Stardock Vs. Community
A window frame issue
Sunday, April 13, 2008 by raven43 | Discussion: WindowBlinds
Hello,
I noticed that all the community developed themes (WB6 for XP), such that have a Vista typical thick frame around the window, keep that huge frame in a maximized window situation, which I REALLY dislike.
Stardocks themes on the other hand (those in the WB6 package) do not have this, no one of them (which I REALLY like).
Question is; do you people know themes that have no frames around maximized windows? Suggestions are welcome.
Also, the "Leo" theme has no window frames at all (actually it has, but it is just a pixel wide black line), which I absolutely love (one of the good aspects of the Mac OS theme, which "Leo" is inspired from). Windows without frames look so darn sleek and sexy in my opinion.
Question is; you know about other themes with such features?
And those who develope themes, please keep the above said issues in mind for the future. 
Cavan1
Reply #2 Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:59 PM
Most WB6 skins use per pixel frames, due to the way these frames are handled when window is maxed the side and bottom frames are off the screen, the top will be somewhat chopped thus making button placement when creating skin very important. With older skins using UIS2 frames the border cut could be adjusted to give a full maxed window, no side or bottom frame. If you have skins that have large frames showing when maxed they are not WB6 skins as the border cut for per pixel skins can not be adjusted.
Edit: if they are WB6 skins with per pixel, do you have WindowsFX running with a size set for a maxed window, as you would see the frames under that situation.
Reply #2 Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:59 PM
I noticed that all the community developed themes (WB6 for XP), such that have a Vista typical thick frame around the window, keep that huge frame in a maximized window situation
Most WB6 skins use per pixel frames, due to the way these frames are handled when window is maxed the side and bottom frames are off the screen, the top will be somewhat chopped thus making button placement when creating skin very important. With older skins using UIS2 frames the border cut could be adjusted to give a full maxed window, no side or bottom frame. If you have skins that have large frames showing when maxed they are not WB6 skins as the border cut for per pixel skins can not be adjusted.
Edit: if they are WB6 skins with per pixel, do you have WindowsFX running with a size set for a maxed window, as you would see the frames under that situation.
raven43
Reply #3 Monday, April 14, 2008 6:58 AM
Reply #3 Monday, April 14, 2008 6:58 AM
[quote=Jafo]I did ones like that about 6 or 7 years ago.... but they are very early and thus quite basic...being intended for use with Litestep...[/quote]
Any WB6 themes? 6-7 years are a bit to old.
[quote=Cavan1]Most WB6 skins use per pixel frames, due to the way these frames are handled when window is maxed the side and bottom frames are off the screen, the top will be somewhat chopped thus making button placement when creating skin very important. With older skins using UIS2 frames the border cut could be adjusted to give a full maxed window, no side or bottom frame. If you have skins that have large frames showing when maxed they are not WB6 skins as the border cut for per pixel skins can not be adjusted.
Edit: if they are WB6 skins with per pixel, do you have WindowsFX running with a size set for a maxed window, as you would see the frames under that situation.[/quote]
Maybe few themes I tried are WB5, but most are WB6 XP ready (so the authors say). Vienna2 for example, ClearXP2 or BlackGlass.
What is "WindowsFX"?
By the way; I noticed that (I think) all custom themes, like "BlackGlass" have no transparent window frames (BlackGlass even has it light blue), while the preview shows them as transparent, Stardock themes do have them transparent (if aloows). Is it because of the trial version, or because of this "WindowsFX"?
[/quote]Any WB6 themes? 6-7 years are a bit to old.
[quote=Cavan1]Most WB6 skins use per pixel frames, due to the way these frames are handled when window is maxed the side and bottom frames are off the screen, the top will be somewhat chopped thus making button placement when creating skin very important. With older skins using UIS2 frames the border cut could be adjusted to give a full maxed window, no side or bottom frame. If you have skins that have large frames showing when maxed they are not WB6 skins as the border cut for per pixel skins can not be adjusted.
Edit: if they are WB6 skins with per pixel, do you have WindowsFX running with a size set for a maxed window, as you would see the frames under that situation.[/quote]
Maybe few themes I tried are WB5, but most are WB6 XP ready (so the authors say). Vienna2 for example, ClearXP2 or BlackGlass.
What is "WindowsFX"?
By the way; I noticed that (I think) all custom themes, like "BlackGlass" have no transparent window frames (BlackGlass even has it light blue), while the preview shows them as transparent, Stardock themes do have them transparent (if aloows). Is it because of the trial version, or because of this "WindowsFX"?
Bebi Bulma
Reply #4 Monday, April 14, 2008 7:16 AM
Reply #4 Monday, April 14, 2008 7:16 AM
Yes, the trial version of Windowblinds will only show transparency with themes that come with it.
raven43
Reply #5 Monday, April 14, 2008 7:31 AM
I suspected that. Seems I forgot to say that I run the trial version in the first post, can the "frame issue" have the reason in the trial version aswell? I can see that frames and transparency is fine with the stardock themes, but not the custom themes.
Reply #5 Monday, April 14, 2008 7:31 AM
Yes, the trial version of Windowblinds will only show transparency with themes that come with it.
I suspected that. Seems I forgot to say that I run the trial version in the first post, can the "frame issue" have the reason in the trial version aswell? I can see that frames and transparency is fine with the stardock themes, but not the custom themes.
Jafo
Reply #7 Monday, April 14, 2008 8:28 AM
Reply #7 Monday, April 14, 2008 8:28 AM
Sorry....missed the bit about WB6....but mine were 1 pixel borders...just way back in WB1 or 2, that's all....
raven43
Reply #8 Monday, April 14, 2008 9:52 AM
Reply #8 Monday, April 14, 2008 9:52 AM
So, if you have the full version and few seconds time, you could test it:
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?skinid=6267&libid=1
https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?skinid=6267&libid=1
Cavan1
Reply #9 Monday, April 14, 2008 5:14 PM
Definitely, as the UIS2 frames are used for all downloaded skins, no trans/per pixel as Bebi said, and thus the border cut will determine how much of the frames you see when window is maxed.
Reply #9 Monday, April 14, 2008 5:14 PM
can the "frame issue" have the reason in the trial version aswell?
Definitely, as the UIS2 frames are used for all downloaded skins, no trans/per pixel as Bebi said, and thus the border cut will determine how much of the frames you see when window is maxed.
raven43
Reply #10 Monday, April 14, 2008 7:46 PM
Reply #10 Monday, April 14, 2008 7:46 PM
Ok, case solved, thanks for the help and sorry for the trouble.
Daiwa
Reply #11 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 12:55 PM
Reply #11 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 12:55 PM
Take a look at Crisp, a skin I did for WB4/5 based on one of Jafo's WB2 skins Blind JAFO Trans 3. Has 1px borders & a very narrow titlebar. Also has 3 substyles. It is due for an overhaul (uploaded 2 years ago) to add some new skinned GUI elements, but might be akin to what you're looking for. I hope to get a revision done this summer.
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Reply #1 Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:35 PM
I did ones like that about 6 or 7 years ago.... but they are very early and thus quite basic...being intended for use with Litestep...