Well, it's not actually faster. If you haven't disabled LameSkin, they work BOTH so it's actually slower (and buggy!!!)
I don't think there's need for UberSkin for RP7.

bugreport from newest version:
it seems that some cutoffs from video screen has been fixed too - maybe related with tray icons bug.

Window spam - system stability is completely unaffected (previously there were some setbacks)

Prey still not working
Photoshop is still cutting off some parts of its screen

Also i am interested in support for 32bit icons But if possible without replacing system files...

And they stay transparent. In contrast of other transparent desktop label tools/tricks. Great!

But, without drop shadow for icon text, the icon text is difficult to read when transparenticons enabled. Any plans for drop shadow for icon text?

Hi Tihiy,
I have RP7 with LameSkin disabled, so I would like to test UberSkin without removing RP7.
From what you say, it is possible!
Can you just change your UberSkin installer to disable LameSkin and then install UberSkin with RP7?

No. This isn't a supported scenario and won't be.

Sorry, but that's too luxurious for CPU. Unless there is a really quick algorithm exists.

just an issue with RP7 and webview on older machines : 233mhz/64mb-pentium mmx shuttle apollo via,crashes thee pictures hard unless add to new pic folder ...are there any other known issues with this as i have all AP updates installed and APRC2outta enviroment will not help this Also ,on other computerchem p.c./desktop version with 128mb/450mhz/and pentiumIII...Uberskin worked great <even; after adding rp7..after Uberskin was installed><lupus failed to make it past the intensive care unit--hopeful next willbe better release as it passed away regretfully unhappy can only await unveilin' of RP*8...thydreamwalker P.S.:RP7 beats lupus 100:1

It is possible to install uberskin on rp7. "Dll.dll" plays a very important role in installing uberskin it is the reason why uberskin installer don't start. I thinc...i'm not sure (i'm not a programmer) Rp8.dll it's a replace of dll.dll (with less functions). So...if u delete dll.dll uberskin will install with no problems but the looks and the speed of your machine will have to sufer. I guess if the code from rp8.dll will be transfered to dll.dll and the restriction of the installer will be removed, than it will work just fine. (Again I'm not a programmer...it's just an opinion).

Apparently not completely...


Look at the remains of third icon in first row (it is a blinking icon and there shouldn't be any remains).
And at volume icon in second row - a fragment of the circle is missing.


Also the progress bar doesn't update correctly in w32dasm.

Yeah, something is wrong. But this bug was hard to catch... I'll try to work it around by adding 1px more to erase these things.

This is somewhat "by design". Since progress bar is a very simple control, programs can abuse it very much (for example, changing its position in every loop cycle). Since graphical progress bar takes noticeably more graphical operations and thus drawing slower (+slow computers? +slow graphic drivers?), it can slow down program and system noticeably for such programs. So, when UberSkin is active, it updates asynchronously (in message cycle), not by program demand.
Since you've noticied it , i've changed algorithm so progress bars now *do* update synchronously as user expects, but only in foreground windows.

Click to view attachment
I've tried drop shadow algorithms for desktop icon labels with GDI+, and i'm not sure if it's wise to include it: 100 "My Computer" labels draw themselves within up to 900 ms. That's may be too slow in some cases... and loading whole GDI+ library for this may be not worth it.

Opera 6 has it cons, some homepages look quite weird... but I don't expect a browser to really handle all senseless homepages. Also crashes quite often with javascript.
But it has some pro's the newer versions are laking of:
- not skinned! (thus more native/lame-/uberskin compatible - I hate programs that look like this XP blue also I have another or no skinning at all.)
- Less resources
- Does not crash when quitting (newer operas often do, especially after customizing toolbars, making all changes obsolete)
- Resuming downloads doesn't work in any opera (6/7/8/9?) version

I know another browser is needed for some pages, still hope another browser gives all of operas real features

I agree that GDI+ might not be the best option. How about something simpler - draw the same text twice - in two distinct colors, but the second one with a small offset?

It certainly doesn't look as nice as yours but it should still serve the purpose - improve readability.

Also sadly I have found another bug related to UberSkin:
If you select "File->Save as..." in Notepad++ v4.5, it will die immediately without any message or error.
Interessingly "File->Open..." works ok...

Regarding drop shadows for icon text:
Another idea: Is there such a thing as fonts with drop shadows built-in? Or a way to modify fonts for this purpose. If so, we could change the font for icon text in advanced appearance settings.

For me it looks like 2px...

As for explorer crashes...
I was just alt-tabbing between two applications (Acrobat Reader and Opera) and... I got division error in explorer lol. I checked resources - over 50% left and I had no explorer window open when it crashed. Totally unexpected, system stablity unaffected and I have to kill some apps to see their tray icons again .
To avoid further questions: I have 98SE with IE 6 and uSP 2.1a. Maybe it is only polish version that has this problems... who knows.

