SkinStudio
Saturday, July 3, 2004 by Csurfside | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Please list a link to a good tutorial for SkinStudio to help me get started. I have version 4.3 
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Csurfside
Reply #2 Monday, July 5, 2004 10:51 AM
Reply #2 Monday, July 5, 2004 10:51 AM
I am qurious ? Should you always get no errors found when you analyze a skin in SkinStudio?
Essencay
Reply #4 Monday, July 5, 2004 12:07 PM
Reply #4 Monday, July 5, 2004 12:07 PM
With diligence...you can get a skin to show no errors 
Most of the errors that show in skins are not fatal, the skinner just added code that WindowBlinds won't recognize, Like defining a disabled color for an attribute that doesn't have a disabled state or content margins where no content margins are allowed. WindowBlinds will just ignore that type of error, but it is not a bad thing to strive to make your skins error-free. 
Most of the errors that show in skins are not fatal, the skinner just added code that WindowBlinds won't recognize, Like defining a disabled color for an attribute that doesn't have a disabled state or content margins where no content margins are allowed. WindowBlinds will just ignore that type of error, but it is not a bad thing to strive to make your skins error-free. 
_footsie_
Reply #5 Monday, July 5, 2004 12:41 PM
Reply #5 Monday, July 5, 2004 12:41 PM
I took one look at skin studio and realized just how backwoods I really am!! 
farkusmarkus
Reply #6 Monday, July 5, 2004 12:51 PM
Reply #6 Monday, July 5, 2004 12:51 PM
This thread ( https://www.wincustomize.com/msgboard.asp?BID=WCS&id=187649 ) was more helpful than anything else I've read on SkinStudio. The best way to learn, however, is just by good ol' trial and error. It might seem daunting at first but don't be afraid to play around. For instance, in the custom colors. If you're not sure what one is, just switch it to a bright gaudy color and apply it. You'd be suprised at where it shows up sometimes.
Csurfside
Reply #7 Monday, July 5, 2004 2:30 PM
Reply #7 Monday, July 5, 2004 2:30 PM
hey I have a question? I use a certian colour 
"Violet purple" For editing the start button and the colour works like an invisible ink. Any clarification on this would be nice. I think it may be due to an attribute or value. Please help!
"Violet purple" For editing the start button and the colour works like an invisible ink. Any clarification on this would be nice. I think it may be due to an attribute or value. Please help!
farkusmarkus
Reply #8 Monday, July 5, 2004 2:41 PM
Reply #8 Monday, July 5, 2004 2:41 PM
Most people around here call that "Magic Pink" but normal people call it Magenta. That's a masking color that tells WB to make those pixels transparent. If you want to use that color, make sure that you don't have the "Transparent" box checked for that particular element.
Essencay
Reply #9 Monday, July 5, 2004 3:42 PM
Essencay sticks his tongue out at FM...."it's a good thing you got that association correct. Normal I am not
"
Essencay thinks invisible ink is as good a name for it as magic pink
Reply #9 Monday, July 5, 2004 3:42 PM
| normal people call it Magenta |
Essencay sticks his tongue out at FM...."it's a good thing you got that association correct. Normal I am not
"Essencay thinks invisible ink is as good a name for it as magic pink
Csurfside
Reply #10 Monday, July 5, 2004 3:46 PM
Reply #10 Monday, July 5, 2004 3:46 PM
Ok, Here is a good one. When I try to save sometimes It says there are numerous errors in my work and wants to know do I want to "Validate" them now or not. What do they mean? 
Essencay
Reply #11 Monday, July 5, 2004 3:50 PM
Reply #11 Monday, July 5, 2004 3:50 PM
click yes....it'll open the tab showing the errors. Critical errors need to be fixed, they will affect how the skin works in WB.....the most common critical error is the caption height error. Once you have the tab show errors open, double-click on any line an you'll go right to the error so you can fix it. You'll be asked to re-validate since the skin code has changed. Any error that says Windowblinds will ignore can be Deleted, since WindowBlinds will ignore that line of code.
SelfExiled
Reply #12 Monday, July 5, 2004 3:57 PM
Reply #12 Monday, July 5, 2004 3:57 PM
Top middle pane with the four tabs. The first tab is Analyze. Here you will see the errors in your skin that no one really bothers to correct(except me). When you click the the Analyze tab, it will check for errors and it says validating while it does it. It doesn't remove anything just validates that the errors exist.
Csurfside
Reply #13 Monday, July 5, 2004 7:29 PM
Reply #13 Monday, July 5, 2004 7:29 PM
What do the "Margins" really change? I adjust them but dont really understand whats happening.
