help a newb start skinning

from WinCustomize Forums
hello all i have enjoyed many of the posted skins here for quite a while now and figured it was time to try my own hand at it. i dl'ed skin studio the other day and i'm a little overwelmed with all the options having done nothing like this before. i know i've seen at least one tutorial on the boards here but can find it now. does anyone have any guidance they can give, i really like the type of design halben did on the Last Pharaoh skin and would love to do something similar with pictures etc. in the toolbars frame,... of course i know that is ambitious for a first skin so i'm just looking for instruction on use of skin studio in laymans term. thanks to all and everyone keep up the great work.
windowblinds
2,205 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Open SkinStudio, Help button, help on internet, there are some good links, maybe a little out dated but will get you started.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Welcome to the frey, dawgydad. My advice to you is to not look for tutorials or manuals and just dive right in. Reading a how-to guide can put you in a box and curb your inovation. But winging it there is no box, you learn as you go, and learn what works best for you. Downloading skinstudio was a great start, now just start playing with it and see what you can come up with. It's not as daunting as it looks and you'll be suprised with what you can do. Remember, it's not going to be perfect your first time out nor will it be easy, so don't expect it to be. But your sense of accomplishment when it's finished is incredible.

Good Luck!!
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi! I think the best thing to do would be to start with a skin already made, and try different changes and alterations until you get the hang of it. It is quit a task to learn to make blinds with previous skinning skills, let alone without them. Blinds are the most difficult of all the things you could make. It takes a very long time to get good at making blinds. There is much more to them than just how they look. Incorrectly made, they can crash your computer or cause it to freeze up, and many other problems. You will also need a good graphics program like Paint Shop Pro, Photo Shop or the like. Personally, I would get much more familiar with the programs offered here. There are many tutorials on WC. There is also a tutorial under help in the Skin Studio program. Where there's a will, there's a way! Good luck.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
thank you all for the informative and encouraging tips i look forward to joining your ranks. THANKS
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am currently finishing up my first wb skin and I agree with scion2412 about reading diving right in. My knowledge of skinning is small and it has been a challenge to create something. I started with a wb skin created by Skin Studio and proceeded to skin each part one at a time. I do suggest getting in touch with someone how has been making wb skins to help you understand the parts and sections. I started with the first section and worked my way down. I've been at it for about 2 months now (I don't think the next one will take that long) and I won't post until I am satisfied with it. I did have to read tutorials (and still do) because I really didn't know how to do anything. If you need tutorials on how to create images then by all means do so, they helped me. Also it can help a great deal if you can draft an idea of what look you are trying to get first. I've been making changes constinitly because of not doing this. Oh and be prepared to load and reload the skin to see what you've done. If I can help email me. Good luck and stay with it.