Transparancy

Does any one find it useful?

from WinCustomize Forums
After installing WB5, (and uninsalling it rather painfully).
I would like to ask does anyone think transparancey on borders, menus etc add anythig to your skinning experience?
I for one think that apart from being 'cool' from a technical standpoint that it's just annoying being able to see windows behind the foreground windows. Very much so if there is any text involved.
windowblinds
2,303 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It works well if the background and the skin itself are color compatible. And one window at a time to keep clutter down.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You either like it or you don't, just the same with animated sig's and avatars.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think it would be a lot more tolerable if the window borders could be not only alpha blended, but diffused as well so that the stuff showing through isn't in focus. For example, say every pixel should be based on the color of random pixel behind and within 5 pixels of it. I suppose such filters would add a bit too much overhead for today's processors, but maybe someday...

And while we're on someday, imagine how 3D and depth cues could be helped by subtle motion. If things sort of hovered behind the active window, slowly inching around at sub-pixel speeds, they would be more easily distinguishable from the active window based on relative motion. That would help some of the problems of transparency, too.

*pop* Ok, dream's over.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I agree about the transparency being a distraction, but, it is also very visually appealing. I, for one, don't want to go back to the C> promtp ! My idea would be to have the transparent borders enforce a defocus on what is behind them. That way you would get the added sense of depth that they provide, without the distraction of clearly discernable objects that take your focus away.