Is the windows enhancement community ready for heavy graphic skins?
Thursday, September 9, 2004 by Styl-X Design | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Very often I find myself wondering what the big diffrence is between things like windowblinds and windows media player.
Its not hard to see that a lot of WMP skins use a lot heavier graphics then WB skins.
(note, with heavy graphic I mean 3d style).
I think its the custom shape of WMP that makes it more suitable for heavy graphic skins but wouldn't it be awesome to have a little of that 3d feeling being put in a wb skin?
I know there is some 3d in WB skins, but it never really get past an 'innershadow' filter
Whats the deal with this?
Styl-X Design fingers are starting to tintel as he has this 3d wb skin idea in his head for nearly a week now... Time to dust of skinstudio
Its not hard to see that a lot of WMP skins use a lot heavier graphics then WB skins.
(note, with heavy graphic I mean 3d style).
I think its the custom shape of WMP that makes it more suitable for heavy graphic skins but wouldn't it be awesome to have a little of that 3d feeling being put in a wb skin?
I know there is some 3d in WB skins, but it never really get past an 'innershadow' filter
Whats the deal with this?
Styl-X Design fingers are starting to tintel as he has this 3d wb skin idea in his head for nearly a week now... Time to dust of skinstudio
 |
|
Page 3 of 7 | |
|
|---|
Styl-X Design
Reply #42 Thursday, September 9, 2004 3:46 PM
Reply #42 Thursday, September 9, 2004 3:46 PM
hehe, Could be just me but check:
The images both at the same size.
My skin has a soft polished metal feel over it, hippy's has a bit more of a plastic feel.
Lets just keep it to this, IMHO my piece is far out better, better quality etc, but ofcourse, I can't give a reasonable opinion as I am the creator of it.
And yes cerebroJD, it needs more bevels etc, just a quick preview.
The images both at the same size.
My skin has a soft polished metal feel over it, hippy's has a bit more of a plastic feel.
Lets just keep it to this, IMHO my piece is far out better, better quality etc, but ofcourse, I can't give a reasonable opinion as I am the creator of it.
And yes cerebroJD, it needs more bevels etc, just a quick preview.
CerebroJD
Reply #43 Thursday, September 9, 2004 3:56 PM
Reply #43 Thursday, September 9, 2004 3:56 PM
I have to say Style, that I've seen "Quick Previews" of that skin for a long while now, and it seems that it hasnt changed much over the course of time...
grayhaze
Reply #44 Thursday, September 9, 2004 3:56 PM
Reply #44 Thursday, September 9, 2004 3:56 PM
If you really want someone to produce a carbon copy of your design Styl, I'll gladly oblige. It should take me all of about 10 minutes in Fireworks. I think Hippy was just proving that gradients can be used to create 3D effects, and while his isn't the same as yours visually it certainly looks more 3D.
We're not deliberately being nasty about your work, but when you make a claim as bold as the one you have you should expect to offend some of the skinners who have created 3D-look skins for a long time. Quite possibly skinners without whom you wouldn't be at the level you are now. No offense.
I think Hippy was just proving that gradients can be used to create 3D effects, and while his isn't the same as yours visually it certainly looks more 3D.We're not deliberately being nasty about your work, but when you make a claim as bold as the one you have you should expect to offend some of the skinners who have created 3D-look skins for a long time. Quite possibly skinners without whom you wouldn't be at the level you are now. No offense.
MarkMcQ
Reply #45 Thursday, September 9, 2004 4:14 PM
Reply #45 Thursday, September 9, 2004 4:14 PM
"My skin has a soft polished metal feel over it, hippy's has a bit more of a plastic feel."
I thought the original point wether or not one could do that 3D style with gradients, not make metal.
I thought the original point wether or not one could do that 3D style with gradients, not make metal.
Styl-X Design
Reply #46 Thursday, September 9, 2004 4:17 PM
Reply #46 Thursday, September 9, 2004 4:17 PM
CerebroJD, true, the project is more or less on a hold now. Also we have been busy with some other projects.
GH, I don't take it as offence as its just a matter of personal opinion and style. The style on the left just happens to be mine and in my honest opinion I think it looks far better. I can easily produce something like hippy did, that really isn't the point but I just like to believe that my skills have developed over time so it quite bothers me that I now create a style that is (in your opinion) worse then the things I created a time ago.
GH, I don't take it as offence as its just a matter of personal opinion and style. The style on the left just happens to be mine and in my honest opinion I think it looks far better. I can easily produce something like hippy did, that really isn't the point but I just like to believe that my skills have developed over time so it quite bothers me that I now create a style that is (in your opinion) worse then the things I created a time ago.
