How do I install OD "themes" that have been downloaded (as zip)?

There are sure lots of OD "themes" that I would like to try. I download them as zip files, but can't figure out how to install and run them. I've tried the theme manager. When I go to "add" and click on the zip file, little seems to happen. I get a "background" added, that doesn't display in the preview window. And although these "backgrounds" appear in the OD dialog for installed themes, I can't figure out how to use them or if there is a problem I don't know about. Which is what I suspect.

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Corky_O

Join Date 04/2004

See if this helps you Link

Towards the end of my tutorial, you will see an explanation of a theme contained in a downloaded ".zip" file. If you have this type of theme downloaded, the instructions should work.

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Wow! This is amazingly complicated compared to the other StarDock software. One thing that attracted me to Blinds is how easy it is to add themes; just click on the download and you're about done. Just run them.

I'm REALLY frustrated by ObjectDock. And I'm a professional programmer. I see examples showing multiple lines of icon objects. It appears to me that I have to create several "docks" and put them together to do that. Is that right?

Also, I can't figure out how to apply a background to a dock. I have gone through your excellent tutorial, but I still can't find answers to the most fundamental questions. Like:

Each "background" file has a "background.ini" file. When this is placed in a subdirectory in OD, not only can't I find the backgrounds in OD, but I don't know if I should rename the background.ini file to say, "ThemeNameBackground.ini."

Maybe I'm getting way beyond what I should ask here. Maybe this simpler question would help me get going:

Suppose I find a background download that I like, download it to a temp file as a zip, unzip it to a folder with the background name (nevermind that there are often two or more background.ini files in the zip for different layouts). Then what? Help!

Do I copy this whole folder to the OD program folder. Or to the background folder within it?

Then, when I open OD, where do I go to apply the background to a new or existing dock? Very frustrating to me. I'm almost ready to give up because I can't find any documentation (yours has been the best I've seen, and it does give me hope that I can learn this. Others do).

Is there a documentation source for ObjectDoc.

Sorry if this rambled. I've VERY tired and frustrated, having spent almost all day trying to figure this out. At least 7 hours today.

JS

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central

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Corky_O

Join Date 04/2004

Onjay,

No problem.

My current tutorial series is for beginners, so I do not explain certain in depth concepts.

For ObjectDock backgrounds, the rules are as follows:

1 - All backgrounds will be contained in their own folder with one or more images for the background, a seperator image, and an ".ini" file for that background.
2 - The folder containing the files mentioned in #1 will bear the name of the background, and will be placed in the "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Backgrounds" folder.
3 - The user accesses the backgrounds via the Dock Settings (configuration) dialog box, by selecting the Appearance category, and then using the drop-down list to select the background. The background will be applied immediately upon selection.

Note - to access the Dock Settings dialog box, right-click the dock (not the icons) > select Dock Settings.

For Dock Images, the general rules are as follows:

1 - Any ".png" or ".ico" file can be used as a dock entry (icon) image.
2 - Image files are to normally placed in either (1) the "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Images" folder, or (2) in a folder created in the "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock" folder.

Note - user created folders as indicated in #2-(2), are used to help in organizing images in manageable categories and quantities when selecting an image for a dock entry.

3 - Users access the images by right-click a dock entry > selecting Dock Entry Properties > using the Change Image button to prompt a browse dialog which starts in the "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock" folder - and only displays folders containing images.

Simply select an image, and then click OK to assign it to the entry.

Theme files are simply an ".ini" file that has been created by setting up a dock theme on the desktop, and then using the Dock Settings > General category > Save Theme as button - save the theme, which writes the ".ini" file to the "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Themes" folder.

Note - these themes are based on the current location of (1) the background files, (2) the image files, and (3) any docklets used (which should always be in "C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\Docklets" folder).

Some isssues can arise if the uploading author has deviated from the norm in file placement when creating a theme, and not including a read-me file to instruct the user in correct placement.

For using ObjectDock, you can start by getting familiar with the Dock Settings (A.K.A. - Configure Dock) dialog, and the various categories and setting options.

If you ever have an issue and want to start at the beginning by loading ObjectDock with the default settings, you can clear the cache (click my name and read the "Clearing the Cache" mini tutorial found on my page for instructions on this procedure) - it will force any program that writes to cache to load with the default settings.

Note - program must be unloaded before clearing cache.

ObjectDock Plus offers the use of multiple docks, both non-tabbed (like the free version) and tabbed. It also has a system tray icon which you can right-click and select My Docks, which offers creation of docks, as well as selecting an existing dock to edit.

If you downloaded a theme that was designed for ObjectDock Plus, and tried to use it with the free version, this may be where some issues arose.

I hope this helps a bit, and please feel free to ask for any assistance at any time - I will help as I am able.

ObjectDock is a great program, and quite easy once you have played around with it a bit.

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What an amazing response! Thanks so much for your trouble; I'll probably wait until tomorrow to try again, but your information looks like it contains all I need to know to get going.

Many, many thanks.
JS

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Corky_O

Join Date 04/2004

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So I gathered my courage and tried again, and presto! I'm starting to get it. Placing the files where you said to made most everything clear to me. I will try not to take advantage of your good nature by asking too many questions that I should be able to discover the answers to myself.

One thing still escapes me: The text size and font. It seems that setting the font and size in the "general>advanced options" dialog affects the text only if "show text on mouseover" is selected. If "show below each entry" is selected, the a default font and size seems to be used. I looked through the INI file and found a setting for the text shadow properties (which I have not tried).

This is something (text size/font) that I would like to control throughout the Stardock programs and it sure seems that this is fundamental to this sort of application. I have the same problem with ObjectBar items--can't control the text. I understand that I could create graphic images that display the text as I want it, and I can certainly do that, but I just wonder if I'm missing some other major concept!

Many thanks again,
JS

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The font on the tabs themselves cannot be changed right now. It's a much sought-after feature so maybe in a future release if we're lucky.

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Thanks to you, I'm on my way. I am really beginning to "get the hang of it" now that you set me in the right direction. Thanks so much again.

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