Object Dock New to this, but ah, where's the ease of use option?

Tip : ObjectDock\Themes

Start here: Corky's the best!
http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?p=1&view=2&sort=1&direction=0

All you should have to do is send the zip file to the backgrounds folder of objectdock and unzip it there. Once you have it there you should be able to apply the docks easily.

Okay guys thanks for the advice, but obviously when it comes to Object Dock for me, this software ain't cutting it yet. I will do my best to describe the problem. What I would like to do is have those previously mentioned Object Dock files work as intended. What happens is I follow your instructions to the letter. I place a copy of the download in the background folder and extract it. I now have two new subfolders one named AuraDocks and one named EclizDocks. With ObjectDock loaded I then try seeing if there is a new theme available from the configure menu. Nope nothing new there. I then check the My Docks option and Manage My Docks option to see if these Docks as they are called are available there. Nope nothing new available there either. So, I'm stumped. By the way I have Carbonix WindowBlinds theme and Encoded Icons loaded and they're great. I have learned to work with DesktopX and have made significant modifications to a number of Desktopx themes including trying my hand at some VB scripting (gef's DesktopX themes are great). So, I can learn. It's likely I am missing something. I have also tried de-installing and re-installing Object Dock Plus 1.3 and reregistering it. No luck. To the best of my knowledge WebGizmos I have followed your extracting instructions. What do you mean by you should be able to apply the docks easily? Looking for the missing link I haven't learned yet to have Object Dock find and load a new Aura Dock and a new Ecliz Dock. Any suggestions?

What works for me is: Download file to an easy to find folder, I have one titled "docks". extract/unzip the downloaded folder. copy the extracted folder to objectdock backgrounds. you may need to refresh. I'm not completly sure if having two of the same folder in the backgrounds folder will work. But I could be wrong. Good Luck!!!!!

This is the mini tutorial I did on working with the ObjectDock directory, and where to place files http://corkyo.wincustomize.com/Articles.aspx?SID=5463&AID=82930

For any theme, you will need to have the following:

1 - A background theme folder (usually named for the theme), which contains the background image files and a "background.ini" file. This folder is to be placed in the "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Backgrounds" folder.

2 - A theme ".ini" file bearing the theme name. This is to be placed in the "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Themes" folder.

3 - Either ".ico" or ".png" files used for the dock entries (icons). These are either placed in a custom made folder inside "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock" folder (i.e., "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\MyThemeImages" folder), or placed inside the supplied ""C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Images" folder.

Once all these files are in place, you can use the ObjectDock configuration panel "Load Theme" option to view and select the theme.

Note - this is specific for themes. If you are simply trying to install and select a dock "background", use #1 above.

Sorry, I forgot to mention.

If you want to install any docklets, you would place the docklet folder in the ""C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Docklets" folder.

BigDogBigFeet: Hang in there. It's a great program, once you get the hang of installing Backgrounds, Images, and Docklets.
See Link for detailed hint I posted. Hope it helps

If you run the program, you should get one or two docks on your desktop that are just generic, maybe one on the right that's not tabbed, and one somewhere else on the dt that's tabbed. At that point, I usually delete the untabbed one(using rightclick menu at dock itself) and work with one at a time. That same rightclick menu gives you a "
Dock Settings" option that takes you to a form "Object Dock Properties". Hit "Positioning". Select, say, TOP, Autohide, Normal Z-Ordering, to start. Now you should have a dock with some tabs on the top, in the middle, of your dt. From "positioning", now go to "Appearance" and select "Background, the tiny downarrow will expand the menu of available backgrounds to choose from. You'll see many available and should see any you've put there yourself. To see your icons/images you put in that folder, select an icon on your new dock, on the desktop, rightclick and choose "Dock Entry Properties". Select "Change Image", and you'll see all the Icons, images. That should get you going, if you haven't already figured it out by now with Corky O's great advice. Here's an example Link

Okay everyone thanks for the help. I'm starting to get it. Although it would be nice to see downloadable complete themes like DesktopX has. I have modified gef's Minimalism and Neomorph my two favorites right now and found it fairly easy to learn. I have found I can download image files and extract them properly so Object Dock can find them. I will do the same with background files. However, I would like to know how to use Systats2511 by Judge. I downloaded it and Systats Pack I. I then tried loading both as docklets. Systat loads with a "?" pic image, but doesn't appear to do anything. Systat pack won't load as a docklet, not recognized as a docklet by ObjectDock. Oh well I'll keep trying as I get time. Again, thanks for all the advice, its helping. Any clues on how to make use of Systat?

do you have Systats 2.5.2 (the program) installed?

I do not use that one, but I do know there is a "read-me" in the first version (and I believe in the version you are referring to), so I would suggest reading that to gain the proper instruction on placing the files and accessing the options.

Although it would be nice to see downloadable complete themes

There are, in gallery search click advanced search options. Themes for Object Dock are only useful if all the apps and programs you want on your dock are the same as the person who made and submitted the theme. There are some good icon packs for OD that you can download and make your own themes with.

Probably not. Where do I find it?

not sure. the link down at the bottom here: Link comes us as not found

Found it: Link

SysStats made me crazy...

BigDogBigFeet, just keep working at it. I ignored OD for quite a while until I begin to play around a bit with it. What turned me off were the ugly icons that come with the program and the way it automatically starts you out on the bottom right on top of your taskbar. Once I begin to understand the difference between regular docks, which I prefer, and tabbed docks along with the ability to place your docks along the sides I started to become interested. What really moved me into the camp was when I starting loading my own icons and adding little things like spinning them around and highlighting them. I put all my icons into the theme folder in Icon Packager even if they aren't yet in a useable form for that program. That way I always know where all my icons are regardless of which program I am using them with.

Here's my own suggested route to start in on OD. Download some docks into the OD theme folder. When you open the zip file and click on the included program it will automatically install itself in the theme folder. Then you can delete the zip file. Open OD, got to My Docks and create a regular dock. It will show up at the bottom. Go to the edit and start by moving the dock to one of the sides. You might want to lower the amount that the icons come popping out when you do a mouse over until you get everything else set up. Try putting some of your program icons onto the docks to get the feel of dragging. And get rid of those butt ugly mushrooms that come installed. Right click on an icon and open the OD properties window at the very bottom of the menu. You'll see where it allows you to change the icon if you want. Then try changing the style of the dock under appearances. You can also change the color and play around with the slider that controls the transparency. Try full transparency and see if you like that. Check out the other controls to decide if you want to see running programs in your dock along with the other choices. Start putting docks in different places to see the effect. What really pulls everything together are the icons. And be sure to look at the sceen shots that people share here to see what others have done with OD. Have fun.

Shame on me... I confused someting. Of course it is 'Backgrounds' the things go to...

I appreciate the link to Systats, but I can't find anything that allows downloading of Systats. I keep getting redirected to other sights that offer widgets and gadgets based on Systats, is this a sign of things to come...? Could be, huh?

Okay, I think I really do have Systats 2.5.11, I'll see if I can get it to work. See Comment #19 above, just didn't look carefully enough. I have Systats, pretty sure, I'll try reading the instructions or any readmes that come with it.