Are Sub Styles Needed?

from WinCustomize Forums

Here's a little question I've been pondering so I hope someone can answer :-)

Your gonna think this is a long way round to do something but it's just something I got used to lol

I would start by creating a skin in SK5. When  I had finished I would duplicate it too create another substyle. I would then open this new substyle in SK6 and add all the elements for Vista. Now I still do this but use SKS7 instead of SK6.

If I was  just to create my skin in SK5 and then just open it in SK7 and add all the vista and 7 stuff, wouldn't the one style just apply properly for each OS? Do we have to make a seperate substyle for each?

Like I say, long way round to do something lol but I was curious about the need for seperate subs. Hope someone can answer me :-)

windowblinds
8,408 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

From my experience, you have to make separate substyles for XP and Vista/Windows 7.  I find that the start menu has to be significantly bigger for Vista and 7 than for XP.  And also, the width of the right and left panels in the start menu have to be different as well.  Also, the start menu logoff images are different in each OS.

What I do is make the XP skin in SKS 5, then import it into SKS 7, make a new substyle for Windows 7, and then make the changes/additions in that substyle.  I no longer have Vista, so I don't make a separate substyle for it, but will skin all the Vista elements, so that someone who has Vista, should, theoretically, have the Vista elements show. 

Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

jazzymjr is correct.

 I will say that in theory yes with careful planning it could be possible to due it with only 1 style I have several blind where I skinned everything and it worked well on both XP and Vista but before I uploaded I found a glitch so I had to create a sub-style to correct some font issues.However with the introduction of the superbar in Win7 changed the game beecause now if dont create a substyle you have to make taskbar buttons that will work at aprx. 30pix. high and 60pix. high which isnt a huge deal but I have had to make different buttons for Win7 in order to be completely happy and satisfied.

 Additionally (and Neil correct me if I am wrong) when you apply any given skin all the images in are loaded in your ram which with todays computers that have 4,6,8 etc.. gigs of ram it is not the same issue it used to be but...if you are Vista lets say there would be no reason for alot of lage images that are used in XP to be loaded in your ram.So a seperate sub-style can reduce the neede ram for a given skin.I do alot of animated startmenus so to reduce cpu and ram usage I sometimes create a non-anitaed substyle.Shewwwww that was a mouth full any hope it helps!!

A/V;)

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Just a few parts that behave differently between OS's:

Command bar buttons

Taskbar and buttons

System Tray arrow

Start Menu & mouseovers

 

...and that's just off the top of my head.

So, yes, it is worth it and necessary to create substyles.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

@Neil .. I use SK5 for XP because I like the way I can see the element on the skin and how it reacts, instead of it showing on a blank backround. I also like the way I can click an element and it takes me to the section instead of having to look for the section in SK7 ;)

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I will continue to make my XP versions in SKS 5 just as long as is possible. Mostly because of the nromalize filenames feature and the inteface navigation is infinitely more friendly.

 

btw Neil I have had quite an urgent post up for a few days now... a response would be great |-)

 

Mrrste... I would advise making substyles, no reason not to.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I will continue to make my XP versions in SKS 5 just as long as is possible. Mostly because of the nromalize filenames feature and the inteface navigation is infinitely more friendly.
End of quote
:thumbsup:

 

too bad he cant seem to spell :D

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I will continue to make my XP versions in SKS 5 just as long as is possible. Mostly because of the nromalize filenames feature and the inteface navigation is infinitely more friendly.
End of quote

Ditto here too. 

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I will continue to make my XP versions in SKS 5
End of quote

I wuz you guys! :inlove:

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

SKS 5 is a joy to skin XP in...SKS6 came in handy for the start menu animation...It ran at 100% cpu while it was open to the animation builder but it turned out great. B)