[Tutorial] How to make a Visual Style for Vista, The Beginners Guide Options

[UK.Intel™]

Click Here to Download this tutorial (PDF) | Click Here to View this tutorial in German

How to make a Visual Style for Windows Vista

Getting Started

1. Download and Install The uxTheme Patch from this LINK
This will allow you to apply custom themes

2. Download and Install my Theme Template from this LINK
This will install a copy of the original aero theme and place all the required files into the correct locations with Jemaho’s Improved Shellstyle, ready for modifying.

3. Download and Install Restorator 2007 from this LINK
This is your Tool for extracting and replacing resources from within the .msstyle and shellstyle.dll

4. Download and Install Alpha Image Convertor from this LINK
This will convert your images to Alpha Aero.msstyle Compatible Images

5. Buy and Install a Paintshop Program
This will be your main Image editing software, I recommend Adobe Photoshop CS3
Or Corel PaintShop Pro XI


Naming Your Theme Files

If you have installed my Theme Template, Navigate to C:Windows\Resources\Themes.

You will need to rename the following files to the name you wish to call your theme.
I recommend you name all the files the same.

• Template.Theme
• Template Folder
• Template.msstyle (Located within the Template folder)
• Template.msstyle.mui (Located within Template folder/en-US)


Editing Your Theme File

1. Navigate to C:Windows\Resources\Themes.
2. Right Click on your Theme file and select Open with Notepad

Here you will see many changes you can make to you theme.
For Example: Cursors, Wallpaper, Title bar Text Colours, Padded Border Width (frame width)

I have Bolded only the IMPORTANT parts that you need to Edit
Display Name, Visual Style Location, Wallpaper Location

; Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1995-2001

[Theme]
DisplayName= Template Theme

; My Computer
[CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\DefaultIcon]
DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-109

; My Documents
[CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\DefaultIcon]
DefaultValue=%WinDir%SYSTEM32\mydocs.dll,0

; My Network Places - SHIDI_MYNETWORK
[CLSID\{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}\DefaultIcon]
DefaultValue=%WinDir%SYSTEM32\imageres.dll,-25

; Recycle Bin
[CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon]
full=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-54
empty=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-55


[Control Panel\Colors]
ActiveTitle=153 180 209
Background=0 0 0
Hilight=51 153 255
HilightText=255 255 255
TitleText=0 0 0
Window=255 255 255
WindowText=0 0 0
Scrollbar=200 200 200
InactiveTitle=191 205 219
Menu=240 240 240
WindowFrame=100 100 100
MenuText=0 0 0
ActiveBorder=180 180 180
InactiveBorder=244 247 252
AppWorkspace=171 171 171
ButtonFace=240 240 240
ButtonShadow=160 160 160
GrayText=128 128 128
ButtonText=0 0 0
InactiveTitleText=67 78 84
ButtonHilight=255 255 255
ButtonDkShadow=105 105 105
ButtonLight=227 227 227
InfoText=0 0 0
InfoWindow=255 255 225
GradientActiveTitle=185 209 234
GradientInactiveTitle=215 228 242
ButtonAlternateFace=0 0 0
HotTrackingColor=0 102 204
MenuHilight=51 153 255
MenuBar=240 240 240


[Control Panel\Cursors]
Arrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_arrow.cur
Help=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_helpsel.cur
AppStarting=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_working.ani
Wait=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_busy.ani
NWPen=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_pen.cur
No=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_unavail.cur
SizeNS=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_ns.cur
SizeWE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_ew.cur
Crosshair=
IBeam=
SizeNWSE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_nwse.cur
SizeNESW=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_nesw.cur
SizeAll=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_move.cur
UpArrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_up.cur
DefaultValue=Windows Aero
Hand=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_link.cur
Link=

[Control Panel\Desktop]
Wallpaper=%SystemRoot%\resources\themes\Template\Wallpaper.jpg
TileWallpaper=0
WallpaperStyle=2
Pattern=
ScreenSaveActive=0

[Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics]

[Metrics]
IconMetrics=76 0 0 0 75 0 0 0 75 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NonclientMetrics=84 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PaddedBorderWidth=4

[boot]
SCRNSAVE.EXE=%WinDir%\System32\logon.scr


[MasterThemeSelector]
MTSM=DABJDKT
ThemeColorBPP=4


[VisualStyles]
Path=%SystemRoot%\resources\Themes\Template\Template.msstyles
ColorStyle=NormalColor
Size=NormalSize
ColorizationColor=0X45409EFE

Now you have edited those 3 important parts, Save and Exit the file.


