming because you have to do it every time you open Skin Studio.
Sure you have the "Recent skins" but you still have to choose which version to open, if you have more than one version in the folder. It's ok if you only have "one" version.
In the old version of Skin Studio, you could click a button and choose between the last 4 skins you were working on. It didn't matter if they were XP or Vista, it would keep the "Version" of the WB you were working on.
Just something to keep in mind.
NightTrainthedark
Reply #5 Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:21 PM
Reply #5 Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:21 PM
Works with Photoshop but not with Paint Shop pro (7). Keep getting a message that it can't open the files. I tried with TGA conversion and without. All skins, all images BMP, PNG or TGA. Nuthin.
Please dont forget the apply button. Propbably best in the new minimized skinning windows so you don't have to close and open them.
Beta 1 was crashing on me but Beta 2 seems to be working fine so far.
That was just plain cruel to take out the feature where you can click on the preview to navigate images. I just keep clicking and clicking and clicking.
Now that this version is more stable for me, I'll have alot to say soon.
I tried with TGA conversion and without. All skins, all images BMP, PNG or TGA. Nuthin. Please dont forget the apply button. Propbably best in the new minimized skinning windows so you don't have to close and open them.
Beta 1 was crashing on me but Beta 2 seems to be working fine so far.
That was just plain cruel to take out the feature where you can click on the preview to navigate images. I just keep clicking and clicking and clicking.
Now that this version is more stable for me, I'll have alot to say soon.
PurrBall
Reply #6 Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:04 PM
Reply #6 Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:04 PM
Tree view and the apply button are a godsend
Does it now no longer save everything immediately?
Does it now no longer save everything immediately?
NightTrainthedark
Reply #7 Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:05 PM
No, it still does but the message said the final version will not.
Reply #7 Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:05 PM
Does it now no longer save everything immediately?
No, it still does but the message said the final version will not.
PurrBall
Reply #8 Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:12 PM
No, it still does but the message said the final version will not.
I would like to be able to double click on a category in the sidebar of the main window to bring up the sub-window instead of having to click the category, and then something else.
BUG when I click wallpaper management:
Reply #8 Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:12 PM
Does it now no longer save everything immediately?
No, it still does but the message said the final version will not.
I would like to be able to double click on a category in the sidebar of the main window to bring up the sub-window instead of having to click the category, and then something else.
BUG when I click wallpaper management:
DigitalCHET
Reply #9 Thursday, September 20, 2007 7:32 PM
Reply #9 Thursday, September 20, 2007 7:32 PM
I get a prompt that says SKS6 needs to have WB6 beta installed... and this right after i rebooted from a successful WB6 update.
SDC says I have both SKS6 & WB6 (SKS6: 5.92[b].010, WB6: 5.92[b].090) installed but still no go.
Any ideas or suggestions?
SDC says I have both SKS6 & WB6 (SKS6: 5.92[b].010, WB6: 5.92[b].090) installed but still no go.
Any ideas or suggestions?
PurrBall
Reply #10 Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:09 PM
I get a prompt that says SKS6 needs to have WB6 beta installed... and this right after i rebooted from a successful WB6 update.
SDC says I have both SKS6 & WB6 (SKS6: 5.92[b].010, WB6: 5.92[b].090) installed but still no go.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Give it a swift kick.
Reply #10 Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:09 PM
I get a prompt that says SKS6 needs to have WB6 beta installed... and this right after i rebooted from a successful WB6 update.
SDC says I have both SKS6 & WB6 (SKS6: 5.92[b].010, WB6: 5.92[b].090) installed but still no go.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Give it a swift kick.
LightStar
Reply #11 Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:25 PM
Reply #11 Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:25 PM
I have the problem here too with PaintShop Pro, but version 11. I set it to be used in the preferences, but SKS 6 seems to forget the setting after closing and reopening. Also, once I do set it, whenever I try to open an image, PaintShop Pro 11 opens, but then closes by itself. Big problem for sure.
LightStar
Reply #12 Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:30 PM
What apply button? No button here at all.
Reply #12 Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:30 PM
Tree view and the apply button are a godsend
What apply button? No button here at all.
ArileenDesign
Reply #13 Friday, September 21, 2007 11:15 AM
don't care found it 
Reply #13 Friday, September 21, 2007 11:15 AM
looks good now i like the tree view added
it just miss some features like: "groups box" in control on sks5 i can't find it on sks6
if not i like it a lot now thank you so much Stardock to make it
it just miss some features like: "groups box" in control on sks5 i can't find it on sks6
if not i like it a lot now thank you so much Stardock to make it
don't care found it
cybermessiah
Reply #14 Friday, September 21, 2007 1:53 PM
Reply #14 Friday, September 21, 2007 1:53 PM
I really hope these issues with being unable to open images in Paint Shop Pro are just hiccups.....
its my main and prefered graphics program and I dont want to have to learn how to use photoshop or be forced to buy it in order to use SS effectively. Please resolve this issue.
its my main and prefered graphics program and I dont want to have to learn how to use photoshop or be forced to buy it in order to use SS effectively. Please resolve this issue.
Adam Michael
Reply #15 Friday, September 21, 2007 2:31 PM
Reply #15 Friday, September 21, 2007 2:31 PM
The test version forgets photoshop as primary editor. Also I want to know if the new version will allow skinners to skin content margins. My version of skin studio allows me to tweak those adjustments by the number, this test version does not.
I also like theme part details, that section has to be great for a newcomer.
I also like theme part details, that section has to be great for a newcomer.
PurrBall
Reply #16 Saturday, September 22, 2007 9:54 AM
When you see this, it is just jarring. If ClearType is on, it should be used everywhere..
Reply #16 Saturday, September 22, 2007 9:54 AM
When you see this, it is just jarring. If ClearType is on, it should be used everywhere..
DigitalCHET
Reply #17 Sunday, September 23, 2007 10:32 PM
Errr.... yeah... that was about as helpful as not getting help at all.
Still no workie though.
Reply #17 Sunday, September 23, 2007 10:32 PM
Give it a swift kick.
Errr.... yeah... that was about as helpful as not getting help at all.
Still no workie though.
Z71
Reply #18 Tuesday, October 2, 2007 10:49 AM
Reply #18 Tuesday, October 2, 2007 10:49 AM
I wonder if they are looking at this thread? I don't see any answers to any questions, from people in the know.
Is it just me, or are there some things missing from SKS6?
I have yet to find the "Alt Tab, Drag Icon or the DragRect". I'm having to add these manually and sometimes they still don't work.
Also, this is probably a WB issue, but the "NavigationArrowsBackground", for Internet Explorer, isn't showing my image, just the default. Everything I've added to IE7 is working fine, except that.
Long way to go....
Is it just me, or are there some things missing from SKS6?
I have yet to find the "Alt Tab, Drag Icon or the DragRect". I'm having to add these manually and sometimes they still don't work.
Also, this is probably a WB issue, but the "NavigationArrowsBackground", for Internet Explorer, isn't showing my image, just the default. Everything I've added to IE7 is working fine, except that.
Long way to go....
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Reply #1 Thursday, September 20, 2007 12:27 PM
Zubaz waits for the skinners to see this and rejoice