How To Use My Themes

Changing Shortcuts

Published on May 11, 2008 By PuterDudeJim In DesktopX

I have been asked several times recently how to use or modify my DesktopX themes. So I thought I would write a short tutorial of sorts.

Obviously, everyone does not have the system setup that I use, but I will explain the best I can. Firstly, I think I will start uploading theme without the shortcuts in the menus which only work on my PC. That way, you don't have to delete them. For the older themes, follow these instructions to remove my icons. Right click them and choose delete. If asked if you want to delete child or related items, choose no. Once you have removed all the icons from the menus, you can open the menus for each category, and drag and drop your own shortcuts into it. Internet, Security, etc.

Ususally, at the top of each menu, there is a corresponding shortcut for that folder. ( I create 8 folders on my desktop called Internet, Graphics, etc. to hold my shortcuts. It is just the way I do things.) The folder shortcuts lead to those folders because not all the shortcuts will fit into the menu. I just put the most used ones there.

In my latest theme, Noir , I used some messaging. Notice when you mouseover the media player buttons you see the function of said button show up on a bar above the player. This is done with messaging. Let's just use the play button, for example. I create a new object, make it a text object, type the word 'Play' in the mouse away slot.Name it play. Place it on the bar above the player, and make it a child of the bar. Then I right click on the play button, choose properties, then states. Mouse away, click messages, choose add, then Object ID, choose play, choose hide. Then click mouse over, choose messages, choose play, choose show. Now, go to the Play text that you placed on the bar. Right click it, choose properties. Go to the relation tab, and choose visible-no. Now when you mouse over the Play button, you will see the word 'Play' on the bar. Note that all these tweaks must be done in builder mode, which is the only mode I use. I am not sure why the other mode exists...lol.

This is my very first tutorial, and I am sure that it could be much clearer. If anyone out there wants to help me with this, feel free to contact me on how to make a better tut. I can be reached at PuterDudeJim@aol.com .

Here is an excellent tutorial on resizing a theme by sViz. Using one of mine, of course...lol. WWW Link Link to Noir WWW Link

Comments (Page 1)

Wizard1956

on May 11, 2008

Noir is sweet,my favorite colors. I'm using it now,but I can't find the option to delete any shortcuts. R-clicking the icon does nada.I undestand somewhat about the folders,I have similar ones for my stack docklets.I should be able to handle that.

I'd love to use this if I could add my own shortcuts. Pando files is the only button I wish I could rename, but I can live with it.Thanks.

PuterDudeJim

on May 11, 2008

I can't find the option to delete any shortcuts. R-clicking the icon does nada.

Right clicking the icon in the open menu will allow you to delete it, ONLY in builder mode. email me at PuterDudeJim@aol.com and I will help you change the Pando thing.

ZubaZ

on May 12, 2008

Being able to customize in regular mode is key to DX theme acceptance. I'd hunt down a script that lets you do that.

Wizard1956

on May 12, 2008

Being able to customize in regular mode is key to DX theme acceptance. I'd hunt down a script that lets you do that.

+1 Please!,Or Make them along the lines of Blue Glass by buzzh58, all drag and drop..Super easy to set up. Also,make it saveable without using builder mode.As I said elsewhere, if I needed SKS to change fonts,colors, and WP in WB's just to use them,I.d never change anything.I'm dumber than I sound.

PuterDudeJim

on May 12, 2008

Being able to customize in regular mode is key to DX theme acceptance. I'd hunt down a script that lets you do that.

Pardon me if I am wrong, But I think, if you look into what you are saying, you will find that it has always been a fact that any desktopx theme has to be in builder mode to be modified. If you turn it into a Gadget with DX Pro, it then can be modified in any mode if you script it to be. In other words, Any regular desktopx theme has to be run in builder mode, to be altered. This is why there is builder mode. Vad_m I think is his name , has made a few "widgets" like sd desktop, and sd launchbar, that can be configured in user mode, but these aren't actually widgets, they are gadgets, modified through script. He is good at that, I am not. My point is, that those are not DX Themes, they are gadgets. Themes must be in builder mode to be modified and saved.

PuterDudeJim

on May 12, 2008

Also,make it saveable without using builder mode

That would be something that stardock would have to incorporate into DX. I have no control.

Make them along the lines of Blue Glass by buzzh58, all drag and drop..Super easy to set up

This would be nice, but as someone once told me, I make what I like, and if I share it, those who like, can use. Those who don't, use something else. I only know how to make what I use.

Wizard1956

on May 12, 2008

I still need builder mode to save the setup, no matter who's it is.

Those who don't, use something else. I only know how to make what I use

I'll just have to learn how to use them,because you make some great themes.

PuterDudeJim

on May 13, 2008

I'll just have to learn how to use them,because you make some great themes

Thank you very much! The tut I wrote, and a few others here on WC, should help you in learning. It took me a good while to learn when I first started. Still one thing I need to learn to do, but can't and it drives me nuts. lol

Wizard1956

on May 13, 2008

Being able to customize in regular mode is key to DX theme acceptance.

Builder Mode=Complicated and Scary....Configure=Adjustments.People love to "adjust" things.

Maybe it just needs a name change.

A "configure"sub menu or limited builder mode would be a welcome improvement.Just enough to set fonts,shortcuts,colors,maybe button names would put DX back in the hands of casual users. When it's time to use builder mode, things would seem more familiar.DX themes are just as attractive (or more) than WB's, far more useful,and files are small and fast loading/installing. All this while using minimal resources. Wha' happened? Where's the love? PuterDudeJim,keep making them this good, I'll "adjust"(see-I told you)

PuterDudeJim

on Jan 28, 2009

Any chance this could be moved to DX Tutorials?

Wizard1956

on Feb 02, 2009

This was very helpful to me(and so was PDJ) when I started using DXThemes.

sViz

on Feb 02, 2009

Builder Mode=Complicated and Scary....A "configure"sub menu or limited builder mode would be a welcome improvement.Just enough to set fonts,shortcuts,colors,maybe button names would put DX back in the hands of casual users.

Eureka! I second that! All the different setups, windows, tabs, dropdowns, etc, etc, can be overwhelming for a new or casual user, and rather complicated to explain. The gap between Client and Builder needs to be bridged. I started a widget to that effect last year. It's been on a backburner, but the core concepts are something I'd like to see implemented in DX in the same vein as the DesktopX Helper that comes with DesktopX...it'll be a sort of super-helper. It would not only help casual users make simple adjustments to downloaded skins quicker and easier, it will also give them a sort of jump start to making their own creations from scratch.

ZubaZ

on Feb 02, 2009

sViz (and anyone else), email me (or start a new thread) your thoughts/mock-ups/whatever. I'm listening.

I'd love to hear "This [description with screenshot] confused me . . but if it it looked or acted like this [mock-up] it would make more sense"

However, don't just tell me what you don't like or what doesn't work. DX is wicked complex and getting it "simple" and removing complexity might neuter the thing.

The builder is an incredible platform to build a myriad of apps and interfaces. Removing complicated stuff is the easiset way to make it more accessible but would also remove some of it's power

zubaz (at) stardock.com

RedneckDude

on Mar 31, 2010

NancyAnn

on May 24, 2010

Well... i'm havin' problems opening. Do i put them where all my other themes are? I see no app.

Thanks!

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