How to add a shadow to skins.

I failed to make png to include it to skin

from WinCustomize Forums
I imported ms-style to SkinStudio and just want to make a shadow under windows/menus (to avoid using external apps like ezshadow).
Looking through some per-pixel enabled skins i realized that i need to make transparent png-s and paste it to Per-Pixel section, but i have no idea how to make shadow-added png-s. Wasted few hours editing exising pngs from few perpixel skins and searcing google (i even have no idea what to search) and finally realized that i need your help.
So, the question:
I have bmp file with texture and i know i need to make this texture in png with shadow added. I will learn further steps by myself, only help (advices, links) how to do this is needed.
Thx in advance.

13,746 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What graphics application are you using?
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In PS, on a trasparent background just draw out your rounded rectangle with the 'shape tool' leaving a couple of pixels right and bottom for a shadow..then in the layer pallette on the right, either double click the layer or in the bottom of the laysrs pallette click the 'f' icon to open up Layer Styles (Blending options) for your menu image.. then click on dropshadow section, make sure the check box is checked for dropshadow and adjust the parameters for dropshadow... when done, just save as PNG from photoshop to desktop and import your new menu into SKS.

Make sure transparency and translucency boxes are checked in SKS and sizing margins set accordingly.

Per pixel windows work pretty much the same way but have two states for active and inactive.

Here is an example menu .psd file I made for ya.. perhaps you can use this and just make adjustments.


http://www.sendspace.com/file/bjkdkt (copy and paste in ur browser)

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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Props to you, John. :HOT:

Not to mention more karma. :CONGRAT:
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I remember first time I tried to make a png with a shadow.. X-(  ..so no problem helping out :)

Hope u got it worked out!
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yep, i got it. Thx (added carma already :) )

Anyway i got problems with other thing that connected with perpixel option.
Can someone of you, guys, help by taking a look on my *wba? If yes i'll upload it.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Whats the problem?
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
- I failed to align perpixel skin parts
- Failed to add cloze/max/min buttons to perpixel menus
- Can't make shadow to look as it always looks (poor quality)

It all glare after skin is applied.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
send the .wba to me
I'll be glad to take a look at it :D
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
2of3 got compatibility issue/or my skin has some errors.
So if anybody will be able to take a look @ screen, i will be very happy.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It was a problem with Vista/WB6 and a UIS1 skin, I would guess.

Probably nothing wrong with the skin.
Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top
OK, finally i made shadows and aligned them, but i have one issue: i want the shadow to be absolutely entity, but @ the place where bottom and left/right perpixel shadow added frames crossing i see a little transparent space. (See the screen i uploaded, better to zoom it)/
http://img112.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenaf8.png

I can manage this problem by setting up margins for left/right frame to 0, but after this the shadows losing their smoothness and becoming ragged.
I quess the problem is in poor maded textures, but have absulutely no idea what i need to do to make them fully smothless. I uploaded PSD and i will be very pleased for telling me whats wrong with it.

http://rapidshare.com/files/136655844/Desktop.zip.html