Wannabe Skinner

Ok..Quite wierd question

from WinCustomize Forums
Hello,
I'm not register on WC for so long, I can say I'm quite new and my english is definatly not the best.
Lately I started to get interest in desigening desktops and skinning. After awhile I've seen not every wallpaper / Windows blind have their matched widgets and stuffs, I decided I might try to skin by myself, alltought It might be a wierd idea...
So, I'm asking you guys, which programs are used for skining, where did you learn how to use it, which programs will be the simpliest rather than the complicated ones.
And a small question, after awhile of practicing (if I will ever creat a skin, I surely hope so) and shareing free skins, I tought myself if do you, the skinners can get money for leaving from it aswell?
If so, could you tell me how exactly it works.

I'm appreciate about every comment you guys post, it's realy importent for me
skinning
4,666 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh and the programs costs money? (no problems)
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For creating graphics, I use Adobe Photoshop CS2. For "building" the skins, you need to have the respective program for said skin in order to test it out. Like, to make an ObjectDock background, you don't 'need' ObjectDock to make the skin, but you would need it to test it and to ensure everything works correctly. Same goes for the widgets, windowblinds (this one you'd def. need SkinStudio to make) etc...

I learned Photoshop by opening it and playing with it and from tutorials found online as well as help from other skinners. Your last question...you have to become a Master skinner to make money on this site.
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
First of all, welcome to our community!

You are going to get a wide variety of answers, but I'm going to tell you how I personally started in skinning.

My first projects were making cursors for CursorXP, using a trial copy of Photoshop.  After that I purchased Corel Paint Shop Pro and slowly advanced to other projects such as Logons, DesktopX objects, and eventually a WindowBlinds skin.

You can a lot of information (including tutorials) at the WinCustomize Wiki.

http://wiki.wincustomize.com/wiki/Main_Page

 
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So, I must purchase a Photoshop first, create the graphs for, erm, let's say for a widget ? and then I should build it with what program? And do I need to learn a program language(I for got the name ) like VB or C++? or is it just by playing and learning from tutorials?
And thanks, I love this place
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I you want to make a dx widget you will need to Buy Desktop X.
I have been using Paint.net which is free for graphics. Link: http://www.getpaint.net/
A good guideline to start is by using forums and tutorials.

If you want to skin more than Dx widgets, I would suggest to buy Object Desktop. Link: https://www.stardock.com/products/odnt/

Be warned that once you start skinning you will never be able to stop.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok, thanks weatherbound, but a small question, is it complicated creating a widget? since I'm realy realy starter in it and would like to start from the easiest to the hardest.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I order of difficulty (my opininoin only, and this only touches some of the most popular sumbission at Wincustomize):

Screenshots
Wallpapers
Logons
Bootscreens
Xion music player
Cursors
Docks
Icons
DesktopX things
Windowblinds

Information can be found for all of these (except Screenshots) in the Wiki Island Dog referenced above.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you are really interested in creating widgets for DesktopX, then I would also suggest taking a look at the step-by-step tutorials by RomanDA.

https://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?aid=145066
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Dx widgets is not so hard as it looks.
Dx has a lot of scripting built in it for example like meters and email checkers. In order to make weather or calender objects i would get permission to use the scripting and weather graphics's from _martin_. I think he we alway give the permission.

If you ever need help with anything just ask. I will and just like most of us skinners will always give a helping hand.


Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks, I will give it a shot with a DX widget, if it will be diffcult I will try wallpaper When I need help I will contact you, but how realy I can contact you?
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Seems like I need to buy it It will take some days, but I hope I will get it soon.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you click on my name WeatherBound it will take you to my profile. once there you can click on email user.

Thats the best way to contact people and or ask for permission for scripts or ect...
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sysmetrix is an easy starter skinning program as well...
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Rainy and RightClick aren't too bad either.