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Settings

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The Settings section of the WindowBlinds Configuration can be used to selectively enable/disable features. These changes take effect immediately upon pressing the Apply Changes button with the currently selected skin.

Skin buttons

Standard window buttons (Ok, Cancel, etc.)

Change the look of standard windows buttons (like the OK/Cancel buttons). 

Tip: Sometimes buttons are drawn on windows by using other than the standard system buttons. If an application uses a proprietary button control, WindowBlinds may not be able to skin it. 

Checkboxes and radio buttons

Apply the images assigned by the skin to checkboxes and radio buttons.

Taskbar buttons

Change the buttons in the taskbar. 

Toolbar buttons

Use the graphics included with the skin to change the look of toolbar buttons (the little icons for things like Copy/Paste/Print in many apps). 

Tip: Enable this option to skin the QuickLaunch toolbar (included with the Desktop Update feature of Internet Explorer 4.0 and later). Note that WindowBlinds only skins the first QuickLaunch toolbar defined on the system. 

Skin Controls

Menu borders

Enable this option to allow WindowBlinds to skin the edges of menus. 

Progress bar controls *

Use WindowBlinds skins for regular system progress bars. Note that some applications create their own progress bars and will not be skinned by WindowBlinds. 

Tab controls *

Skin notebook-like tab controls. 

Scrollbars *

Enable scrollbar skinning for apps which use standard scrollbars.

Tip: Some applications (notably Microsoft's Internet Explorer) have implemented proprietary controls that look and function like scrollbars, but are not true Windows scrollbars. At this time, WindowBlinds cannot skin these proprietary controls. 

* These options are 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 these features enabled. 

Skin window backgrounds

Dialog backgrounds (see Backgrounds to override)

WindowBlinds will apply the skin defined bitmap to controls using the dialog window class and the backgrounds of MDI (Multiple Document Interface) applications (apps which allow you to have multiple open windows inside one larger window which "contains" the little ones). 

If you find the text in dialogs is corrupted, see the Video section of the Support portion of this help file for more information. 

Explorer backgrounds (see Backgrounds to override)

WindowBlinds includes support for applying a background image to all your Explorer folders in both Classic and Web View modes of operation. 

Tip: WindowBlinds does not support skinning the left panel of folders in Web View mode. The hidden FOLDERS.HTT file in the Program Files directory on your system contains a definition for changing the background image of the left panel. 

Stretch Explorer background image

Rather than tiling an image smaller than the size of the open Explorer folder, select this option to have WindowBlinds stretch the defined image to fill the entire window. Note: this option must be disabled (unchecked) for semi-transparent Explorer folders to work (see below). 

Enhance Desktop Elements

Make 3D toolbars flat style (if not skinned)

Change application toolbars to the "flat" look popularized by Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office 97. 

Make desktop icon text backgrounds transparent

The area behind an icon's text on the desktop is normally set to the same color as the Desktop background color definition in the current Windows scheme settings. This option removes the color from behind the text and makes the background transparent so the desktop is not obscured. 

This option does not function correctly when Web View (Active Desktop) is enabled for the desktop. 

Apply the skins colour scheme (recommended)

Change the Windows colours to match those in the skin definition. 

Apply any wallpaper supplied

If the skin author has included a bitmap for use as desktop wallpaper, select this option to allow it to be applied.

Apply any icon packages supplied (IP required)

Skin authors sometimes include IconPackager icon packages to customize over 50 icons on the desktop for a more complete visual change. You must have IconPackager (available either standalone or for ObjectDesktop.net subscribers) installed for this feature to work.  

Advanced Settings

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Use a custom colour for Explorer text

This option brings up a color selection dialog that allows you to pick the color used for icon text display in Explorer windows. Altering the color allows you to pick a shade that contrasts well for visibility against the selected background bitmap. 

Show inactive state for Explorer backgrounds

Use a different image for the background of Explorer folders when they are not the active (highlighted) window. Selecting this option adds another visual element to WindowBlinds, but is marginally slower as an additional bitmap must be used. 

Make Explorer backgrounds "semi-transparent"

You've seen the screenshots, you've drooled on your keyboard, and now you too can have semi-transparent Explorer folders. Semi-transparent? That's right, Explorer folders are only transparent down to the desktop background bitmap (other windows in the z-order beneath transparent Explorer folders will not be visible). Note: Stretch Explorer background image (see above) must be disabled for this feature to work. 

Tip: WindowFX (available standalone or as part of an ObjectDesktop.net subscription) supports full alpha-blended transparency for windows on Window 2000. 

Remember, your computer and video card are going to be pushing around a lot of pixels if you enable this support, so it will be a bit slower in moving windows. You may want to disable full-window drag (via the Plus!/Effects settings tab in Display Properties) to speed your system up.

Simply enable the Transparency option on the Background Bitmaps tab in the WindowBlinds configuration window and press Apply Changes. The left panel of the IE4/IE5 folder Web View cannot be changed. 

If you are having problems, try updating your video drivers to the latest available from your manufacturer. Some laptop chipsets in particular seem to be really unhappy with this feature. See the Tips and Tricks section of this document for some additional information on this transparency support and ways to manipulate its look.

Double click Action:

Use this dropdown to override the default skin behavior for what happens when you double click on the titlebar of a window. This is normally defined by the skin author, but you can override it and select an action you would prefer: close window, minimize window, maximize window, rollup, set always on top, or show system menu. 

Right click Action:

Use this dropdown to override the default skin behavior for what happens when you right click on the titlebar of a window. This is normally defined by the skin author, but you can override it and select an action you would prefer: close window, minimize window, maximize window, rollup, set always on top, or show system menu.

Apply the global colouring options to per application skins

Select this option to enable the colorizing features (*not available in the shareware version) to be used with applications that have a per app skin defined.