Creating your Style (Editing the .msstyle and shellstyle)

• Navigate to C:Windows\Resources\Themes.

• Inside your themes folder right click on the .msstyle and select Open with Restorator 2007

Now you will see the contents of the .msstyle
All of the images are located in the IMAGE Folder and one is located in the STREAM Folder.
(See the Next section “Resource Locations” for a rough guide to show you what images to edit)

• Extract the Individual images (or the entire image folder)
Drag and Drop to your desktop

• Edit the images in your Paintshop program
If your Paintshop program does not make Alpha aero compatible images then this is when you need to use the Alpha Image convertor.
If your image is not Alpha compatible then you will notice a horrible white background when applied to your theme

• Replace the Images back into the folder they came from
(e.g. .msstyle\Image) by using Restorator 2007 to drag and drop

• Save the .msstyle in Restorator 2007

• Apply your theme to see changes
Control Panel\Personalization\Theme Apply

Repeat the Above Process for the Shellstyle.dll
(Windows\Resources\Themes\**Your Theme Folder**\Shell\NormalColor\Shellstyle.dll)


Resource Locations

This is just a rough guide of some of the Common Images you can edit to make your style, there are Hundreds of images you can edit and most of them are used for both aero and basic.

You can also try my .msstyle Resource Finder. to help you narrow down the search to the nearest 40 images. Download LINK

KEY: Aero Basic Both












Advanced Styling

For more advanced Styling see my other tutorials

• Vista Hex-Editing - for Text colours, Margins and much more. Download LINK

• Vista Font Change - for changing Font types. Download LINK

[sonicexcess]

This is more really great work from you and it will be such a big help to all new themers.
Great work mate

[Edootjuh]

Wow, great guide!
This will be a great help to everyone who wants to start theming.

You should also post this to the wiki

[UK.Intel™]

You should also post this to the wiki

Thanks, if you mean the german deskmodder wiki then Moin Moin is welcome to translate and post in the usually way (with credit ) and i will post a link in my 1st post.

[Edootjuh]

I actually meant the AeroXP Wiki, but who still reads that?
http://www.aeroxp.org/wiki/Main

[UK.Intel™]

I actually meant the AeroXP Wiki, but who still reads that?
http://www.aeroxp.org/wiki/Main

Lol, i never even knew it existed. I will take a look when i get home. Thank you

[palakisbest]

Click Here to Download this tutorial (PDF)

How to make a Visual Style for Windows Vista

Getting Started

1. Download and Install The uxTheme Patch from this LINK
This will allow you to apply custom themes

2. Download and Install my Theme Template from this LINK
This will install a copy of the original aero theme and place all the required files into the correct locations with Jemaho’s Improved Shellstyle, ready for modifying.

3. Download and Install Restorator 2007 from this LINK
This is your Tool for extracting and replacing resources from within the .msstyle and shellstyle.dll

4. Download and Install Alpha Image Convertor from this LINK
This will convert your images to Alpha Aero.msstyle Compatible Images

5. Buy and Install a Paintshop Program
This will be your main Image editing software, I recommend Adobe Photoshop CS3
Or Corel PaintShop Pro XI


Naming Your Theme Files

If you have installed my Theme Template, Navigate to C:Windows\Resources\Themes.

You will need to rename the following files to the name you wish to call your theme.
I recommend you name all the files the same.

• Template.Theme
• Template Folder
• Template.msstyle (Located within the Template folder)
• Template.msstyle.mui (Located within Template folder/en-US)


Editing Your Theme File

1. Navigate to C:Windows\Resources\Themes.
2. Right Click on your Theme file and select Open with Notepad

Here you will see many changes you can make to you theme.
For Example: Cursors, Wallpaper, Title bar Text Colours, Padded Border Width (frame width)

I have Bolded only the IMPORTANT parts that you need to Edit
Display Name, Visual Style Location, Wallpaper Location

; Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1995-2001

[Theme]
DisplayName= Template Theme

; My Computer
[CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\DefaultIcon]
DefaultValue=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-109

; My Documents
[CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\DefaultIcon]
DefaultValue=%WinDir%SYSTEM32\mydocs.dll,0

