GT3

a preview

Published on October 30, 2004 By Tiggz In WindowBlinds

Well in the spirit of experimentation I decided to test out this article making facility. As I am currrently engaged, amongst other things, in creating GT3 I thought I would offer some previews of the skin suite which will (approximately) mark my 1 year skinning anniversary.

So, without further ado, being a skinner not a writer, here are some samples of what is to come in the not too distant future...

the start menu - trying to stay reasonably close to the layout of GT2, but with extra sex appeal...

shellstyle images - these are perhaps the most significant departure from GT2 in some ways

the downloading progress animation - shown in context with the normal and light substyles ('light' here is a relative term)

a shot showing toolbar icons, custom throbber, and general windowiness - warning, it's quite a dark skin

well now, what's this?

I haven't really started into the peripheral skins yet, but here is a sample of a prospective rainy candidate

a weeny preview of a GT3 logon

Well, that's more or less the state of play atm. The windowblind is 99% complete, just undergoing final testing and addition of a special feature that should be quite fun

I hope to do a few other skins and dx objects to accompany the suite, although I'm not sure it will be as comprehensive as GT2 in that regard. Time, as ever, will tell.

Comments (Page 1)

Reppiks

on Oct 30, 2004

Looking real good, my computer is anxious!

Chris (Anonymous User)

on Oct 30, 2004

Looks very good, what is the sub style changer?

TasT

on Oct 30, 2004

Lookin'great!

Is it a requirement to remind me that the skin name is GT3 in so many places though?

BlueDev

on Oct 30, 2004

Very nice. Looking forward to the release.

Tiggz

on Oct 30, 2004

Yes, looking forward to the release as well

The substyle changer is just a little surprise feature I want to include in the windowblind upload. I won't say any more for now, although the phrase "substyle changer" does really rather give it away

As to the skin name being in "so many places" - well, on the windowblinds it's in 2 places, neither of which is seen terribly often. It's not on every visible window or anything. I have also taken pains to make sure it's not "in your face", it is a design element, not raw text, and part of the skin's identity. The point of having it in those places isn't so much to brand the skin as to make it more interesting. Take the start menu for example - if I didn't have the GT3 logo in that bottom left corner, I would feel that the object as a whole was unbalanced and would strive to find some other way to "design" that area. However, as I said before, I don't feel as tho it is just a simple "name" placement, to me it is a legitimate design element. Your mileage may vary

You might as well ask "is there a requirement to have that skin logo in the top right of the start menu?" The answer of course is "no, there is no requirement", and you're free to erase those elements after you download it, assuming the preponderance of said elements does not prevent you from doing so

Matchbook

on Oct 30, 2004

Amazing, it's skinners like you who push the boundaries further and set the bar higher for new skinners. Nice to see a perfect "role-model" skinner with your dedication. Well well well done mate!

Jan Oscar

on Oct 30, 2004

Should have replied on your e-mail, since you included one of the pictures above, but haven't had time to answer all my mails lately. This looks even better than my wildest dreams, Tigerman. The toolbar buttons alone, are worth paying for, and I just love dark skins. Now I really know what I want for Christmas this year! Now, don't sit here and read, have a cup of tea on me, and back to to work!

TasT

on Oct 30, 2004

I have also taken pains to make sure it's not "in your face"

I was going to comment on that fact I just haven't had the time to get to a computer since I posted the first time. In the case of this skin the name is there but, it's kinda stylish.

The ones that really bug me are skins that have, as you said, the name in plain text or in the title bar...

Tecumseh

on Oct 30, 2004

Your GT3 rocks!! Nice color combination. I'm anxiously waiting for the release.

Tiggz

on Oct 30, 2004

Fair enough TasT, I wasn't having a go, just explaining my reasoning. I do tend to rationalise alot of these issues as I'm going along and so it's quite a nice outlet to be able to explain some of my thought processes occasionally

I personally don't like branding on every single window, but, done sensitively, I can quite like it in a few key areas, such as the start menu and log off dialog. For me it can give a skin just that bit of extra identity or personality. But, like I say, it has to be done right. Anyway, with skinning as with everything else, you can't please all of the people all of the time - sometimes you have to find a happy medium. Although I guess the skinner always has the final word

4letterword

on Oct 30, 2004

I just can't wait for this one to be released, Tiggz.
Just OUTSTANDING! Keep it up!

TasT

on Oct 30, 2004

Although I guess the skinner always has the final word

That my friend, is absolutly correct!

Also I wasn't trying to stir anything either, just letting you have my opinion..

coffeegrinder

on Oct 31, 2004

Looking superb, I'm jumping up and down in anticipation!

Phoon

on Oct 31, 2004

My face...My face... It has fallen off of my head and has landed on the floor.
A massive puddle of drool is being distributed about the area.

This is the BEST looking theme I have ever seen.
Why in the world aren't you charging for this.
This is a premium package, and you really should.
If you do... I will pay and so will many many others.

joeKnowledge

on Oct 31, 2004

Not to put any pressure on you but... I think i am going to write and article on this!!! Can I have your permission to post it on winCustomize?????

(Also, I am still in the workds of creating a huge skin and art report, would you mind being a part of that?)
email you later!!!

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