[HowTo] Method to make a client skin

[THeUDS]

Client version will be soon skinnable.
Starting from the pictures models provided below, you will be able to suggest interfaces to your taste.

Original 1:


Original 2 (main screen et messages screen):


Original button 1:


Original button 2:



The added purple lines delimit vertical and horizontal areas that are not stretched.
Definition of the stretch.



Demonstration:
If (in addition to recolor the title bar) we draw two lines in areas stretch:

with new button :


we get:



You are invited to propose here yourskins (png format).
The objects colors are not yet editable, it will remain fairly close in tone to the current theme.

[hfroese]

Pretty nice idea!

[THeUDS]

Second demonstration (phpBB style) :

Window background:


Buttons:


We get:




Second background:


We get:

[THeUDS]

phpBB style from IntraMessenger ACP :


Background:


Buttons:


Result:

[THeUDS]

To test display,
download and unzip the test kit IM_Skin.zip (or miror).
then replace provided pictures (with same names).

[chukillz]

To test display,
download and unzip IM_Skin.zip
then replace provided pictures (with same names).

i will take a look at it, do you think that there will be a way to change border colors and do dark skins in the future? if you need skinning help i can help you with that i am willing to assist you as much as possible if you would like.

[THeUDS]

do you think that there will be a way to change border colors and do dark skins in the future?

I dont think so
language i use (windev.com) don't provide it...

if you need skinning help i can help you with that i am willing to assist you as much as possible if you would like.

Thanks a lot !

[chukillz]

ok i took a look at all of the images and such and i was wondering...do we put all of the files and images into the client folder? how do we make it work?

[THeUDS]

do we put all of the files and images into the client folder?

Not in the client folder,
inside \IM_Skin\ folder (after unzip it).
It's only to test how its look.

After, you can post here your 4 pictures (or more if many template...)
(to be include inside exe on next major version).


Custom server will be able to have their own (client) skin...

[chukillz]

ok cool, i have a custom version and i must say its been very fun to work with. its definatly worth it.


also what do you mean by boarders that way i know exactly what i am able to do with it. can you show a screen shot showing the spots we can not change? because i have been working on a skin and i used the IM_Skin to test it all and everything that i changed the colors of, looked great on the tester.

[THeUDS]

can you show a screen shot showing the spots we can not change?

Good idea !
I just change IM_Skin (include change sheets color to).

i used the IM_Skin to test it all and everything that i changed the colors of, looked great on the tester.

So will look great to on client...

[chukillz]

ok ok i see now, well the things we can not change are the ones we do not want to change

*EDIT* is the "Send" button able to be changed? and what would the "Sheets" be used for i know it is RBG colors but what i am asking is what do they change?


i can not wait, the wicked minions (the team i started) have so many theme ideas not all will be for public release on your forums tho because they are going to be "ours" so i will put them in PM but there will be some i will make for other users here to use if they would like

[THeUDS]

is the "Send" button able to be changed?

Yes, must be (soon)
(it's already no so nice... ).

and what would the "Sheets" be used for i know it is RBG colors but what i am asking is what do they change?

You don't test the button "Test 1" ?...

[chukillz]

You don't test the button "Test 1" ?...

oh ok it changes the color of the tabs. i see. oh yeah and you have done this too me since we started talking and its funny so

the sheet colors wont save after close. everything is done on my end besides that big send button in the chat screen.

im very happy with how it looks on my end so far, i cant wait until i am able to have it on the client end

thanks for the update, we (the wicked minions [owners of the site for the instantmessenger]) get together we will make the images and send them back.

[THeUDS]

Test skin forced from server (custom version) through future version 2.0.4
by using this IM server address (url) :
http://www.intramessenger.net/im-custom/

(server options are restricted to limit usage to skin test)