Windowblinds Trial - can't make up my mind to buy or not

Searching for Professional Looking Skins

from Stardock Forums
Hi,

Can somebody from stardock maybe recomend really slick, minimalistic looking skins for Windowblinds. Colorscheme should be using dark grey or black and should be rather flat style. Something like Vista Classic or like this (although this one isn't quite right either - uses some sh*tty glow in the title bar)

I'm looking for skins designed by UI pros and - these skins must exist somewhere, but I couldn't find them - I looked for over 6 hours, tried most of the Vista skins - but most of them were just not usable - didn't feel nice to use, nothing like Vista Classic. Either the colorscheme was f'ked or they used some different fonts. And since I'm using the trial - I couldn't really play around with the UI colors.

I am interested in Object Desktop, but I really want to try out some neat skins first. So some links to skins designed by real UI designers would be nice. I already had a look at wincustomize, but couldn't find anything suitable. I don't mind paying for skins (already looked at premium skins) as long as they are well designed and not only look good as a screenshot.

Thanks

windowblinds
3,522 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
You need this.

If that doesn't work, you could always open your wallet and let the skinners know how much you're willing to pay to create a skin for your total satisfaction.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There are many minimalistic skins out there.

One of my favorites....

Link
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Give Aerial a try, superb black skin, very easy on the eye for everyday use, I've been using it for many months.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I will mention some excellent Skins that have sttod the test of time and remain highly usable to this day StealthOS by Mike Bryant (black skin), Blackcomb by TheGreenReaper, Cubism by adni18 and CyberSkin by adni18. I also love a large number of other skins. Only the first one I gave you is black. The other have different coloring. Try them give them a chance. "aerial" by danilloOc is definately a black skin of the highest quality. WinCutomize has the highest quality skins around.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
so does DA if you cant find what you are looking for here
here is a very nice minimalist skin
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/40801410/
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Thx for all the replies!

I already used Skin Studio to convert non-wb skins. I tried so many skins, VistaXP, Vista Plus v2, PristineOS, RoyaleVista and then a few non-wb ones. All looked nice as screenshots, but were not really usable, some messed up fonts in Firefox and other apps, colorscheme looked washed, etc.

Island Dog, thx for that link - looks nice and is very well done, but a bit too much bevel for my taste.

Threi, thx for the link - looks nice as a screenshot, but I tried it, fonts are a bit too small (I'm using hires), and some UI elements need a bit more padding.

Fedorov999, BigDogBigFeet - thx for that link. Aerial is the best one so far, looks good and is usable - this is what I'm currently using. Doesn't mess up fonts and apps, and colorscheme is perfect. Are there anymore skins of similar quality like Aerial?

Thx again for the quick replies.


Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ares by Mike B @ GUI website is the one i am currently using and LOVE
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Found another great skin (pico tea): http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/39521812/

I think this is the best one so far and very customisable.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
I keep trying new skins but ALWAYS go back to Aerial, so clean, smooth and simple, very usable for everything you do on your machine.

Check out: http://www.guichamps.com/skins2006.asp?category=WindowBlinds

DanillooC who made the Aerial skin has entered a new one in this years competition called Acryllic, you'll find some other awesome new ones on there.
I tried Acryllic and it is very nice but still went back to his Aerial, love that black
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Best minimal skin I've used was FlyOS from the last GUI Olympics. It's not black but it's very well done.