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WindowBlinds 5 BETA 2 available

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WindowBlinds 5 BETA 2 available

Animation, 64-bit Windows support, and more!

from WinCustomize Forums

Stardock has released WindowBlinds 5 beta 2 this week.  WindowBlinds 5 is designed to customize the look & feel of the Windows GUI.  The new version has been completely re-architected to be significantly faster, have more features, and provide new effects for skinners. 

Beta 2 includes a host of bug fixes, performance optimizations, and more. Here are some highlights:

  • 64-bit Windows support
  • Per-Pixel frame and title bar animation support (skinners can create some really cool animated title bars and borders now).
  • New WindowBlinds config can switch back to Windows XP style
  • Updated WindowBlinds config makes new options easier to see.
  • Adobe CS2 support enhanced
  • Fixed AdMuncher issue
  • Toolbar skin installation improved
  • Full screen background per pixel support for shutdown dialog.
  • Lots of bugs fixed.
  • New performance optimizations

The beta is currently only available for Object Desktop users (www.objectdesktop.com).  WindowBlinds 5 should be publicly available before the end of the year.

46,974 views 105 replies
Reply #51 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have Windows XP x64 Edition and this build DOES NOT WORK with x64!! I was told by Stardock that they are aware of the bug and that it will be fixed soon.
Reply #52 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hmmm, well I didn't see anyone else report this so here goes...

First off, I skipped a couple of updates because of the hassle (which still exists) but.. YAY!! the systray icon is back.

Second, I still have to uninstall WB from SDC, then delete the files in the WB directory, reboot and then install the update from SDC. If I just do the update, I get an error message saying that WB has not been installed correctly.

Thirdly, why is the Start Menu entry for windowblinds so bizarre. I don't remember exactly, but something like %%alluser/stardock%% ? That's not it, but what shows up isn't right either.
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #53 from WinCustomize Forums Top
something like %%alluser/stardock%% ?


I've gotten something like that on other programs before. I just renamed them.
Reply #54 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've recently run across a problem that happens with Access 2003, and only some WB skins.

The problem is that button clicks on the close, max/restore, and minimize buttons on the title bar don't work.

The skins I've found that have this issue are: Arrow, Longhorn 5203, Noire, Rusty Rooster, and Vista XP.

There may be others as I've only tested some, but many do work, like 5imple Alpha, Stealth OS, Thunderstorm, and Aura.
Reply #55 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Very Nice. (Sort of a delayed post on my part) WB5 Beta Builds have continually worked flawless for me. I've noticed the tray icon is included again. Thanks!
Reply #56 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Really? /me tries it out.
Reply #57 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok. I got it running, see you get this odd mixture of classic style and the skin you run with WB5. Most apparent when windows are not maximized. There's no skinning color to the buttons (GT3 skin) and the titlebar fades from grey to the dark grey of GT3, WITH the rolled and polished look. Kinda weird looking.
Reply #58 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok. I got it running, see you get this odd mixture of classic style and the skin you run with WB5. Most apparent when windows are not maximized. There's no skinning color to the buttons (GT3 skin) and the titlebar fades from grey to the dark grey of GT3, WITH the rolled and polished look. Kinda weird looking.


Sounds pretty strange to me. Do you get this effect with every skin you try to use?
Reply #59 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kinda different for each one so far, but generally-yes.
Reply #60 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kinda different for each one so far, but generally-yes.
Reply #61 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kinda different for each one so far, but generally-yes.



