What is the best way to get started making Windowblinds themes?
Saturday, May 3, 2003 by EventHorizon | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Like the subject of this thread said.... 
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Fuzzy Logic
Reply #24 Sunday, May 4, 2003 5:26 PM
Reply #24 Sunday, May 4, 2003 5:26 PM
Don't know about Photoshop but in PSP you can browse the skin's folder and open/edit the images from there.
DarkMist
Reply #25 Sunday, May 4, 2003 5:47 PM
Reply #25 Sunday, May 4, 2003 5:47 PM
Ok thanks.
DarkMist goes off to bang head against a wall for a while
DarkMist goes off to bang head against a wall for a while
Apocalypse_67
Reply #26 Sunday, May 4, 2003 6:35 PM
Reply #26 Sunday, May 4, 2003 6:35 PM
Dark, you can select the program that you want to use to edit the graphics. When you right clik and then select Edit With.. , clik on customize and add the paint program you want to use as the default editor. This way, whenever you double clik on the image, it will open it with the paint program you selected.
DarkMist
Reply #27 Sunday, May 4, 2003 6:37 PM
Reply #27 Sunday, May 4, 2003 6:37 PM
Where do i select it though, every time i try it only MS Paint appears 
joetheblow
Reply #28 Sunday, May 4, 2003 6:42 PM
Reply #28 Sunday, May 4, 2003 6:42 PM
I believe, if Photoshop is to expencive, then you can get Paint Shop Pro. I know I rather use Photoshop but I hear Paint Shop has some nice features. I believe it was 80 dollars from last look, and 20 dollars at Comp USA with a mail in rebate.
I would also suggest just playing around and changing things on a skin. That is the best way. Then change some of the bitmaps and see what you can do.
At that point, then go to the tutorials, for you'll have more of a understaning of terms and areas of the code or program (skin studio)
I would also suggest just playing around and changing things on a skin. That is the best way. Then change some of the bitmaps and see what you can do.
At that point, then go to the tutorials, for you'll have more of a understaning of terms and areas of the code or program (skin studio)
EventHorizon
Reply #30 Monday, May 5, 2003 6:16 AM
Reply #30 Monday, May 5, 2003 6:16 AM
Well ive gotten to the point where Im starting to redo the graphics featured in XP luna...but...dang...there are sooo many little buttons and bars and all that stuff 
One more problem...How do you get stuff to look 3d? Like in that Oil Well wallpaper on the right where he has that handle...and just getting buttons to look 3d in general w/o having to edit them pixel-by-pixel? (Like I did with my CurXP theme 
)
One more problem...How do you get stuff to look 3d? Like in that Oil Well wallpaper on the right where he has that handle...and just getting buttons to look 3d in general w/o having to edit them pixel-by-pixel? (Like I did with my CurXP theme 
)
eieio
Reply #32 Monday, May 5, 2003 6:33 AM
Reply #32 Monday, May 5, 2003 6:33 AM
EventHorizon, look for some tutorials on the graphics program you are using. While you can use various 3rd party filters to get a 3D look, using the built in filters makes a nicer look IMO.
This may not make much sense if you are new to the graphics programs (filters) but check out some tutorials and you will get the idea.
There are a lot of buttons and stuff!
This may not make much sense if you are new to the graphics programs (filters) but check out some tutorials and you will get the idea.
There are a lot of buttons and stuff!
EventHorizon
Reply #34 Monday, May 5, 2003 6:40 AM
Reply #34 Monday, May 5, 2003 6:40 AM
But Ive (luckily) has some experience with Gimp so I know what your talking about (More or less) I didnt realize that these 3d effects were from filters...hmm...Ill have to play around with them...
eieio
Reply #35 Monday, May 5, 2003 6:42 AM
Reply #35 Monday, May 5, 2003 6:42 AM
This site has some pretty good tutorials
http://www.eyeball-design.com/fxzone/frames01.htm
Good luck and have fun
http://www.eyeball-design.com/fxzone/frames01.htm
Good luck and have fun
Lady_Akasha
Reply #36 Monday, May 5, 2003 2:45 PM
Reply #36 Monday, May 5, 2003 2:45 PM
K... I was debating trying my hand at skinning...
Now I'm even more skeered
Didn't say i wouldn't try just gonna postpone it now.
Now I'm even more skeered
Didn't say i wouldn't try
just gonna postpone it now.
EventHorizon
Reply #38 Monday, May 5, 2003 3:10 PM
Reply #38 Monday, May 5, 2003 3:10 PM
Aww come on DM and Lady A, this is gonna be fun. (I hope)
(I hope)
DarkMist
Reply #39 Monday, May 5, 2003 3:30 PM
Reply #39 Monday, May 5, 2003 3:30 PM
Well im trying abit of a few things and i must say its not easy as people may think
EventHorizon
Reply #40 Monday, May 5, 2003 4:15 PM
Reply #40 Monday, May 5, 2003 4:15 PM
Well true..when I first saw skin studio and dissected one of the 'blinds, I must say I was more than slightly intimidated...Partially because Im new to Photoshop and partially cause there are soooo many different little bars & buttons...Im learnin' tho. It cant be THAT hard tho, cause lots of people have made blinds. (The numbers in the WB section attest to that) But yes, It isnt exactly easy either.
It cant be THAT hard tho, cause lots of people have made blinds. (The numbers in the WB section attest to that) But yes, It isnt exactly easy either. Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
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Reply #21 Sunday, May 4, 2003 4:42 PM
I'll share a trick of the trade with you.
Open SkinStudio. From the File menu, click on New/From Template.
On the next window double click the icon Windows Skin. Type a File Name/Name for your skin.
A Luna template should now appear on the preview window. Click (per example) on the top window frame of the preview image.
On the right side you will see a little picture of the top window frame. Right clik on it and from the 'Edit with...' menu, choose your paint program.
The image should now open on your paint program and ready to be edit. When you are done editing, save it. Make sure it has the same name as the image you opened. For instance, the top frame has the name 'WindowFrameTopUis2' so make sure you save it under that same name.
Do this for the remaining parts of the template.
This technique is good for beginers. As you go along and get familiar with the program, you'll be able to start from a blank template and create and name your graphics as you wish and import them to the SkinStudio.
Hope this helps you get started.
Good luck and happy skining.