How To Use My Themes

Changing Shortcuts

I have been asked several times recently how to use or modify my DesktopX themes. So I thought I would write a short tutorial of sorts.
Obviously, everyone does not have the system setup that I use, but I will explain the best I can. Firstly, I think I will start uploading theme without the shortcuts in the menus which only work on my PC. That way, you don't have to delete them. For the older themes, follow these instructions to remove my icons. Right click them and choose delete. If asked if you want to delete child or related items, choose no. Once you have removed all the icons from the menus, you can open the menus for each category, and drag and drop your own shortcuts into it. Internet, Security, etc.
Ususally, at the top of each menu, there is a corresponding shortcut for that folder. ( I create 8 folders on my desktop called Internet, Graphics, etc. to hold my shortcuts. It is just the way I do things.) The folder shortcuts lead to those folders because not all the shortcuts will fit into the menu. I just put the most used ones there.
In my latest theme, Noir , I used some messaging. Notice when you mouseover the media player buttons you see the function of said button show up on a bar above the player. This is done with messaging. Let's just use the play button, for example. I create a new object, make it a text object, type the word 'Play' in the mouse away slot.Name it play. Place it on the bar above the player, and make it a child of the bar. Then I right click on the play button, choose properties, then states. Mouse away, click messages, choose add, then Object ID, choose play, choose hide. Then click mouse over, choose messages, choose play, choose show. Now, go to the Play text that you placed on the bar. Right click it, choose properties. Go to the relation tab, and choose visible-no. Now when you mouse over the Play button, you will see the word 'Play' on the bar. Note that all these tweaks must be done in builder mode, which is the only mode I use. I am not sure why the other mode exists...lol.
This is my very first tutorial, and I am sure that it could be much clearer. If anyone out there wants to help me with this, feel free to contact me on how to make a better tut. I can be reached at [email protected] .
Here is an excellent tutorial on resizing a theme by sViz. Using one of mine, of course...lol. WWW Link Link to Noir [link="https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?skinid=3918&libid=31""]WWW Link[/link]
181,254 views 29 replies
Reply #1 Top
Noir is sweet,my favorite colors. I'm using it now,but I can't find the option to delete any shortcuts. R-clicking the icon does nada.I undestand somewhat about the folders,I have similar ones for my stack docklets.I should be able to handle that. ;p I'd love to use this if I could add my own shortcuts. Pando files is the only button I wish I could rename, but I can live with it.Thanks.
Reply #2 Top
I can't find the option to delete any shortcuts. R-clicking the icon does nada.


Right clicking the icon in the open menu will allow you to delete it, ONLY in builder mode. email me at [email protected] and I will help you change the Pando thing.
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Reply #3 Top
Being able to customize in regular mode is key to DX theme acceptance.  I'd hunt down a script that lets you do that.
Reply #4 Top
Being able to customize in regular mode is key to DX theme acceptance. I'd hunt down a script that lets you do that.


+1 Please!,Or Make them along the lines of Blue Glass by buzzh58, all drag and drop..Super easy to set up. Also,make it saveable without using builder mode.As I said elsewhere, if I needed SKS to change fonts,colors, and WP in WB's just to use them,I.d never change anything.I'm dumber than I sound. ;p 
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Reply #5 Top
Being able to customize in regular mode is key to DX theme acceptance. I'd hunt down a script that lets you do that.


Pardon me if I am wrong, But I think, if you look into what you are saying, you will find that it has always been a fact that any desktopx theme has to be in builder mode to be modified. If you turn it into a Gadget with DX Pro, it then can be modified in any mode if you script it to be. In other words, Any regular desktopx theme has to be run in builder mode, to be altered. This is why there is builder mode. Vad_m I think is his name , has made a few "widgets" like sd desktop, and sd launchbar, that can be configured in user mode, but these aren't actually widgets, they are gadgets, modified through script. He is good at that, I am not. My point is, that those are not DX Themes, they are gadgets. Themes must be in builder mode to be modified and saved.  :) 
Reply #6 Top
Also,make it saveable without using builder mode


That would be something that stardock would have to incorporate into DX. I have no control.
Make them along the lines of Blue Glass by buzzh58, all drag and drop..Super easy to set up


This would be nice, but as someone once told me, I make what I like, and if I share it, those who like, can use. Those who don't, use something else. I only know how to make what I use.  ;) 
Reply #7 Top
I still need builder mode to save the setup, no matter who's it is.
Those who don't, use something else. I only know how to make what I use


I'll just have to learn how to use them,because you make some great themes. ;)  :CONGRAT: 
Reply #8 Top
I'll just have to learn how to use them,because you make some great themes


Thank you very much! The tut I wrote, and a few others here on WC, should help you in learning. It took me a good while to learn when I first started. Still one thing I need to learn to do, but can't and it drives me nuts. lol
Reply #9 Top
Being able to customize in regular mode is key to DX theme acceptance.


