| A few visitors have been asking why I haven't switched over to skinning Winamp3 yet. It's a fair question, but the short answer is, I won't be using Winamp3 anytime soon. I use Winamp2 (now called "Classic"), so I skin for Winamp2. Now, the long answer. |
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To your left is Winamp version 2, all windows open. On the right is Winamp version 3, with only the corresponding windows open and using the same skin file. |  |
| I commend Nullsoft for making the old skins even somewhat compatible with the new system, but the changes make most of my skins rather unpleasant on WA3. (I chose this Juvenile Orion skin because it's one of my personal favorites, and matches the default colors of WA3 fairly well.) The most obvious (and disruptive) change is the addition of the balance bar. The toggle buttons are now highlighted, on the main window and the equalizer. The equalizer spline has been cleverly worked back in, but I'm one of the only skinners who consistently leave that out so it's not so significant. The other windows do not use the skin files, as the changes to their style is too dramatic. The main window menu shortcuts are disabled, and there are a few other subtle changes that I'm still not sure how they accomplished. WA3 is massive, and frankly PQ (my computer) can't handle it well. As I'm sure you've seen from the skins on winamp.com, the new style offers nearly complete freedom for the skinner. Cool. Consequentally, the entire approach to skinning is different, and not nearly as friendly to the non-programmers among us. WA2 is based upon a series of bitmap files and a couple hex code text files to change up the colors. I don't even know where to start in describing WA3's composition. So basically, I can't do it yet. Not even close. I've taught myself to do a lot of things, but I have no inspiration to learn to tame the bulky, resource-draining, Media-player-ish WA3. My skin files are already large, but at least you could count on them being 20 files, every time... not 200. In the end, it's up to you, of course. Winamp Classic is still available; click on the banner at the top right of the winamp homepage. Winamp3 is their new baby, and you can play with that, too. I'm sure there will be some great skins for it soon. In the meantime, my skins will work, just not very well. ^_^ Have fun, kids! |
