Skinning WB, as it always has been is about opening SKS and not giving in to it until you get the result you want, trial and error trial and error, trial and error, mixed with persistence, rolled up sleeves and plenty of coffee.

There is no secret, other than how bad do you want it?

He conveniently left out the magic ingredient .... talent.

Probably because to those who have it, (as all the above Masters and Journeyman) it's probably so natural that they don't really notice it (sorta like one's nose).

Honestly Doc, I think you couldn't be further from the truth, Man Hours, practice maketh perfect'ing is 95 % of it imo.

You might, no, would be surprised how shockingly untalented I really am and how much just keeping at it, over and over, hour after hour, day after week after year, soon to be decade is the real key.

The only talent needed is knowing what looks good and what doesn't, the rest is busting your ass to make it look that way. If you can't figure something out, do not give up. If you want it to look a certain way and don't have the skill set.. then learn the skill set, do not give up.

Works for almost everything in life.

You mean they can pick both,  Doc?

I'll agree with that, as I went through medical school in Hebrew. That was 3 yrs. after arriving in Israel, knowing no Hebrew at all. My Hebrew I learned on a Kibbutz and in the Army (incentive: learn or be perforated)....

But, John... as Billy S. wrote, "....he doth protest too much." You are extremely talented with graphics and have a natural bent for the arts. Sure, you had to learn the tools, but you unerringly come up with great skins. Not a loser in the bunch. Was that random chance? No way.

Is Vamps' originality and unique imagination a product of 'don't give up'? No...it's a product of inspiration. I.R.'s amazing imagination isn't 'perseverance'....it's part of his talent, and so is yours.

In fact, you're doing it now....when skinning is so difficult, and technical.

So don't argue, my friend

    I can see through you.....

Or.....in a  *special*  case, *poof both.

The post was about learning to make WB's, my advice stands

Willistuder, thank you so much!  I joined and will start reading the tutorials.  Even though they're for Win5, they will be a big help.  Thanks again.  Much appreciated! 

Haha!  I will get there eventually.  Sometimes being a bit OCD is a plus! 

Thats the spirit, and as always, if you need some help.. just ask

I can see through you.....

that is one cool tat...great pic for your point doc....

Never knew John was so modest....until he told me.     

Seriously, though...it appears he is...

Never knew John was so modest....until he told me.

Seriously, though...it appears he is...

we have the same argument behind the scenes....he always maintains it's just hard work and persistence and practice...

I think you have to have an eye...for what is right..and a keen sense of design, to continually attain the standard he does....and his eye for colour...and it's subtlety of shadings and coordination with others...is just sublime...and unsurpassed....though to get there.....he will go through hundreds....and hundreds......of possibilities....it's also abut being stubborn....and not stopping until you do get it perfectly how you want...no settling.....and he has plenty of stubbornness as well....

i will try my best to make up a beginners tut and post it on here for all you guys who want to learn windowblinds, and ill make it in laymens terms, (the best way) and ill use pics as well... it will be my first tut, so bear with me.

kitty xx

good idea.....

maybe put it up in chapters.....as you go...so people can start following it...and give you feedback as you go...    just an idea..    don't know if that would work...

I have found that once you learn a new technique in photoshop (or whatever program you use), it opens a whole new batch of things you can accomplish, but you must have the patience to learn those new things. A lot of what I learned so far was through trial and error, messing around in photoshop and stumbling on something that looked cool. Other times, I wanted a certain look and spent days trying to get it. It feels good when you finally get it too, lol.

Have patience  - never give up - ask questions.

If I can do this, anyone can.

thats exactly how ill be doing it, making the first one up as we speak!

It's up! Good on ya, Vamps! 

just to complete the thread for future reference....

WINDOWBLIND TUTORIAL PART 1 The start menu