SkinStudio

From WinCustomize Wiki

SkinStudio

SkinStudio is a program that lets you design your own graphical user interfaces
Developer:	Stardock
Latest release:	6.0 / May 22, 2008
OS:	Microsoft Windows XP/Vista
Genre:	Tools and Utilities
License:	Shareware
Website:	SkinStudio Official Website

SkinStudio is a program used by designers and skin authors to create their own visual styles / skins for Stardock WindowBlinds, Microsoft Media Player, and other programs.

SkinStudio is most popularly used in conjunction with WindowBlinds. Where WindowBlinds applies skins to change the look and feel of Windows, SkinStudio is what helps people create the skins in the first place.

With SkinStudio, skinners can actually select different parts of the Windows Graphical User Interface (GUI) (title bars, push buttons, etc.) and then change how they look by selecting a different bitmap (or PNG). SkinStudio can also import skins create in .msstyles format to be used in WindowBlinds format seamlessly. SkinStudio also supports creating Boot Skins as well as skins for other programs.

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.

SkinStudio 6 (the non-Pro version) is a free download.

SkinStudio is a component of the Object Desktop suite you can also download it seperately at SkinStudio.net.

1 About
- 1.1 What SkinStudio Does
2 Features
- 2.1 System Requirements
3 How to Use SkinStudio
- 3.1 Forums
4 Screenshots
- 4.1 SkinStudio 6
5 Links
6 Notes & References

[edit] About

[edit] What SkinStudio Does

SkinStudio is a program that lets you design your own graphical user interfaces that can then be applied to Microsoft Windows or various programs on Windows such as Windows Media Player.

[edit] Features

Support for custom applications.
Visually design skins without the need to code.
Advanced skin code editor with auto completion.
Helps adapt thousands of available WindowBlinds skins and .msstyles (Windows XP visual styles) for use with your development application.
Built in preview (clickable) for fast location and "tweaking" of skin sections.
Test tool using DirectSkin as the skinning engine for fast and the most accurate final preview.
Integration with your application’s skin folders for faster testing and modifying the skin right where it’s needed.
Most up to date DirectSkin format support.
Use of pre-made GUI widgets.
Import skin parts to mix and match skins.
Advanced skin colorizing
Support for easy putting skin images into resource DLLs for faster skin loading (faster application startup) with fewer files needed for distribution.
Theme Part Details tab that visually displays components of the skin for easy access
Improved support for title bar buttons. Easily change the per-pixel settings.
Improved support for adding glow effects
Improved support for making sub-styles

[edit] System Requirements

Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit) and Windows XP/2003
1GHz or faster processor recommended
120MB free drive space (including the pre-requisite of installing WindowBlinds)
512MB RAM
Note: A 16MB DirectX 8 or later compatible video card with appropriate driver support is required for per-pixel alpha-blended skins. Some integrated graphics solutions and lower-end cards from before 2004 may not be able to use per-pixel skins.
WindowBlinds installed to apply skins^[1]

[edit] How to Use SkinStudio

Tutorials listed at the bottom of the page.

[edit] Forums

If you need more help regarding how to use SkinStudio you can post your questions in the WinCustomize Forums.

[edit] Screenshots

Editing a skin

Substyle preview

Hue-shifting is fun!

[edit] SkinStudio 6

SkinStudio 6 preview	Full skin preview.	Editing Controls.	Editing Push Button Controls.
Editing the Internet Explorer 7 interface.	Editing the look of Minimized Windows.	The Theme Part Details section.