intense: windows skins + icons

[sackynut]

hey so I wanna challenge myself. I have a copy of photoshop and Visual Basic 6.0 (NOT STUDIO!).

I was wondering first off, how to use either or both of those programs to make icons for windows.

secondly, programs like windows blinds are probably hard to make, but I was wondering how they work:

are the windows picture files stored somewhere, and windows blinds etc just edits them? or is it way more intese?

is there even a slight chance I could make one, even a crappy one?

thanks

[Sir. MatDef]

Re: intense: windows skins + icons

Icons are easy, as for skinning windows,good luck. Here's a history of windowsblinds:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WindowBlinds

[sackynut]

Re: intense: windows skins + icons

more info p[zlzz! thats why im asking. like, is it even close to possible for me to do it? how does it work (link didnt help THAT much), and you said icons are easy... elaborate!??!!?

thanks

[Sir. MatDef]

Re: intense: windows skins + icons

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnwxp/html/winxpicons.asp

For icons, a really basic windows only guide.

If you're lazy, just buy this:

http://www.stardock.com/products/icondeveloper//

[firezip]

Re: intense: windows skins + icons

WB kills your system resources. Just disable themes and use the classic theme like I do.

[signa]

Re: intense: windows skins + icons

I have a windows icon plugin for photoshop. pm me if you want it.

[sackynut]

Re: intense: windows skins + icons

found the plugin already, but thanks, as for skins, ive sorta given up at the moment and just working on regular visaul basic programming (like viruses ^_^). but thanks for all the help.

another question:

I found a place in windows I didnt know about for changing colors etc. when you right click on the desktop, go to properties > appearance > advanced button

you can change colors for certain things. It seems though, this only works in windows classic theme mode? I have mine on Windows Xp theme, silver colored and when I change the colors in the advanced section, nothing happens. is there a way to get around this or something so I can have custom colors but still the Xp theme?



also! how do you make the background of an icon transparent?