Graphic Creation

from WinCustomize Forums
Hi guys, yes im a newbie with all my newbie questions. Im really interested in learning more about graphic designing etc and the creation of all this awesome stuff (mainly desktop x). I was wondering if anyone could possibly share some knowledge or would know of a good site where i could do some reading. i do have many graphical programs on my comp, friend gave em all to me. i feel they should be very useful. i have most the macromedia and adobe programs. if anyone has any tips, links, or words of wisdom they are greatly appreciated. thanks a million. and if any of you are in the CT area please let me know i am willing to drive to see someone who does this and can teach me how. hope to see some posts!

-Shawn-
2,939 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I make all my themes in Photoshop. A good way to find out how a theme is made is to download one that you like, go to your themes folder in Desktop X and right click on the file and then open with winzip. Extract all the files inside to a new folder and then take a look inside that folder at all the graphics that make up the theme. You will then see how a particular effect is achieved in DesktopX and you can try it out for yourself. Also, if you right click any object in the theme when it's on your desktop, you can then click Properties, and look at all the settings that make the object behave the way it does.
Remember, even though the theme file ends with the extension ".dxtheme" it is really a re-named zip file, and that's why you can extract the files using Winzip.
I hope this helps......
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The need for an extremely comprehensive and in depth FAQ page becomes more obvious with every post I read in this forum. Hey, don't get me wrong, I'm not taking Jobelaca's place or nothin'

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WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Alright, I'm putting on some old Alice Cooper or Pat Benatar unless somebody stops me right now!

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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Okay I put on "America" which I might add is virtually impossible to buy a copy of.... thenk ya' ver' mush

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Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks Boxxxi but im looking more for an idea of how to make up the images that make up the themes. im looking to learn to make things in photoshop and paintshop type programs. im not very good at art in general but i always have ideas i would like to turn into something on the comp but i don't know how to go about it all. the stuff like pics of xp wallpapers that have this sphere with amazing graphical features and all. im looking to learn how to do that kinda stuff. recently i found a site with some basics n sort, but im lookin for somethin to be very simple to understand and be able to kinda turn me into a graphical pro. any tips etc appreciated. thanx again!

-Shawn-
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
smix....nothing 'simple' will turn you into a 'graphical pro', unless 'years of practice and experience' is 'simple'.

The understanding of and/or mastering of any medium is a fairly lengthy process...
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
PSP7 is a more than adequate program for this type of work and far less expensive than Photoshop.
I find it intuitive (slap me Jafo!) but I've used it from 1996 and version 4.
I should also add that my collection includes Corel 11,Illustrator 10,Photoshop 7,Canvas 8,Pixia,Painter 7 and DeepPaint!!!
No excuse for not turning somthing out now.

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Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree wombat_1, I've been using PSP since 6.0 and it's an awesome prog...

Each time I think I've mastered PSP I learn something new...which is amazing for such a cheap program...I hesitate to even call it *cheap* because it's soooo extensive!

Well, anyhoo...my two cents just spewed for all they are worth
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, I wish I had picked up Paint Shop Pro before I shelled out the big bucks for Photoshop. Got a lot to learn with it still, hoping to make something worthwhile with it soon!

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Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Listen to Jafo!
There are no tutorials that will make you a master.

I also think PSP roX!!
dark_s..... it's not cheap, it's inexpensive!
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I didn't say i needed to become a pro ... but i need something to start with, i decided to actually try the library and see if they have any books of use, i found a book on adobe photoshop 7 ... th dificult part now is the reading ... LoL ... any other suggestions? sources for learning or practicing?
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There are a fair few sites on interface design out there with tutorials you can apply to get nice results for DX themes.

A couple of Photoshop ones I personally used:

http://www.eyeball-design.com

http://www.phong.com/index.php

and a PSP one :

http://www.pinoy7.com

For best results learn to use any vector tools and layers in the Paint packages. And don't let the effects be the main part of an image. They should be complimentary to an already good looking piece.

Don't get frustrated because you can't turn out pictures like the masters on this site in the first few days. Learning to make good looking interfaces takes time and practice. As you do the tutorials play with the values to see what changing them does. Don't just do one tutorial and move on to the next without learning what each part of it does and how you can use it to combine with other techniques.

Above all have fun.

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