How do I make the recent programs list transparent?

from WinCustomize Forums
Hey all. I'm using the Arrow WB skin and I wanted to make the frequently used programs list transparent, kind of like the window borders are. I've seen this in a few other skins. How do I change this skin to have this feature? Thanks.
windowblinds
4,183 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The graphic for the program list background must be a transparent .tga or .png image first off, so you'd need to either convert it or replace it, and the transparency & translucency attributes must be enabled (using SkinStudio is the easiest way to do this).
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for your reply. So, when I open this skin in SkinStudio, the file is a .bmp and not a .tga or .png. I've tried several things...

1. I've opened the .bmp in Paint (that's all I have for image editing) and changed the color to 255,0,255 per the SkinStudio walkthrough.

2. I've tried clicking the "transparent" and "translucent" options in different combinations.

I get one of two things: First, I get a completely clear menu (not like the glass effect elsewhere in the skin). I can't see the icons or their text labels. Second, I get a dark grey menu, which is still opaque.

I'm completely new to SkinStudio, and I'm having trouble getting familiar with the program. Any other suggestions on how to get to a visible but translucent menu? Thanks again.
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh, and I've also tried to do the above mentioned things with a file imported from other skins that have this see-through menu, but I've had no luck.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For 1, only check transparent for a bitmap using magic pink. Note this will make it totally transparent, I am not sure if the text will be visible using this method.
For png image that when imported SKS will convert to needed tga, you must enable Start Panel Effects, it is below Size of the Programs list in section tab on the right of preview in SKS, select it then choose an effect from drop down below preview. Both transparent and translucent must be checked for png/tga images.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
MSPaint will save images in .png format, but I don't see a way to save transparency to the alpha channel in Paint, so I'm not sure if .png's created in Paint will have transparency.

You could try using Paint.NET, a free and much more robust image editor that I believe can handle transparency - just Google Paint.NET.

Good luck,