As we wait for your answer . . what didn't you like about WB and what do you plan to use to apply your skin when you are done?

SkinStudio is a WB skin maker, right?

I was under the impression that "Universal skin" actually meant universal.. Otherwise I would have chosen a windowblinds UIS1 or UIS2 format.. also its not that i really didnt like windowblinds, it just didnt run smooth.. even when I had it installed, trying totest my skin never worked. So, is it possible to create a skin for just windows and not WB with skinstudio?

I know of two ways to apply a skin:
1) Windowblinds
2) Style XP

To build skins for each you would use:
1) Skin Studio
2) Style Builder

Beyond that answer, I don't know how to help you. SkinStudio and WB go hand in hand. Same with Style builder and Style XP.

I've never understood what the Universal Skin Format was for exactly. And I can't find anything other than the vaguest of info on it.

What formats does SkinStudio support?
----SkinStudio supports the following visual style
formats: UIS1, UIS2. These are the two WindowBlinds visual style
formats. What's particularly useful about this is that visual styles
created with this format can be used under Windows 98, ME, and 2000.

What is the difference between UIS1 and UIS2?
----UIS1 is faster but less flexible than UIS2
----The UIS1 (Basic) format is designed to be as fast and compatible as possible. Use this if you want as many people as possible to be able to use your skins with as many applications as possible. It also offers tool-window skinning.

----The UIS2 (Advanced) format has many features that are not available with UIS1 skins. You can have arbitrarily-sized borders (not just the top), animated titlebar and borders, and use WB scripting to enhance your skin. However, it tends to be slower and (slightly) more programs have problems with it.

For more information see the Stardock skin format doc (warning, it's old; like koop old!)

I have no info on Universal skins.