Trying to make titlebar transparent in existing skin

from Stardock Forums

Hi, new to WindowBlinds/Skin Studio- looking at WB 11 on Win 11 in a VM under VirtualBox on Win 10.

I've tried to follow guidance here:

 

https://forums.stardock.com/478203/page/1/#3643429

 

 

https://forums.stardock.com/492589/where-do-i-change-the-transparency-options-for-window-borders-in-skin-studi

 

to get a semi-transparent titlebar, modifying an existing skin. After using WB or Skin Studio as above, it seems that when trying to save the skin it LOOKS as if it's going to work, but it reverts to being opaque.

Is there some trick to this? I'd hoped this would be easy as I can't seem to find a theme with partial transparency.

Thanks!

windowblinds
6,651 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

What theme are you trying to modify?

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

As a alternative option, there is a free program called "System Transparency" that could accomplish what you want. In Windowblinds, the version I have, there is a feature called "Modify Style", click on that, then click on transparency, and you can make everything transparent by moving sliders partially to the left. So you have 2 options there. Hope this helps!  B)  

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks,

What theme are you trying to modify?

I have tried Aero 11 by Simplex

https://www.deviantart.com/simplexdesignss/art/Aero-11-Stardock-Windowblinds-Theme-954277094

and one of the ones provided with WB - Win8.

"there is a free program called "System Transparency"

- could you post a URL please? I can't find anything that's definitely that, and did find one dodgy site.

"there is a feature called "Modify Style"

- as per one of the URLs I posted I tried that, without success.

 

Hmm, the block quote doesn't seem to work on this forum as I thought it would...so I'll settle for adding my own ""s

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Here's a link:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/5k9cvxhomqa97ju/System+Transparency.rar/file

Neone6 has used the above in connection with his various WB skins. 

If that link is concerning, here are a few other alternatives:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-make-windows-transparent-in-windows

Glass2K is one of the options listed in the last link. I think I have a version of it on one or both of my 2 laptops that I rarely use. Take care and have a great day! 

 

 

 

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks- I've tried the one by Prisoner- it doesn't achieve what I want, unfortunately.

Is it possible that WB transparency can't be achieved when the O/S is virtualised?

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

That might be the reason, though I fail to see why you can't have transparency on a VM. Seems to me that there is something else going on. I am not an expert on virtual machines, but it could be a issue with your guest, and not the VM, try looking into your guest's window manager properties. Another possible problem area could be your graphics drivers for the VM. I do not have any other possible insight on this, since I don't use virtual machines. Hopefully we can get this resolved soon.  You might want to try another VM, such as VM Ware, or Windows Sandbox, and see if there is any difference with those.   

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. But, I have Windowblinds run on my Windows 11 VMware box without issue.

For the transparency setting try this, turn off Blur effect in Skinstudio, refer screenshot below.

Unfortunately, blur effect do not have any slider to change how much the effect to set. If you wish to do that you will need to introduce your own graphics in this area with some transparent on it. Then you can adjust it using the WB transparent setting.

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks, I'll try that. Seems you're saying not all skins can be made translucent. It does seem that this setting is somewhat obscure - I've noted a number of questions related to it (including the links I cited).

Yesterday I finally saw a blur effect with WB in Win 10, but the effect was minimal.

I've been using Curtains (not available Win 11) and that works well- I prefer partial transparency (translucency).

Two other disadvantages of WB vs Curtains:

a. Curtains handles Store apps much better.  With some apps WB appears to apply a title bar as the app loads, then that disappears.

b. There are programs that add buttons on the title bar (e.g. Actual Window Manager). This is fine with Curtains, but the buttons (by default) are just above the top edge of the title bar when using WB.

I'm left wondering just what I do if forced to move to Win 11.

 

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

All you mentioned comparing Curtains vs WB is true. But, WB can customize lots more asset than Curtains.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

I've tried disabling blur on Win 11 (VM) using two different skins. No change to the titlebar.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Did you save and applied the skin? Make sure you have changed, save and applied the same subskin. Aero11 have lots of subskin. Change one subskin will not effect those other subskin.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant