Anyone ever use StyleBuilder or StyleXP?

I haven't but I'm thinkig about giving it a go myself, let me know if ya do and how ya like it

Style XP is the only option for now to enjoy many of ChaNinja's skins.

Zodiaq~: Of course you know that Stardock loves this product, so it always a good idea to start a thread like this, isn't it? And yes, download numbers. We love that too. So, if you want to provoke then you have started with the right ingredients.

I don't think Zodiaq is trying to provoke anyone. Geez. He clearly is just considering making skins for Style XP so he can get some exposure at Theme XP. I think he is just looking to see what other skinners and users think.

I don't think so.

I was gonna try to make a skin for that format until I realized I had to give up moving the buttons to a different location, leave off any buttons that aren't standard windows issue, use only standard windows border sizes, no rollup, no plugins, etc...  The only thing I use skins for is to improve the way Windows works, not just to recolor it but leave it exactly the same in terms of functionality. Ultimately it wasn't worth the effort... But let us know if you make one, I'd like to see it.

 

Geezus...No wonder you call yourself MadIce

Dude, chill out...It's exactly what Tech Cat said, thanks Tech Cat...that was to the point

I've just never used the program and wondered if any one else had used it...that simple.

No need to get you panties in a bunch...Look how many Styles are ported to Windowblinds...It's not like Stardock and TGT Soft are enemies.

It's best for 'All' skinners, in the so called 'Big Picture' to have both I will be 100% honest...I want the exposure...as well as Stardock and TGT. I just discovered today how much of a broader audience there was to reach with another alternative and was curious

You're welcome Zodiaq. I know what it is like to be accused of trying to start something.

I use both Windowsblinds and Style XP. I am not a skinner and I don't think I could ever skin since every attempt I have made to learn how to use graphic tools gets way over my head, so here is how I see these two programs from a user point of view. Style XP has the advantage of allowing you to use skins that work natively in XP's GUI while Windowblinds uses it's own skinning engine. Style XP skins are more limited than Windowblinds skins. When there is particular skin that is available for Style XP and Windowblinds that I want, I go with the Windowblinds version.

Mmmm...I don't know if I like the idea of not moving buttons...limited window borders...those things alone could completely restrict many design elements of a skin

Here's an idea to consider:

You create your Windowblinds skin and post it on this site. Then you port it to Style XP. On Theme XP where you type in the description of your skin you could say something like "For a more feature filled Windowblinds version of this skin go here: (link to skin at Wincustomize). If you do not already have Windowblinds then go to https://www.stardock.com/ to download the trail version or purchase it."

That's actually a great idea Tech Cat...Can you just port a blind to Style XP as you would the reverse?

I guess I would have to make modifications on certain graphics to accommodate StyleXP, sounds like a good approach though.

I don't know if it can be ported the other way around and how easy or hard it may be.

Let me be clear. If you do not know my name then call me sir. Not dude. It is also a sign of weakness to joke about a nick name.

You are using exposure as an argument to try to convince people to become interested in StyleXP. This issue has been raised several times on this site. Stardock also has a clear view about the product. Of course you know all that and therefore starting a thread like this will be seen as provocative. You have chosen this route. So, don't get upset when someone sees what you are trying to do.

I can see exactly what Zodiaq is "trying to do" and it is not what you are making him out to do. He is only considering skinning Style XP. He is not trying to get anyone interested in it or trying to make anyone like it. If he uses the idea I expressed above, he would be promoting Windowblinds at Theme XP.

You are interesting guy, Zodiaq~.

Time for work. Have a good day.

Now what the hell was that all about?

I would not put too much faith in the download counts at themexp.org.

Counters tend to be inaccurate.

#19 by Zodiaq~ - 7/23/2003 1:11:58 AM Now what the hell was that all about?

I seen a lot of threads that start out with someone asking a question only to be accused of some 'ulterior' motive. It rapidly deteriorates into a flame war and the original topic is lost. Luckily this thread didn't get too sidetracked and now maybe more people will answer to the original question.

And with that said

I haven't used StyleXP but noticed a lot of StyleXP themes are ported to WB by Snidely. Evidently there's a lot of popular StlyeXP skins, or artists at least.

If they only were not nearly all white or light grey or white again...

Zodiaq~ .....time to calm down and think rationally.

Remember the site is a 'family site'.

Your post was removed....

The problem with StyleXP....which is clear and apparent to WB skinners in particular is that it is limiting in creative freedom.

For example....I have my buttons on the left....primarily because I can, but also because it is suitably different from the default placement to actually be 'creative'...da-daaaaa!!!

Sure, a graphically competent StyleXP skinner can create a pretty, even 'perfect' rendition of a predictable skin.....but those who actually want to be different have to look beyond the limitations of something that is little more than a default skin re-bitmapped.

Users 'may' not understand or 'see' the difference inherent within the two formats....but those looking for added functionality of the GUI interface have no option but to choose WB over the dll hack.

In exactly the same way that alternate shell users and Explorer GUI modifiers such as Object Desktop seek an escape from the default Windows look and interface, so do Window skinners seek diversity and freedom of design.

Re-hashing the default is like a photoskin of WinAMP....too damn easy and just plain fugly...

Re-hashing the default is like a photoskin of WinAMP....too damn easy and just plain fugly...

I don't know jafo. I think Snidely's Be Metal port looks pretty cool.
Although it might be easy ... I haven't tried to use the 'import StyleXP' feature in SkinStudio. I'm still trying to figure out what usf is and does.

It's not the format, it's the skinners.
I reckon a few WB skinners could make an MSStyle to blow away the bland ones that are already available.
The only MSstyle skinner I would even rate is Chaninja. He's the exception, in that he thinks outside the box.

And why the debate about bringing up StyleXP here?
Sure, it's a dll hack, but this is a free skinning forum, not a Stardock propoganda site.