Menu Title Issues also documentation
Monday, November 28, 2005 by Spagnacious | Discussion: WindowBlinds
1. I don't seem to find any documentation on setting the font of a Menu TITLE (not pulldown) font. Can this be done?
2. Same with space between menu title items.
3. Same with menu title bar height.
4. Does anyone know of a way to get the generated SkinStudio "help" tree to expand completely so that it can be searched with control 'F'?
5. Is there any sample/template/example .UIS file that has ALL the possible parameters in it?
I'll shut up now. Partial answers gratefully accepted.
Thanks for any help!
PS - Can these forums (only) be searched? (I am sure this is going to be something simple that I have missed)
2. Same with space between menu title items.
3. Same with menu title bar height.
4. Does anyone know of a way to get the generated SkinStudio "help" tree to expand completely so that it can be searched with control 'F'?
5. Is there any sample/template/example .UIS file that has ALL the possible parameters in it?
I'll shut up now. Partial answers gratefully accepted.
Thanks for any help!
PS - Can these forums (only) be searched? (I am sure this is going to be something simple that I have missed)
Spagnacious
Reply #2 Monday, November 28, 2005 2:43 PM
Reply #2 Monday, November 28, 2005 2:43 PM
Thanks Wizop. I have tried the parameter you indicate and see no effect at all. I will try to figure out why.
On item 3., I have seen different skins with different sized menu bars so I know the height has to get changed in SOME manner. Could it be that a larger bitmap "pushes" the bar to greater height?
On item 4., the file I am referring to is the HTML that can be generated when you go into HELP on SkinStudio (it's the Specification). It is all collapsed and would take forever to expand one click at a time. As far as I know there IS no documentation for Windowblinds other than lore and a few out of date tutorials by outside folks. If I am wrong and you can point me at a wonderful user's guide I will be forever grateful. Stardock products have without a doubt the "strangest" (using the nicest word I can think of) documentation of just about any products I have used. I guess it's all they can handle to make a great product.
Thanks again.....
On item 3., I have seen different skins with different sized menu bars so I know the height has to get changed in SOME manner. Could it be that a larger bitmap "pushes" the bar to greater height?
On item 4., the file I am referring to is the HTML that can be generated when you go into HELP on SkinStudio (it's the Specification). It is all collapsed and would take forever to expand one click at a time. As far as I know there IS no documentation for Windowblinds other than lore and a few out of date tutorials by outside folks. If I am wrong and you can point me at a wonderful user's guide I will be forever grateful. Stardock products have without a doubt the "strangest" (using the nicest word I can think of) documentation of just about any products I have used. I guess it's all they can handle to make a great product.
Thanks again.....
Koasati
Reply #3 Monday, November 28, 2005 3:25 PM
Reply #3 Monday, November 28, 2005 3:25 PM
| On item 3., I have seen different skins with different sized menu bars so I know the height has to get changed in SOME manner. Could it be that a larger bitmap "pushes" the bar to greater height? |
That's quite possible. I haven't messed with the menubar lately, and things tend to get blurry in my mind. There's so much to know.......
| On item 4., the file I am referring to is the HTML that can be generated when you go into HELP on SkinStudio (it's the Specification). It is all collapsed and would take forever to expand one click at a time. |
Oh that...... I don't know.
I know of no up to date, documentation anywhere. Any docs on WB would have to updated almost weekly, to be current. 
It's pretty much figure it out for yourself, and ask questions.
Sorry, I don't feel like I'm much help.
Daiwa
Reply #4 Monday, November 28, 2005 9:05 PM
Reply #4 Monday, November 28, 2005 9:05 PM
I can help with 2 & 3.
The menubar height is dependent on the sizing/content margins of the menubar background image, the font size used and the top/bottom sizing margins for the menubar buttons (Bar items). Play around with those & I think you'll see it vary.
The spacing between items on the menu bar depends on the left/right content margins for the menubar buttons. If you use visible buttons for the normal state and you want to increase the space between buttons, you'd need to use a button image that includes pixels on either side that "match" the bar background & set the content margins so that the text is confined to the part you want to "be" the button. I generally prefer skins that have a transparent normal image so that the only time you see the button is on mouseover/pressed, but preferences vary.
Cheers,
Daiwa
The menubar height is dependent on the sizing/content margins of the menubar background image, the font size used and the top/bottom sizing margins for the menubar buttons (Bar items). Play around with those & I think you'll see it vary.
The spacing between items on the menu bar depends on the left/right content margins for the menubar buttons. If you use visible buttons for the normal state and you want to increase the space between buttons, you'd need to use a button image that includes pixels on either side that "match" the bar background & set the content margins so that the text is confined to the part you want to "be" the button. I generally prefer skins that have a transparent normal image so that the only time you see the button is on mouseover/pressed, but preferences vary.
Cheers,
Daiwa
Spagnacious
Reply #5 Monday, November 28, 2005 11:45 PM
Reply #5 Monday, November 28, 2005 11:45 PM
Diawa, this is great!
The menu bar seems to be the most cantancerous of all.
You seem to have this text stuff well in hand.
Can you tell me what parameter determines the Programs side ot the XP start menu (not Places or Other Programs)?
Can you tell me how to make Tabs bigger?
Thanks again...the menu bar has been making me crazy!
The menu bar seems to be the most cantancerous of all.
You seem to have this text stuff well in hand.
Can you tell me what parameter determines the Programs side ot the XP start menu (not Places or Other Programs)?
Can you tell me how to make Tabs bigger?
Thanks again...the menu bar has been making me crazy!
Daiwa
Reply #7 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 12:53 AM
Reply #7 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 12:53 AM
Clyde -
You're welcome.
Which specific parameters are you looking to change on the Programs side? Do you mean the All Programs Menu?
With tabs, do you mean wider? That can be done using the content & sizing margins as well. As for taller, I'm not sure if that will change using the top/bottom content margins as I haven't tried that.
Cheers,
Daiwa
You're welcome.
Which specific parameters are you looking to change on the Programs side? Do you mean the All Programs Menu?
With tabs, do you mean wider? That can be done using the content & sizing margins as well. As for taller, I'm not sure if that will change using the top/bottom content margins as I haven't tried that.
Cheers,
Daiwa
Spagnacious
Reply #8 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 10:27 AM
Reply #8 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 10:27 AM
Nope, not the All Programs set. I find that there can be 3 different fonts/colors in the XP Start Menu. 1. 'All Programs', 2. 'Places', 3. 'Programs' (the left panel when first opened). I have been able to manipulate 'Places' and 'All Programs' but not this 'Programs' (left panel). Clear as mud?
TIA
TIA
Daiwa
Reply #9 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 10:30 PM
Reply #9 Tuesday, November 29, 2005 10:30 PM
That's interesting - how did you "manipulate" the fonts for Places & All Programs, if I may ask?
Cheers,
Daiwa
Cheers,
Daiwa
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Reply #1 Monday, November 28, 2005 11:07 AM
Menubar fonts?
In the left tree > Controls > Menus > Bar Items
Right tree > Text Settings
3. Same with menu title bar height.
Don't think there's any options for those.... I could be wrong.
Do you mean the Explorer tree?
There's a button at the top of the tab window, that reads "Fully expand the section tree" on mouse over.
ALL the possible parameters..... don't think so.