Oh, ho, ho! Open-source programs!
When i started to research this problem, i've experienced hang (not crash) there.

So i was sad panda and went for new Notepad++ version. And guess what? It does not have this bug!
I went to SVN to check what was changed and found it!
Oh god **** open source developers. What are youthey doing!
- Subclassing dialog window (violation of Win32 programming techiques and etiquette; if you want dialog with slighly altered behavior, write your own using dialog functions ready especially for this) during initialization (violation of Win32 subclassing rules) without using CallWindowProc (violation of Win32 subclassing rules) when they want just to handle "OK" click!!! Oh burn them with fire! Don't they know about DWL_DLGPROC or using comdlg32 hooks right way?!

Ah, so that were lyrics. Download latest version and tell them what morons they are.
Also, i've achieved compiling with [Express] VC++ 2008: it was installed on my PC, but compiled exe wasn't running on 9x no matter what.
I've downloaded VC++ 2005, but oh - it was French:wacko: and weren't compiling this thing no matter what.
The solution is to replace link.exe and libs directory with ones from 2005. This way, it worked well on 9x.

BEST trick - thx! I uninstall Hook99 complet (support transparent text /icon), on file on.reg add:

UberSkin 8.1.6 CZECH
Download: uberskin816cz.exe

Note: Thx Tihiy, best util

ok here comes bugreport. I tried Czech version.

Guys - congratulations. I am really impressed, how this engine works now. I also like the transparent icons

Bugs fixed:
- adobe photoshop (minimizing, maximizing, cutted top of new window)
- media player classic (control panel and seek bar refresh)
- creative surround mixer (no pink layers around its window)ä


Bug remained:
- Prey still not working reffering to "Security module cannot be enabled"



If this last bug shall be fixed i think that i shall use it permanently

Minor bug:
during maximizing or minimizing of windows pink layers become visible again... for a second until maximizing is completed.

All of the above quoted bugs are still present...

I'm also getting this problem:



It shows PopPeeper maximized... and what it looks like after it's been minimized and re-maximized...
I've had this "effect" happen to a few other apps...

Weird huh...

Both of them work like crap in 9x. I've contacted developer and offered him a way to fix his programs.
It works correctly.
It won't work correctly with IE5.5 browse*.dll files.
Some apps can get this behaviour. I'm fixing it.

Normal work [98SE IE 6.0 uSP-PL 2.5e]

(once)



While open office 2.3 was openning a file. (once)


-----

This project is like a breath of fresh air

Thank you for this report.
What does that means?

"Explorer caused general protection fault in module user exe at 001c:00000066."?

1) I was openning file, OpenOffice 2.3 was loading it and "freeze/grey window in OO".
2) I see new window "do you want close Program" abort / close. ( I didn't press ctrl-alt-del to close open office)
3) I pressed abort.
4) few second's (1,2,3?) I see again 2) and I press abort. (rarely 1x 2x ?)
5a) Open Office load full document.

once
5a) Open Office was grey so I copied error.
( I think the system was high loaded Firefox, Opera,...,..., and worked hard on swap + AeroBlue )

When I use only OpenOffice + 1,2,3 Web Pages (Opera/Firefox) / "middle load", I don't see this error.
(8 years old computer + Nvidia)

Sorry for non-technical language.

Is this the same behaviour that Nero6 and ZoneAlarm have? With Nero the "old" standaard grey windows close/maximize/minimize buttons are projected on top of the skinned ones and they are functional. With ZoneAlarm the activation of the skinned buttons doesn't correspond with the position of the mousepointer. When you hold your mousepointer on the minimize button the maximize button is actually activated and so maximizing your screen when you think you minimize it. It's like the old buttons are hiding behind the skinned ones but are still functional.

TrendMicro's HijackThis screen is looking like I'm on LSD. I have a ATI videocard. Anyone seen the same with a non-ATI ?

UberSkin 8.1.5 released!
http://tihiy.ahanix.org/uberskin.exe
MASS BUG BOMBING!
- Rewrited button/check/radio/group skinning (code roots going back down to RP3.6!); fixed a load of bugs (ex. HijackThis) and improved speed/usage/etc;
- Fixed progress bar not being updated (W32Dasm);
- Fixed client window portion not being correctly aligned when skin changes;
- Fixed old caption buttons stucking constantly on new caption buttons (ex. Nero);
- Fixed Full Screen IE/Explorer mode may not switch properly;
- Fixed AlphaBlend validation causing rare crashes in RP8.dll;
- Forced caption buttons positions for overlapped windows (ex. ZoneAlarm);
- Fixed restoring zoomed window issues (ex. POP Peeper) and i hope not broken other apps;
- Fixed once more 98 tray icons.

