46 replies to this topic

[GP007]

I just wonder why MS didn't give us this option OOTB, maybe in the next big update but for now if you have the same background set on the start screen that you do on the desktop then flipping between the two feels more natural/smooth, though a blur effect helps the tiles stand out more.

[Detection]

GP007, on 09 November 2012 - 15:31, said:

I just wonder why MS didn't give us this option OOTB, maybe in the next big update but for now if you have the same background set on the start screen that you do on the desktop then flipping between the two feels more natural/smooth, though a blur effect helps the tiles stand out more.

Yea I was wondering that, I guess its the whole experience thing they don't want people seeing 'Metro' look bad if someone sets a more crappy background than are stock

[LaP]

Windows 8 is certainly great for Stardock

[Osiris]

surely there's a 'skins' file or something that must store these or point to where they are stored...im surprised there isn't a quick free solution for this yet?

[Detection]

Osiris, on 09 November 2012 - 16:15, said:

surely there's a 'skins' file or something that must store these or point to where they are stored...im surprised there isn't a quick free solution for this yet?

I think the default win 8 images are stored inside imageres.dll, there are a couple of homebrew apps floating around that claim to be able to change them too

[TheLegendOfMart]

CSharp., on 09 November 2012 - 12:06, said:

Neat app! One item of functionality I'd love to see is a gaussian blur effect that could automatically be applied to the chosen background picture.

Couldn't you just add the effect manually to the desktop wallpaper you are using and tell Decor8 to use that???

[CSharp.]

TheLegendOfMart, on 09 November 2012 - 16:36, said:

Couldn't you just add the effect manually to the desktop wallpaper you are using and tell Decor8 to use that???

Yes, of course. Takes a lot more time to experiment with multiple wallpapers that way, though.

LaP, on 09 November 2012 - 16:06, said:

Windows 8 is certainly great for Stardock

That's for sure! I already bought Start8. Might end up buying Decor8, too. Windows 8 is getting more expensive by the day…

Here's a better (png-)version of the blurry background by the way. The other one had pretty visible compression artifacts...

Attached Files

•  blur.zip   1.23MB   37 downloads

[GP007]

Detection, on 09 November 2012 - 16:29, said:

I think the default win 8 images are stored inside imageres.dll, there are a couple of homebrew apps floating around that claim to be able to change them too

That's probably part of it for sure but the bigger issue is that depending on the background the tiles borders can get lost in there. Maybe if MS does allow us to set our own pictures in the future they'll compensate with adding a thin border or drop shadow to the tiles so regardless of the image in back they don't get lost.

[AsherGZ]

It's cool for a while, but now I see why Microsoft didn't include this feature by default. But now it seems like I'm stuck with this because I can't see a 'restore to default' option anywhere. And even though there are the default textures to choose from, they don't really restore your original background but instead replace it with some messed up zoomed version of it. I want my good ol' Start screen back.

[MorganX]

GP007, on 09 November 2012 - 15:31, said:

I just wonder why MS didn't give us this option OOTB, maybe in the next big update but for now if you have the same background set on the start screen that you do on the desktop then flipping between the two feels more natural/smooth, though a blur effect helps the tiles stand out more.

I thought I wanted this, but having used 8 for a while now, I don't. You would really have to have the perfect background for it not to be a distraction and I'm not there long enough. I think the plain options available OOTB are best for usability. JMO.

I'll have to give this one to MS. I'm sure they tested it thoroughly. IMO you have to add way too much blur and/or opacity to make it viable.

[GP007]

MorganX, on 09 November 2012 - 19:05, said:

I thought I wanted this, but having used 8 for a while now, I don't. You would really have to have the perfect background for it not to be a distraction and I'm not there long enough. I think the plain options available OOTB are best for usability. JMO.

I'll have to give this one to MS. I'm sure they tested it thoroughly. IMO you have to add way too much blur and/or opacity to make it viable.

That could be it, still, no harm in having the option for those who want it.

[Neil Banfield]

gzAsher, on 09 November 2012 - 18:59, said:

It's cool for a while, but now I see why Microsoft didn't include this feature by default. But now it seems like I'm stuck with this because I can't see a 'restore to default' option anywhere. And even though there are the default textures to choose from, they don't really restore your original background but instead replace it with some messed up zoomed version of it. I want my good ol' Start screen back.

Select no background and it will use your OS settings.

[Neil Banfield]

You may also find more simplistic wallpapers rather than photos work better and for 1.0 we plan to include a number of enhancements to reduce any distraction while at the same time allowing you to customize what you see.

I will add that some of the Microsoft defaults are far from non distracting though!

[Livin in a box]

I can imagine Microsoft adding in this functionality into a big update in the future, but if they don't then this looks a great program. I would buy it but with Start8 I don't really use the Metro Start Screen that often so it'd be a bit of a waste

[TCA]

Now I know what Sekyal was talking about in the Window Like/Hate thread...I didn't know it was a stardock app. so, I Googled "decor8" and this is what it gave me.

http://www.decor8blog.com/

Sooo I thought, "wtf does crafts have to do with Windows?" until I looked here instead. I may have to give the trial a shot. But I feel really stupid right now