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Skins
WindowBlinds skins are selected from the Skins section of the WindowBlinds Configuration. This screen also provides options to add skins to the system (whether downloaded as .WBA/.ZIP files or directly from the Stardock skin libraries on the Internet), delete skins, sort the default views of the skin listings, chose a compound skin (if the selected skin includes compound skin elements), and colorizing of skins which include support for color masks.
Skin selection
Selected skin
To change a skin, simply select it from the listbox and either double-click on it or click Apply Changes. This will load the skin and immediately apply it to all open windows on the system (as well as new ones). You can also select the Disabled skin to leave WindowBlinds running without it attempting to change the look of anything.
Tip: Apply one skin and select another entry from the list. All previously opened windows will be skinned with the first skin applied while new windows will take on the look of the second skin.
The listing of skins installed is refreshed when you install/delete a skin or when you change the sorting with the following option.
Sort by
Use the dropdown listbox to select alternative sorting options for listing the available skins. The list may be sorted by skin name, skin author, and the date the skin was installed.
Install skin from disk...
After downloading a WindowBlinds skin from the Internet (it will be contained in a .WBA or .ZIP file), press this button to bring up a File Open dialog. Select the downloaded .WBA or .ZIP file in question and press Open to install the skin.
Tip: WindowBlinds skins downloaded from the Internet that have a .WBA file extension can be installed by double-clicking on them with the left mouse button in Explorer. Note that systems using ZipMagic will need to rename .ZIP skin downloads to .WBA and double-click on them to install (ZipMagic treats the .ZIP's as folders and prevents WindowBlinds from installing them correctly).
Skins will be installed to a subdirectory off the WindowBlinds directory. The name of the subdirectory must match the name of the .UIS file included in the .WBA/.ZIP skin package for the skin to show up in the list.
Tip: There are over 900 WindowBlinds skins available from the skin libraries at www.skinz.org and www.windowblinds.net! New skins are being uploaded all the time. Be sure to check out BuilderBlinds (available standalone and as part of ObjectDesktop.net) to aid you in creating your own skins!
Install skin from the web...
WindowBlinds includes two additional Internet-based skin options -- Skin of the Week and Most Popular Skin (these require Internet Integration to have been enabled after installation, via the Configure internet options button in the System section, or by selecting Internet Integration by right clicking on the WindowBlinds icon in the system tray).
Selecting one of these skins will connect to the Stardock skin library and allow you to download the featured "Skin of the Week" and "Most Popular Skin" (based on what users all over the world who have enabled Internet Integration are running).
The third button will open your default web browser and connect to www.windowblinds.net to let you browse the complete skin library.
Find skin
This button will bring up a dialog to help you search for a specific installed skin. Enter the first few letters of the skin name and press Enter to search.
Delete this skin
Remove the currently selected skin and its associated files.
Compound/color-enhanced skins
Compound skin dropdown
WindowBlinds 2 and later support "compound skins" which may include several different variations or looks packaged together as one skin. If supported by the skin, use the dropdown selection to chose the flavor you would like.
Display the skin in simple mode without extra buttons (if supported)
Skins may include "simple" versions without many additional buttons. If the skin contains a simple version, enable this checkbox to use it.
Custom skin colour *
Skins designed for WindowBlinds 2 may include support for changing the color of the skin. Enable the support via the checkbox on the dialog shown above and select a blending percentage with the slider. Use the Change colour... button to bring up a color selection window to chose the color you would like to use.
You can enable the Force the skin to have the colour checkbox to attempt to apply the color features even to skins which have not specifically included support for it. Be aware that it may look funny trying to force this feature on skins that have not been designed with that in mind).
* This option is disabled in the public shareware version. Ordering WindowBlinds or a subscription to ObjectDesktop.net will provide access to an enhanced version of WindowBlinds for registered users with this feature enabled.
About skin...
Display additional comments that the author may have included for users in the skin's .UIS file.
Preview skin...
Display a basic preview of how the skin will look when applied to windows on the system. Currently, the preview only shows the main style of the window and its borders, it does not currently support previewing buttons or the many other controls WindowBlinds supports. Note that WindowBlinds Basic (UIS1+) skins cannot be previewed.
WindowBlinds Configuration Window Controls
?
Brings up this WindowBlinds help file.
Unload WindowBlinds
Unload WindowBlinds from memory.
Tip: WindowBlinds can be unloaded by right clicking on the WindowBlinds icon in the system tray and selecting Unload WindowBlinds. You can also run the WBDOWN.EXE file in the WindowBlinds directory to send a message to WindowBlinds to unload.
Tip: When WindowBlinds is not loaded, it is not changing or modifying anything on your system.
OK
Accept any changes that might have been made but do not apply them to currently running apps. The changes will take effect (where applicable) when future applications are opened.
Cancel
Ignore changes made and close the Configuration window.
Apply Now
Load the selected skin and apply its attributes and any settings configured elsewhere in WindowBlinds immediately.