Ohh... Zzz.

My taskbar isn't skinned anymore...
Windows 95 Explorer (startbutton skinned like any button, other task buttons aren't skinned at all)
At least the startmenu position works for this version (due this issue?)

I'm glad you're smiling; sorry for 95 shell. It's just not my priority, but i'll fix it next time.

UberSkin 8.1.6 released!
http://tihiy.ahanix.org/uberskin.exe
- Windows 95 taskbar is skinned back again;
- SecuROM protection must be fixed (ex. Prey).

i confirm that securom in Prey is fixed. Uberskin is now stable part of my system

Minor bug reported previously:
using tenetXP skin - when maximizing window shows pink corner until is maximized.

other minor bug. was fixed in previous version but appeared again:
http://slayershrine.wz.cz/desk2.jpg

if this occurs also it means that adobe photoshop has cutted off its panel. also strange behaviour - i cannot open images with adobe photoshop. i dont know why, but i cant see them while using "Open" command. i take a closer look.

edit2:
after aproximately 8 hours without reboot i get strange display error. i was using slimbrowser with webicq, TV tuner app and uberskin. after some action (pop up window, and resizing video window at same time maybe) graphics get broken. then i closed tv tuner app and a get som unspecified error messages (while skinninw was not working windows were unreadable). then i closed slimbrowser and skinning start to work correctly again... weird.

Hi,
Unfortunately there is a regression (at least I didn't see this issue before) from 8.1.4
Whenever you click on empty space on the taskbar - it blinks (clear+repaint).

Because you ignored my post and you will have to fix it for the third time

Another bug I noticed is with Notepad2 (v1.0.12):
When you set it to be always on top (alt+t) and now drag and pull the scrollbar - it isn't skinned anymore (only the bar, the buttons are still skinned) until you release mouse button.

Not reproduceable for me. Such behavior sometimes can be seen, and it does not depend on anything. If it happens constantly for you, try disabling some programs/tray icons to see if one is causing this.
I don't have privilege to ignore posts. This issue with 98 tray icons is not actually because of pixels around icons, but some other internal paint calculations. Please provide apps which get this behavior (those with blinking icons or icons cut).
Hmm, always on top. Got it.
I'll fight with apps with custom frames next version.

UberSkin 8.1.7 released!
http://tihiy.ahanix.org/uberskin.exe
Okay, let's spin version numbers a bit once again. This is the last update in this batch. 2 versions left before release?
- Fixed overlapped window forced layout causing unability to size those windows through sizing box;
- Fixed scrollbars not tracking in controls for topmost windows (ex. Notepad2);
- Fixed radio/check not updating when its text changes.

Hi Tihiy,

I am planning to add your 32-bit Scandisk into the next version of uSP. It is skinnable. But when I tested it with latest UberSkin, although buttons was skinned, title bar was not.

Example:



FYI.

Please DON'T. It is too old, i don't have source for it anymore; it has wrong switch interpretation (it sets wrong scan mode, if i recall correctly)!
It works only with kernel32.dll version 4.10.2225?!!
UberSkin won't work with it, since it forcefully protects 16-bit code from being skinned.

Sysinternals Process Explorer - look at the lowest 1px - I can make a screenshoot if you need it.

I have killed almost everything and it didn't help. Anyway I have just found a way to reproduce it:
Open Start Menu->Programs and try right-clicking on some shortcuts to applications - the taskbar will become almost completely empty (only start button visible) for a fraction of second and then it will be redrawn. It is perfectly visible.
I have even managed to make a screenshot when the taskbar was empty.

EDIT: After upgrading to 8.1.7 the problem seems to be gone now.
EDIT2: It's back I don't know what causes it - it was ok for 15 minutes or so, I didn't open any new apps in the meantime and now it happens again, weird.

Also any news regarding the issue with pink lines?

A couple bugs in the latest version... (for me anyway)

1.) With UberSkin installed and running, most of IrfanView's right-click options are disabled... [example: open a bitmap in IrfanView then right-click on on it... most options are grayed out]

2.) With UberSkin installed and running, all of Internet Explorer's right-click options are clickable... [example: open IE to a blank page, then right-click on the blank page... all options are available]
This may be caused by the 5.5 brows*.dll files... someone using the 6.1 brows*.dlls should check it out...


Keep up the great work Tihiy... and thanks .

UberSkin 8.1.7 CZECH
Download: uberskin817cz.exe

btw: on file on.reg add:

UberSkin 8.1.8 released!
http://tihiy.ahanix.org/uberskin.exe
Note to self: don't ever make releases at 3 AM.
- Fixed EnableMenuItem
- Fixed excessive taskbar repaints.

