WB skin mockup

from Stardock Forums
Hi, i was wondering if this was possible to do in windows blinds (the transparent border)? Its similar to the vista skins i see everwhere, however its more minimal.

http://img136.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=83289_Windows_Blinds_idea_122_491lo.jpg

thanks in advance
windowblinds
2,245 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Just curious....with no menu and no buttons how would you close/minimize/maximize windows and with no title bar how can you identify which window your in unless you already know the contents and how would you drag it to a new position?

Having said that, I believe it could be done, just not sure it'd be usable.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I just wanted to find out if that border was possible first, no point going to all the trouble of designing a full skin just to find out i cant do it.

About usability. Everything, apart from the transparent borders, is real. The menu for the videoplayer appears when i right click the video, the menu for the music player is in the systemtray icon and I dont need any buttons for my windows explorer, the only thing i do use is "backspace" occasionally. I prefer the minimalist approach, looks cleaner and sleeker in my opinion.

Thx, i'll download windows blinds and try making it.
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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Thx, i'll download windows blinds and try making it.

Best of luck trying to create a skin with WindowBlinds. That isn't the program you need. What you need is SkinStudio.   

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
LOL, ye your right haha. Im a windowsblinds noob, I usually use uxtheme patcher since it uses far less resources. Thx, Skin studio it is then...
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
actually, i used to do a lot of microcontroller programming back when serial mice were the only thing around. i need both COM ports to debug our stuff. this meant no mouse in windows. it's fairly easy to control windows.

Alt + Space N (minimize)
Alt + Space X (maximize)
Alt + F4 (close)

and of course Alt + Tab to get to your window

much faster than using the mouse but you have to be a keyboard guy

if you want something minimal, start with my "pico tea" skin as a base. use the glass clear sub. adjust the alpha channel of the min/max/close buttons to 0x010101 to make them invinsible but also clickable if you wanted. set the sysicon X offset to -100 or something to essentially hide it. that would be a quick proof of concept. i think though pico tea's default would look very good with your mockup. it's ultra-flat and white.

here's the link on DA: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/43228398
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Pico Tea is an awesome skin (all of 'em) and should work well with what you're trying to do.