Cannot use translucent themes/styles?

[ques]

I recently tried using a modified uxtheme.dll from here http://themes.belchfire.net/uxtheme...1.2600.1106.rar

Using WinXPro SP1. I can use almost all themes fine, with no problems. Kinda have two questions :x

First, I'm not sure why I can't get transparency to work on themes, such as http://themes.belchfire.net/themes_file-2048.html. Tried googling it and messsing with my video card settings, but I haven't been able to accomplish anything. I haven't tried any software on my system (ie starskin, stylexp, etc), and I'd rather not...but if I have too, then i guess i will :p

Second, I've noticed the skins come in two different types files: "Windows Visual Style File" and "Windows Theme File". The Visual Styles just seem to change the coloring of the current theme. Windows Theme files seem to do quite a bit more (plus I can access them through my Display properties). Anyway, is what I'm saying correct?

[dreamz Veteran]

1. are you sure the translucency is in the visual style? you need a separate program to make windows transparent. the only thing you can do inside a visual style is to make it completely clear, i.e. the image isn't drawn. i don't think that's what you're talking about.

2. a visual style IS NOT a theme. read my noob guide:

Q: What is the difference between a theme and a visual style?

A: The terms ?theme? and ?visual style? are often thrown around carelessly and used interchangeably, which adds to the confusion, but the distinction is clear.

A visual style (.msstyles) is the file that skins the windows, taskbar, start menu, and other elements of the Windows appearance. Visual styles are loaded in the appearance tab of the display properties dialog.

A theme (.theme) is a visual style with saved settings, wallpapers, icons, and so on. Themes are loaded in the theme tab of the display properties dialog.

When people say themes, they usually mean visual styles.

Q: My uxtheme did not patch! What do I do?

A: Now hold on there. How do you know it failed? The easiest way to check to see if uxtheme.dll was patched is to simply double-click the msstyles file of a third party theme. If double-clicking loads the display properties dialog with the correct visual style, then the patching process was successful. If not, re-patching is necessary. This time, try manually replacing the file using Replacer (http://www3.telus.net/_/replacer/) in safe mode and make sure the themes service is set to automatic.

Q: Uxtheme was patched successfully, but visual styles do not appear in the appearance tab dropdown list. What do I do?

A: This is a common problem, but one that deserves more attention than it is currently given. The problem is caused by a misnamed visual style folder. For the style to appear in the list, the folder name in which it is residing must correspond to the name of the msstyles file. For instance, gloss.msstyles must be in its visual style folder named ?gloss? in the correct directory (C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes) and it will appear. The correct path for the file itself should then be:

C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\gloss\gloss.msstyles

And equivalently, the shell folder should be in the same ?gloss? folder: C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\gloss\shell.

Q: What is a shellstyle and how do I install it?

A: Shellstyle.dll is a file often bundled with the visual style that skins the common tasks pane (and other panes, e.g. the add/remove panel). No installation is necessary. Simply unzip the visual style to the appropriate directory as mentioned above and make sure the shell folder is in the visual style folder along with the msstyles file.

Q: I patched, but my start menu and taskbar are not skinned. What is wrong?

A: First, check to make sure the correct version of the dll is being used. Also try patching in safe mode. Finally, check the directories to see if uxtheme.dll has been misplaced. It should only appear in the system32 folder, and not in the Windows folder.

[#Michael]

In order to have transparency using an msstyle you HAVE to use a 3rd party program such as y'z shadow or window fx.

The default windows theme engine, uxtheme, does not support transparency natively.

[dreamz Veteran]

^^ yup, like i said. :)

some apps, in addition to the ones mentioned, are:

transxp, trans2k, glass2k, graphics card apps (check your drivers), power menu (can set individual windows to specific transparency levels).

[MonkeyClaw Veteran]

no u can have transparency in msstyle, its just rather buggy thats all. try out jem's blue glass or blue DWM (cant remember which one, might be both, heh) but anyhow he used magic pink in certain areas of the theme to make some protions of the windows transparent. as i said its buggy but there is no 3rd party app being used.

[dreamz Veteran]

  MonkeyClaw said:

no u can have transparency in msstyle, its just rather buggy thats all.  try out jem's blue glass or blue DWM (cant remember which one, might be both, heh)  but anyhow he used magic pink in certain areas of the theme to make some protions of the windows transparent.  as i said its buggy but there is no 3rd party app being used.

585159428[/snapback]

that's different. that's what i mentioned earlier about not being drawn. that's a completely see-through look. i think he wants a glass look, which means not 100% transparent.

[ques]

Ah, I gotcha. I wasn't really sure what the difference was before. And Y'z Shadow worked awsome :) Appreciate it ya'll.