ObjectDock: Changing the Background Theme

Published on December 18, 2006 By Island Dog In Tutorials

In response to questions being asked on several online forums, I wrote a small tutorial showing you how to install and use Docklets for ObjectDock. Continuing with that, I would like to show people how to change their background themes in ObjectDock. ObjectDock includes some backgrounds, but the ObjectDock gallery on WinCustomize is where you are going to find many backgrounds, including tabbed dock backgrounds.

For this tutorial I am using ObjectDock Plus, which adds additional features such as tabbed docks, system tray support, taskbar grouping, multiple dock support, and more. However, the basics of changing your dock backgrounds is similar.

When you download a dock background it will typically be in a .zip file. You will need to un-zip the contents and place them inside the backgrounds folders, in the ObjectDock library. The ObjectDock library is located inside your "My Documents" folder.

Next, open your ObjectDock configuration window. You can do this by clicking "configure dock", or through the ObjectDock icon in the system tray. When the configuration window opens you will be presented with a variety of options. Select "Tabs & Styles" from the options on the left.

Note: If you are not using ObjectDock Plus, then you will have to select "Appearance" to change your background.

In "Tabs & Styles" you also have the option to add/remove tabs, colorize, change fonts, and other options to change the appearance of your docks. Under "Style" you will have a list of all the backgrounds you have available. Just select the background you want to use, and it will change to that selected background.

ObjectDock Plus will also allow you to have a different style for each tab, just in case you want to mix and match to create a style all your own. If you don't want to make any further adjustments, just select close and your dock should have a new background.

Default background

New "Clear" background.

Comments (Page 1)

Paul Wilke

on Dec 02, 2007

I have OD 1.90 and there is no "TABS AND STYLES" cant figure out how to change background. I've gone through every button the properties box and nothing what am I missing ?

Thanks, pablo999

Paul Wilke

on Dec 02, 2007

Whoops.....never mind I found the drop down box in appearance
Thanks, pablo999

WebGizmos

on Jan 30, 2008

The one problem that was created when they moved the OD+ folder to "My Documents" was now you are stuck with the default Plus/Minus images.

I create custom Plus/Minus images for my docks and the only way you can see them is if you move your docks to the "Programs/Stardock/ObjectDock/backgrounds folder."

NikkiN

on Aug 04, 2008

I'm not new to Wincustomize and have been using ObjectDock Plus for quite a while, but I have to admit to some kind of error when it comes to adding new stuff from the gallery. I've tried putting them in the backgrounds folder, in the images folder, and in the library folder. Only a few of the ones I've downloaded show up in the styles list, and those are usually the ones that come with a dockzip that knows where to put stuff. I'm using Vista Ultimate 64, and will continue to use the docks, but sure would like to know what I'm doing wrong. I just tried to follow the instructions above for the docks again, and still can't see anything except more "blanks" that show up in the list. Sorry to be such a dufuss, can you help me?

NikkiN

kurtin

on Aug 04, 2008

All you should need to do is unzip the files to your "backgrounds" folder. The program should find them then and do the rest. If you are having problems beyond that, I guess make sure the .ini files are going along with the images so that the program knows what do to with them.

WebGizmos

on Aug 04, 2008

NikkiN

Dock backgrounds now come in 2 forms....zip & .dockzip files. At one time there was just a .zip file that contained all the background folders...then they got the idea to create new folders in your "My Documents" folders...I'm assuming because people didn't know where to put the backgrounds...and this just created more confusion. So I'll make it real simple for you.

When you download a dock background packaged in a .zip file (all of mine are folders packaged in a .zip file)....download it to where ever you down your stuff and unzip it....then send them to your Programs/Stardock/Objectdock/backgrounds folder...and this includes backgrounds...tiles...and whatever else someone has created as a background. In the case where someone uses the .dockzip method of packaging they're backgrounds...just click on the .dockzip file and it will open it in a folder and you will/should see the file folders...click on them and send them to the folder mentioned above. You can safely delete all those extra folders that have been placed in your "My Documents" folders and forget about them.