; My Network Places - SHIDI_MYNETWORK
[CLSID\{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}\DefaultIcon]
DefaultValue=%WinDir%SYSTEM32\imageres.dll,-25

; Recycle Bin
[CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon]
full=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-54
empty=%SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-55


[Control Panel\Colors]
ActiveTitle=153 180 209
Background=0 0 0
Hilight=51 153 255
HilightText=255 255 255
TitleText=0 0 0
Window=255 255 255
WindowText=0 0 0
Scrollbar=200 200 200
InactiveTitle=191 205 219
Menu=240 240 240
WindowFrame=100 100 100
MenuText=0 0 0
ActiveBorder=180 180 180
InactiveBorder=244 247 252
AppWorkspace=171 171 171
ButtonFace=240 240 240
ButtonShadow=160 160 160
GrayText=128 128 128
ButtonText=0 0 0
InactiveTitleText=67 78 84
ButtonHilight=255 255 255
ButtonDkShadow=105 105 105
ButtonLight=227 227 227
InfoText=0 0 0
InfoWindow=255 255 225
GradientActiveTitle=185 209 234
GradientInactiveTitle=215 228 242
ButtonAlternateFace=0 0 0
HotTrackingColor=0 102 204
MenuHilight=51 153 255
MenuBar=240 240 240


[Control Panel\Cursors]
Arrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_arrow.cur
Help=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_helpsel.cur
AppStarting=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_working.ani
Wait=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_busy.ani
NWPen=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_pen.cur
No=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_unavail.cur
SizeNS=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_ns.cur
SizeWE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_ew.cur
Crosshair=
IBeam=
SizeNWSE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_nwse.cur
SizeNESW=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_nesw.cur
SizeAll=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_move.cur
UpArrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_up.cur
DefaultValue=Windows Aero
Hand=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_link.cur
Link=

[Control Panel\Desktop]
Wallpaper=%SystemRoot%\resources\themes\Template\Wallpaper.jpg
TileWallpaper=0
WallpaperStyle=2
Pattern=
ScreenSaveActive=0

[Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics]

[Metrics]
IconMetrics=76 0 0 0 75 0 0 0 75 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NonclientMetrics=84 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 19 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 244 255 255 255 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 83 101 103 111 101 32 85 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PaddedBorderWidth=4

[boot]
SCRNSAVE.EXE=%WinDir%\System32\logon.scr


[MasterThemeSelector]
MTSM=DABJDKT
ThemeColorBPP=4


[VisualStyles]
Path=%SystemRoot%\resources\Themes\Template\Template.msstyles
ColorStyle=NormalColor
Size=NormalSize
ColorizationColor=0X45409EFE

Now you have edited those 3 important parts, Save and Exit the file.


Creating your Style (Editing the .msstyle and shellstyle)

• Navigate to C:Windows\Resources\Themes.

• Inside your themes folder right click on the .msstyle and select Open with Restorator 2007

Now you will see the contents of the .msstyle
All of the images are located in the IMAGE Folder and one is located in the STREAM Folder.
(See the Next section “Resource Locations” for a rough guide to show you what images to edit)

• Extract the Individual images (or the entire image folder)
Drag and Drop to your desktop

• Edit the images in your Paintshop program
If your Paintshop program does not make Alpha aero compatible images then this is when you need to use the Alpha Image convertor.
If your image is not Alpha compatible then you will notice a horrible white background when applied to your theme

• Replace the Images back into the folder they came from
(e.g. .msstyle\Image) by using Restorator 2007 to drag and drop

• Save the .msstyle in Restorator 2007

• Apply your theme to see changes
Control Panel\Personalization\Theme Apply

Repeat the Above Process for the Shellstyle.dll
(Windows\Resources\Themes\**Your Theme Folder**\Shell\NormalColor\Shellstyle.dll)


Resource Locations

This is just a rough guide of some of the Common Images you can edit to make your style, there are Hundreds of images you can edit and most of them are used for both aero and basic.

You can also try my .msstyle Resource Finder. to help you narrow down the search to the nearest 40 images. Download LINK

KEY: Aero Basic Both












Advanced Styling

For more advanced Styling see my other tutorials

• Vista Hex-Editing - for Text colours, Margins and much more. Download LINK

• Vista Font Change - for changing Font types. Download LINK

DAM

[moinmoin]

Great work uk.intel
And many thanks that i can translate this.

