What SKS 5 bits are missing from SKS 6

And if you had to rank them, how would you

from WinCustomize Forums
I was chatting with Niel and the question came up of what features/functions/etc were still missing from SKS6 that were there for SKS5.  Why are the two version still needed to create a skin?

So here is your chance to let him know what's missing. 
  • Are there times you have to go back or forth?  What for? 
  • Are there times you have to go into the code because there's no UI for it in SKS6?
  • Any thing else that might be keeping you from converting over?
Let's try to keep replies short and sweet so Niel can review them and address items if he can.  Also, let's not post things you don't like about SKS6 (like "I wish I could click on the preview and go to that section"); that's a separate post.  ;)

Thanks!
23,714 views 27 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
[EXTRAIMAGES]
Image=SkinName\extra_image.bmp

That contains the resize graphics placed in the lower right corner of a window.

Throbbers for the toolbar icons. (The animated windows flag in the upper right corner of Explorer in XP). This is listed as "Experimental" in SKS5.

[usericon]
This was also an "Experimental" setting in SKS5, where you can force a custom user pic to apply with a theme.

It also appears that for [PleaseWait.BackgroundPerPixel] - the options for:

TextShift=value
TextShiftY=value

are missing. They could be added under an "Extra" tab.

It would also be nice to be able to edit more under the [Personality] section. There was a section for this in SKS5. Or at least have it collected all in one place, in stead of all over the place in various sections in SKS6.

And to be able somewhere in SKS to add the UIFlashMode=1 code for Vista and on the buttons affected, be able to add NoFlash=1 with a checkbox under an "Extra" tab as in other places in SKS.

I think that's it for now I can think of.
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh, and for the record, I don't use SKS5 any more. Been using SKS6 for a loooong time now. I edit the code for the parts I still can't edit in SKS6, as mentioned above. :)
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Add a apply button to the color and font screens.

SKS5 had a direct link button to the skin folder in explorer. Would be a helpful feature in SKS6.

I sent a email to stardock support that has gone unresponded to.. see info here.

WWW Link

I have gotten very used to SKS6 and almost never open SKS5.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
[EXTRAIMAGES]
Image=SkinName\extra_image.bmp
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Thanks, Lasse! I spent hours searching for that bit in sks6! Finaly edited by opening the skin folder  :). All the time thinking to myself that I was a dope for not seeing it in sks.

Add a apply button to the color and font screens.
End of quote


Ditto that :)

I only use sks6. But so far only for skinning Vista......

By the way, is there the option to import sections into an exsisting skin in sks6. Like import startpanel A into WB B?
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Add a apply button to the color and font screens.
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 :) 

SKS5 had a direct link button to the skin folder in explorer. Would be a helpful feature in SKS6.
End of quote


 :) 


I still use 5 to skin XP fully.. and 6 for Vista.. both work just peachy for me. :HOT: 
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The 'missing' functions in SKS6 have been noted many times in various threads already.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Fonts for Classic Widgets.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The 'missing' functions in SKS6 have been noted many times in various threads already.
End of quote
But this is the one Neil is going to be looking at.  ;)
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Hmmm . . not as much as I understood it to be.  Cool.  :CONGRAT:

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Did Neil ever show up to read his thread? :LOL:
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am everywhere
End of quote


:LOL: I knew that.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not sure if it is relevant but I still open 5 to hide start panel shadow .I know it is in 6 but myself and several others open the skin in 5 disable start menu shadows then reopen in 6.(that is for XP)

The others already mentioned thanks .
A/V :)
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
extra images (those little dots in the corner) I haven't found that, don't think it is there?
End of quote
It's in there now. It's in the Scrollbar section, called the Sizing Grip.

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Need to be able to navigate by clicking the preview...oh wait,we were not supposed to say we need to be able to navigate by clicking the preview. ;) 

Even after you manage to find some obscure setting,its hell to remember wheere you found it...its maddening...the tree list has poor management...some things have the same damn name and nothing is alphabetized...it also isnt resizable like it was in SKS5...I dont want scrollbars in my tree.

Too much space is being wasted...its like being back on a 17 inch monitor. ;p 
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
^Totally agree. That's how I got around in SKS5, if it wasn't for that...I'd never have been able to do anything with it.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Actually being able to see the image you are working on AT ALL TIMES would help a lot...and show me ALL of it...not some squashed,truncated or chopped off end view...it jams all the content margins together and makes setting them visually impossible.

Without being able to see the image being edited,you start editing the wrong section sometimes...because you couldnt SEE where you were. ;) 
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The additional buttons section dosnt have a setting for vertically stacked images.
Vertically stacked images look bad in the short horizontal dropdown window. ;) 
Since some sections still dont support vertical images...a note in the edit window would help. :) 

Since I'm being so negative...I will say,the frame builder is fantastic. :HOT: 

There dont seem to be any alpha settings for images(0 thru 255)

I AM seeing alpha settings for text tho...if that works...you have done something amazing. :CONGRAT: 
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Minimum x value for text is gone...tho rarely used it was a last resort sometimes when content margins would work.

Text shift x,y settings would be nice.(for states that refuse to line their text up properly)Text alignment is one the most difficult areas of WB to get right...super frustrating to design some nice button or mouseover and have text sitting in a funy position. ;) 
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks for all the input fellas!
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I havnt found a way to set a font to 'no antialiasing'...like for square fonts(pixel fonts?)

Also dont see anyway to delete fonts.(or delete font colors for that matter) :NOTSURE: 

Only see 3 classic widget fonts...the one for menus seems to be missing.(from the font manager)
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
/ME mostly missed the ability to create ObjectBar skin in SKS6 :P