Tutorial for EDITING WB skins?

from Stardock Forums
I have WB 5.1 and Skin Studio (standard).

I have no interest in creating skins from scratch but a lot of interest in editing skins I download to use.

SkinStudio is very hard for me to figure out where to go to edit certain things. For example:

Link 1

This is one having some grouped folders in taskbar and when clicking on the group to see what's there, I get what's in the picture (black box where the text is not visible). If I point the mouse in the black box I can then see the text but I want to see it all the time. The background either needs to be changed to a different color than black or the text color changed.

and this:

Link 2

Clicking on any folder shows that the text color or background color needs to be changed to see it better.

I have no idea how to change simple things like this in SkinStudio.

I've seen tutorials for SkinStudio for creating skins (I have a difficult time following it cause it seems to assume you already know how to do it) but none for people that just want to use it for editing. Would sure be nice if someone would make one, showing where to go to edit things like I have posted.

If anyone would be so kind to direct me where to go in SkinStudio to fix those two things I posted (so I can understand this better), it will be greatly appreciated.


Wish I could have just posted the screenshots straight into the forum but can't figure out how to do that.

I tried pasting this:


In most forums this will show the pic. What does it need in this forum to do this?
skinstudio
6,425 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm afraid if you can't follow the tutorial for building a skin, you won't follow a tute for editing. There's really no difference between creating and editing, other than the fact that you have a finished skin to work on.

There are people hanging around here that will try to help you, but you have to be specific.

For example:

http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ss2mt4.gif


You want to edit the taskbar, but you don't metion what you want to change, so how would anyone explain it?



and this:


I don't see a link, or an image...........??
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I think you read the first post while I was still fumbling around editing it trying to get the images to post instead of just links. It all works now if want to read it again. Sorry bout that.
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The second pic looks to be Aura, if it is the highlight on that skin is grey, not sure why you are getting blue, try reloading the skin.
For pic 1, in SkinStudio, Explorer tree, Taskbar, Taskbar group menu, Background. But again do not think it is a skin problem, try reloading.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In most forums this will show the pic. What does it need in this forum to do this?


click the 'insert image' button and paste in the http addy
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
The second one is Aura. I have my single mouse click as my Windows preferences. When pointing the mouse to a folder, the background is blue. Moving the mouse away then results in background being grey.

Directions on first link. I already tried that, it's where I thought the setting would be. Here is what shows.



Nothing there shows black (Big Sir skin).
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think you read the first post while I was still fumbling around editing it trying to get the images to post instead of just links. It all works now if want to read it again. Sorry bout that.


ahh.. OK.
What skin is in the first screenshot?
As Cavan said, the second SS appears to be Aura, and the highlight should not be blue. Have you made changes already? To change the that highlight, go to (left tree view) Miscellanenous > Colors. (right tree view) Selections > Background - Highlighted

As far as SkinStudio confusing you, join the club. Everyone finds it intimadating at first.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When pointing the mouse to a folder, the background is blue.


I believe that is the "Hot Tracking Color" in Selections.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just downloaded Big Sur, it has no image assigned for group menu, select one of the other menu images for it and then play with the size margins for it to get the right look.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Hot tracking. Got it! Changed it to a different shade so I could see the black text better.

One down, one to go.

Just downloaded Big Sur, it has no image assigned for group menu, select one of the other menu images for it and then play with the size margins for it to get the right look.


How is changing margin size going to change the black box?
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
Here it is again. If I point the mouse in the black box (and keep it there), an entry will show until I move the mouse away, then it's just black (with the icons showing).

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
How is changing margin size going to change the black box?


It won't, you need to assign an image for it first, with Taskbar group menu background image selected in section tab you can select image from drop down


Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
I did it.




You guys are way too cool! Man, everytime I open SkinStudio, I have a bottle of aspirin right next to me cause I know I'm going to get a headache trying to figure out whatever I'm trying to do.
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
Just noticed this. When I open the Start menu. Notice where it say programs. What's up with that?


Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The skinner is using a full image for the arrow graphic, and for whatever reason, it's not lining up properly on your machine.
(left tree) Start Panel > More Program Panel > Background
(right tree) Content Margins > try adjusting the Left margin to a 'negative' value. Start around -83, save and apply to test (the preview in SkinStudio won't show the change)
Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top
It won't let me go to a negative number. Zero is it.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Content Margins, not Sizing Margins......
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top
Thank you, that did it (ended up going to -122).

Here's another. This is happening with all my WB skins. Text to the right is cut off and no matter what size I adjust the text to, the box size also changes to keep the same text knocked off the right side. This happens on anything I right click on. If I unload WB and go back to Windows XP style, this displays the way it's supposed to.




Same shot using another skin.




And still another with WB unloaded and using stock Windows xp style: