Hello

from WinCustomize Forums

Hi all,

I recently purchased Window Blinds 7 & Skin Studio 7. I used to have window blinds on my XP rig and even created some of my own skins then. But as always the software has changed a bit since I last used it. So I'm looking forward to getting back into this and really hope I can get some ideas & help from you guy's. I would like to start creating some of my own skins and I already have questions.

When I create/start a skin, it starts off with some crazy start button and the taskbar doesn't appear to go to the edges of the screen. Is this just the appearance it gives or does it really go all the way across the screen? If so, can the length of the taskbar be made longer?

Can the start button be customized using photoshop? If so, how big do I make the image?

Any help would be appreciated....

 

Thanks,

kevnmncincy

2,900 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 A good start would be to check out the tutorial sections. They cover the new applications. A lot has changed since Win7.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm assuming what you mean by the taskbar not going to the edge of the screen is that the template has a blunted edge that doesn't go all the way to the edge of the screen (the Diamond skin is the usual template unless you're on XP).  You can make the taskbar go all the way to the edge of the screen by designing it to occupy the entire canvas and using the margins to make it stretch all the way.

 

The start button can definitely be customized in Photoshop -- I usually make mine 70-75 pixels in length and then whatever is required for height, sometimes higher than the taskbar and then use the "glow" for whatever would extend beyond the bar.

Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks for the warm welcome folks! I appreciate all of your replies and I will definitely be checking on those tutorials & links you provided. Oh, I was able to change my start button but I'm sure it was the long, hard way. The taskbar on the working template is what I was referring to. When in skin studio, the taskbar looks rounded on the ends and doesn't appear to stretch to both sides of the screen. I'm guessing this is the way it will look when I apply it as well. I'm running Windows7 Home Premium by the way & have Window Blinds 7.2. 

 

see ya around the forums.... :thumbsup:

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

greetings, below are links to the Wincustomize Wiki for the same information, just presented differently.

http://wiki.wincustomize.com/wiki/Skin_Studio_7:_The_Tutorial

http://wiki.wincustomize.com/wiki/Skin_Studio_7:_The_Tutorial%2C_Part_2

as a suggestion: download a skin that you really like. open the skin in skin studio to look at the individual graphics. You won't be able to see the layers or effects but it would give you a general idea of requirements, sizing, margins, etc.

good luck.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Welcome back to the Community. :)