This screencast is a companion to the article I wrote about creating and recoloring Windows icons using IconDeveloper 2.0.  The full tutorial can be found here. Link: IconDeveloper: Creatings and Coloring Icons from Images       If you have trouble viewing the video, click here for the video.

I have been trying to catch up with some of the tutorials and documentation I have been writing on WindowBlinds 6 .  I put out a new one recently so I wanted to take the time to post a list of some of the most recent ones.  If you have WindowBlinds 6 this will give  you a good, basic understanding of how to use and configure some of the basic settings of WindowBlinds. WindowBlinds 6 tutorials: User Interface Walkthrough Changing the Visual Style Ch...

To go along with the CursorFX theme editor tutorial I recently wrote, I also wanted to do a screencast that actually shows some of the process that I describe in the tutorial.  Both the screencast and article show how to create your own custom cursor using CursorFX. Making a Cursor with CursorFX  

Since my switch to Vista full-time I have been having a great time customizing it and getting away from the typical "Aero" look.  Now some people have expressed to me that the like the Aero look, and I have no problem with it except it has now gotten old.  I used Aero for months and months, so now it's time to change Vista to the way I want it. In the last few weeks some skinners have released Vista versions of their WindowBlinds skins, but I have also been running skins made for X...

Over the past few weeks I have found myself on the Vista desktop more and more despite the problems I have written about before.  So spending this much "extra" time with Vista means I can't get stuck with the basic Aero theme. I have spent a lot of time just trying out different skins and themes on Windows Vista.  WindowBlinds has done an incredible job of making XP skins works pretty flawlessly on Vista, and it has been nice to boot Vista and see some of my favorite themes on ther...

With all the new Premium Suites coming out I am having a real difficult time deciding which to use on my desktop at any one time.  Last week, Stardock Design and Essorant released the Pantheon premium suite, and it's elegant style will definitely stay on my desktop for a while.  This unique style is easy on the eyes, and is very usable for day to day use.  The matching calendar, weather, and clock gadgets also add a bit of class to your desktop using the same beautiful design. ...

The Omega Premium Suite , done by Treetog for Stardock Design was recently launched and has been getting great reviews from the community.  For those of you who might have missed the launch or just wanted to see a bit more I am going to take you on a walkthrough of the Omega suite. The Omega suite contains the following items: WindowBlinds Visual Style Icon Package Wallpaper When you download the suite you will also get a pack of extras in a .zip file.  These in...

Stardock recently released Aquarium Desktop 2007, and I wanted to take this opportunity to take users on a "guided tour" of some of its features.  I'm sure many of your remember the screensaver from years ago that made your monitor look just like an aquarium with fish floating around.  However, that was just a screensaver, and you had to wait for the screensaver to kick in before you could look at this virtual aquarium. Well Aquarium Desktop 2007 takes it to the next level. ...

While browsing through the galleries this morning I was looking at the DesktopX gadgets/widgets section and thought it would be fun to list some really cool ones I came across.  Be sure to leave your favorites in the comments section. 1. Hyalo-2xWeather by adni18 2. SD Desktop 4.01 by Vad_M 3. iTunes Remote Module by _Martin_ 4. File Transporter – Full by RomanDA 5. aerial ...

Attention recruits!  For the next "Desktop Tour" I wanted to show off another MyColors theme that was recently released, and that would be the Camouflage theme.  As the name implies, this is a military inspired theme that can turn your desktop into the barracks you have always wanted.  Before we start, you can find more info about MyColors from Stardock, you can read through a walkthrough or view a screencast with more information.  Visual Style and Wallpaper C...

It's a short week for me, so This Week in Skinning is coming just a tad earlier than usual.  Saw some really awesome stuff this week, especially in the CursorFX and Wallpaper galleries.  If you have Windows Vista and DeskScapes, don't miss the latest edition of This Month in Dreams . Now for this weeks picks!   Krim for CursorFX by jalentorn This is a really superb theme for CursorFX.  One of my favorite parts of the design is the textures on the ...

  Another big month for .dreams, and we saw another fantastic Master .dream released by TheMasterBaron.  That one is probably my favorite so far.  Now for this months video!   To use .dreams (animated wallpaper) you need to have Windows Vista and Stardock's DeskScapes (free) installed.  If you are an Object Desktop subscriber, you have beta access to DeskScapes 2.0 which will run on virtually any version of Vista. The .dreams featured in this months video ca...

Every month or so Frogboy does his “FrogBlog” where he gives an insight of things going on in and around Stardock from his perspective.  I have always enjoyed reading them so I that kind of inspired me to do something similar.  I wanted to write a blog showing the stuff going on not only in Stardock/WinCustomize related areas, but the other various skinning/tech communities like WinMatrix and Skinning.net that I visit regularly.  I also thought it might be fun to s...

Short cuts are always nice, but it seems like more work is always packed in to them.  Well at least it's Friday so that means this weeks edition of This Week in Skinning is here. Now for this weeks picks!   Star Trek 11 Enterprise 2 in Bootskins by I.R. Brainiac This is an awesome image of the Enterprise, and now you can see it when you boot up Windows.   Gold Scarab for CursorFX by Libardo This is one of my new favorite...

This Friday is even better because it's the start of a long holiday weekend.  I spent a few hours last night going through all the galleries, trying to pick my favorite skins from the week, and skins that have been popular among our members. Now for this weeks picks!   Black System for CursorFX by 1MrPAul1 This is another skin to match the Black System WB theme, and this slick cursor theme will go well with any dark theme.   Cur...