WindowFX 3 preview!

Beta already on Object Desktop...

from WinCustomize Forums

If you have Object Desktop make sure you try out the WindowFX 3 (2.89 is the current one).  We're gearing up for WindowFX 3 and it has some pretty cool stuff.  It will require a good video card in order to make the most use of and right now it works a bit better on ATI cards than nVidia cards.

First thing is that it has a much cleaner interface including a wizard to guide new users through the process so that they know what it can and can't do and recognize what might be overdoing it (i.e. turning on every effect at once may not be a good idea)

 

We had this feature in before Windows Vista added it. Mouse over previews of what's in the taskbar.

 

   

Similarly, new alt-tab options for displaying currently running windows live.

 

This is probably one of my favorites - a bunch of new, subtle open and close animations that work very nicely.

We're still putting the final touches on WindowFX 3.  It's very cool but it isn't for everyone as you need a decent hardware set up to make the most out of it and you need to be savvy enough to know what features you'll want to use and which ones you don't (i.e. different people will want different effects -- some people might want shadows under their windows, others might want swaying windows, others may want to mix and match).

If you don't have Object Desktop, you can get it at www.objectdesktop.com

20,925 views 41 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have been using this build (2.89) since a long time .. and the joy of using it cannot be capture in the words!!!

Looking forward for the release -- and thanks in advance
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just purchased OD yesterday, checked out the beta & it was fine.
But I did have an issue with some skins which appeared with the bottom half blackend, and some windows were stuck on a small size.

The problem turned out to be the transitions, anyone had the problem?
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So will the shadows be re-enabled for per-pixel WB5 skins. I had no problems using the prior WFX version's shadows with WB5 per-pixel skins, but was disappointed to see that it is disabled in the WFX version 3 betas. I don't like using skins that make the shadows part of the border because WB5 does it all wrong. The shadow shouldn't be part of the resize handle.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Where do we download the 2.89 beta version?

Through Stardock Central. Mind you, you have to have an ODNT subscription.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've been enjoying WindowFX for a long time -- especially the shadow feature. It's nice having windows which appear to be hovering above other objects.

My concern though is that a recent build of WFX I tried out no longer has an awesome feature that can be found on a previous build-- the ability to right-click on a window and "set transparency" on the fly. One of the more current releases now requires that you go into WFX to set the transparency for an application -- it would be nice to have both features available. Losing the on-the-fly transparency effect is a bummer, which is why I've decided to stay with the previous build instead of the current release.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Great job.  The taskbar preview is great.

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
We had this feature in before Windows Vista added it.


Don't feel bad about that at all. Microsoft is notorious for adding "new" features to it's software that have already been implemented in other operating systems, office software, browsers....you name it.

3D desktops have been around for a bit, tabbed browsers ....please!! Windows itself is nothing but a rip off from the original Mac OS.

Keep up the good work.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
3D desktops have been around for a bit, tabbed browsers ....please!! Windows itself is nothing but a rip off from the original Mac OS.


Shouldn't you be worshiping the ground Steve Jobs walks on.
I'm sure the cult, I mean, pack will miss you.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Come on. Relax. Please no MS vs Apple.
Just be happy that both platforms got the features. After all, it seems everybody wants them. So just be happy that they are there.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just stating simple facts, Venom. Microsoft likes to call it's new ideas "features" in it's upcoming products, that other people have already been using. I think they like to do that, because we've already purchased that software from other vendors, loved using it..and it's MS's way of trying to take that back. IMHO, folks like Stardock just do a much better job at coding the software, more reliable, better support contacts...and if the software dies, ya just restart the app..not the whole system!

No offense taken.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
#14 tells it like it is.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank for putting it in such a perfect perspective, just check out the time I posted the comment.
I was just on one of those moods, and not having slept a decent night in the last week didn't help.
But really, imagine the possiblities once Vista has been released, skins would be able to run off the 3D engine.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you take Looking Glass for instance, the 3D desktop environment for Linux, it's built completely on Java...and from what I've heard, you can now run it in Windows as well. There's also another that runs your desktop in a complete 3D sphere environment (forget the name of it at the moment). Which leads me to believe, if the programmers really wanted to stretch their wings, they don't have to rely on the core of the OS to provide the tools. If memory serves, doesn't WB already run it's own code for it's special effects?

But, indeed...what an OS can deliver does help in the overall standing of what it's companion software can do. But not always.

Can't wait to see what they (Stardock) come up with.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Good points,
Anyway one of the big reasons why I bought OD was because I had a friend tell me about the WindowFX beta.
Basically three things made me want to get it:

-WindowFX
-WindowBlinds
-Objectbar

Once I actually bought the package I saw how much programs actually come with OD,
It's a pretty damn good deal once you open SDC & check out the full list.
I haven't regretted buying it for a second.

You know something, to tell the truth I had fully working warez, no problem at all.
I didn't like the demo much, but once I got my hands on the full version I knew the devolpers deserve the money for the time they spend creating thier software.

(Plus I didn't want to have any problems after the install, & I knew buying it would give me that ease)

Hey the 3D Desktop is run by a program called SphereXP, I worked with Humar (The original creator) to code a snip of the API.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looking Glass on Windows? hmm... I'd thought we'd hear more about it then. But if it did, then: wicked!
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The app is fantastic.

Only bug I have

- not compatible with Live WB5 skin (black borders)
- not compatible with Springfolders (when animation for opeining windows are on)
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
First time using WindowFX and it has nice effects and it is very customizable!

Didn't notice any performance issues so far.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmmm, worried about the seemingly ATI-centric development... Give some of the developers NVIDIA cards!
I used the previous version of winfx but had to stop because update problems. Not sure if this was
general or just problems related to NVIDIA.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Loving this. ^^ Two bugs though:
* Doesn't take in to account tall taskbars docked to the top.
* Previews aren't always on top if the taskbar isn't.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The alt+tab is slow on my FX 5900XT, , it takes a while to show up the preview. I m using 2.89 beta... so i have been uisng the old atl+tab insted

the taskbar preview doesn't work with objectbar, 1.65, hope it works in objectbar 2