Styl-X Design
Reply #47 Thursday, September 9, 2004 4:18 PM
Reply #47 Thursday, September 9, 2004 4:18 PM
True hippy however, the metal plays a part in the highlights. Sure you managed to create a 3d feel to what you produced but I still think it has the 'photoshop feel' over it. The thing I just didn't want to have. However, I have to say you did a nice job
NightTrainthedark
Reply #48 Thursday, September 9, 2004 4:37 PM
Reply #48 Thursday, September 9, 2004 4:37 PM
Just checking something. Styl, what are you using for a monitor. No offense, I am just wondering if you actually see the graininess in your image vs the smoothness of hippy's. I am just sitting here looking at the two images and I see some graininess to your image that maybe you dont.
Styl-X Design
Reply #49 Thursday, September 9, 2004 5:01 PM
Reply #49 Thursday, September 9, 2004 5:01 PM
NT, I dont see ANY grain... you know what grain is I hope? I use a 19" iiyama and have also checked it on my 15" lcd screen.
HG_Eliminator
Reply #50 Thursday, September 9, 2004 5:16 PM
Reply #50 Thursday, September 9, 2004 5:16 PM
between the two .. i like hippys better . while styls looks like a die cut single piece.. hippys gives the impression of 2 plastic molded parts fit together ..id almost be inclined to flip the piece over to see the screws holding it together. IMO hippys has a little more 3D feel to it ..
MarkMcQ
Reply #52 Thursday, September 9, 2004 5:50 PM
Reply #52 Thursday, September 9, 2004 5:50 PM
I think it's just jpg compression. Because my image was small, I was able to have the quality at full, and the file size wasn't too bad. It's not the quality of Styl's actual graphics themselves.
Sylva
Reply #53 Thursday, September 9, 2004 5:52 PM
Reply #53 Thursday, September 9, 2004 5:52 PM
As far as the whole plastic vs metal between the two images thing goes, I've seen cars with a painted texture that look almost exactlky like what Hippy did. Yours, well, I don't mean to be rude, but compared to hippy's, looks a little more like toothpaste.
You seem to be forgetting that there is a lot more to 3d appearances than just jumping out at you. Some of the best 3d skins I have seen have had more of a layered effect, where it just seems like one part is hovering above another part. Huge bevels are just not very attractive.
Of course, if you still think a 3d skin should be totally in your face, maybe you should check out some of my work from a few years ago. "Chained" would be a good example. man that was AWFUL!
You seem to be forgetting that there is a lot more to 3d appearances than just jumping out at you. Some of the best 3d skins I have seen have had more of a layered effect, where it just seems like one part is hovering above another part. Huge bevels are just not very attractive.
Of course, if you still think a 3d skin should be totally in your face, maybe you should check out some of my work from a few years ago. "Chained" would be a good example. man that was AWFUL!
SelfExiled
Reply #54 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:34 PM
Reply #54 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:34 PM
Sorry Styl but Hippy's version looks more professional by far. Do we need to vote on it?
NightTrainthedark
Reply #55 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:35 PM
Reply #55 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:35 PM
I dunno Hippy, no disrespect but the grain shows on Styl's image but not on yours. Even when put right next to each other.
Styl-X Design
Reply #56 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:41 PM
Reply #56 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:41 PM
NT, that is indeed the compression of the .jpg file. Thats the small price for not using gradients. The file wasn't saved at its maximum to keep the file size low.
Styl-X Design
Reply #57 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:42 PM
Reply #57 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:42 PM
And btw, I really, honestly think that hippy's piece looks a bit 'flat'... probably see the depht of my piece as I created it and know in what the idea behind it is.
NightTrainthedark
Reply #58 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:45 PM
Reply #58 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:45 PM
It does make sense Styl , I just couldnt imagine you were looking at the same thing I was, insisting there was no grain was making me laugh. Thats why I was curious about your monitor. 
Styl-X Design
Reply #59 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:49 PM
After all, this is a project for the client so its about how he thinks about it. If he feels like switching to skinplant because their skin is better, I am not going to stop him.
Reply #59 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:49 PM
After all, this is a project for the client so its about how he thinks about it. If he feels like switching to skinplant because their skin is better, I am not going to stop him.
NightTrainthedark
Reply #60 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:50 PM
That is one patient client.
Reply #60 Thursday, September 9, 2004 6:50 PM
| I have to say Style, that I've seen "Quick Previews" of that skin for a long while now, and it seems that it hasnt changed much over the course of time... |
That is one patient client.
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
|
|
Page 3 of 7 | |
|
|---|
Reply #41 Thursday, September 9, 2004 3:12 PM
Not trying to slam your sk!||z or anything Styl, but I do think that the theme needs some more highlight work, and more beveling.