SkinStudio 6 Beta 2 released

Too many tweaks to list

http://www.objectdesktop.com
from WinCustomize Forums

For the uninitiated: SkinStudio is a program that lets users creates skins to change the look & feel of the Windows GUI.  These skins are applied by the program called WindowBlinds.  Both WindowBlinds and SkinStudio come as part of the suite of programs called Object Desktop.

SkinStudio 6 is a complete rewrite of the program designed to make it much easier for users to make skins.  Over the years, as WindowBlinds got more powerful, the existing version of SkinStudio (versions 1 through 5) were extended and extended to the point where it was simply too complex for new artists to easily get into. 

SkinStudio 6, by contrast, has been re-designed so that skinners can skin Windows step by step.  And anything they choose not to skin is automatically skinned with the native elements of the OS (Aero on Vista, Luna on XP).

Beta 2 has tons of small changes  (and a few big ones like a tree view option and classic color choosing).  It's only available to users of Object Desktop presently.

The final version of SkinStudio will have a free version and a Pro version with additional functionality.  Let us know what you think.

11,091 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
and a few big ones like a tree view option and classic color choosing


Zubaz waits for the skinners to see this and rejoice


Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
looks good now i like the tree view added
it just miss some features like: "groups box" in control on sks5 i can't find it on sks6
if not i like it a lot now thank you so much Stardock to make it
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
good job stardock!   

any chance of adding and improving the support for creating windows media player skins?   
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I put this in the beta thread this morning, then Beta 2 comes out. After using Beta 2, these are still an issue, so I'll place them here also.

I noticed today, that whenever I want to put in a "Negative" number for any section, I get an error saying, "Please enter an interger".
If I need my margins to be ( -153 ), I don't really want to hit the button 153 times. I just want to type in -153.

Also, there needs to be an easier way to pull up skins. I have 2 choses,
1. I can click on "Open Skin" choose which skin I want, then choose which version of the WB I want.
2. I can click "File - open current windowblinds skin" then still have to choose which version I need to work on.
Both are time consuming because you have to do it every time you open Skin Studio.
Sure you have the "Recent skins" but you still have to choose which version to open, if you have more than one version in the folder. It's ok if you only have "one" version.

In the old version of Skin Studio, you could click a button and choose between the last 4 skins you were working on. It didn't matter if they were XP or Vista, it would keep the "Version" of the WB you were working on.

Just something to keep in mind.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Works with Photoshop but not with Paint Shop pro (7). Keep getting a message that it can't open the files.    I tried with TGA conversion and without. All skins, all images BMP, PNG or TGA. Nuthin.

Please dont forget the apply button. Propbably best in the new minimized skinning windows so you don't have to close and open them.

Beta 1 was crashing on me but Beta 2 seems to be working fine so far.

That was just plain cruel to take out the feature where you can click on the preview to navigate images. I just keep clicking and clicking and clicking.   

Now that this version is more stable for me, I'll have alot to say soon.   



Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Tree view and the apply button are a godsend

Does it now no longer save everything immediately?
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Does it now no longer save everything immediately?


No, it still does but the message said the final version will not.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Does it now no longer save everything immediately?


No, it still does but the message said the final version will not.



I would like to be able to double click on a category in the sidebar of the main window to bring up the sub-window instead of having to click the category, and then something else.

BUG when I click wallpaper management:
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I get a prompt that says SKS6 needs to have WB6 beta installed... and this right after i rebooted from a successful WB6 update.
SDC says I have both SKS6 & WB6 (SKS6: 5.92[b].010, WB6: 5.92[b].090) installed but still no go.

Any ideas or suggestions?
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I get a prompt that says SKS6 needs to have WB6 beta installed... and this right after i rebooted from a successful WB6 update.
SDC says I have both SKS6 & WB6 (SKS6: 5.92[b].010, WB6: 5.92[b].090) installed but still no go.

Any ideas or suggestions?


Give it a swift kick.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have the problem here too with PaintShop Pro, but version 11. I set it to be used in the preferences, but SKS 6 seems to forget the setting after closing and reopening. Also, once I do set it, whenever I try to open an image, PaintShop Pro 11 opens, but then closes by itself. Big problem for sure.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Tree view and the apply button are a godsend



What apply button? No button here at all.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
looks good now i like the tree view added
it just miss some features like: "groups box" in control on sks5 i can't find it on sks6
if not i like it a lot now thank you so much Stardock to make it


don't care found it
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I really hope these issues with being unable to open images in Paint Shop Pro are just hiccups.....
its my main and prefered graphics program and I dont want to have to learn how to use photoshop or be forced to buy it in order to use SS effectively. Please resolve this issue.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The test version forgets photoshop as primary editor. Also I want to know if the new version will allow skinners to skin content margins. My version of skin studio allows me to tweak those adjustments by the number, this test version does not.







I also like theme part details, that section has to be great for a newcomer.

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

When you see this, it is just jarring. If ClearType is on, it should be used everywhere..
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Give it a swift kick.
End of quote

Errr.... yeah... that was about as helpful as not getting help at all.
Still no workie though.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I wonder if they are looking at this thread? I don't see any answers to any questions, from people in the know.

Is it just me, or are there some things missing from SKS6?
I have yet to find the "Alt Tab, Drag Icon or the DragRect". I'm having to add these manually and sometimes they still don't work.

Also, this is probably a WB issue, but the "NavigationArrowsBackground", for Internet Explorer, isn't showing my image, just the default. Everything I've added to IE7 is working fine, except that.

Long way to go....