Customizing: How to?

[Wannes]

Hey all

As I'm new in the Mac customising scene I decided to start up a topic filled with plenty of tutorials for all of us. Every time I learn something new I'll write a small tutorial so others can just find it here.

If you like my tutorial style and you'd like to see me write a tutorial about something you like you can just drop me a PM. If I find your request useful, in customising Mac, I'll write it for you.

The main idea is to have one topic bundling everything which there is to know. I will try to write all reviews for people without 3rd party applications such as Shapeshifter, Candybar or any other application. Sometimes, when there is no other way, you will be asked to install another application. Those instructions will also be included.

Greetings

Couch Potato^TM

Note: Each tutorial is made on Mac OS X 10.5.1 Leopard. There might be some changes with Tiger but normally everything that works on Leopard should work with Tiger as well.

Other guides:

- Customizing: Applications

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Tutorial 1: Change an icon

Lets say you want to change the icon of a newly created folder to keep everything organised. You can do so without using another applications. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Open up Finder and browse to your new icon.

2. Select your icon and press  + C or via Right click -> Copy 'Icon name'.

3. Now Right Click the folder of which you want the icon changed and select 'Show info'.

4. Click on the icon in the left top corner to select it.

5. Paste the new icon with  + V

6. Close the dialogue. The icon has been changed.

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Tutorial 2: Change the desktop background

In Windows we could just right click the image and select "Set as desktop background". The procedure in Mac OS X is a little different and goes as follows:

1. Right click the desktop and select "Change desktop background"

2. You will now see a folder named "Apple" on the left hand side containing standard backgrounds.

Click the + underneath the windows to add another folder.

3. Browse to your local wallpapers folder and select "Choose" once you have opened it (and see your images)

4. You will now see a folder at the left hand side and your wallpapers on the right hand side.

5. Click on the wallpaper you like and you're done, just close the Systempreferences now.

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Tutorial 3: Change the look and feel of your dock

Note: Leopard only

This tutorial is here to help you change your dock without using 3rd party applications such as Candybar. If you have Candybar, I'll write a small how-to another day.

1. Download the dock you like from a site such as LeopardDocks.com.

My example is "Revamped dock" by "Daniel Cakici".

2. Go to your Macintoch HD -> /System/Library/Core Services/

3. Right click on "Dock" and select "Show package contents".

4. Go to /Contents/Resources

5. Backup all files you are going to replace !

You can see which files you are going to replace because your old files and the new, downloaded files have the same names.

Put all the old files in a folder called "Backup" or something alike so you can always go back. In case you forgot you can download the original fock files here.

6. Move the original files, so NOT the backup, to Trash.

7. Now move those downloaded files in there to "replace" the old files.

8. Open Terminal (Applications/Utilities) and typ "killall Dock" (without the quotes)

Note: Case sensitive

9. Look and behold, you have a whole new dock.

Special thanks to "MasterC" for his input in this tutorial.

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Tutorial 4: Change a dock icon

Note: Please use Tut 1: Change an icon for full instructions on how to change the icon.

1. Remove the current application icon from your dock.

2. Go the the Application folder (Applications/Programname)

3. Go to the folder of the new icon and copy it. (Right click -> Copy 'Icon name')

4. Select the icon in the lefthand corner and replace it by using 'paste' ( + V)

5. Close the info dialogue and drag the application to the dock. You'll now have a new icon for your application.

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More tutorials will come as I customise my desktop more. Feedback is always welcome.

Regards

CP

Edited December 24, 2007 by Couch Potato

[MasterC]

Note: Each tutorial is made on Mac OS X 10.1.5 Leopard.

10.1 = Puma :p Think you mean 10.5.1! Nice guide, can't wait till you add more!

[Wannes]

10.1 = Puma :p Think you mean 10.5.1! Nice guide, can't wait till you add more!

Indeed, damn typos. Cheers for the compliments. :)

Tutorial 2: Change desktop background added.

Edited December 20, 2007 by Couch Potato

[Wannes]

Tutorial 3 has also been added, now you can all change your dockbackground.

If anyone has any requests, the PM button is not far away.

EDIT: Tutorial 4 has been added.

Edited December 21, 2007 by Couch Potato

[Wannes]

Update December 24, 2007:

- New guide added: Applications

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=609020

[raider360]

Thank you for the tutorial. I did everything as you wrote. But all I got it's a apple system logo with a "PNG" text on it :unsure:

I've tried with different types of files, but no luck.

Edit:

solved. :)

Edited February 1, 2008 by raider360

[Wannes]

Hey,

First of all, you're welcome. I'm glad to see that this tutorial is still being used.

Secondly, that's because you selected the png icon and not the image file itself. If you'd like to explain how you sorted it please, be my guest.

Regards,

James

[crazzyyfool]

Nice tutorial but personally I would have had your screenshots in English.

[Wannes]

I wish I could buy my Mac OS X 10.5.1 is in Dutch. :(

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

does Prefrences/International change it ?

but either way, im shure the dialogs are in the same position regardless of language

I wish I could buy my Mac OS X 10.5.1 is in Dutch. :(

[Wannes]

That "buy" should have been "but".

Yes, they are in the same position just different letters according to your system language. I'll see if I can change my system language though I'm not sure. If I can I'll upload some new screenshots in English, that will make the guide more accessible.

[raider360]

Hey,

First of all, you're welcome. I'm glad to see that this tutorial is still being used.

Secondly, that's because you selected the png icon and not the image file itself. If you'd like to explain how you sorted it please, be my guest.

Regards,

James

Ok. So I have downloaded a zip file with new iMac icons from Deviantart.com which contains this files:

iMac

iMac.png

iMac.ico

iMac.icns

I've tried everything but not first "iMac" file. That's why it didn't work :p

I love Leopard :D