How to add sounds?

from Stardock Forums
I would like to add sounds to some existing WB skins when you click on the Minimize, Restore/Maximize and Close buttons. I'd like to use some existing sounds from another skin. Can someone explain how this can be done in layman's terms?

Also, I'm wondering what these ".tga" files are. By default on my system, they are being associated with "OmniPage Pro", which obviously isn't correct. Are these files configurable? If so, should I change the association to SkinStudio? If not what is the correct association for these files?

THANKS!
windowblinds
5,099 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
To add sounds to a WB skin, First copy the sound file to the skin folder, then open the skin in SkinStudio.
Select a titlebar button by clicking it.
In the tree view on the right side look for Actions... expand that.
Look for Button Sound- Press, and Button Sound- Release.
Select one of those. In the Value dropdown list, select the sound.
Follow this method until you have all your sounds set, then save and apply.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
tga files are image files that support alpha transparency, much like png files. You don't really need to associate them with SkS. If anything, you may want to associate them with your graphics editor.
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
.tga is a file extension. It’s a form of image like .jpg .bmp .gif etc. if you’re not able to access these files there is a setting in skin studio under tools/ preferences. Down the left side you’ll see a list. Click "image editors". You’ll see a check box that says… convert TGA files to PNG before using image editors. And then you can edit them in whatever program your using.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Koasati instructed:
To add sounds to a WB skin, First copy the sound file to the skin folder, then open the skin in SkinStudio.
Select a titlebar button by clicking it.
In the tree view on the right side look for Actions... expand that.
Look for Button Sound- Press, and Button Sound- Release.
Select one of those. In the Value dropdown list, select the sound.
Follow this method until you have all your sounds set, then save and apply.

Okay, I followed your instructions exactly and I couldn't get the sounds to work. I tried 4 different skins, added sound to either "Sound Press", "Sound Release" and even both. And ideas why I'm having difficult implementing this? It seems pretty straight forward.

And a related question I have is if a skin has one or more shellstyles, do you have to select it in the menu or does it matter when adding sounds?

THANKS
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The sound file must be a .wav file, is it?
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In the left tree view..... Window Borders > Select "Titlebar Buttons - Free Form"
Right Tree..... Titlebar Button - Sounds must be "ENABLED"
As SKoriginals points out, the sound files must be .wav.
If still not working. open WB Config > Basic Settings > Enhance Desktop elements > "Use skin sounds"

And a related question I have is if a skin has one or more shellstyles, do you have to select it in the menu or does it matter when adding sounds?

Yes, each substyle must be edited.

Hopefully I haven't forgotten anything this time.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Thanks guys! Yes I was using .wav files. I simply copied over existing wave files from another skin and tested them and they all worked. So, I've added your additional instructions to my little "Add Sounds in WB" document and will give it a shot later on and let you know how I made out.

Again.. thanks for taking the time to help out this old newbie.
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Koasati,

Okay, I'm back with my promised report on how I made out. With your additional information, I was able to successfully add sounds to a number of existing skins which didn't have them by design. However, I was not able to add sounds to a few which had multiple items listed in the left tree in that section, e.g., some had 3 Close buttons, listed. I tried adding the .wav file for each of them but without success. It's not a big deal, but I do wonder why adding sounds to these types of skins didn't work.

THANKS again.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Koasati,

Okay, I'm back with my promised report on how I made out. With your additional information, I was able to successfully add sounds to a number of existing skins which didn't have them by design. However, I was not able to add sounds to a few which had multiple items listed in the left tree in that section, e.g., some had 3 Close buttons, listed. I tried adding the .wav file for each of them but without success. It's not a big deal, but I do wonder why adding sounds to these types of skins didn't work.

THANKS again.