SkinStudio is a program that allows users to design their own visual styles for Windows XP, 2000, ME, and 98.
The completed visual styles are then applied via WindowBlinds (www.windowblinds.net). Visual styles can change the look and feel of the Windows GUI - title bars, push buttons, scrollbar buttons, the Start bar, radio buttons, etc.
SkinStudio Version 4.1 has particular interest for Neowin users: When installed, .msstyles files can be directly imported into WindowBlinds.
Here's how it works:
- Step 1: Open up a directory with a .msstyles file in it.
- Step 2: Double click on the .msstyles file
- Step 3: Change import options if you want.
- Step 4: Hot the OK button and if you have WindowBlinds, the visual style will then be applied to your computer.
SkinStudio is free. An enhanced version comes with Object Desktop and is also available stand-alone, it adds the ability to import bits and pieces from visual styles so that skinners can mix and match their various GUI elements from their skin libraries. A professional version also exists that adds support for skinning Windows Media Player.
Screenshot: Screenshot of SkinStudio in action
News source: XPThemes.com