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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Jafo
Reply #3 Saturday, May 3, 2003 6:51 AM
Reply #3 Saturday, May 3, 2003 6:51 AM
Event...find a fairly simple styled skin and decompile it....open up the graphics and alter them a bit, one at a time, and not the result in the skin.
This works for any skinning...may be slow, but is definitely educational...
This works for any skinning...may be slow, but is definitely educational...
EventHorizon
Reply #4 Saturday, May 3, 2003 6:57 AM
Reply #4 Saturday, May 3, 2003 6:57 AM
Thx Jafo...Im trying to 'broaden my horizons' by skinning CursorXP and Windowblinds. 
Styl-X Design
Reply #5 Saturday, May 3, 2003 7:30 AM
Reply #5 Saturday, May 3, 2003 7:30 AM
Very simpel, take a screenshot of your screen, and cut the startbalk, and the menu out of it. Go and make a skin over it, and after you did that, load it in skinstudio.
Its better to make the skin first, cuase if you work with gradient it gets all messed up if you didn't
Its better to make the skin first, cuase if you work with gradient it gets all messed up if you didn't
Frogboy
Reply #7 Saturday, May 3, 2003 9:36 AM
Reply #7 Saturday, May 3, 2003 9:36 AM
Here's a tutorial I made years ago designed for new skinners:
http://www.windowblinds.net/skinning/uis1tutorial.html
It allows for making a basic skin in less than an hour with only a page of text.
http://www.windowblinds.net/skinning/uis1tutorial.html
It allows for making a basic skin in less than an hour with only a page of text.
DavidK
Reply #8 Saturday, May 3, 2003 11:30 AM
Reply #8 Saturday, May 3, 2003 11:30 AM
I think using Frogboy's tutorial is an excellent place to start. Building a skin in Notepad is the best way to learn how it works so the format makes sense to you. I feel that way about using SkinStudio to make the image files too, it would be better to make them all in your graphics program than to have SS generate them.
I find it easier to draw the skin image complete and then cut out the pieces in PS so I have all the bits ready to assemble. Then I make a UIS file in Notepad (using a previous one as a template) with all the values set for the new stuff (path, image names, margins, etc). Then after it's complete enough to load I'll open it in SkinStudio to plug in all the extra features and tweak the fonts, colors and button margins. It's a lot easier to fine-tune your settings if you can have the skin running to check out how your changes affect it.
I find it easier to draw the skin image complete and then cut out the pieces in PS so I have all the bits ready to assemble. Then I make a UIS file in Notepad (using a previous one as a template) with all the values set for the new stuff (path, image names, margins, etc). Then after it's complete enough to load I'll open it in SkinStudio to plug in all the extra features and tweak the fonts, colors and button margins. It's a lot easier to fine-tune your settings if you can have the skin running to check out how your changes affect it.
Apocalypse_67
Reply #9 Saturday, May 3, 2003 12:17 PM
Reply #9 Saturday, May 3, 2003 12:17 PM
I read just about every tutorial on skining. It really helped me a lot.
Before I make a skin, I 1st decide what combination of colors I want on it (eg. blue/yellow, gray/red, etc ) This way its easier for me when I start to alter the graphics or if I want to make the graphics from scratch. Luna is a good style to start with. You'll also learn a lot form tweaking and previewing.
Before I make a skin, I 1st decide what combination of colors I want on it (eg. blue/yellow, gray/red, etc ) This way its easier for me when I start to alter the graphics or if I want to make the graphics from scratch. Luna is a good style to start with. You'll also learn a lot form tweaking and previewing.
Frogboy
Reply #10 Saturday, May 3, 2003 12:30 PM
Reply #10 Saturday, May 3, 2003 12:30 PM
When you get really fancy, the way I'll make a skin is to actually have it all drawn out as a picture in photoshop or whatever.
Then slice it into its pieces (push button up, push button down, push button disabled, etc.) and use SkinStudio to assign those different pieces to the skin.
Then slice it into its pieces (push button up, push button down, push button disabled, etc.) and use SkinStudio to assign those different pieces to the skin.
Not as easy as i hoped then
MarkMcQ
Reply #12 Saturday, May 3, 2003 3:02 PM
Reply #12 Saturday, May 3, 2003 3:02 PM
Aleksyandr made an excllent tutorial last year. You can see it as his site:
http://www.aleksyandr.com
http://www.aleksyandr.com
bordfryr
Reply #13 Sunday, May 4, 2003 5:31 AM
Reply #13 Sunday, May 4, 2003 5:31 AM
»" Not as easy as i hoped then"
DM, try not to be discouraged. I know I was overwhelmed when I first got the Object Desktop in January. There is so much to take in at one time. So I realized don't try to take it all in at once. Just start with something "small" like changing other peoples' skins (I like to add sounds and change the coloring) or maybe make some icons or a set of cursors. I have yet to make my first skin, but I figure I might as well have some fun on the way and make the learning process a little more bearable. (inhale
) Ok, I'm done now. Have to go do my PSP lessons. I'm only two weeks behind. 
DM, try not to be discouraged. I know I was overwhelmed when I first got the Object Desktop in January. There is so much to take in at one time. So I realized don't try to take it all in at once. Just start with something "small" like changing other peoples' skins (I like to add sounds and change the coloring) or maybe make some icons or a set of cursors. I have yet to make my first skin, but I figure I might as well have some fun on the way and make the learning process a little more bearable. (inhale
) Ok, I'm done now. Have to go do my PSP lessons. I'm only two weeks behind. 
EventHorizon
Reply #15 Sunday, May 4, 2003 7:41 AM
Reply #15 Sunday, May 4, 2003 7:41 AM
»"Thanks Hippy good tutorial "
Id have to agree with that...
Id have to agree with that...
DarkMist
Reply #16 Sunday, May 4, 2003 9:30 AM
Reply #16 Sunday, May 4, 2003 9:30 AM
Although i'm still confused as to which programmes are the best to use etc, if anyone has some good tips (apart from dissecting existing ones) i'd be more than happy to note them down
Apocalypse_67
Reply #17 Sunday, May 4, 2003 11:22 AM
Reply #17 Sunday, May 4, 2003 11:22 AM
Dark, to create skins, basicaly you only need SkinStudio, Notepad and a paint program ( I use PhotoShop 7 ) but you can use any one you are confortable with.
The rest is up to you imagination.
Oh, and dont forget that if you get 'stuck' and need help. You can always post a messege.
The rest is up to you imagination.
Oh, and dont forget that if you get 'stuck' and need help. You can always post a messege.
DarkMist
Reply #18 Sunday, May 4, 2003 2:27 PM
Reply #18 Sunday, May 4, 2003 2:27 PM
only thing i cant get my head around is all this notepad stuff 
Apocalypse_67
Reply #19 Sunday, May 4, 2003 2:36 PM
Reply #19 Sunday, May 4, 2003 2:36 PM
The notepad is use to write the codes or numbers used on the settings of the margins and color codes. Makes your job a lot easier
DarkMist
Reply #20 Sunday, May 4, 2003 3:08 PM
Reply #20 Sunday, May 4, 2003 3:08 PM
Thats what i don't get...i'm gonna be honest and say i've no idea what to do, tutorials i've read make no sense, skinstudio is completely confusing and how i make the graphics in whatever i've no idea on just where to start
i know what your thinking...Just give up
i know what your thinking...Just give up
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Reply #1 Saturday, May 3, 2003 6:23 AM
Just one thing tho, if your going to start a Blind, start it from scratch with Default Luna template, much easier this way.