_____ ______ _____ _____ _____
/ ___/| / __ /| / ___/| / ___/| / ___/|
/ /___|/ / /_/ / / / /___|/ / /|__|/ / /___|/
/__ /| / ____/ / / ___/| / / / /__ /|
___/ / / / /|___|/ / /___|/ / /_/ ___/ / /
/____/ / /_/ / /____/| /____/| /____/ /
|____|/ |_|/ |____|/ |____|/ |____|/
>>
Author: Fyre
Date: 8/26/2000
OVERVIEW
So what exactly is Winamp Skin Specs? It is a compilation of bitmaps and documents
to help Winamp skinners create bug-free skins. To novice skinners, this is a useful tool in
creating their your Winamp skin. It provides you with a blueprint to work with so that you
are not starting empty handed. To advanced skinners, this can be a reference to check to see
whether your skin has any blatant bugs.
This version of the specs are arranged in text format for those who are plain and dull (just
kidding). An HTML version can be downloaded also at fyreskins.tripod.com.
First of all, a short description on how Winamp skins work. Each Winamp skin is actually a
group of bitmaps and text files. There are 16 bitmaps and 3 text files (older versions of
Winamp may differ - but why not download the latest version for free at Winamp.com?).
These 19 files are bunched up in a zip file for easy downloading. There is no programming
involved, just graphics. All you have to do is to draw the skin as you would want it to look
like, and place paste them as separate pieces into the correct bitmaps and correct positions.
It's that easy!
GETTING STARTED
For each bitmap and text file that make up the Winamp skin, there is a corresponding
information file that goes along with it. All the information files are in the extention
.inf. In each information file, the information is set up in the form of a table. The table
contains information about each component's size and position. It looks complicated at first
but it will get easier to understand. The location and size entries were obtained using the
selection tool in MS Paint. Some programs may have a different selection system, thus you
may have to adjust. However, most programs like Adobe Photoshop will follow the selection
system I have used.
A very important note: the pictures are color coded for your convenience! Notice there are
four colors. Green, white, red and grey. Green signifies a border. That means Winamp
differentiates between one region and another at those green coordinates. White and red mean
drawable (is that a word?) space. That means you can draw freely on the white and red
regions. The red is simply for decoration or that you can tell which button is which. The
grey regions are the ignored regions. Winamp does not use (display) any of the grey regions
whatsoever. This space can be used for things like your personal logo or credits. Just make
sure any doodles you do don't fall beyond the grey region.
These are the files that should be included in this package:
>> avs.bmp avs.inf
>> balance.bmp balance.inf
>> cbuttons.bmp cbuttons.inf
>> eq_ex.bmp eq_ex.inf
>> eqmain.bmp eqmain.inf
>> main.bmp main.inf
>> mb.bmp mb.inf
>> monoster.bmp monoster.inf
>> numbers.bmp numbers.inf
>> playpaus.bmp playpaus.inf
>> pledit.bmp pledit (bmp).inf
>> posbar.bmp posbar.inf
>> shufrep.bmp shufrep.inf
>> text.bmp text.inf
>> titlebar.bmp titlebar.inf
>> volume.bmp volume.inf
>> pledit.txt pledit (txt).inf
>> region.txt region.inf
>> viscolor.txt viscolor.inf
NOTES
There are many reasons I created the specs. One of them of for myself, of course. I found a
need to be sure that the skin was accurate rather than count on another skin which may have
many mistakes. Another one was that after tons of people saw my most popular skins, I
started getting 10 e-mails a day asking me how I made the skins and if I could teach them
how to start. The most important reason is that I have seen too many messed up skins out
there that would be otherwise good if corrected. What a shame to make a great looking skin
but have it full of bugs.
There are a few bugs that nobody can avoid making. In fact these bugs have nothing to do
with the skinner but every to do with Winamp itself. Until the Winamp guys can correct
Winamp's code for displaying the skin these bugs will be seen everywhere:
• main windowshade - the bottom pixels for the active windowshade are the same as the top
pixels for the inactive windowshade
• main module time display - in the main window, there is a designated space for a negative
sign if you like to see a count down instead of a count up; Winamp incorrectly shifts the
negative sign out of place
• playlist windowshade button - when the playlist windowshade is on, try clicking the
maximize button; once your mouse button is down, the button will magically move one pixel
to the right
Enough complaining from me now. If you have any complaints, comments, questions, even a
"well done" message you wanna send me, my address is:
info-is@in-file
or...
info-is@in-file
"bloo plastik"
Began: October 6, 2002
Completed: October 6, 2002
I started designing this skin a couple of weeks ago. I decided to start it today (began date), and I finished it today as well.. It was an easy skin to make.. I am very proud of w ...
"bloo plastik"
Began: October 6, 2002
Completed: October 6, 2002
I started designing this skin a couple of weeks ago. I decided to start it today (began date), and I finished it today as well.. It was an easy skin to make.. I am very proud of w ...
