Watercolor Emico

[Jamushroom Veteran]

Watercolor Emico

So.. almost a year after I've started working on this skin the 1st style is finally done. This version contains the Blue substyles with a "Modern" and a "Classic" taskbar.

This skin is based on the skin called "Watercolor". It's a skin that was being used in the beta's of XP.

I wanted to make my own skin so tornado5 aka em3 told me that I should try and make a new version of Watercolor.

This is the outcome.

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How to install:

Extract the folder called "WE" to "C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes".

Right click the desktop > properties > appearance > then from the first drop select "Watercolor Emico"

From the 2nd drop downlist you can make a choice between the "Modern" and the "Classic" taskbar.

In the 3rd drop downlist you can make a choice between a "Normal" or a "Compact" start panel.

To use this theme you need to patch the Windows system file uxtheme.dll. You can read about how to do that here: Link

Bugs that I know of:

*Some palet frames arent drawn the correct way.(Application bug)

*In some webbrowsers the buttons might be resized the wrong way. (Browser bug)

* Multi row taskbar does not look good. (Theme)

Modification can not be released. You can make them as long as you keep them for personal use only.

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Bug fixes and updates in Blue:

06-06-08:

- Fixed the palet frames

- Fixed the palet caption buttons

- Fixed the black text on the side taskbars to white

- Changed the way the taskbar image is being stretched when using multiple rows.

- New toolbar and placebar images

14-06-08:

- Fixed the toolbar gripper in Blue Classic

- Fixed the vertical toolbar grippers in Blue Modern and Classic

- Fixed the placebar button in Blue Modern

Bug fixes and updates in Ergonomic Blue:

14-06-08:

- Changed the orange on the buttons

- Changed the orange on the tabs

- Changed the orange on the checkboxes

- Changed the orange on the radiobuttons

- Removed some gloss in the flash button. There was a bit to much gloss in that button compared to the others.

Bug fixes and updates in Black:

21-06-08:

- Changed the toolbar buttons and the placebar buttons from orange to blue

- Fixed the top taskbar

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This release only contains Watercolor Emico: Blue. In the next couple of weeks I'm going to release the following color styles:

Still to be made:

- Blue SE (Working title)

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Shellstyles:

I personally don't use them which is the reason why I didn't make any. When all the main styles are done I'm gonna see if I can make some fitting shellstyles.

I already have a few ideas. It will be uploaded to deviantART as an add-on to the skin.

Contribution:

If you feel like contributing to this skin with application skins then go ahead and make them. All you have to do is ask me for permission by email with a screenshot.

My email address is: [email protected].

For more info about further progress, application skins etc. read the journal that I've made on deviantART: Watercolor Emico: Further progress and info

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Credits:

Credits go out to all the beta testers.

Credits also go out to tornado5 aka em3 because he helped me a lot while I was working on it.

I was heavily inspired by LE which is why a few things might look a bit like it.

And thanks to Binary for letting me use his Watercolor Lite as a base.

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Please give me some feedback about the skin.

Download: Watercolor Emico: Blue

Download: Watercolor Emico: Ergonomic Blue

Download: Watercolor Emico: Black

Download: Watercolor Emico: Silver

Download: Watercolor Emico: Olive

Edited July 12, 2008 by Capric0rn

[Richard Hammond]

Oh wow that almost makes me want to go back to Windows XP just so i can use it, i prefer the classic taskbar, very slick.

[Yogurth]

Very, very nice. It would be even nicer if there were more colour variants, like black or dark grey or some lighter options for folks into white themes. Nevertheless 5 star work IMHO.

[Dogan]

Looks great (Y)

Thanks for your hard work Capric0rn!

[Harlem39s Finest]

vewy pwetty :o

[andy_rose]

And finally it is out ;) Great man!

[Scirwode]

Wow, when I changed my desk, it certainly took me by surprise, because it was so bright! But it does look very nice. Out of the two styles, I prefer the classic version but I might mod it to my tastes but so far it looks very nice. No shellstyle is a bit of a downer but I guess you can't have everything at the moment. Overall, it's going to be staying on my desk for a while. Take your time with the other releases, certainly no rush from me :laugh: !

Now, how about starting some startbutton mods such as the previous LE thread had in abundance :p ?

Scirwode

[Sam]

Finally, its about time! :p

Good work though (Y)

[Mongey]

Very nice, it's abit blue for my liking, looking forwars to the black version

[AltecXP]

that is just AWSOME!

[Cadium]

You have done a great job on this theme, Capricorn. Very sleek and stylish.

[Richard Hammond]

I might have to buy Windowblinds just so i can use this on Vista.

[murderdoll]

Capric0rn!! <3

I'm using some old Watercolor visual style at the moment and this will be the perfect upgrade, thanks so much for your efforts.. testing in progress :)

[clx]

W00T! :D

been waiting for this since i first saw the screen shots :)

going to try the blue right now, but i cant wait for the black!

[?AK]

Glad I have XP so I can use this gem! ;)

Great work Cap!

[red.]

wow looks great, can't wait to try the black or ergo styles out when you make them!

[Rebdomine]

looks cool but i dont get the fuss about it

[acies]

Brilliant! Great work!

[winrez]

Great theme!

One question I have always wondered about people who make themes; What made you decide to remove the Windows logo on the start bar and replace it with a custom one?

[Jamushroom Veteran]

Thanks all for the positive feedback! :D

@Rebdomine: Do you know the original Watercolor and how much everyone liked it?

@winrez: The default icon from XP doesn't fit this theme.

[Scirwode]

looks cool but i dont get the fuss about it

The original Watercolour was first introduced in the Whistler builds, which in my opinion made Windows XP look very professional.

Scirwode

[Simon Veteran]

Hands down, best looking interpretation of Watercolor ever, and the best theme I've ever seen.

/me opens up Windows XP

[KoL Veteran]

that's really nice man :)

[Angel Blue01]

Woa, could you make a port for Vista?

[mail]

Finally after all the medicore themes, an awesome one comes along. If I had xp I would use it. (Y)