Any "blank" spaces you see in the drop down list of your background doesn't mean nothing is there. Some dock background only use one tab and for some reason when that is done you just get a blank space in the list...but you should still get a title of that dock and if you click on it you will see it.

NikkiN

on Aug 05, 2008

Thanks for your reply WebGizmos. I think you may have identified the problem. I've been putting them into the Documents\Stardock\ObjectDock Library\Backgrounds folder. I see there is another one at the location you gave. So I'll try moving them there and see if that works better.

NikkiN

WebGizmos

on Aug 05, 2008

NikkiN....The other reason for keeping them in the folder I mentioned is that you will also see the Plus/Minus images that are created for the backgrounds....if you keep them in the folder located in the "My Documents" folder you'll just get the default Plus/Minus images until they fix that some how which don't match anything.

SharXXXOO

on Sep 22, 2008

Now you're going to see how ignorant and green I am to your vocabulary! Ok, and philosophies too! If you could please clarify for me, what is a plus/minus image? I DO notice that no matter which folder I use, I can't chose how large I want the pngs/icons to view for me which is so totally maddening. Is there a way to fix that? I use Vista, not sure if that's why, but I can hardly tell the difference between similar icons in a group. And I put them all into the Program Files folder you suggested and me being as ignorant as I am about this, I can't tell a difference. Could you explain it to me please, I'm so sorry for wasting your time as I'm sure I'm the only one who isn't getting this, but I Googled it and couldn't get any info on it either. Thankyou, Shar***

BigDogBigFeet

on Sep 22, 2008

I can't chose how large I want the pngs/icons to view for me which is so totally maddening.

I use Object Dock Plus 1.9 and that setting is in the ObjectDock Properties Appearance setting. I haven't looked at the free version if that's the one you're using but if it has an Appearance setting check there.

SharXXXOO

on Sep 26, 2008

use Object Dock Plus 1.9 and that setting is in the ObjectDock Properties Appearance setting. I haven't looked at the free version if that's the one you're using but if it has an Appearance setting check there.

Thank you for your answer BigDogBigFeet (love your name!) but I didn't make myself clear. I use the 1.9plus too, but what I am talking about adjusting the size of the icons, is like when I want to change an icon to another one by Right clicking on the icon I want to change, then click on Dock Engry Properties then Change Image. It goes to Bundled Images and there is where I can't increase the size of the icons so I can make a choice as they're on the tiny side. Can that be adjusted? And my other question was I have no clue as to what plus/minus image means. Thank you tho for trying! Shar

Xiandi

on Sep 26, 2008

Bundled Images and there is where I can't increase the size of the icons so I can make a choice as they're on the tiny side

As far as I know, you cant change the size of the displayed icons there.

The plus minus images show up when you have more icons on a dock than will fit. Try it, take one of your tabbed docks and grab it by the corner, so the sizing arrow on your cursor shows. make your dock smaller so all the icons dont fit in it anymore. A 'plus' image will appear in place of one icon. That 'plus' image is clickable to show the rest of the icons that are on the dock.

deck59

on Jan 12, 2010

Hi, I've been using OD and WB for years now; however, for the first time I decided to use a background from the site. When I download .zip BG they work fine but when I download .dockzip BG and then doubleclick on them all it does is to open a window saying that it installed the BG in the OD library folder in My Documents. Too bad that when I go and open the Stardock folder in my docs every folder is totally empty and the BG won't show in the appearance drop down window. Even if I copy the .dockzip file to the backgrounds folder in the stardock Program Files folder. Question: forget about using .dockzip BG or there is a REAL solution? (using Win7)

messiah1

on Jan 12, 2010

deck59

reply 13

What version of ObjectDock are you using? Click on the About ObjectDock button. It's odd that nothing is going into those folders...

Wizard1956

on Jan 12, 2010

I've had them unzip(.dockzip) to Documents/OD Library both into the Images folder and the Bundled Images folder,not the backgrounds folder. Have you tried looking in all the OD Library folders?

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