Csurfside
Reply #14 Monday, July 5, 2004 7:31 PM
Reply #14 Monday, July 5, 2004 7:31 PM
Please answer my question above. Plus What do all the different templates mean and what is the best template to start with for a begginer? I am using SkinStudio 4.3
SelfExiled
Reply #15 Monday, July 5, 2004 10:21 PM
Reply #15 Monday, July 5, 2004 10:21 PM
It depends on which section you are trying to change the margins for. In some sections, changing the margins does nothing. For example, the menu margins don't really work. The taskbar margins and the start menu margins do seem to work.
The content margins effect the location of the text or images that are placed in it. For example, if your icons in the start menu pane are too far to the left, you can adjust the content margins and give it a larger left content margin. Thereby, pushing the icons further away from the border.
The sizing margins adjust the image so that it doesn't stretch or tile wrong. For example if you have a 3 pixel frame on your image, you don't want the frame tiled or stretched. So, you would set a "3" on the sizing margins, which tells Skin Studio not to stretch or tile that area. You can click the margin setting and then look in the help section to see what type of margin it is(content or sizing). Normally, if it just says "margins", it is a sizing margin. This is because a lot of images don't have content(like arrows).
As far as templates, I don't use them. They are basically someone elses images. But, they are okay to use. But, your skin will not be very original if you use them. Mostly, they are very simple. In my opinion, it is therefore better to develop your own drawing skills before you start making themes.
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The content margins effect the location of the text or images that are placed in it. For example, if your icons in the start menu pane are too far to the left, you can adjust the content margins and give it a larger left content margin. Thereby, pushing the icons further away from the border.
The sizing margins adjust the image so that it doesn't stretch or tile wrong. For example if you have a 3 pixel frame on your image, you don't want the frame tiled or stretched. So, you would set a "3" on the sizing margins, which tells Skin Studio not to stretch or tile that area. You can click the margin setting and then look in the help section to see what type of margin it is(content or sizing). Normally, if it just says "margins", it is a sizing margin. This is because a lot of images don't have content(like arrows).
As far as templates, I don't use them. They are basically someone elses images. But, they are okay to use. But, your skin will not be very original if you use them. Mostly, they are very simple. In my opinion, it is therefore better to develop your own drawing skills before you start making themes.
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Csurfside
Reply #16 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 9:04 AM
Reply #16 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 9:04 AM
Great! One more thing. What is the best way to start a theme. Should I be using the file New skin. Or exactly what are most people starting out their skin. Should I click File-New-Skin Or maybe use Skin wizard? Please Clarify! And also I wonder how people get their art to look like so. I have noticed when I zoom in on some pics that they are smoothed and somewhat blury, not real stiff lined. How do you get this effect. Is it a program or something. Or do people actually sit there and keep adjusting every little pixel shade? Please comment in detail if at all possible. I eagarly sit at my screen waiting for these responses.
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And also I wonder how people get their art to look like so. I have noticed when I zoom in on some pics that they are smoothed and somewhat blury, not real stiff lined. How do you get this effect. Is it a program or something. Or do people actually sit there and keep adjusting every little pixel shade? Please comment in detail if at all possible. I eagarly sit at my screen waiting for these responses.[Message Edited]
SelfExiled
Reply #17 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 2:00 PM
Reply #17 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 2:00 PM
Okay...here we go.
1) Best way to start a theme?
Assuming you mean a WB skin...When I made my first skin, it was easier for me to click file-new skin and create a UIS-2 skin. Working with the templates seemed too complicated. I had skinned programs before so I was familar with paint programs(PSP) and making images in them. When the generic skin appeared and was applied, it was easier to see how the pieces fit and where to start. Now, I have a good template using the skins that I created. I know exactly how they went together and how the pieces fit.
2)And Also I wonder how people get their skins to look smooth.
There are two main techniques. One is called Anti-aliasing, and the other is vector drawing.
Normally, it is a setting on your program. You can create shapes with anti-aliasing on, or you create draw and blend using gradients. Or, you can draw with vectors. You should do a google search for Anti-aliasing and vector drawing tutorials. I just learned by constantly working with my chosen paint program.
3)Q: Or do people actually sit there and keep adjusting every little pixel shade....?
A: Sometimes, you actually have to when your anti-aliasing or gradient effect doesn't look quite right to you. I don't really have that trouble with vector drawing. Shadows can really muck up a good image too.
4) Also question 3 proposes another idea. It is tga vs. bmp. With a lot of the images, Skin Studio allows one to use PNG files and convert them to tga with SS. PNG files are much smoother than bmp files because you can use Opacity.
Hope this helps.
[Message Edited]
1) Best way to start a theme?
