Stardock releases beta of StyleVista

For beta testers of Windows Vista

from JoeUser Forums

Stardock has released the first beta of a new program called StyleVista.  StyleVista allows Windows Vista beta users to alter the existing "Aero glass" interface to have different opacity levels and different colors.

By default, Windows Vista's new user interface has semi-transparent title bars and borders. While it looks quite cool, it is not currently configurable.  StyleVista enables users to change both the color and opacity (how transparent the title bars and borders are) of the GUI for the active and inactive window.

StyleVista is not similar to Stardock WindowBlinds which can change the actual skin of the GUI.  It alters the existing GUI. Stardock may make some of the features in StyleVista part of WindowBlinds 5 which is due to go into beta next month.

StyleVista is a free and can be downloaded at www.stylevista.net.

Screenshots:

Download: http://www.stylevista.net

14,510 views 25 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Another screenshot:

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow. That is pretty cool. Call me a butt kisser if you like, but I think that is great of Stardock to offer this to those testing Vista.
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I knew I could count on Stardock to have a cool feature in the works for Vista...
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can't believe you make this stuff so quick! The beta has only been out for, what a month! And you have a program for it already! Awsome. It's just to bad I'm not a tester...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Very cool!

Though I'm not a beta tester, I'm curious...based on the screenshots, this will allow you to adjust color and opacity for individual windows? So one could have a semi-transparent blue window, and another window simultaneously open that is a different color?
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Probably an inappropriate place .. however, while Stardock is at these cool new things, I wish they also released the KLP plugin SDK that was promised, hmm .. like what a year back or so.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Very cool stuff - I'm looking forward to seeing how much of this stuff is in WB5
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just signed up got the beta I'd like to see what the program can do in vista as well as help with the bug reports etc.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nice program, though the name does seem to be a bit of a play on StyleXP.


yeah. i just wondered about that too. anyway, dump that app. This one is better. and done in a very short time after Vista Beta was released. As always, Stardock RULES!!!
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hehe, a fellow reader of Penny-Arcade, I see.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
good work...but...hmmm

i just find those screens plain ugly...

i hope that Vista (combined with then latest version of Windowblinds) will be able to provide us, users, with handy and sleek looking enviroment rather then just another handfull of pointless (and rather poor looking) sfx...

i hope noone here will get me wrong - i am windows user and am relegiously runing object docs and windowblinds on my machines - i am just expecting too see much much more then just "blury glass" effect
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
good work...but...hmmm

i just find those screens plain ugly...

i hope that Vista (combined with then latest version of Windowblinds) will be able to provide us, users, with handy and sleek looking enviroment rather then just another handfull of pointless (and rather poor looking) sfx...

i hope noone here will get me wrong - i am windows user and am relegiously runing object docs and windowblinds on my machines - i am just expecting too see much much more then just "blury glass" effect


Well it is just a beta, this meant to show up what the OS will be cabable of.
And this beta 1 just shows some of the eye candy that Vista will provide.

I torrented a copy of Vista, and I was quite impressed...

Just wait for the final release before complaining about beta versions...
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
All I have to say, is, I love you, Stardock.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

can't believe you make this stuff so quick! The beta has only been out for, what a month! And you have a program for it already! Awsome.

My guess would be that Stardock's links with MS means they've had access to the new OS a little earlier than most...

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can someone tell me and forgive my ignorance what DWM is? Apparently I need it to run StyleVista!
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can someone tell me and forgive my ignorance what DWM is? Apparently I need it to run StyleVista!


"Desktop Windows Manager, formerly Desktop Compositing Engine"

Google is your friend.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Could you inform me into how to find something like Desktop Windows Manager, or Desktop Compositing Engine?
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can find DWM in the Windows Vista beta. In other words you have to wait till MS releases the next version of Windows.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I hate to say it, but when vista actually hits the market for buyers, and I install it on my computer, Im not sure im ever gonna want to use another WindowBlind, MSStyle, Visual Style, etc.... again.... With the glass effect, available, there isnt much u can do to make it look any better.... Either way, this program is pretty sweet! (at least for beta testers)
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok, there must be a hierarchy here. How do I get to be a beta tester, is there cost involved, and if there is, why isn't it explained to us silly-making of oneself a fool-just plain silly-novices? And why have an advert about StyleVista when us novices can't run it...?
Please someone correct me!
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I hate to say it, but when vista actually hits the market for buyers, and I install it on my computer, Im not sure im ever gonna want to use another WindowBlind, MSStyle, Visual Style, etc.... again.... With the glass effect, available, there isnt much u can do to make it look any better.... Either way, this program is pretty sweet! (at least for beta testers)


That's crazy. The idea that there is a single end-all; be-all; user-interface for everyone is anathama to the whole idea of personalization.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I hate to say it, but when vista actually hits the market for buyers, and I install it on my computer, Im not sure im ever gonna want to use another WindowBlind, MSStyle, Visual Style, etc.... again.... With the glass effect, available, there isnt much u can do to make it look any better.... Either way, this program is pretty sweet! (at least for beta testers)


i think you meant to say "there isn't much you can do to make it look any worse".

WB will be a godsend for Vista unless MS hires some real graphic designers.