Interesting scorpio-logic. If you haven't already you should post a topic on the support forum about it. Would probably be best to try and troubleshoot the issue in it's own thread with it's own topic. .. I'm not a support tech for Stardock based products by any means.. So take everything I say as only suggestion. Do you have the most recent drivers installed for your graphics card? Do you have a fairly new version (If not the latest) version of DirectX installed? Those are things that with my limtied knowledge about WindowBlinds could make a difference in everything. You may also want to try to uninstall WB5 Beta entirely and then reboot. And then when you come back up install a fresh copy to see if it doesn't help out some. Other than that, I dunno.
Reply #62 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can't get the beta 2, although I am an Object Desktop User. It just doesn't appear in Stardock Central. What's wrong here?
Reply #63 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can't get the beta 2, although I am an Object Desktop User. It just doesn't appear in Stardock Central. What's wrong here?


I don't really think it's listed as "Beta 2" in Stardock Central. I'm assuming it's the newest build that shows up for WindowBlinds 5. But, I'm not entirely sure. That would be my best guess, hopefully someone else can clarify for you.
Reply #64 from WinCustomize Forums Top

#36 by Daiwa (Sat, November 05, 2005 0:40 PM)
With the latest build of SDC (98) WB5 won't appear as available if WB4 is installed. Uninstall WB4 and both WB5 & WB4 will be shown as available on refresh. Conversely, if WB5 is installed, presumably WB4 won't be in the list. This approach should avoid some problems & confusion as only one version can be installed at any one time. Per Brian Harper @ SD. I don't remember seeing this in the SDC release notes, but at least it's fixed & now we know.


Just wanted to say thanks! This was the exact sollution needed and now I'm happy again!
Reply #65 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It would be nice to have the Outlook 2002 bug fixed.  Alternate months in calendar still appear black and unusable, makes the calendar useless
Reply #67 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok to clarify anyone else that's confused. At this current time of post the most current version of WindowBlinds 5 is 4.95[b].012
Reply #68 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It would be nice to have the Outlook 2002 bug fixed. Alternate months in calendar still appear black and unusable, makes the calendar useless

I whole-heartedly second this one.

No fun having to switch back to Luna just to have this valuable tool.

In case this issue has not been seen by developers, here are screenshots:

Outlook 2002 viewing December 2005 using StealthOS (version included with WB 5 beta)

Outlook 2002 viewing December 2005 using Luna

Note - WB 4.6 does not have this problem. Tested with the StealthOS version updated for WB 4.6.

Reply #69 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Installed it, and works great! The only matter so far is i can't change to a subskin anymore with the substylebutton provided in the GT3-skin. The only way to switch is to start WB and then change the skin.

An other matter is SDC. Isn't it possible to go back to WB 4.6? This is how SDC looks like on my system:
Reply #70 from WinCustomize Forums Top

theleader,

Your image did not post.

Normally, you would do the following to gain access to WB 4.6:

1 - Unload WindowBlinds and restore default Windows theme

2 - Uninstall WindowBlinds completely via Stardock Central

3 - Reboot computer

4 - Start Stardock Central and deselect the "Show pre-release versions" (this should drop access to WB5)

5 - Select and install WB 4

That should do it.

Reply #71 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Is working well for me with the exception of the Outlook problem. the previous and next months days are blacked out on all the custom skins I try. But at least its not blinking all over the desktop. Every now and then I get jitters when I have a rolled up app and I switch skins.
Reply #72 from WinCustomize Forums Top

theleader: The GT3 skin switcher built into the skin is not aware of changes made to WB5 and so it will not work with WB5.

Kevison: The Outlook issue should be resolved in future builds.  There is a minor colour scheme applying issue with the current builds which is making certain system colours turn black.

Reply #73 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kevison: The Outlook issue should be resolved in future builds. There is a minor colour scheme applying issue with the current builds which is making certain system colours turn black.



Ok, Im not worried about it as I dont use the calendar much. However about the jittering. Whenever I have an app(usually firefox or IE) rolled up and I change skins and then unroll the app. The application main content seems to jitter about. I close that application and bring it back up again and its fine. Not really a problem but it does seem to happen whenever I change skins.
Reply #75 from WinCustomize Forums Top

There is a bug in firefox which can cause its content to jump around.  This can happen with or without WindowBlinds.