Help Making Bootskins

from WinCustomize Forums
Hey, I have a few quick Q's about making bootskins...

1) What's the best way to reduce quality, but still have a good look.

2) What are the steps towards saving the file in PS7

3) How should I match the coordinates of the progress bar bitmap to the white box outline (or whatever) that I make on the backdrop bitmap.

4) How can I convert it to .bootskin when I'm done.

Thanks a lot!
2,504 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
double thread

/me smacks his head on the desktop, then gives macrobyte a bill to pay jafo

1)sometimes hard to do. So far the best methods have been to use a single hue for the whole thing. but to automatically change a true color to to 4 bit image is trial and error. go through all the options and find the reduction and dithering method that works best.

2)don't know

3)trial and error, getting the coordinates in the image program helps get it close

4)through the bootskin dialogue (the menu in the upper left) or save the bootskin's folder in a zip file and rename the extension .bootskin


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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yea my computer messed up and posted it twice...internet connection problem
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
can i ask an ADMIN to delete one of these? thanks
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You have and he did...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
anyone else have any tips that aren't in the other threads? By the way, the questions I asked really aren't answered in the other threads...
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
http://martin.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=1886

...now give Jafo a dollar



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Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
1) The method I use is; create the image 1024 X 768 and then re-size it to 640 X 480. But keep in mind that when you convert the image to 16 colors the quality will be compromise, so try to use the least colors possible on the original image.

2) In PS7: After you re-size the image. On the top tool bar click on Image>Mode>Index Color
Set the values as follow:
Palette - Local (Selective)
Colors - 16
Forced - Black and White
Dither - Diffusion
Amount - 100%
Click 'OK' and then click File>Save as.. Give it a name and save it as .bmp. Check the 4bit box and click 'OK'
Now your image is ready to be used as a bookskin.

3) This is more of a 'save & test' procedure. A good way to get it right is to open the image on MS Paint and place the cursor on the top left corner of the inside outlined box. The coordinates will be display on the bottom bar. Write down the coordinates and then set the progressbar coordinates with the same values. Save it and test the boot skin. You'll probably be a little off to the left but you will see how much pixels to move over to get it centered.

4) After you have everything working. Zip the folder that contains the bootskin. Once it's zipped, change the extension from .zip to .bootskin by renaming it [eg. testbs.zip > testbs.bootskin]

I hope this helps
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks A_67! Yrag-- I'm not a fan of Joe User! And I tried to follow _Martin_'s advice on that site, but with no success! If Jafo wants a dollar, I'm sure if he sits in the gutter of a noisy, populated streetcorner with a cup and a smug look on his face, he'll get one. Or 2. Or 3. Or 4. Or a hug from a little girl.