MDI Buttons
Thursday, March 4, 2004 by louismc | Discussion: Stardock Software
Hi there,
Since I got some good answers for my first post, I'll try again to get help here for another subject...
I'm using the Gemini MDI button set wich I modified a bit for my personal skin and the problem is about transparency. The bitmap used the correct number of images and the invisible part is all set at 255,0,255 (magic pink). In the preview, everything is fine. When I apply the skin, the pink area is displayed
. In my skin setting, MDIControl Transparency is set to off since if I put this on it's all the buttons that disapear. Also, Transparent and Translucent is not set since the file is a bmp not a tga.
So, I'm out of ideas about how I could solve this little problem.
Thanks
Since I got some good answers for my first post, I'll try again to get help here for another subject...
I'm using the Gemini MDI button set wich I modified a bit for my personal skin and the problem is about transparency. The bitmap used the correct number of images and the invisible part is all set at 255,0,255 (magic pink). In the preview, everything is fine. When I apply the skin, the pink area is displayed
. In my skin setting, MDIControl Transparency is set to off since if I put this on it's all the buttons that disapear. Also, Transparent and Translucent is not set since the file is a bmp not a tga.So, I'm out of ideas about how I could solve this little problem.
Thanks
CerebroJD
Reply #2 Friday, March 5, 2004 10:59 AM
It doesnt have to be a tga in order to have transparency. If you check the "transparency" box, this may solve your problem.
Reply #2 Friday, March 5, 2004 10:59 AM
| Transparent and Translucent is not set since the file is a bmp not a tga |
It doesnt have to be a tga in order to have transparency. If you check the "transparency" box, this may solve your problem.
louismc
Reply #3 Saturday, March 6, 2004 8:36 PM
Reply #3 Saturday, March 6, 2004 8:36 PM
I've tried with both Transparency & Translucent and neither are working, I still get the pink background on the buttons.
Essencay
Reply #4 Saturday, March 6, 2004 9:03 PM
Reply #4 Saturday, March 6, 2004 9:03 PM
you have to import a .png file that replaces a .tga file and leave transparency unchecked. When you import it...SkinStudio does its magic, turns it into a .bmp allowing it to work in place of a .tga I hope that's right
I hope that's right
SelfExiled
Reply #5 Sunday, March 7, 2004 9:37 PM
Reply #5 Sunday, March 7, 2004 9:37 PM
The solution is not to use the pink. You don't need it. Use your menu background to replace the magic pink area. Since those buttons only show on top of the menu background, you don't need magic pink. Just place the buttons on top of your menu background, excluding the magic pink, but keeping the same size of each button. Magic pink is slower anyway as windows has to draw the area transparent. Get the idea?
SelfExiled
Reply #6 Sunday, March 7, 2004 9:45 PM
Reply #6 Sunday, March 7, 2004 9:45 PM
In some areas, Windowblinds has problems using magic pink. This is true with menu backgrounds. In your case, you don't need it. The trick with creating or modifying WB skins is to learn the problems, and try to design your skin around the problem. When you master this, you can come up with some really unique ideas. And, in no time, you will design skins like Pixtudio, very nice and unique.
louismc
Reply #7 Monday, March 8, 2004 4:56 PM
The trick sounds good but it did not worked. I have saved the .bmp I were using in a .png, I removed the pink area leaving only a transparent background and the buttons. Now I saved the file and imported it (from file or clipboard same results) so SkinStudio create a .TGA (not a .BMP as you mentioned). Not instead of a transparent background, I get either white or black backgrounds (it depends either I'm using the transparency/Translucent options).
Reply #7 Monday, March 8, 2004 4:56 PM
| you have to import a .png file that replaces a .tga file and leave transparency unchecked. When you import it...SkinStudio does its magic, turns it into a .bmp allowing it to work in place of a .tga I hope that's right |
The trick sounds good but it did not worked. I have saved the .bmp I were using in a .png, I removed the pink area leaving only a transparent background and the buttons. Now I saved the file and imported it (from file or clipboard same results) so SkinStudio create a .TGA (not a .BMP as you mentioned). Not instead of a transparent background, I get either white or black backgrounds (it depends either I'm using the transparency/Translucent options).
louismc
Reply #8 Monday, March 8, 2004 4:59 PM
I wish it was so simple... But the background where the buttons are is not always the same depending on the window width/height and the gradient won't display evenly.
Reply #8 Monday, March 8, 2004 4:59 PM
| The solution is not to use the pink. You don't need it. Use your menu background to replace the magic pink area. |
I wish it was so simple... But the background where the buttons are is not always the same depending on the window width/height and the gradient won't display evenly.
louismc
Reply #9 Monday, March 8, 2004 5:01 PM
I wish I could understand how WB uses background but what I read in the doc doesn't seem enough.
Reply #9 Monday, March 8, 2004 5:01 PM
| The trick with creating or modifying WB skins is to learn the problems, and try to design your skin around the problem. |
I wish I could understand how WB uses background but what I read in the doc doesn't seem enough.
Sput
Reply #10 Monday, March 8, 2004 6:41 PM
Reply #10 Monday, March 8, 2004 6:41 PM
Some bits just don't seem to support transparency, so you have to put the background in to 'fake it'. If your design means that looks bad, then at the moment the only option seem to be to change your design.
If your menubar uses a gradient for example, then make either end a chunk of solid colour, and the gradient in the middle, that way the MDI buttons can sit happily on a consistent colour...I think...as long as you use the less efficient stretch rather than tile of course. I've not looked at the menu bar though, so I'm not 100% on how it deals with it or if you can even specify size margins...but the principal is the same. If you can't make your design work with skinstudio, change the design.
If your menubar uses a gradient for example, then make either end a chunk of solid colour, and the gradient in the middle, that way the MDI buttons can sit happily on a consistent colour...I think...as long as you use the less efficient stretch rather than tile of course. I've not looked at the menu bar though, so I'm not 100% on how it deals with it or if you can even specify size margins...but the principal is the same. If you can't make your design work with skinstudio, change the design.
louismc
Reply #11 Tuesday, March 9, 2004 1:25 AM
roger that
Reply #11 Tuesday, March 9, 2004 1:25 AM
| If you can't make your design work with skinstudio, change the design. |
roger that
louismc
Reply #12 Thursday, March 11, 2004 2:26 PM
Reply #12 Thursday, March 11, 2004 2:26 PM
Case closed, I managed to put some gradient in background and modified a bit the design so it fit.
Thanks
Thanks
SelfExiled
Reply #13 Thursday, March 11, 2004 3:34 PM
Reply #13 Thursday, March 11, 2004 3:34 PM
See, now you're learning how to skin Windowblinds. 
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Reply #1 Thursday, March 4, 2004 9:48 PM
Since all those buttons use the bar background, you can use that background for the buttons. Therefore, there will be no need for magic pink.