Aero GlassBar for Windows XP

[Blackice]

Hi guys!

Here is my developed-in-3-hours application that emulates Aero Glass under Windows XP. It is largely unfinished, and other than the taskbar, is KoL's Aero theme. For all parts excluding the taskbar, credit KoL.

Currently it only works with an Aero leaf background, but the next build (next weekend), will have a changer/rebuilder app, with the possibilty to integrate the Aero GlassBar into any theme.

Here's a screenshot of the current version:

Have fun!

Blackice

[hornett]

Nice idea :) Is there a download link?

[MostlyWrong]

That is way cool!

So, is it really just a taskbar skinned to look like the bottom of the wallpaper?

Either way, very slick!

[XP_01]

hey that looks really cool!

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Nice, looks really good. I'll get it once you finish. (Y)

[Blackice]

ok, its now uploaded (and boy you people reply fast!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v460/Bla...s/AeroGrass.jpg is the background needed

http://www.freewebtown.com/blackice/GlassBar.rar is the files, unrar it into your Resource directory

[Recall1982]

:D Hehe, this is cool idea.

[Devoto.]

Tried using it but my Taskbar looks wierd? Any idea why, am i doing something wrong?

[lwebster_2000]

probably a resolution issue

[Dazzla Veteran]

Yeah, it only works in one resolution. I'm guessing he's just modded the taskbar of an existing theme to match the wallpaper at it's native resolution. Change your res to 1024 x 768 and watch it line up.

[Devoto.]

Yeah, you guys were right! Cheers!

[Adriana]

You guys do know that TClock can do that exact same effect to your taskbar right? With out the need for an exact wallpaper, modded VS, and resolution.

[A.K.R.]

Oh great! I have been following this from AXP. Downloading now.

[Blackice]

this was made in 3 hours.

I'm removing the exact wallpaper issue and resolution issues go with it. All this is coming next week (I've got lots of things to do in the mean time). Also, you should get your facts straight. Aero Glass is not just any old transparancy API call (like TCLock and THOUSANDS of other programs offer).

If you look closely, you'll see that its not just that the taskbar is unreadable; with Aero Glass it is. AG also does not make the start button transparent or anything that could become annoying. It is featured in the next generation of Windows (codename Longhorn).

THIS IS NOT ORDINARY TRANSPARENCY. PLEASE EVERYONE GET THAT STRAIGHT

Also, as a temporary fix, email me (a link to is preferable) your different resolution wallpaper and I'll make one that fits. ONLY FOR WALLPAPERS WITH RESOLUTION OTHER THAN 1024x786.

[dougal.s]

That looks awesome Blackice! Good work!

Looking forward to the unrestricted version next week!

Dougal.

[zhangm Supervisor]

Fake transparency... :-/

Won't work with:

Different wallpapers,

Different resolutions,

Different VS,

Different taskbar settings (dual height, autohide, taskbar on sides/top).

Nothing really advanced about it... Trickiest part is probably getting everyone to make their desktops look the same.

[erp]

I don't mean this as a flame.

Just that I don't understand why is this is wanted? It has limitations that I don't believe can be overcome, it locks you into one wallpaper. Is it just to keep from having to run glass2k? Or just a proof of concept or what?

[Adriana]

I mentioned TClock because it's not ordinary transparency either, get YOUR facts straight, I used the full transparency option. And I had the EXACT and I do mean EXACT same effect as what you're trying to accomplish. I had the outline of the taskbar, the tasks, AND the start button. And with that there was NO limitations like wallpaper, resolution, VS, and taskbar settings.

[Randolph]

The transparency is fake, accept it kid. Its just a bitmap or something embedded in the taskbar.

[Blackice]

i used the latest version of TCLock and it was the same transparency I've seen since XP was released.

As I said, next week is an unrestricted version. If you people keep complaining, I'll assume you are not interested in emulating longhorn and get the threaad removed. If people would just STOP posting "fake transparency" things. Because you are ignoratnt to do so. Next week multiple resolutions and stuff will come. In fact, you people have annoyed me so much so far,

SUPPORT FOR THIS ON NEOWIN HAS STOPPED FROM NOW--------------------

[Randolph]

i used the latest version of TCLock and it was the same transparency I've seen since XP was released.

As I said, next week is an unrestricted version. If you people keep complaining, I'll assume you are not interested in emulating longhorn and get the threaad removed. If people would just STOP posting "fake transparency" things. Because you are ignoratnt to do so. Next week multiple resolutions and stuff will come. In fact, you people have annoyed me so much so far,

SUPPORT FOR THIS ON NEOWIN HAS STOPPED FROM NOW--------------------

lol ok. its not our fault your providing fake msstyles.

[A.K.R.]

i used the latest version of TCLock and it was the same transparency I've seen since XP was released.

As I said, next week is an unrestricted version. If you people keep complaining, I'll assume you are not interested in emulating longhorn and get the threaad removed. If people would just STOP posting "fake transparency" things. Because you are ignoratnt to do so. Next week multiple resolutions and stuff will come. In fact, you people have annoyed me so much so far,

SUPPORT FOR THIS ON NEOWIN HAS STOPPED FROM NOW--------------------

Blackice, don't get so worked up. I have been flamed over my passion for 'Longhorn' before, as well as Windows X and many others. They just don't respect other's opinions and tastes, and want them to follow their own opinion and taste.

[macmax]

Oh c'meon man ..... Dont give a thought to those THREAD's they r just ****ed off cos they couldn't think of overcoming the problem in the first place which u have done .... they might have tried their hands n got nothin and whn they c some1 else " atlesat trying to get somewhere close " i think surely something is burning somewhere .. :p lol

First of all we must try 2 understand the restriction's n limitation's of the OS XP ..... i am sre no1 wud hav ever thought of such a thing back in 2001 when it released n i surey liked ur trick it works well :)

But i wud just like 2 that it works with other VS also n with diff wallpaper's 2 .... thanks fr tryin though

BTW cud i get a link for tclock or somthin tat u mentioned.

[insanekiwi]

nice (Y)

now i only need to figure out how to get it working for 1280x1024.

[noroom]

You guys do know that TClock can do that exact same effect to your taskbar right? With out the need for an exact wallpaper, modded VS, and resolution.

how can i get the same effect with tclock?

i can only make the taskbar transparent :unsure: