XT Resources:(Skins)

[Polyphonic]

I've downloaded it and, as much as I love the design, it's a little harsh on the eyes. The thing is, I can't put my finger on what makes it that way.

Hmm.

Maybe it's just *too* good

[TotcProductions]

Indeed, gorgeous skin. It might be replacing my current favorite: The NI battery emulation skin. People should do more emulation skins. Make sure they are component modeled analog skin emulations though, digital just doesn't have the same feeling.

[jackson]

Just a wee bump to remind myself tonight to pick up that modernretro skin - it's tight!

[lung]

Ya, I currently use my colour-adjusted 'LiveStyle Business' skin, but this ModernRetro is pure cream baby, pure cream!

[scuzzphut]

can we find out who is responsible and drag him in here for a jolly old back-slapping and general appreciation session ?

[pHz]

erm ... no ... becuase i dont like it that much TBH ...

slainte rob

[.jon]

Hi guys,

glad someone noticed my first skin @ asseca's It's a work in progress (at 0.8 now), and I've got many things that need improving:

- the bitmaps are 32-bit, so your display needs to be set to "High/true color" to see it correctly, 16-bit version will come later

- some colors are a bit off, I started it on my VAIO and it seems to have quite yellow-greenish cast on a CRT, so 0.9 will have different colours

- window frames are missing, I'm experimenting with different styles now

- the buttons should maybe be smaller, what you think? The mixer looks a bit stuffed.

- I don't like the scrollbars, but I couldn't just copy the default scrollbars... couldn't I?

- what else? I'd really like to make this skin _good_, so I take all suggestions and critics seriously (c'mon teach speak up!)

I made a pretty spanking template to my vector app, so this will not be the last one. I also made notes during the process, as I had to learn everything from the beginning... to save some others from the trouble I'll write a bsic skinning guide after the web design compo is over.

sunny days,

.jon

[pHz]

so I take all suggestions and critics seriously (c'mon teach speak up!)

ok - heehee - you asked for it !!!

(all comments made from the subjective point of view of an (albeit opinionated) experienced professional in the visual arts but one whose own recent XT skinning accomplishments have only been nothing more than colour themes on other peoples skins)

> mixer sliders would be better bigger

> the main workspace icon graphics are VERY cool but i have a personal dislike of the faux-3d reflection stuff (i think it also detracts from the legibility of some of the other small mixer / track icons)

> my main concern though is that the colours are just too busy ... admittedly i do have a preference for pretty monochromatic colour themes that use one or two strong colour contrasts or tonal contrasts to seperate things out but i find too many contrasty colours (the greens / blue-greens / reds here) make for a confusing GUI (things like the way you use a similar tone of red for stop / slider knob / pan controls)

... take it or leave it BUT please dont take any of this negatively ... having done some (as i said) mediocre XT skinning i totally appreciate the amount of time and effort this stuff takes ...

slainte rob

[.jon]

There aren't any objective views on these things thanks, we agree on all things!

- sliders are already improved

- I decreased the contrast between reflection and main icon frames, removed them from some small buttons. I hear you about fake 3-d, I'm very much into flat GUIs in general, but they are surprisingly important for the general appeareance of this skin and therefore will stay

- I adjusted hues on some (didn't like the green so next ver has more blue) to bring it together a bit, there are probably too many contrasting colours

I never skinned an application before, it was more fun and challenging than I'd have guessed- so much fun that I will definitely do more. And I think you'll like them more than this one

thanks for the comments, now who's next?

[gizmo]

I looked at it and liked it very much but I'd agree that a bit more subdued in the color department would be better for me. But I like your icons and take on the design very much: I find a little bit of 3D to be good, without going in for hardware emulation on the one hand or rigid 2D on the other, which seems a little unnatural to look at. I know the screens flat, but the world isn't. Just wanted to chime in because I think this skin is breaking new ground, and that isn't easy or simple.

[jackson]

Keep the faux-3d buttons, they look tight. What's the deal with the backdrop though? It's the only part I dislike, it's very distracting and compared to the quality of the rest, seems cheap.

If you improve this a bit more, it will be the the skin of choice for a LOT of users, methinks.

edit: oh, and maybe a bit more contrast in the pianoroll between notes and background - maybe it's just me though.

Mike

[BONES]

Just noticed modernretro - my God, looks awesome!

Really? To my eyes that is possibly th eugliest thing I have seen on the 'net this year. The only decent aspect of it is the icons, which look really slick. The rest makes me nauseus.

[Sickle]

That skin's cooler than Jesus and you're a retard.

[Z3R0T0N1N]

i'm undecided myself.
i just switched to 'elemental' from the battery skin.

[Sickle]

I haven't seen the Battery skin yet..I always liked Battery's look.

edit: nope, don't like that one.