I have no intention of giving up and there really is no need to. I have to regroup. It may come down to trying what I originally created for the buttons. I'm just not happy about it because I really like this design and am using variations of what neone6 came up with through out the blind.

I think the whole 'icon' thing is throwing it off and ruining what is a good concept/effect. 

I'd like to get some more feedback from others. I may have to send out a few copies of the unfinished WB and let y'all play with it. Maybe you'll be able to judge better then.

One of the problems I have is that the alternatives I have in mind may mean redesigning the taskbar.

This was the original button design:

This is a shot of the window frame. I'm thinking as an alternative, to have the buttons be like the 'tab' on the right corner, center, or left corner, but would require a small alteration to the taskbar (I think?) to allow for the part that is 'above' the taskbar top. Then I have to worry about how it will look in a top taskbar and side taskbar.

It's in the mail.

I second that. You do great work Po. Being that this is your first go 'round little setbacks are to be expected. Don't let it throw you. Time, patience, Neone6, Kitty, Xiandi and 2of3 are on your side.

Me too albeit lurking around corners. Oh ... and I'll be happy to road test it for you when its ready.

Those are very nice. I like the way they contrast with the task bar.

Looking at the buttons, I'd say lose the shadow on them (you cant really see it anyway) and decrease the distance you have between them by a couple pixels. What I did was make ita 1px gap on the left and a 2px gap on the right of the button in each frame. That solves the issue of the icon sitting right on the gold bar.

When you put it in, set your painting margins to 10, 6, 14, 14 ... and your text margins to 11, 8, 0, 0. That centers the icons as much as possible.

Your button will be closer together on the taskbar.

Of course, if you decide to change the buttons completely, then never mind all this, lol.

Edit: Sigh, I just realized all my settings make the top taskbar look crappy....well, you could always do a substyle for those top taskbar people.

You the man PoSmedley.  Very Very cool. And with that avatar to me I can hear a southern accent or drawl in your words sometimes. haha   Like Gone With the Wind.   Must say I like it. 

Keep on truckin', Po'. It's going to look great.

If you are unhappy with the way the texture on the button stretches, you could make them semi trans. Then the buttons would "grab" the texture of the taskbar under.

But the buttons in #307 look cool too

You had to pop it, hey doc.   

{I knew.}

To keep my design I'm thinking this is the option. I'm trying it out now.

It's not that at all. It's my design. It won't allow for universal centering of the icons because I have too much going on at the ends. To have them appear in true size as designed, the icons are then too big (without stretching) and it makes them look bad, if you know what I mean.

You have to be able to put on the drawl to get anywhere down here. What's funny is I can do several very well, from 'low country' to Forrest Gump (much to the annoyance of the in-laws). It's amazing how much nicer people are and how much more cooperative they are down here when I throw in a 'y'all'. The other upside is, if I want someone to just shut up and get out of my face, I can go back to my Philly accent.

I have some meds now but...

I've tried to catch you on messenger for some free advice. My hands and arms are through the roof. Back and legs..if they get any worse before I have the surgery I'm gonna need help getting dressed. The meds help a lot, but you know I won't take them every four hours. I'm too afraid of getting hooked on the shit. The ball is rolling on everything, but it could be another month or two at most before I get the surgery. I have to go through all the hoops again since the settlement. I'm embarrassed to say, but I move around like I'm seventy something, I'm getting fat, and I'm annoying everyone with my beard and letting my hair get long. sigh. That was my pity party for the next three months. Back to fixing these fucking buttons.

The buttons in #307 - I like them as well. I'm just not sure about the theme I was going for with the buttons that neone6 designed. I'm really stuck on his design.

Yup.

Oh my. Back to skinning my eyes can't take this. Well I mean from a doctor.

Yes I'm lurking.

Take care Po.   And I knew I heard it.   woot!