Editing Custom Theme

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  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Editing Custom Theme


    Hi,

    I'm relatively new here (this is a new account) but I have been browsing a couple of threads regarding customization and editing. Currently I just started using a custom theme that I like very much: WP7 Mango VS by ~oliver182 on deviantART

    However there are a few things about it that I would like to change. Namely the item selection colours. Is there a way to do this? The editor himself said on deviant art that he is no longer interested in fixing this as he's no longer working on it. So I was wondering if there's a way to do it myself? Here is a list of screenshots of things I'd like to change:
    imgur: the simple image sharer (Just go through First Image to Fourth Image).

    EDIT: Here are the image links directly
    https://i.imgur.com/Zy0T7.jpg
    https://i.imgur.com/IPcTx.jpg
    https://i.imgur.com/ZAjAD.jpg
    https://i.imgur.com/tkhyO.jpg

    I'm a novice when it comes to editing custom themes myself so if someone could help me in this field, that would be greatly appreciated.

    All I want to do is change the colors to something more monotone. Like grey-ish.
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  2. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #2

    Welcome to the Seven Forums
    I will download and look at that theme and I will get back with you later today or tomorrow and see what we can do.
    Jerry
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you Bongo, I appreciate the help!

    Also if it can spare you some effort, is there something I can do myself to customize this?
    EDIT: If its any help, the specific theme I'm using is the full glass theme. But I doubt this would affect much.
    Last edited by NexusMat; 01 Jul 2012 at 15:57.
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  4. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #4

    Look at this tutorial it will give you the basic on how to customize a custom theme Theme - Customize Custom Themes but did not use the numbers that are there because most times each custom theme has its own set of numbers.

    In this first image I have here of yours the buttons are image #508 and it has six different states look at the screenshot to the left your image will show you the six different ones. The highlight in personalization is #s 652 hot, 653 selected, 654 selected non-focus, 655 hot selected they also do the desktop
    Editing Custom Theme-button.jpgEditing Custom Theme-1.jpg


    Here in your second image the blue in the drop down menu is #525 and it has four different states look at the image to the left of your image will show you the different ones.
    Editing Custom Theme-525.jpgEditing Custom Theme-2.jpg

    Here in your third image that highlights on the left in the navigation pane are #s 1043 Hot, 1044 Selected, 1045 Selected non-focus, 1046 hot selected.
    In the center of Windows Explorer the highlights are #s 656 Hot, 657 Selected, 658 Selected non-focus, 659 hot selected.
    Editing Custom Theme-zy0t7.jpg

    The taskbar buttons are
    Horizontally #s 1145 and 1146,1147,1148
    Vertical #s 1155 and 1156,1157,1158
    The first number in each one has 10 states and all the numbers after the and have seven states look at the screenshots below will tell you what they are.
    Editing Custom Theme-taskbar-button.jpgEditing Custom Theme-taskbar-button-.jpg

    If you need any more help let me know.
    Jerry
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks a lot Jerry! I was actually looking into that thread, and tried downloading the trial of Restorator 2007. It seems though that when I try to open .msstyle files it tells me it can't. Any ideas if i'm doing something wrong?

    edit: just wanted to note how much work you guys put into helping out in this community. its great!

    EDIT 2: I figured out what I was doing wrong with the Restorator (I was looking at .theme files, I had to go into folders for the .msstyle files, sorry). I see all the numbers that you're referring to, and this is looking like a much bigger job that I anticipated. Is there a way you categorized them into something like the screenshots you provided?
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  6. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #6

    When you open it up are you using the drop-down menu and choosing All Files (*.*) ?
    If so what is the warning.
    Jerry
    Editing Custom Theme-open.png
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  7. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #7

    OK good you got it open. As far as categorized them with a resource hacker that would be very hard to do.

    I use Ave's Windows7 Style Builder to edit the .msstyles it's not free it's just a little under $23 US and it puts things in categories and you did not have to go by the numbers.
    Here is a screenshot of it opened up to the buttons image #508.
    Jerry
    Editing Custom Theme-win7-style-builder-cusersjerrydesktopnew-folderwp7-vs-32themewp7-darkwp7-glass.msstyles.png
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  8. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Yup, so I ended up goofing up because I was trying to open .theme files instead of .msstyle files lol :P

    Also I was looking into the other asset files and found the ones relevant to these :

    What would happen if I just deleted these asset files from the visual style? ie. #544 etc. Would deleting these just mean they don't show up, or would it potentially crash the visual style?


    EDIT: Ah okay, I'll look into Ave's Style Builder, thanks for the tip.
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  9. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #9

    You do not want to just delete images it probably would make it crash the ideal way is to make the image transparent that way it will not show up.
    Jerry
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Okay, so that's all great. I'll try getting Aves Style Builder, because it looks a lot more organized.

    I suppose the last question would be modifying the custom dll's that come with the VS. I remember having to replace explorerframe.dll, shell32.dll and imageres.dll. Will I just have to edit these in the similar fashion as editing the .msstyle files?
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