Porting some Windows blind mod

from Stardock Forums

I send 2 mails to your support, that when unanswered. I hoping to get some answers here.

I have an Object Desktop license:        

 

but uses mainly WindowsBlind. I'm currently testing Curtains, because WB has incompatibilities problems with several programs. Nothing really blocking, but annoying.

 

I'm hoping to get the same look with curtains, without the problems.

 

I got the look I wanted with it, but at the price of several app needing to be excluded. One does not work at all, even excluded, and I have to use with RDP (as a standalone remote without the whole desk) from a virtual machine to make it work.

 

But in all, it make W10 bearable. I use a modified precision style (to make the taskbar mini white icons visible and to increase contrast "name", etc fields of the Explorer)  with the "My Win Retro" taskbar.

 

I get:

https://postimg.cc/TLks9PQk

 

You can see that the icon windows is no longer white, which make some W10 icons white on white, hence invisible.

Note how the field descriptions are perfectly visible with thick handles instead of the horrible native W10 look even with curtain XP Luna style that neglected that aspect:

 

https://postimg.cc/cK05G3b9

 

You barely see the fields and finding the handles to change their size is an eye squeeze fest.

I use the "My Win Retro" taskbar, is there any way to use it with a curtain style?

Also, is there a way to change the contrast of the fields above with curtains?

Do you have a PDF with a precise description of how to make these fine tune adjustments?

Curtains seems to be much less problematic with certain apps, I did not even see a setting to exclude some, so I'm interested by that.

But I would like to be able to implement all these changes, and use the taskbar of a Windows Blind style.

Is all that possible? Better compatibility is the only reason I want to change to curtains, but only if I keep all my mods.

A tool to convert a Windows Blind style to a Curtain one would be great. Do you have one?

Thanks.

curtains
7,181 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Will try to answer some of your questions. From what I understand is that Curtains works for you without much issues except for you there are several application that can not run with Curtains? If this is so, please list down those applications so we can help you on that side.

As for Windowblinds and Curtains themes, there are not the same and they can not be easily ported between the two.

My advice if you have a working Windowblinds style that you mod to your liking, keep it and use that. If the white Icons not working for you, change the Windowblinds taskbar buttons to something dark or at least more contrast.

Do know, there will be a lot of parts you can't change in curtains. Those Windows explorer headers in your second screenshot can't be change in Curtains.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

[quote who="basj" reply="1" id="3785840"]
Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Will try to answer some of your questions. From what I understand is that Curtains works for you without much issues except for you there are several application that can not run with Curtains? If this is so, please list down those applications so we can help you on that side.[/quote who="basj" reply="1" id="3785840"]

No, it's the contrary. I have apps that do not work with Windows Blinds, but work perfectly with curtains.

Nor, the forum, nor the support and neither the maker of those apps have been able to help me with them, there is just no way to make them work, so I gave up trying.

Curtain is a HUGE progress in that aspect, so far everything works.

So, I would like to give up WB, and switch to curtains.

[quote who="basj" reply="1" id="3785840"]

for Windowblinds and Curtains themes, there are not the same and they can not be easily ported between the two.

My advice if you have a working Windowblinds style that you mod to your liking, keep it and use that. If the white Icons not working for you, change the Windowblinds taskbar buttons to something dark or at least more contrast.

Do know, there will be a lot of parts you can't change in curtains. Those Windows explorer headers in your second screenshot can't be change in Curtains.
[/quote who="basj" reply="1" id="3785840"]

I guess that you mean that I can change the headers in Curtains?

If it's the case, how do you do that, and is there a manual that explains in detail how to make or modify a skin in curtains?

As soon as I manage to do that change, I will buy Curtain.

Being an owner of Object Desktop since 18 months, is there and upgrade price?

Thanks for your help!

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Bob4K, reply 2

I guess that you mean that I can change the headers in Curtains?

No it can't be change in curtains.

Quoting Bob4K, reply 2

Being an owner of Object Desktop since 18 months, is there and upgrade price?

Not really sure on what you mean by that. Object Desktop is subscription base on 12 months. If you need more information on ODM, you can find out more here : https://forums.stardock.com/486310/object-desktop-support-faq#objectdesktop

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 3

No it can't be change in curtains.

That puts an end to my investigation of curtains.

It's obviously much less powerful than Windows Blinds (probably why there are no compatibility problems), but it cannot satisfy my needs and make Windows 10 look good, so I'll give up on it.

Thank you for avoiding me to waste my time with an inferior product.