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SkinStudio 6 Preview!

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SkinStudio 6 Preview!

A whole new world

from WinCustomize Forums

Introduction

SkinStudio is a program that allows users to create visual styles for Windows XP and Windows Vista. These visual styles are applied by the popular GUI skinning program, WindowBlinds.  A fully complete visual style will change the title bars, borders, push buttons, scrollbars, Start bar, Start menu, and virtually every other part of the Windows GUI.

SkinStudio 6 represents a complete rewrite of previous versions of SkinStudio.  The new version is designed to make it much easier for new users to get into skinning. Skinners can change as much or little of the GUI as they choose and SkinStudio will fill in the rest for them. A new skin can take a matter of minutes or weeks depending on how sophisticated the skin is.


The new interface of SkinStudio


The old interface of SkinStudio

A Tour of SkinStudio 6

SkinStudio 6 takes on a much more task-oriented design.  Rather than the user being overwhelmed with information by seeing all elements of the visual style at once, SkinStudio 6 instead takes the user step by step through the skin.


Editing controls

Each element shows either (or both) a Windows XP logo or a Windows Vista logo to let the skin author know which features are supported under which operating system.  Moreover, when editing a particular element, the interface is clean and to the point.


What can and can't be changed is very straight forward.

Moreover, each section will be tied to a particular part of the SkinStudio portion of the Customization Wiki. In this way, users can instantly get help making skins from not just Stardock but the entire skinning community.


Editing the IE7 tabs & Vista Controls

SkinStudio 6 is being designed with the upcoming WindowBlinds 6 in mind. All the new Windows Vista controls, Internet Explorer 7 controls and more will be easily editable. No more trying to figure out how to support the latest/greatest features.


Elements available to be skinned are now easily accessible

One of the most common complaints about WindowBlinds skins is that many skins didn't support many of the features.  This was often because the previous SkinStudio was designed at at time when WindowBlinds was much simpler and as more features were added, the newer features began to get buried in the UI.  The new SkinStudio design makes these new features much more accessible.

We're going to need your help

Because SkinStudio 6 is such a radical departure from the existing SkinStudio design, we are going to need a lot of feedback on this.  SkinStudio 6 will be available in beta form on Object Desktop on July 18th (2007).

31,249 views 48 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Awwwwesommmme        I can't wait as I am addicted to this whole skinstudio thing. I might even be able to learn how to finish a complete skin without having to use the win xp stuff(modified). I am having real troubles with designing buttons as some just won't work as the size or format is different than the default ones so I am really looking forward to checking this out.Then maybe I can make my visions actually come out the way I want them and not always look so win xp like.thx again
Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Test it - SURE! I'll take this to where no skinner has gone before...
I have a massive library of skins that need to be worked on. That and if I can forget about work too! But this looks like a good work and everyone is to be thanked highly for all they have done. Looks very well made and has the best Vista skinning issue's resolved - it seems.
This is one of the reasons I renewed my subscription for 2 more years here at Stardock also!

Excellent work pep's! Love ya!

SGT  
Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is great news. With old skin studio I found it difficult to make skins.
This sounds like it will make skinning WindowBlinds somewhat easier and opens the door for even more users to try making WindowBlinds.
Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Might actually try to finish one the skins I started a year or so ago.......
Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This sounds like it will make skinning WindowBlinds somewhat easier and opens the door for even more users to try making WindowBlinds.


Zubaz waits for the inevitable forums posts of "Now that everyone can make skins all I see is crap skins" 
Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks rather exciting ... less intimidating...and I think it will indeed open the door for a lot more to try their hand at making a windowblind.
Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"One more day... one more day... one more day..."

Thats all I have to tell myself now right?
Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ive always wanted to create my own skins but the current skin studio was too intimidating to use. This new version is very simplistic, so simplistic that I am sure a 5 year old can figure it out, maybe younger
Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am eagerly awaiting it's arrival! However, at the risk of being politically incorrect, I hope the new "ease" of SKS does not provoke a rash of substandard skins. Hopefully it will have the opposite effect and just make a challenging task less complicated.
Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am eagerly awaiting it's arrival! However, at the risk of being politically incorrect, I hope the new "ease" of SKS does not provoke a rash of substandard skins. Hopefully it will have the opposite effect and just make a challenging task less complicated.


You do raise a good point. Just because the software used to put the skin together got easier to use, it doesn't mean that people are suddenly going to know how to use Photoshop to make the different parts.
Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am waiting. Hours away!
Sooner than later would be nice.
Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It will not be coming today.  Expect it early next week instead (We are still tweaking some bits)

Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It will not be coming today. Expect it early next week instead







Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top
forgive me, but my post seems to have been lost in the anticipation

Is it now possible to increase the size of the folder icons on the left pane of Windows Explorer? The folder tree, if you will. There are so many wonderful icons sets here, and they get lost in that little 16x16 pic, or whatever size...very small.
Reply #41 from WinCustomize Forums Top
looks very impresive, cant wait to try it out! wohoooo!!  
Reply #42 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I might try making my first skin with this gem...
Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ooo i might have to sign up to object desktop again just to play with this, it looks and sounds fab!

This is what i love about stardock
Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can't wait. I am finally going to try my hand at skinning some windowblinds.
Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's july 21st. How can I get this? I've seen nothing on Stardock Central. And PLEASE, I love all the programs you do, just want to get this one FAST. Where?
Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It's july 21st. How can I get this? I've seen nothing on Stardock Central. And PLEASE, I love all the programs you do, just want to get this one FAST. Where?



It will not be coming today.  Expect it early next week instead (We are still tweaking some bits)




Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow, this looks GREAT!!!

I understand that you need to ensure it is ready to release.

But, can you give us an updated ETA?

Thanks