Win 10 clock text, and image tiling questions.
clock text color/font issues, and image tiling question
Wednesday, February 2, 2022 by DemonTekDigital | Discussion: OS Customization
Ok, while working on the clock text I've noticed issues on two skins I'm working on. The clock text seems to be connected to the taskbar button activated text color, and font. Is this a bug, or am I missing something? Is there a way to disassociate them from each other?
Concerning image tiling. I'm using screen lines in some of my elements, and for the life of me I can't get rid of one double line on some of the images. I set all the margins to both tile, then to stretch to test, and also set the paint method to both tile middle section, and tile horiz middle section to test. No matter what I do the issue persists. It's not a huge deal, but it seems very inconsistent.
While skinning the Programs side of my start menu I was able to fix it by mashing the left/right margins together, and set paint to tile horiz middle section, but for some reason this doesn't seem to work on smaller images like the taskbar buttons. Anyways, I'd like to apologize for uploading two quickfire posts asking for help, but this has me curious, lol. Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Reply #2 Thursday, February 3, 2022 7:22 AM
Thank you for the quick reply, Basj! Yes, I have a 3 monitor setup, and that's what I was referring to. I'm wondering if it's due to how Windows treats those additional taskbars. The way it seems is A: either Windows treats them as taskbar buttons themselves, or B: Windowblinds/Windows doesn't know how to deal with it and simply merges functionality.
What I mean is Windows 10 still doesn't have full multiple monitor support so WB sees it, and treats it like just another button to be skinned. This is evident on Windows' end by only having one systray on the main taskbar, and no options to add it to the others. This also makes me wonder if using something like Actual Multiple Monitors would fix it because that's one of the features it's designed for.
Concerning the tiling issue, I did manage to find a soft work-around by adjusting the content margins for the text on the buttons, and tray. By giving the text a value of 3 on the top, and -2 on the bottom stretched the taskbar vertically, which in turn, shifted the tiling. As a side benefit it also gives the clock text a bit more breathing room. One thing I absolutely loathe is images that clip into each other. Unless it's designed to do so, like say, a tray that bisects the tray arrow image.
Once I'm done with the skin I might submit it, but it's been forever since I've skinned anything, and am a bit apprehensive in uploading it, lol. I'll tell you this much though. It's based on DOOM Eternal's game UI, (hence all the screen lines), lol. My only issue is it won't be Win 7/8 ready, because I don't have those OSes running, and can't properly test on them. Here's a sample of the goods.
Reply #3 Thursday, February 3, 2022 7:57 AM
Well, all I can say NeoCorpse is that you are making an excellent looking skin! Glad you got those issues resolved. I have been skinning for 20+ years now, and there are still things I am learning. Keep it going!
Reply #4 Thursday, February 3, 2022 8:49 AM
Looks great!
Don't worry about Win7/8 compatibility. I don't. Finish it and upload!
Reply #5 Thursday, February 3, 2022 8:54 AM
Thank you, LightStar! Geez, I think we've been skinning about as long as each other. My first skins were Winamp 2.8 skins. Once they switched to the xml style with version 3, and above I had to tap out, lol. The very first time I tried to use SKS was with Win 98 SE, and I almost had to go to the trauma unit for extreme blood loss from the nosebleed of seeing the SKS UI, and all it's features. I still remember that fishbowl skin, and the wood one.
Of course, I didn't dig in deep until XP, like most of us. WB 10 came out at the perfect time for me though, because I've been wanting to do something relatively fiddly, and creative for a while, and skinning has always scratched that itch. Skinning is such an incredible thing because it's where creativity meets utility. You get to actually USE your designs, and I love that.
Reply #6 Thursday, February 3, 2022 8:57 AM
Thank you, 2of3! I still have quite a bit to do yet, but I'm thinking I'll upload it just for the fact that I've yet to see a Doom Eternal, (or any Doom skin for that matter), and the game well deserves the love.
I might even be able to catch Hugo Martin's attention because he LOVES stuff like this from the community. If it's Doom related, and it's out there, he'll find it, lol.
Reply #7 Thursday, February 3, 2022 8:58 AM
NeoCorpse, I agree with Tom (LightStar), and Tim (2of3), from your screen shot, it looks great, so upload it.
Reply #8 Thursday, February 3, 2022 9:08 AM
Thank you, Don5318! The peer pressure is REAL, and I'm ok with it!!
I'll kick it into gear, and upload it once it's passed all my tests. (I despise clipped/intersecting images) LOL. I need to make sure everything will be as perfect as I can get it.
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Reply #1 Thursday, February 3, 2022 12:50 AM
Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues.
Are you talking about the clock text on your secondary monitor taskbar? If yes, than, I believe that is correct, it is somehow connected to the taskbar button text color and from what I know that can not be disassociate. Unless someone else can tell me it can be done.
While skinning the Programs side of my start menu I was able to fix it by mashing the left/right margins together, and set paint to tile horiz middle section, but for some reason this doesn't seem to work on smaller images like the taskbar buttons. Anyways, I'd like to apologize for uploading two quickfire posts asking for help, but this has me curious, lol. Thank you for taking the time to read this!
This part, I am not sure, until I can see your WBA file. And check it for myself. Or, wait for someone else more expert on WB Skinning.
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.