And surely whith credits

moinmoin

[Edootjuh]

<snip>

DAM

Did you have to quote the entire post for the word DAM?

[UK.Intel™]

You should also post this to the wiki

Ive taken a look at the wiki, and attempted to post, but i didnt get on too well with the Text editing tools. I much prefer the layout that the forum can acheive (e.g Centre, Font Size, and quote tag) So i gave up as it doesnt really seem worth it.

And many thanks that i can translate this.

Your Welcome

[quote name='palakisbest' post='109280' date='Jul 31
Did you have to quote the entire post for the word DAM?

I was thinking the exact same thing

[z-x]

Many thanks for this, but I have one more question. I want to use a .png file as a background for titlebar and frames. The 823 - 839 numbers you show us is only for Basic, and I wanted to make preaty rounded corners for my theme, so I must use PNG (which is disabled in Basic). So, how can I change the title bar to PNG in Aero?

Sorry for my bad english. If it is not undersandable, tell me - I will try to change it.

EDIT: Ok, I think I get it. There is no way to change the transparent borders and background for the title bar to other image with alpha-PNG, right? I must use WindowBlinds for it?

[UK.Intel™]

Many thanks for this, but I have one more question. I want to use a .png file as a background for titlebar and frames. The 823 - 839 numbers you show us is only for Basic, and I wanted to make preaty rounded corners for my theme, so I must use PNG (which is disabled in Basic). So, how can I change the title bar to PNG in Aero?

Sorry for my bad english. If it is not undersandable, tell me - I will try to change it.

EDIT: Ok, I think I get it. There is no way to change the transparent borders and background for the title bar to other image with alpha-PNG, right? I must use WindowBlinds for it?

Your english is good but i'm not too sure what you are asking.

The Tiltlebar in aero is located within one BIG png called the stream, It can be edited but there are limitations.

The titlebar in Basic is also PNG, and "I Think" image 813.png can have alpha parts to make rounded corners, The image can be strectched longways for more detail.

To acheive the same effect for the bottom part of the basic window you can enable transparency in 819.png. (see the Hex-Editing tutorial for more information)

[z-x]

The titlebar in Basic is also PNG, and "I Think" image 813.png can have alpha parts to make rounded corners, The image can be strectched longways for more detail.

Found it. Thanks! What are thoes limitations you've spoke of?

To acheive the same effect for the bottom part of the basic window you can enable transparency in 819.png.

But I must choose the Basic theme to enable the skin, right? So all the cool vista eye-candy stuff (like minimize animation, or Flip 3D) have to gone? So I prefer to edit the stream...

[idas]

this is A first big step of organising msstyle data.hope editor come sooner also and UK INTEL gives his best for this direction as i see.
so we have to say a huge THANK YOU!

[UK.Intel™]

The titlebar in Basic is also PNG, and "I Think" image 813.png can have alpha parts to make rounded corners, The image can be strectched longways for more detail.

Found it. Thanks! What are thoes limitations you've spoke of?

To acheive the same effect for the bottom part of the basic window you can enable transparency in 819.png.

But I must choose the Basic theme to enable the skin, right? So all the cool vista eye-candy stuff (like minimize animation, or Flip 3D) have to gone? So I prefer to edit the stream...

Yes, basically the stream contains all the window stuff for aero, if you are making a skin i would recommend skinning basic aswell as certain software will automatically disable aero. Also the basic windows are used in applications (e.g Corel Paintshop) even when you are using aero.

If you open up the .msstyle with resource hacker or restorator 2007 you will see a STREAM folder, inside you will see a large image called 850.png (Extract this)

Its hard to explain but....

The top right hand side = background (can either be glass or a solid colour)

to the left you will see a selection of images, most of which are titleBar Caption Buttons.

There is also the windows Shadow

But the actual windows borders are like little box's (with black outlines), They are divided into TitleBar, Sides and Bottom part.

They cannot be resized but you can make changes to the shapes slightly. (e.g square corners)

Because these areas are so small, Every single pixel makes a big difference, Most people would leave the box's as they are and simply colour the Glass part (Top right) to give colour to the windows, however it is possible to add colour and give gradient to the little box's.

I can only suggest that you just go ahead and play around with the stream, you will soon see what the limitaions are

Also dont forget you can adjust the borders padding by changeing settings in the theme file