Assuming you mean a WB skin...When I made my first skin, it was easier for me to click file-new skin and create a UIS-2 skin. Working with the templates seemed too complicated. I had skinned programs before so I was familar with paint programs(PSP) and making images in them. When the generic skin appeared and was applied, it was easier to see how the pieces fit and where to start. Now, I have a good template using the skins that I created. I know exactly how they went together and how the pieces fit.
2)And Also I wonder how people get their skins to look smooth.
There are two main techniques. One is called Anti-aliasing, and the other is vector drawing.
Normally, it is a setting on your program. You can create shapes with anti-aliasing on, or you create draw and blend using gradients. Or, you can draw with vectors. You should do a google search for Anti-aliasing and vector drawing tutorials. I just learned by constantly working with my chosen paint program.
3)Q: Or do people actually sit there and keep adjusting every little pixel shade....?
A: Sometimes, you actually have to when your anti-aliasing or gradient effect doesn't look quite right to you. I don't really have that trouble with vector drawing. Shadows can really muck up a good image too.
4) Also question 3 proposes another idea. It is tga vs. bmp. With a lot of the images, Skin Studio allows one to use PNG files and convert them to tga with SS. PNG files are much smoother than bmp files because you can use Opacity.
Hope this helps.
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Csurfside
Reply #18 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 2:11 PM
Reply #18 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 2:11 PM
Hey ChasUGC, Thanx for the info its Great! Im going to search now for info on the terms you gave me. Your metroid theme is cool. I will probally find my answer but I got to put it out there anyway. So here it is. A simple question for once. Does the PAint program in XP let you use the Anti-Aliasing thing and the Draw or blend? Im so excited about making window blinds. Also I have lots of ideas and drawings. It seems like when I start a window blind with file-new-skin that it pulls up a XP looking window blind and that im just replacing the BMP's. Same with the templates. Is there a big difference that I am missing being a novice and all? Again ChasUGC thanx for helping me work these things out!
Ill be uploading my own Skin someday soon I hope.
I will probally find my answer but I got to put it out there anyway. So here it is. A simple question for once. Does the PAint program in XP let you use the Anti-Aliasing thing and the Draw or blend? Im so excited about making window blinds. Also I have lots of ideas and drawings. It seems like when I start a window blind with file-new-skin that it pulls up a XP looking window blind and that im just replacing the BMP's. Same with the templates. Is there a big difference that I am missing being a novice and all? Again ChasUGC thanx for helping me work these things out!Ill be uploading my own Skin someday soon I hope.
Csurfside
Reply #19 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 2:18 PM
Reply #19 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 2:18 PM
I really want to learn more about the question above. I checked XP paint but dont think I have those options. Please reply. Do I need a better paint program?
SelfExiled
Reply #20 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 2:37 PM
1) The Metroid Theme is a private theme by Pixtudio for Nintendo, not my creation.
2)No, the generic paint program in XP does not allow you to do gradients or anti-aliasing or vector drawing. You would need either Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro. I think Corel also has a good paint program that some people use. I would choose whichever one of the three that you are most familar with and use it to develop your skills. I began working with plugins to see how certain ideas actually worked on the canvas.
3)No, big difference. I just found it easier to start from a pure scratch windowblind on my first skin. Most people can improve on that windowblind with a little effort.
Also, try to replace the bitmaps with png files whenever possible to avoid jaggies. Your images will look better. Open some of the ObjectDock icons in your paint program(the PNG ones) and see how the edges disappear for smoothness. Once you learn the techinigues involved, this will give you the best effect in a windowblind skin.
Also, learn to work with Magic Pink. This is the alternative when using curves with bmp files for your images.
Reply #20 Tuesday, July 6, 2004 2:37 PM
| Your metroid theme is cool. |
1) The Metroid Theme is a private theme by Pixtudio for Nintendo, not my creation.
| Does the Paint program in XP let you use the Anti-Aliasing thing and the Draw or blend? |
2)No, the generic paint program in XP does not allow you to do gradients or anti-aliasing or vector drawing. You would need either Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro. I think Corel also has a good paint program that some people use. I would choose whichever one of the three that you are most familar with and use it to develop your skills. I began working with plugins to see how certain ideas actually worked on the canvas.
| and that im just replacing the BMP's. Same with the templates. Is there a big difference that I am missing being a novice and all? |
3)No, big difference. I just found it easier to start from a pure scratch windowblind on my first skin. Most people can improve on that windowblind with a little effort.
Also, try to replace the bitmaps with png files whenever possible to avoid jaggies. Your images will look better. Open some of the ObjectDock icons in your paint program(the PNG ones) and see how the edges disappear for smoothness. Once you learn the techinigues involved, this will give you the best effect in a windowblind skin.
Also, learn to work with Magic Pink. This is the alternative when using curves with bmp files for your images.
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Reply #1 Saturday, July 3, 2004 10:58 AM