'Po...here's how I did my Virginity blind:
I always do the start panel first...don't know why...just do. You'll see that the start panel is mostly square. I liked that but wanted it a bit softer so I made an image of what I would like the window and frame to look like:
basically I used the rounded rectangle tool, drew a rounded box of approx 400 by 400 px on a transparent background: then I added a "stroke" to outline it, then tinkered with the transparency slider until I liked the way it looked..then added drop shadow, inner shadow and inner glow. I saved it as a .png then opened SS, imported it and began "cutting" the per pixel frame: I moved the sliders at the right side until my image was 400px wide, then moved the bottom slider up until the size was 35 px. Then when I chose cut frame - choose "single image, multiple ...." This gives the proper image states.
I did the same for the bottom...but this time I moved the bottom and the right slider until my image said 400 x 400...then moved the top slider down until I was at 15 px. Cut the same as for the caption.
sides are easy for WB5....take the same images move the slider 35 down from the top and 15 from the bottom...now move it all the way left until you get to 15 px. Cut using same settings as above. For the right side, so the same...just remember to start with your image at 400 x 400 px and move the sliders accordingly until the right image is now 15 px wide. Cut and import.
The same basic rules apply for the start panel,especially if you want it to appear as one seamless unit. If you want it different images, make the header approx 380 w by 64 h (I usually use 35 h, because I like smaller user panes). I use .png's because I like the transparcy to be at about 95% for my programs and 85% for places image.
With WB5 if you are using ,png's there is no need to use magic pink. It changes the image to a .tga for you.
So if you want a "seamless" start panel...make a single image like I did for my window frames. Just make it approx 380 x 240. Import adjust the margins and get ready to cut.
Remember that the more programs pane comes into play....and when you "Cut" your programs image, make it the section below the user panel, and approx 190 px wide ... but approx 35 px above the bottom of the image to leave room for the more programs section (just remember where you stopped...and start there when you cut your more programs panel. The places panel is similar, but this time you cut to the bottom and move the left margin in so that the final image is 190 x 240.
Your image should match up...if not, check your "Sizing Margins" adjust so that they are all the same and you should be good to go!
Don't give up...keep a good sense of humor about the whole shebang and have fun!!!
