Newbie help with skin studio.
Sunday, April 4, 2004 by AssassN | Discussion: Stardock Software
I am trying to create my own skin. I have gotten fairly far for not working for very long.
Some problems I am having are:
The little buttons that close menus, minimize, and maximize the are not adjusting themselves. I have a smaller button than how big it was originally but the little X on it isn't shrinking. I can't find an option to change it either.
The text in the top menu bar is always white and it is on a white background. I found an option when i right clicked on the option that changes the font that said color. I changed it from white to black but nothing happened.
I have to make buttons the EXACT size and nearly the same shape as I see them in the original skin. I have seen many skins though with completely redesigned buttons.
I can't figure out how to move buttons.
I tried reading a tutorial and was completely lost. I'll post pictures of waht I've gotten so far. This is my 2nd day useing this program.
Some problems I am having are:
The little buttons that close menus, minimize, and maximize the are not adjusting themselves. I have a smaller button than how big it was originally but the little X on it isn't shrinking. I can't find an option to change it either.
The text in the top menu bar is always white and it is on a white background. I found an option when i right clicked on the option that changes the font that said color. I changed it from white to black but nothing happened.
I have to make buttons the EXACT size and nearly the same shape as I see them in the original skin. I have seen many skins though with completely redesigned buttons.
I can't figure out how to move buttons.
I tried reading a tutorial and was completely lost. I'll post pictures of waht I've gotten so far. This is my 2nd day useing this program.
Koasati
Reply #2 Sunday, April 4, 2004 4:16 PM
Reply #2 Sunday, April 4, 2004 4:16 PM
The best tutorial for beginners is http://www.aleksyandr.com/tutorial.htm
Is not up to date, but it will get you started, and answer a lot of the questions you have. 
AssassN
Reply #4 Sunday, April 4, 2004 9:43 PM
Reply #4 Sunday, April 4, 2004 9:43 PM
That site was helpful but alot of it went WAY over my head. I got the start menu and things 99% done.
I am working on the logout box thing. I am trying to load my buttons with clear areas. I saved them as .tgas like I always do except this time the clear areas didn't come up clear. I thought, "no big deal, this has happened before". Ussually I just tell it transparent instead of translucent. This time it didn't have taht option!
Skinning is so fun but they picked the most complex way to do it.
I am working on the logout box thing. I am trying to load my buttons with clear areas. I saved them as .tgas like I always do except this time the clear areas didn't come up clear. I thought, "no big deal, this has happened before". Ussually I just tell it transparent instead of translucent. This time it didn't have taht option!
Skinning is so fun but they picked the most complex way to do it.
Sput
Reply #5 Sunday, April 4, 2004 9:50 PM
Reply #5 Sunday, April 4, 2004 9:50 PM
AssassN - seems you've hit one of the areas where TGAs can't be used for transparency. I've found that in the logout/logoff dialogues you have to stick to BMPs and use magic pink if necessary for simple on/off transparency.
Another bit with the same restriction is the window frames....there are probably others, but I can't think of them for now.
Another bit with the same restriction is the window frames....there are probably others, but I can't think of them for now.
Sput
Reply #6 Sunday, April 4, 2004 9:53 PM
Reply #6 Sunday, April 4, 2004 9:53 PM
BTW - it's not that "they picked the most complex way to do it", if by "they" you mean Stardock, as a lot of the restrictions/complications are caused by Microsoft's routines which WB relies on in places. Other are caused by compromises needed for performance and reliability/compatability. Only a few are "fixable", and often They get sorted quickly once pointed out to the developers 
Besides - if it were too easy, there'd be no fun in it
Besides - if it were too easy, there'd be no fun in it
AssassN
Reply #7 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:00 PM
Reply #7 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:00 PM
True true, if it was easy everyone would do it.
Well thanks for the advice. I assume I am useing that pink color I've seen when I go to edit files and I open them directly in Skin Studio?
Thanks for your help. You guys are great.
Well thanks for the advice. I assume I am useing that pink color I've seen when I go to edit files and I open them directly in Skin Studio?
Thanks for your help. You guys are great.
AssassN
Reply #8 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:06 PM
Reply #8 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:06 PM
Ok, I did it with the magical pink color. Now you can't see the logos and it still has a black background where the logos should be.
AssassN
Reply #9 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:10 PM
Reply #9 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:10 PM
Ok, I found out you gotta flatten image. Now I have this pink frindge around my buttons though. I assume where white meets pink it turns into a lighter pink that doesn't go away.
Satans Child
Reply #10 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:23 PM
Reply #10 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:23 PM
Try opening in photoshop and coloring each pixel that is the wrong shade of magic pink with the proper color... that's how I do it.
You probably knew that though.
You probably knew that though.
AssassN
Reply #12 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:31 PM
Reply #12 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:31 PM
"Try opening in photoshop and coloring each pixel that is the wrong shade of magic pink with the proper color... that's how I do it.
You probably knew that though."
I was just hoping to hear an easier solution.
You probably knew that though."
I was just hoping to hear an easier solution.
Koasati
Reply #13 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:42 PM
Reply #13 Sunday, April 4, 2004 10:42 PM
For the Shutdown/Logoff Dialog Buttons, use the area in the Dialog image, where the buttons set, for your Buttons background. Bulid your buttons over that. :)
AssassN
Reply #14 Sunday, April 4, 2004 11:11 PM
Reply #14 Sunday, April 4, 2004 11:11 PM
"For the Shutdown/Logoff Dialog Buttons, use the area in the Dialog image, where the buttons set, for your Buttons background. Bulid your buttons over that. "
It originally was a gradient. I changed it to a solid color and did just that.
Not bad for a first skin I think. Then again it wouldnt be the first time I was wrong.
"It originally was a gradient. I changed it to a solid color and did just that.
Not bad for a first skin I think. Then again it wouldnt be the first time I was wrong.
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Reply #1 Sunday, April 4, 2004 4:10 PM