Builder Mode=Complicated and Scary....Configure=Adjustments.People love to "adjust" things. :LOL:  Maybe it just needs a name change. ;) A "configure"sub menu or limited builder mode would be a welcome improvement.Just enough to set fonts,shortcuts,colors,maybe button names would put DX back in the hands of casual users. When it's time to use builder mode, things would seem more familiar.DX themes are just as attractive (or more) than WB's, far more useful,and files are small and fast loading/installing. All this while using minimal resources. Wha' happened? Where's the love? PuterDudeJim,keep making them this good, I'll "adjust"(see-I told you) :p 
Reply #11 Top

k1   This was very helpful to me(and so was PDJ) when I started using DXThemes.:sun:

Reply #12 Top

Builder Mode=Complicated and Scary....A "configure"sub menu or limited builder mode would be a welcome improvement.Just enough to set fonts,shortcuts,colors,maybe button names would put DX back in the hands of casual users.

Eureka! I second that! All the different setups, windows, tabs, dropdowns, etc, etc, can be overwhelming for a new or casual user, and rather complicated to explain. The gap between Client and Builder needs to be bridged. I started a widget to that effect last year. It's been on a backburner, but the core concepts are something I'd like to see implemented in DX in the same vein as the DesktopX Helper that comes with DesktopX...it'll be a sort of super-helper. It would not only help casual users make simple adjustments to downloaded skins quicker and easier, it will also give them a sort of jump start to making their own creations from scratch.

 

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Reply #13 Top

sViz (and anyone else), email me (or start a new thread) your thoughts/mock-ups/whatever.  I'm listening.  :)

I'd love to hear "This [description with screenshot] confused me . . but if it it looked or acted like this [mock-up] it would make more sense"

However, don't just tell me what you don't like or what doesn't work.  DX is wicked complex and getting it "simple" and removing complexity might neuter the thing.

The builder is an incredible platform to build a myriad of apps and interfaces.  Removing complicated stuff is the easiset way to make it more accessible but would also remove some of it's power

zubaz (at) stardock.com

Reply #15 Top

Well... i'm havin' problems opening. Do i put them where all my  other themes are? I see no app.

Thanks!

Reply #16 Top

Quoting NancyAnn, reply 15
Well... i'm havin' problems opening. Do i put them where all my  other themes are? I see no app.

Thanks!

OK, I would need to know a few things.

1. Do you have DesktopX installed?

2. If so, which version? 3.5 or the Beta 4.0?

3. Where are you keeping your "themes"?

4. Are they zip files?

5. Trouble opening them, or applying them?

Reply #17 Top

BTW, NancyAnn, I am/was PuterDudeJim.  :D

Reply #19 Top

Quoting majoreugene, reply 18
Dude I want to try your theme but I can't download it, Why?

Which theme?

 

Reply #20 Top

hello everyone..i have great collection of themes but i have no any idea how to use these themes..please anyone suggest me

Reply #21 Top

If they are DesktopX themes, and they are by me, read this tut and the other one I wrote   https://forums.wincustomize.com/334889      and then contact me here or at the email in the original post above, and I will help further.

I assume you have DesktopX installed?  You will need builder mode, this isn't available in the free version.

Reply #22 Top

I'm trying to customize this to work for me.  I'm in DX builer (which I have not used before) and it is not intuitively obvious where to change things.  I see a theme.ini file that has the incorrect path names (CMD1 D:\Users\Jim Dillard\Documents\Text\Portable USB Apps.txt).  Is that what I should edit to change things or is there an easier interface?  I got to the object navigator but don't see a way to change things there?  Sorry to trouble you for what must be basic questions, but I really like this and would love to customize it.  If there is a DX tutorial that you could point me to, I would try that also.  Thanks so much; this is such a great concept....

Reply #23 Top

Quoting WandaJo, reply 22
I'm trying to customize this to work for me.  I'm in DX builer (which I have not used before) and it is not intuitively obvious where to change things.  I see a theme.ini file that has the incorrect path names (CMD1 D:\Users\Jim Dillard\Documents\Text\Portable USB Apps.txt).  Is that what I should edit to change things or is there an easier interface?  I got to the object navigator but don't see a way to change things there?  Sorry to trouble you for what must be basic questions, but I really like this and would love to customize it.  If there is a DX tutorial that you could point me to, I would try that also.  Thanks so much; this is such a great concept....

Well, this IS a DX tutorial. The theme.ini is not the place to configure it. Please read both my tutorials and then, if you need more help, please PM me for email help.


Look here for more from me.

 

   https://forums.wincustomize.com/334889

Reply #24 Top

I missed the link in the post above mine.  That's exactly what I needed.  Sorry to have bothered you; thanks for your time.

Reply #25 Top

Sorry to have bothered you

Absolutely no bother, anytime.  :grin: