GT3

a preview

from JoeUser Forums
Well in the spirit of experimentation I decided to test out this article making facility. As I am currrently engaged, amongst other things, in creating GT3 I thought I would offer some previews of the skin suite which will (approximately) mark my 1 year skinning anniversary. :CONGRAT:

So, without further ado, being a skinner not a writer, here are some samples of what is to come in the not too distant future...


the start menu - trying to stay reasonably close to the layout of GT2, but with extra sex appeal... :SURPRISED:


shellstyle images - these are perhaps the most significant departure from GT2 in some ways


the downloading progress animation - shown in context with the normal and light substyles ('light' here is a relative term)


a shot showing toolbar icons, custom throbber, and general windowiness - warning, it's quite a dark skin :LOL:


well now, what's this?


I haven't really started into the peripheral skins yet, but here is a sample of a prospective rainy candidate


a weeny preview of a GT3 logon



Well, that's more or less the state of play atm. The windowblind is 99% complete, just undergoing final testing and addition of a special feature that should be quite fun :) I hope to do a few other skins and dx objects to accompany the suite, although I'm not sure it will be as comprehensive as GT2 in that regard. Time, as ever, will tell.
windowblinds
74,782 views 82 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looking real good, my computer is anxious! :)
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Lookin'great! :)

Is it a requirement to remind me that the skin name is GT3 in so many places though? :NOTSURE:
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Very nice. Looking forward to the release.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, looking forward to the release as well

The substyle changer is just a little surprise feature I want to include in the windowblind upload. I won't say any more for now, although the phrase "substyle changer" does really rather give it away

As to the skin name being in "so many places" - well, on the windowblinds it's in 2 places, neither of which is seen terribly often. It's not on every visible window or anything. I have also taken pains to make sure it's not "in your face", it is a design element, not raw text, and part of the skin's identity. The point of having it in those places isn't so much to brand the skin as to make it more interesting. Take the start menu for example - if I didn't have the GT3 logo in that bottom left corner, I would feel that the object as a whole was unbalanced and would strive to find some other way to "design" that area. However, as I said before, I don't feel as tho it is just a simple "name" placement, to me it is a legitimate design element. Your mileage may vary

You might as well ask "is there a requirement to have that skin logo in the top right of the start menu?" The answer of course is "no, there is no requirement", and you're free to erase those elements after you download it, assuming the preponderance of said elements does not prevent you from doing so
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Amazing, it's skinners like you who push the boundaries further and set the bar higher for new skinners. Nice to see a perfect "role-model" skinner with your dedication. Well well well done mate!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Should have replied on your e-mail, since you included one of the pictures above, but haven't had time to answer all my mails lately. This looks even better than my wildest dreams, Tigerman. The toolbar buttons alone, are worth paying for, and I just love dark skins. Now I really know what I want for Christmas this year! Now, don't sit here and read, have a cup of tea on me, and back to to work! ;)
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have also taken pains to make sure it's not "in your face"


I was going to comment on that fact I just haven't had the time to get to a computer since I posted the first time. In the case of this skin the name is there but, it's kinda stylish. ;)

The ones that really bug me are skins that have, as you said, the name in plain text or in the title bar... :-||
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Fair enough TasT, I wasn't having a go, just explaining my reasoning. I do tend to rationalise alot of these issues as I'm going along and so it's quite a nice outlet to be able to explain some of my thought processes occasionally :)

I personally don't like branding on every single window, but, done sensitively, I can quite like it in a few key areas, such as the start menu and log off dialog. For me it can give a skin just that bit of extra identity or personality. But, like I say, it has to be done right. Anyway, with skinning as with everything else, you can't please all of the people all of the time - sometimes you have to find a happy medium. Although I guess the skinner always has the final word ;)
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Although I guess the skinner always has the final word


That my friend, is absolutly correct!

Also I wasn't trying to stir anything either, just letting you have my opinion..
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looking superb, I'm jumping up and down in anticipation!
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
My face...My face... It has fallen off of my head and has landed on the floor.
A massive puddle of drool is being distributed about the area.



This is the BEST looking theme I have ever seen.
Why in the world aren't you charging for this.
This is a premium package, and you really should.
If you do... I will pay and so will many many others.
:SURPRISED: :SURPRISED:
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not to put any pressure on you but... I think i am going to write and article on this!!! Can I have your permission to post it on winCustomize?????

(Also, I am still in the workds of creating a huge skin and art report, would you mind being a part of that?)
email you later!!!
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
o my, Phoon, what have I done to you? darn, I should have put a disclaimer in the article

maybe one day I would like to make a premium package, trouble is, whilst I am an ok skinner, I am a terrible businessman

write anything you like Joe, er, within reason obviously
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
whilst I am an ok skinner


Not! You are one elite skinner, and anyone saying otherwise, better have a d**n good argument. Don't you read comments? And what about ratings? Time for a little reminder, me thinks, and btw, congrats on submission no. 100 to Wincustomize!

As said, total submissions is 100 and 639825 total downloads, average rating 9, and of ALL your submissions, NONE is below 8. The numbers don't lie here, and look at this impressive list | www.wincustomize.com/myskins.asp?AuthorID=695407 | if you ever doubt that you are doing class A work. We all owe you, and I think you should go for it, and for the business part, I am sure the people of WC would give you premium help and advice. as they always do everyone.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
-----------------------------------------------------
This is the BEST looking theme I have ever seen.
Why in the world aren't you charging for this.
This is a premium package, and you really should.
If you do... I will pay and so will many many others.
-----------------------------------------------------

Phoon, you are absolutely right.
I'd pay for this if there were a charge upon this...

Tiggz, just continue doing what you can do best: skinning!
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nice Preview Tiggz. My Son and I can't wait for the Release.

@4letterword and Phoon. Do you think about the People in all over the World wich have a Minimum of Money to live?
E.g.: My Wife, my Son and I have €330 per Months to live. I am not able to pay for Skins like many other Windowblinds-Users all over the World. The Reason for a Skinner to make Skins should be Fun not Money.
My Son (age 12) has started to make his first own Skin. If it come true that I have to pay for the Top-Skins, I will not allow my Son to publish his first Skin in a few weeks or Months. Skinners should be a Family. Making Skins with Fun and share it with the Skinning-Community that should be the Reason for making Skins.
If a Friend ask you for Help, maybe to repair something in his House, do you ask him: How much you pay me?
Think about what I said.

>Sorry if my English is not correct but I think you will understand what I mean<

Martin Scheller
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
GT2.. ah yes it stood out well from the crowd .
The added '3D'..ness of GT3 is just gona be .... well a real test for my Video card.

'Exceptional' surely descibes the task - but the word falls short of Tiggz skill and imagination !

My desktop awaits.

Just v well done T !!
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yikes! :SURPRISED:
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Lookin' good Tiggz. :)
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
Excellent, Beautiful, a real eye catcher, thanx for the time you took designing this skin, look foward to seeing more of your work. Take Care.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I certainly have no problem with skin branding Tiggs....while I respect TasT's opinions on most issues,this is one subject I have to disagree on.(tho I am most likely in the minority here)
I think it adds identity. :)