Get Me Started, Please.

from WinCustomize Forums
I want to make a wb. I have gone over most of the tutorials (downloaded all I could find) and I am just not sure where to start. Do I start with the buttons, windows...??? I think I am just to freaked to get going on this. Can someone tell me the best place to start?
windowblinds
3,145 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
uhhhh.....how about the START panel?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Po, I always start with the window frames, then go to the buttons, that way I can start developing a concept. Funny how I say "always". I've only submitted one skin, but I have made six. The one that I did submit didn't get to great of ratings, nor too many downloads or comments; so I haven't gotten the courage to show case any more...yet.

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
One good way, after you've gotten your concept firmly in mind is to alter an existing skin, piece by piece in Skin Studio. As Scorpio said, start with the window frames and the standard frame buttons. Then try the scroll bars. If that all looks good do the start bar. Just try the basic parts at first.

Save as you go!

Good luck.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i just discoverd that it beter to start with a wallpaper sized image of all the parts put to gether. start panel, task bar, screen shots of SkinStudios views of the windows to get the main elements of the skin and shutdown panel. that way you can see how every thing works together. keep it kind of plain and do fine detail when you get back to the studio. things like button states can wait till later after you have a buttons normal state that works with the rest of the skin. if you do just the start panel alone, how can you see if it looks good with the task bar till you have applied them? the answer is a design board of the fuller project. not just single elements. this has just done a great job for me and i think the skin i'm working on now is some of my best work so far. i have worked on several that i felt just didn't work well one i was ready to see what they looked like in use. this lead me to my design board concept. when i get ready to start my next skin i will try to post a copy. GOOD LUCK!
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Starting with the window frames and buttons sounds good. That's kinda where I been feelin' myself pulled towards. I really like the idea of laying it all out first, too. So, I'm gonna do the design board thing first.

Thanks
p.s.

.how about the START panel?


My Irish Grandmother used to do that to me. "What's for dinner?"
"Food."
"What kind?"
"The kind ya' eat."
Then she'd pop me in the head.
"What was that for?"
"Far a while."
She would have looked at your answer and said "It makes perfect sense. Whatsa matta, ya couldna figure dat out on yar own?"
Then she would have popped me in the head, again.
"Now what was THAT for?"
"T'ats far when I didna catch ya."
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I like Nick's idea, one big picture first. Tried that with my last skin and it's turning out well (i think). Good luck Po! Happy skinning!!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
She would have looked at your answer and said "It makes perfect sense. Whatsa matta, ya couldna figure dat out on yar own?"


Po's Grandmother


Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm going to give it a go. I was just planning on taking one of the existing vista-esque skins and altering it piece by piece. What I will do first though is draw a template in photoshop so I know what its going to look like.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The most noticeable part of a WB skin is the window frame/border. This is where I always start, I then move on to the frame buttons, system buttons, start panel and bottom task bar.
Once I get these elements set everything else falls into place.