Difference between revisions of "Skins"

Revision as of 21:02, 25 December 2006

Definition

A skin (in software context) is a file or group of files which allow an application's interface to change, so that it is more comfortable for each user.

Using real skins

Explanation

aMule supports bitmaps skinning, allowing for anyone to change the icons and images displayed in it.

Procedure

CVS tarballs only!

Skins are implemented through a text file, just like an .ini file, which will have lines that point to bitmaps. This text file must be specified in
Preferences->Gui Tweaks->Skin Support->Skin File.

Of course, to enable skins, the checkbox "Use skin file to set aMule bitmaps" must be checked.

Currently, there are two kinds of skins:

• Client bitmaps
• Toolbar bitmaps

Both must be specified in the same text file. An example file is below. If you omit any option, aMule will use the default image. There are no restrictions on the image sizes, but gui may look weird if they are too big.

IMPORTANT: eMule toolbar skins (one .png with all images in a row) are not supported.

[Toolbar Bitmaps]
Connect_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/connect_established.png
Disconnect_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/connect_no.png
Connecting_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/connect_creating.png
Network_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/homepage.png
Transfer_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/reload.png
Search_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/find.png
Share_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/fileopen.png
Messages_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/apps/kopete.png
Stat_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/apps/clock.png
Pref_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/configure.png
Import_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/kaboodleloop.png
Help_icon=/home/user/icons/32x32/actions/help.png

[Client Bitmaps]
Client_Transfer=/home/user/icons/small/Client_Green_Smiley.png
Client_Connecting=/home/user/icons/small/Client_Red_Smiley.png
Client_OnQueue=/home/user/icons/small/Client_Yellow_Smiley.png
Client_A4AFNoNeededPartsQueueFull=/home/user/icons/small/Client_Grey_Smiley.png
Client_Unknown=/home/user/icons/small/Client_White_Smiley.png
Client_ExtendedProtocol=/home/user/icons/small/Client_ExtendedProtocol_Smiley.png
Client_SecIdent=/home/user/icons/small/Client_SecIdent_Smiley.png
Client_BadGuy=/home/user/icons/small/Client_BadGuy_Smiley.png
Client_CreditsGrey=/home/user/icons/small/Client_CreditsGrey_Smiley.png
Client_CreditsYellow=/home/user/icons/small/Client_CreditsYellow_Smiley.png
Client_Upload=/home/user/icons/small/Client_Upload_Smiley.png
Client_Friend=/home/user/icons/small/Client_Friend_Smiley.png
Client_eMule=/home/user/icons/small/Client_eMule_Smiley.png
Client_mlDonkey=/home/user/icons/small/Client_mlDonkey_Smiley.png
Client_eDonkeyHybrid=/home/user/icons/small/Client_eDonkeyHybrid_Smiley.png
Client_aMule=/home/user/icons/small/Client_aMule_Smiley.png
Client_lphant=/home/user/icons/small/Client_lphant_Smiley.png
Client_Shareaza=/home/user/icons/small/Client_Shareaza_Smiley.png
Client_xMule=/home/user/icons/small/Client_xMule_Smiley.png
Client_Unknown=/home/user/icons/small/Client_Unknown.png
Client_InvalidRatingOnFile=/home/user/icons/small/Client_InvalidRating_Smiley.png
Client_PoorRatingOnFile=/home/user/icons/small/Client_PoorRating_Smiley.png
Client_GoodRatingOnFile=/home/user/icons/small/Client_GoodRating_Smiley.png
Client_FairRatingOnFile=/home/user/icons/small/Client_FairRating_Smiley.png
Client_ExcellentRatingOnFile=/home/user/icons/small/Client_ExcellentRating_Smiley.png

Using generic GTK skins

NOTE: Most Windows and MacOS X users will not need to read this chapter, since they won't be using GTK (allthough it is possible to compile aMule linked to GTK on both platforms).

Explanation

aMule uses GTK, and the GTK library allows all widgets to be skinned. So we can use that to skin aMule.

This is a widget skinning. This means that you can change fonts, colours, shapes, sizes and behaviours of scrollbars, buttons, etc. But you won't be able to change aMule specific images and icons.

Have in mind that this will not only change the widgets aspect and behaviour for aMule, but for all other GTK applications.

Procedure

First, you must know if you are running aMule linked to GTK1 or to GTK2. Just run:

amule --version

You will get something like this:

aMule 2.0.3 using wxGTK2 v2.6.1 (Unicoded) (OS: Linux)

The important part is wxGTK2. This means you are using GTK2. If you see wxGTK instead (notice there's no 2), then you're using GTK1.

Ok, now make sure you have switch (got GTK1 users) or switch2 (for GTK2 users). If you don't have it, install it.

By running switch/switch2 you'll be able to switch the GTK theme. Of course, you'll have to have some GTK theme(s) installed on your system.

You'll also be able to change the font and it's size if you click on the icon at the right of the switch/switch2 application.

Switch/Switch2 in Debian

Debian users can install gtk-theme-switch to get both switch and switch2.

Available themes for GTK1 users are all those whose names begin with gtk-engines-*, such as gtk-engines-pixmap(run aptitude search gtk1-engines to get all themes available for GTK1)

Available themes for GTK2 users are all those whose names begin with gtk2-engines-*, such as gtk2-engines-*, such as gtk2-engines-xfce (run aptitude search gtk2-engines to get all themes available for GTK2)