whats the process of designing my own windows skin?

Where do i start from to design and create my own windows skin? I also like to design my own gadgets like calendar, weather, time etc.
I want to be able to apply my sking using windows blind.

But I dont know the process of how its done. Does anyone know a tutorial or just like guidelines of designing custom windows skin?
1,520 views 4 replies
Reply #1 Top
PhotoMotto you can start with reading the following link. It's to the WinCustomize Wiki. It's a good start. I'm sure others will post more links. Once you have gone through the Wiki come on back. WWW Link
Reply #2 Top
If you are looking to make a WindowsBlinds skin, SkinStudio is a wonderful program put out by Stardock that makes the skinning process easier. I'd recommend sifting through that program or reading up on it. As far as making gadgets, widgets, and the like...I find that complicated when I try, ha. So I'm sure I'll keep an eye on this post for some intro pointers myself :D
Reply #3 Top
all the stuff on wincutomize wiki dosen't show any stuff about desining skins.
I dont plan on downloading skin..I want to design one in photoshop. I just need some sort of guideline for it.
Reply #4 Top
Where do i start from to design and create my own windows skin?
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The Wiki tutorials and forums - help with the piecing together the bits that make up a skin

Design comes from within - the only guidelines for how your skin should look is your concept

Photoshop or other can be used - design your skin in your program, then slice the design into pieces, then put the pieces together in skin studio

dowload some skins, open in skin studio - see how they were put together

decent skins can take 40+hrs of your time, even when you know what you're doing


I also like to design my own gadgets like calendar, weather, time etc.
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those are put together in DesktopX - design is up to you - depending on what you want to make, you may have to learn some scripting if you don't know some already

import one in desktopx builder mode - see how it was put together