Don't worry, i remember. Seems that i'll spin version numbers to 8.1.10 and up if more bugs arise.

Hi Tihiy.
Until yesterday I thought Uberskin was just a myth - no link to it in RP thread (did I miss it?). Yesterday I found and installed 8.1.7 as first Uberskin install ever and it went just fine.
However, still with the same version (I installed 8.1.8 but I won't be able to reboot for at least a few hours) there are a few (minor) issues that I noticed.

This one is not so minor. As I keep my taskbar hidden (at the top, if it makes any difference and currently locked - no sizing bar), I noted that it won't show up if I hover the portions of it that belong to the start button, the systray icons, the taskbar buttons and the expander arrows (for Quick Launch and custom toolbars).
If I unlock the taskbar so the sizing bar appears, then it shows up no matter where I hover at, but like that, the taskbar looks bulky.

One other thing I noticed was that immediately after installation, the taskbar was locked. All taskbar buttons (when opening applications) were displayed a few pixels lower than normal, looking cut on their bottom. I disabled and re-enabled the taskbar lock and they now appear correctly. Haven't rebooted again to see if the issue reoccurs on a fresh start.

Yet another thing I noticed is that all systray icons are about 2 px higher than normal (as compared to Quick Launch icons position, at least). This is really a minor issue to me.

Incidentally I noticed a couple other minor issues while conceiving this post, so I'll insert them here:
- in Lavalys' Everest Ultimate Edition, there's a fourth button to the left of the 'minimize' button on titlebar, for 'minimize to tray'. That one isn't skinned - possibly because it's custom drawn. Just thought you should know about it.
- in official eMule, the MiniMule window's titlebar is not skinned (if enabled in the options, it will show up on single left-click on systray icon when main window is minimized). I'm not sure what type of window that is, it just looks like having a tool style titlebar but I may be wrong.

I'm using a slightly modified Royale Small theme with Explorer.exe 4.72.3612.1710 (I believe it's the 256-color patched version, IIRC) in Win98SE English. Machine is Pentium II 400MHz, 256MB PC133 SDRAM, MSI GeForce 4Ti4200 VTD8X 128MB (running at AGP 2x in dual-monitor environment) on Soyo 6VBA 133 motherboard. If any other specific information is needed, please ask.

All in all, Uberskin is excellent and I mean it. You're the man, Tihiy... you're the man!

Nice work man!!! What a great thing you've built....... You really know you're coding that's for sure! (I wish i knew half of what you know in coding) You're a smart guy...keep up the good work!

Okay then, those bugs left:
- Windows with custom frames getting skinned while they shouldn't;
- Windows 95/98 taskbar/tray icons minor problems;
- Windows 95 start menu issue.

Am i right? Those should be fixed in next release.

This new scandisk32 is O.K.? (Problem with disk >128GB not?)

There is NO 32-bit scandisk. Forget it, end of story.

Finally tested Uberskin. It rocks!
Just add 32icons and here's the best looking Win9x ever made.

UberSkin 8.1.9 released!
http://tihiy.ahanix.org/uberskin.exe
Oh hi, i hope this is the latest bugfix release
- Fixed maximizing minimized MDI windows;
- Applications that use custom window frames are now behaving properly (WinAMP, WMP9, MsnMess, etc.)

Xeno86: all icons including Process Explorer one are drawing okay for me, too. Any additional information?

it is okay to apply latest uberskin 8.19 over a older version?

UberSkin 8.1.10 released!
http://tihiy.ahanix.org/uberskin.exe
- Auto-hidden taskbar now unhides when you hover start icon or tray part;
- 95/98: taskbar can't be moved when locked.

It is always okay to upgrade, downgrade, repack, redistribute, reverse engineer, modify or hack UberSkin. It uses completely same installer and uninstaller and can't conflict with itself.

shall i install newest version or wait three hours for next one?

ok... the newest one jesus you must be assembler god
pink corners in maximizing/mininizing fixed. pink layers around surround mixer fixed. overall performance greatly improved (so fast as without skinning).

Adobe photoshop still has cutted top panel when run for the first time, until maxnimizing/restoring window size... i shall make some screens.

i can open files from photoshop again.

this is how photoshop looks after first being running:
http://www.slayershrine.wz.cz/eror1.jpg

the top panel is partially missing.

and this is how it has to look.
http://www.slayershrine.wz.cz/eror2.jpg

I've promised myself not to make releases at night!

Confirmed your problem.

i was working as a programmer for short time my colleague was sleeping in his chair and worked for days and nights there is a joke...

Programmer 1: "it shall took two weeks until the program will be finished"
Programmer 2: "good. i will get some sleep - two times and we are done"

go to sleep now. we are curious for your masterpiece, but have some time for it