WindowBlinds won't put title in every program's titlebar

from Stardock Forums

For some reason, on Windows 8.1, not every program has the text drawn in the titlebar—not even the Windowblinds config screen. Beyond Windows programs, it's 50/50 if a program's titlebar gets skinned. Is there a reason for this? Is this a common issue, and, if so, is it going to fixed in a future release?

windowblinds
25,915 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Need to know more.

1) Windowblinds and Windows 8.1 version.

2) All themes or only certain theme?

3) Which program that do not have title text on it. And few screenshot sample would be great.

Thanks

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
  1. Windowblinds 10.82 on Windows 8.1 Pro (9600.winblue_r4. 141028-1500)
  2. All themes
  3. Thunderbird, Pale Moon, and Stardock programs.

I just discovered that, oddly, the title does show when a titlebar button is moused over.

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

1) Thunderbird and Pale Moon made from Mozilla engine. Similar to Firefox. Which I know have some compatibility issue with Windowblinds and one of it is the missing title text. As of today latest version of Firefox still not fully compatible with Windowblinds. This might be because they have their own skinning engine build into them.

2) Stardock Program : Could you list the programs that you have "no title text". I know Windowblind, Groupy and few others configure windows do not have title text by default and I don't think the titletext is needed on it. Usually this program have large title text inside the windows itself.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

 

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 3

Usually this program have large title text inside the windows itself.
End of basj's quote

-Not really the issue here is it...? It's a "Design thing" -Some (like me) Actually LIKE to have that text on the Titlebar... and It IS supposed to work, isn't it ? :cylon:  

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

For the title text on some of Stardock's Software, yes it is by design and not the error of Windowblinds not showing the text.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 5

For the title text on some of Stardock's Software
End of basj's quote
Not referring to those. Seeing it all the time on various... I have not made a list, but the problem is definetely there.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Sorry, maybe, I misunderstood what you said, But I did clearly mentioned above, which you quoted from, part of it, specifically on Stardock's Software. If you have any other software where title bar not appearing, other than Mozilla related software, please list it down so I can forward the issues to Support Team.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 7

. . .where title bar not appearing,
End of basj's quote
Assuming you meant to say "Title bar TEXT"

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Yes, missed out that "Text" word. Sorry

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
Quoting basj, reply 3

1) Thunderbird and Pale Moon made from Mozilla engine. Similar to Firefox. Which I know have some compatibility issue with Windowblinds and one of it is the missing title text. As of today latest version of Firefox still not fully compatible with Windowblinds. This might be because they have their own skinning engine build into them.

End of basj's quote

 

Update: I can confirm the text in the titlebar appears when the windows are maximized or a caption button is in its "hot" (moused over) state. I don't really think it's an issue of these programs using their own skinning engines because if that were the case, they wouldn't have the support they do, right?

 

Also, I don't know if it's relevant, but Pale Moon is based off of Firefox 38, which had a different behavior in regards to theming than current versions of Firefox do. I'm using Thunderbird 52, which I'm pretty sure also themes better than current versions. But both Pale Moon and Thunderbird 52 work fine with both Windows and Windowblinds themes under Windows 7.

 

Any ideas for how to fix this issue? Is there something I can do on my end? Thanks.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

I can also confirm that when Firefox are maximized the titlebar is shown.

There are also a couple skins I have found that DO show the text when in custom mode.  Two are old though, last updated in 2009 and 2010, but the third one was updated less then a year ago.  All from the same skinner.

Link to skin

 

Link to skin

 

Link to skin

I'm to much of a newbie to figure out what he done to make the titlebar show in these three skins.  Although the skins are from 2002/2003 originally, which is probably why.  Saying that, the one that got updated last year still showing so there has to be some setting that makes it works, but I have no clue which one ! :blush:  

Anyway, thought I post this incase someone want to check out and see if they can figure out why.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for the input, I've tested it out. Yes, those 3 skin will have title text on Firefox. From what I can see what is different from these skins compare to most current skins is that thes skin don't have per pixel frame in it. It all base on old UIS2 frame. ie no shadow/no translucent/glassy component on the frames. Those rounded corners get transparency via the pink pixel method. I don't know why with UIS2 only frame, titlebar text appear, but that is what I observed. Infact, if you want it to appear on all new skin, you can set your Windowblinds to use only UIS2 and the text will appear. Refer to below screenshot to turn on "Do not use perpixel frames even if the style supplies them"

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks! That does fix the problem. However, some themes look worse without per-pixel frames, and I'd prefer them to look as the author intended. Is there another workaround to fix the issue? Or will there be an update that fixes this?

