My Windowblinds Anti-tutorial Tutorial

This Is NOT A Tutorial...sorta

from JoeUser Forums
I am writing this for anyone and everyone who has thought of skinning, but has been afraid to try, like me. It's not a tutorial as much as a chance for anyone who wants, to learn from my mistakes...and I will make plenty. I have decided to finally attempt my first windowblinds. I have gathered the information (tutorials, etc) and hopefully gathered the nerve. I have no script writing experience and will be stumbling through the graphics with PhotoshopCS. If you are familiar with my work on Wincustomize, you have seen that I am mediocre at best, compared to the talent that resides their. But, I am usually happy with what I make.

So, let me begin by outlining my agenda.
1. I am halfway through the Icon Package that inspired me to make a matching skin. (Already, I may be doing all of this backwards.)
2. I have a defenite theme and all the images in my head and some on paper of what I want.
3. I have a deadline. I want to be finished with it by Valentines Day, since that is my theme.
4. Oh...and I want to make a cursor for it.

What I will be posting is what I do, as I do it, step by graphic by blunder. I am open to any and all feedback and suggestions. I will try to post screenshots as I go along, and try to post daily as I proceed, beginning this weekend. So, if your curious and clueless like me, and want to see if I can pull this off...pull up a seat. If you're a seasoned pro in search of a good laugh...try not to laugh TOO loud.

Day One is posted> Link Day Two >Link
12,441 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
By all means, good luck!! it's not as bad or as hard as it seems and you're going to find that as good as your plan may be, trial and error is going to be one of your best friends for the next few months. the best advice i could provide is:

sweat the details
keep it original
mind your sizing and content margins
if it doesn't look good to you, it won't look good to anyone else
avoid looking at other skins while you're developing
did i mention sweat the details?
most important - make what YOU like - in the end that's all that matters
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Count me in for the ride!
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm strapped in and ready for the afterburners, PO. And just so you know, your graphical abilities are wonderful, and with this endeavor, will increase as you sweat. Looks like you got a good plan laid out. Scion's got the good advice there, 'specially with margins. I have spent many an hour repositioning to get a good line-up of images. It goes all the way down to the pixel count for every-damn-thing. I really did spend a good two hours trying to get my button overlays to line up perfectly, pulling my face within an inch of my screen to make sure this was on top of that with no overlaps. And the start panel, all programs back and button will annoy the heck out of you, so be ready. Tally-HO!!

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well well, Po' I'm rootin' for ya all the way. Especially since I'm doing pretty much the same thing
as I do it, step by graphic by blunder.

The only possibly useful advice I can offer is to keep your favorite stress reliever close at hand.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
By all means, good luck!! it's not as bad or as hard as it seems and you're going to find that as good as your plan may be, trial and error is going to be one of your best friends for the next few months. the best advice i could provide is:

sweat the details
keep it original
mind your sizing and content margins
if it doesn't look good to you, it won't look good to anyone else
avoid looking at other skins while you're developing
did i mention sweat the details?
most important - make what YOU like - in the end that's all that matters


I could not have said it better. I read your other article about where your at in the start menu. I was just like you in that I would open Skin Studio, check it out to see what was what and it would blow me away, I thought I would never be able to make one. Then I started learning more about Photoshop with tutorials and questions to wb skinners when I didn't understand some thing. Then one day I took the plunge. It took me around 4 months to complete and I didn't even do the tool bar icons or the progress admins, I found ones that were posted here. I just started at the top (skin Studio) and skinned each image. I had no clue what was what until I started seeing the changes (many applies and reapplies) . I've done 3 so far and each one has taken me around 4 months to make (I'm currenttly updateing my first skin). I looked at my first skin and it was horrible (to me). I had a hard time realizing I made it that way, but that was mainly due to not knowing what I was doing and the fact that I've learned more on how to use Photoshop, and how to create images (from friend's and tutorials). I'm one of those people that will not post any work that to me is not right so my skins are going to take me some time to make (I have lots of it). That brings me to my only suggestion, don't set deadlines, that's all I have to say on that You'll find out what deadlines can do to a person . Try to remember not everybody will like what you've done, that's OK. Scion2412 said it best " most important - make what YOU like - in the end that's all that matters" Oh you better get used to the rating system (I try not to let that part get to me). Just put one pixel in front of another and don't give up. I'll be looking to see what ya come up with.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Oh you better get used to the rating system (I try not to let that part get to me)

I have had enough stuff rejected, that I don't even think about the 'rating system'. The only rating that matters is whatever it takes to get something approved. lol.

It took me around 4 months to complete.....You'll find out what deadlines can do to a person


I'mma feared! 4 MONTHS? Well, I'm gonna try to get this done before V-Day (Valentines Day).

ithinkicanithinkicanithinkican....
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The 4 months is just for me Hell some skinners can pump them out in a couple of weeks
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
it all depends on your concept really. nebula, the skin i just posted took 4 weeks in production...but for some reason that one just clicked real fast and was a pretty basic concept. all the work went into making it "clean". from the looks of your start panel your concept looks fairly complicated...the more complicated and ornate your concept....the longer it may take. Galaxy took 6 months...it was more of a complex design. I agree, never set a deadline...if you rush it, then your work will look the part.