Translucency issues

from Stardock Forums
Hi

I'm new to SkinStudio so maybe the answer to my question is staring me in the face, but I just can't see it.

Anyway, in case you need it, here's my system info:
OS: Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2 plus all subsequent updates
Stardock Software: SkinStudio Standard 5.0.0 Buld 1111, WindowBlinds 5.1
Graphics program: Macromedia Firwworks MX

And here's my problem:
I'm making a skin which looks like glass, and hence would need it to be translucent. So far I've only done the Active and Inactive titlebars. In Fireworks, the canvas background for the images is transparent. In the SkinStudio preview, it appears to be black, and in the "Stardock Skinstudio Skin Test" window, transparency appears to work except for at the corners where my caption bar is rounded. The image format is png, because that's all Fireworks supports and I can't afford Photoshop.

I can see two checkboxes in the corner of SkinStudio which say "Transparent" and "Translucent", but they are both disabled ("greyed out").

So could anyone help me with this problem please? Bare in mind that this is my first time with SS. I'm effectively "straight out of tyhe box" and I still smell like new plastic. So keep things as detailed but as easy to understand as possible please!

Many thanks!
skinstudio
3,724 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It sounds like you are trying to add them to the standard Windows Borders section instead of the Windows Borders-Per Pixel section.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Ah, that's better. Thank you!

So, what's the difference between the standard and per-pixel sextions?

And fixing this problem has just caused a new one where the caption buttons have disappeared, but I see there's another topic about that. I'll have a look in there.
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So, what's the difference between the standard and per-pixel sextions?


Standard is for pre WB5 skins using bitmaps, Per Pixel is for WB5 skins to make glass, transparent window frames. Both must be skinned for a complete WB5 skin. The standard frames are needed for MDI apps as Per pixel is not supported in an MDI ( main will use WB5 but open windows in a MDI app need pre WB5 frames.)
The buttons for Per Pixel are also under Window Borders-Per Pixel. Again both standard and Per Pixel need to be skinned.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Well, today I went back to the skin. The last time I worked on it, the transparency worked fine after following your instructions. But now, after not changing a single thing, and with no visible automatic changes, it's doing it again - transparency works except for the areas where it is 100% transparent.

Any idea what's up?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Now that you are in the per Pixel section for the frames, you need to check both transparent and translucent for png/tga images.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
They are already checked.

Edit: D'oh! Sorted now. I see that as well as having to check the two checkboxes for the per-pixel section, you also have to set the Translucency Switch to "Translucency IS being used"

Thanks for all the help!
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Ok i'm new to This now..
I got a kewl new skin that i want to edit a bit.. all i want to do is make the inside window like glass not frames.. i looked at the start menu code as that is transparent but i couldn't implement it to the Personality code section so that... say when i open a window the (white area) is transparent and frames are normal... :/
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You cant make the inside of the windows transparent with WB.