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

No, there is no other workaround for the title text issue that I know of. And as far as I know there is no news on fixes on this issue yet. but, I have forwarded your questions/problems to the Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate you feedback and patience.

Thank You,
Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #15 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 12

Thanks for the input, I've tested it out. Yes, those 3 skin will have title text on Firefox. From what I can see what is different from these skins compare to most current skins is that thes skin don't have per pixel frame in it. It all base on old UIS2 frame. ie no shadow/no translucent/glassy component on the frames. Those rounded corners get transparency via the pink pixel method. I don't know why with UIS2 only frame, titlebar text appear, but that is what I observed. Infact, if you want it to appear on all new skin, you can set your Windowblinds to use only UIS2 and the text will appear. Refer to below screenshot to turn on "Do not use perpixel frames even if the style supplies them"

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.
End of basj's quote

To add to the above, the roll up function gets disconnected as well when using the *Do not use per pixel frames even if the style supplies them*.  So guessing on skins with 'plain' looking frames there be a decision to make, titlebar text or roll up function. o_O  

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting SwedishTom, reply 15

To add to the above, the roll up function gets disconnected as well when using the *Do not use per pixel frames even if the style supplies them*. So guessing on skins with 'plain' looking frames there be a decision to make, titlebar text or roll up function.
End of SwedishTom's quote

I guess most WB designer did not include the "roll-up button" on their UIS2 skins. But, UIS2 can have its own roll up/down button. Just need to add it and assign it to do roll up/down action.

 

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

+1 Loading…
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 16


Quoting SwedishTom,
reply 15

To add to the above, the roll up function gets disconnected as well when using the *Do not use per pixel frames even if the style supplies them*. So guessing on skins with 'plain' looking frames there be a decision to make, titlebar text or roll up function.



I guess most WB designer did not include the "roll-up button" on their UIS2 skins. But, UIS2 can have its own roll up/down button. Just need to add it and assign it to do roll up/down action.


Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

End of basj's quote

Ahh so it is !  Got to play around a bit with that, noticed have to change text font and colour as well if using UIS2 skins.  Shouln't be hard to find though.

Thanks for showing the roll-up button can be used in UIS2 skins as well ! :thumbsup:  

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 16


I guess most WB designer did not include the "roll-up button" on their UIS2 skins. But, UIS2 can have its own roll up/down button. Just need to add it and assign it to do roll up/down action.
End of basj's quote

Basj,

You are right about skinners did not included old UIS2 format to their newest skins after Win 7. Before and included WinXP,skinners usually do frames without transparent effect,after which,since WB v.5,there are two skin formats that one of them supports it. 

So,the issue with old skins is really on skinners' part if they haven't updated their works.  

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

I can only comment about my skin. I still include UIS2 support for all my latest skin. Just that, I never did add rollup/down button on UIS2 frames. Not really sure if there is still demand on.

Thank you,

Basj
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Gaspershooters, reply 18


Quoting basj,
reply 16


I guess most WB designer did not include the "roll-up button" on their UIS2 skins. But, UIS2 can have its own roll up/down button. Just need to add it and assign it to do roll up/down action.



Basj,

You are right about skinners did not included old UIS2 format to their newest skins after Win 7. Before and included WinXP,skinners usually do frames without transparent effect,after which,since WB v.5,there are two skin formats that one of them supports it. 

So,the issue with old skins is really on skinners' part if they haven't updated their works.  

End of Gaspershooters's quote

I agree with you Gaspershooter 100%, I like Basj, do include UIS2 support for frames, along with Per Pixel frames, although, I haven't added a roll up button on my UIS2 frames, not sure why, but, it's a thought for my future skins though. :)