Changing window frame color

from Stardock Forums

I am new to SkinStudio and I must admit using it seems somewhat overwhelming.  I decided that the best approach might be to attempt some modifications on an existing skin, so I chose the skin named "Precision" that came as part of my WB 8.0 installation (I'm using Win8).  The first thing I tried to do was change the title bar and border color for applications such Windows Explorer, which are black by default in the "Precision" skin.  I thought this might be as simple as selecting a new color and maybe it is, but so far I have not been able to do anything that will affect these.  I was able to find a SkinStudio page named UIS2 and on that page the first choice is "Borders".  This seemed like a logical choice so I began fooling around with it.  The first thing I discovered was that the left, right, top, and bottom borders all had separate settings.  Then, when I attempted changed the color of the top border only the left half of it changed in the sample display provided on the SkinStudio page. Finally, I clicked "Save skin" then "Apply skin" but all I got was the original unaltered skin.  So, obviously I don't know what I'm doing.  What is the correct way to approach this? It seems that the various tutorials are as numerous as the options in the SkinEditor itself, but all I want to do is change a few simple things like colors and transparencies.

Thanks

skinstudio
9,168 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Really short answer:

For the most part almost everything you see with any shape - window borders, buttons, taskbar, pretty much everything - are specified images.

If you want to change the colors, the easiest way is within the "colors" option of WBConfig (where you apply a different skin).  That does not actually edit the skin, it is a temporary change.  It only works if the skin has some color in it so the hue can be shifted, it doesn't work on pure grey/black/white skins.

You can also change the colors somewhat by applying "textures".  The texture color needs a little grey to latch on to, doesn't work for deep black or bright white.  DPCloud has done some basic color textures, (there are probably more than what shows on this page):

https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/windowblinds_textures#/page/6

 

Otherwise, to change the colors of the pieces you're talking about, you need to edit the images in an image editor, in other words pretty much re-build the skin.

 

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Come to think of it, if you're really wanting to learn how to use SkinStudio, you would likely have better luck posting over here to catch the skinner audience:

https://forums.wincustomize.com/forum/47

 

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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Short answer, in Skin Studio, to change frames colors, you have to change the graphic itself.