SkinStudio 6 Preview!

A whole new world

from WinCustomize Forums

Introduction

SkinStudio is a program that allows users to create visual styles for Windows XP and Windows Vista. These visual styles are applied by the popular GUI skinning program, WindowBlinds.  A fully complete visual style will change the title bars, borders, push buttons, scrollbars, Start bar, Start menu, and virtually every other part of the Windows GUI.

SkinStudio 6 represents a complete rewrite of previous versions of SkinStudio.  The new version is designed to make it much easier for new users to get into skinning. Skinners can change as much or little of the GUI as they choose and SkinStudio will fill in the rest for them. A new skin can take a matter of minutes or weeks depending on how sophisticated the skin is.


The new interface of SkinStudio


The old interface of SkinStudio

A Tour of SkinStudio 6

SkinStudio 6 takes on a much more task-oriented design.  Rather than the user being overwhelmed with information by seeing all elements of the visual style at once, SkinStudio 6 instead takes the user step by step through the skin.


Editing controls

Each element shows either (or both) a Windows XP logo or a Windows Vista logo to let the skin author know which features are supported under which operating system.  Moreover, when editing a particular element, the interface is clean and to the point.


What can and can't be changed is very straight forward.

Moreover, each section will be tied to a particular part of the SkinStudio portion of the Customization Wiki. In this way, users can instantly get help making skins from not just Stardock but the entire skinning community.


Editing the IE7 tabs & Vista Controls

SkinStudio 6 is being designed with the upcoming WindowBlinds 6 in mind. All the new Windows Vista controls, Internet Explorer 7 controls and more will be easily editable. No more trying to figure out how to support the latest/greatest features.


Elements available to be skinned are now easily accessible

One of the most common complaints about WindowBlinds skins is that many skins didn't support many of the features.  This was often because the previous SkinStudio was designed at at time when WindowBlinds was much simpler and as more features were added, the newer features began to get buried in the UI.  The new SkinStudio design makes these new features much more accessible.

We're going to need your help

Because SkinStudio 6 is such a radical departure from the existing SkinStudio design, we are going to need a lot of feedback on this.  SkinStudio 6 will be available in beta form on Object Desktop on July 18th (2007).

31,205 views 48 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Man I can't wait!! All of my skins were put on hold long ago due to various SKS issues. I've been waiting for this new version for over a year. Only 2 more days left!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WOW!!! SKS6 looks super hot, can't wait to take it for a test drive!!!
You guys have really outdone yourselves this time!!!   
Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
xino, et al,

I think with all the thought and feedback everyone has already been giving on all previous versions, alongside everything people from stardock have put in, this is gonna be a sweet program!
I too wait with eager anticipation!
Finally a possibility of manifesting my ideas into something to pay back all those skinners I'm eternally indebted to!

Thanks!
Randahl
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm an old dog so it would take alot to convince me to try my hand at making a skin for anything. Looking at the few windows of SkinStudio 6 that you have shown I just might want to give it a try.

Looks good but more important it doesn't look complicated. This update very well could increase the number of skinners in the community.   
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks good but more important it doesn't look complicated.

I agree. Complication can be a big deterrent to newcomers, Right next to stubborn, double-standard community members, and community "gangs".
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have tried the old skin studio and gave up because it was to complicated. I cant wait to give this a try. I hope i will not be disappointed

Looks great!
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OMFG I am sooooooooo excited!!! I can't wait till I can get back to making a New Desktops.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I struggled to the point of giving up with the current version of SkinStudio so I am really looking forward to this new version.It looks like a much friendlier state of affairs.    
So all I can say is yesssss!!Great!
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've been thinking about finally finishing the WBs I've been perpetually trying to make over the past few years. I think this could give me the push, it's quite exciting.

I'm also pleasantly surprised to see Ie7 skinning in there too.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow... like most people here, I also am really looking forward to this.

After having answered the survey just a couple of days ago, it's nice to find out that most of my suggestions and concerns look like they've been addressed with this new build.
I have some skins I'm very slowly working on and I'm hoping this'll help make things go a little faster so I can actually release something new.

Great work guys. Thanks heaps.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks great. I, too, can't wait to put it to work. Thanks for all the effort on it, guys.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Cool! I might actually make a skin now!
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm VERY excited about SKS 6. I've been toying with the current version but for a newb it's mighty intimidating. This looks like it's going to open up new doors for a lot of folks just getting started, as well as boosting some of the current WB skinnners talent. Great Job Stardock. Keep it up.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can't wait!
Too bad I'll be on vacation. But since I'm building a skin at the moment, so I should get some real-world testing done.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Fuzzy Logic smacks chops    
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Can't wait to give it a try.  3/4 through this blind so will be great to test drive the new version.  Thanks to all involved.  Hum, one more day, two more, three more?  Oh my.

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks Sweet. I do have one question though. Will the installation of Skin Studio replace/overwrite the old version, or will it be possible to have both installed side by side on the same system?

Either way, I can hardly wait.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Is it now possible to increase the size of the folder icons on the left pane of Windows Explorer? The folder tree, if you will. There are so many wonderful icons sets here, and they get lost in that little 16x16 pic, or whatever size...very small.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
All I Can say is "WOW!"      I have wanted to contribute to the community for so long - this may well be the means by which I do it! Can't wait to check out the beta!   
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
All I can say is "WOW!"    I have always wanted to contribute to the community - this may be the way by which I finally do it! Can't wait to check out the beta!   
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow! This looks awesome! I must admit, I tried several times to take up skin making seriously but every time I eventually get overwhelmed by SkinStudio and abandon the whole thing. This might just be the thing to push me to actually finish a skin for once.