Newbie into QCD Skin Development

[Hanzo]

I was wondering if any of you has made an easier document for skin develpment? or maybe like a FAQ. I'm willing to join the QCD Skinners and I think I can develp my limited talent in here, thanks to QCD's enhaced skin engine.

This is a "draft" I created. I know still lacks many buttons and features, but just wanted to start with something simple and then make a few more until I can develop a full-featured skin. Any comments???

[krazyd]

I was wondering if any of you has made an easier document for skin develpment? or maybe like a FAQ. I'm willing to join the QCD Skinners and I think I can develp my limited talent in here, thanks to QCD's enhaced skin engine.
This seems like a very good idea. Perhaps some of the more experienced skinners could put together something. It could help draw more skinners to QCD. :)
This is a "draft" I created. I know still lacks many buttons and features, but just wanted to start with something simple and then make a few more until I can develop a full-featured skin. Any comments???
Looks pretty nice to me. :cool:

[drewkeller]

there is somewhat of a beginning of a skinning FAQ in the FAQ that i compiled (http://www.drewkeller.com/QCD_FAQ.htm). the archived forum also has some good information if you do some searching. then there are also the photoshop tutorials that were posted in the skin discussion area recently (i didn't look at them all so i don't know how helpful they would be).

[regener8ed]

the QCD skinning documentation is actually an excellent resource, comprehensive and well organized, the best i've ever seen that was produced by the software's creator. i think the real issue is that QCD skinning covers a lot of ground and is a more complex application to skin for someone just breaking into skinning. i would suggest trying some smaller, less complicated applications first to get your feet wet, and see what skinning really involves. (and its not just getting familiar with program skinning; an understanding of colors and image files also helps)

for a first QCD skin, start small and build up features. once you get the hang of the mapping and buttons, you've really got 90% of the process. then add other items like scrollers, extensions or visuals. one of the beautiful things about skinning QCD is that you can view and test your results with every change without having to put together a 'complete' skin before testing it.

at some point, i (or someone) might put together a really basic skin and tutorials for skinning virgins, but in truth the existing documentation is still the best resource. take the time and do the reading - there's just no other fast shortcuts to gain that knowledge.

[Hanzo]

I think you are right regener8ed, I have read the FAQ and indeed it is an excellent document. I was just wondering if there was anything more simple just to start with, and then refer to the "big book".

I have made my own skins for Winamp in the past, which obviously is a lot easier to skin, that's why I know a little thing or two about skinning; but my interest is to make skins for QCD and develop my creative talent as a graphics designer.

As for color and file formats, I have a pretty good knowledge of them and their applications.

[regener8ed]

since youve already got some experience then i might suggest unzipping one of the older, simpler skins and checking them out. something like Steel Metropolis, MiniQ, or Yo Skin is probably as basic as it gets.

[Hanzo]

Ok... will do. I hope the authors don't mind.

What you think of my "draft" :confused:

[Heigar]

Looks pretty good,just a little something to remember(it's your skin,don't let people persuade you to change it to the way they want it to look,if they don't like it the way it is then they don't have to use it!)Other than that welcome to the QCD skinning world!:)

[Hanzo]

Looks pretty good,just a little something to remember(it's your skin,don't let people persuade you to change it to the way they want it to look,if they don't like it the way it is then they don't have to use it!)Other than that welcome to the QCD skinning world!:)
Thanks, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't developing something that sucks.

I hope this is the first one of many more to come! (as soon as I get the hang it);)

[Xymantix]

I agree with regener8ed - the PDF is a fantastic reference, and the best way to start is to start small. I don't know if a FAQ would be very helpful, but what *might* be useful is a simple sample skin that can be used as a 'quickstart guide'.

[Young Twig]

I agree with regener8ed - the PDF is a fantastic reference, and the best way to start is to start small. I don't know if a FAQ would be very helpful, but what *might* be useful is a simple sample skin that can be used as a 'quickstart guide'.
I think I will make a tutorial using GVB as an example skin. Of course... I have to finish GVB first.

About your skin, Hanzo: I would reccomend filling the play/stop/etc. buttons. My first skin originally had outline buttons and leeme tell you... It looked SO much better when they were fillled. Also, the beveled thing in the middle of nowehere... Um, I don't like it much. Try somehting else... or deleting it altogether. And the main fill... I don't like bnlue to teal.

[Heigar]

I would leave it .I think a lot of QCD users would enjoy it.There's nothing wrong with the colors or the outlined buttons .Everything seems to fit pretty good.Can't wait for the release.

[Young Twig]

I would leave it .I think a lot of QCD users would enjoy it.There's nothing wrong with the colors or the outlined buttons .Everything seems to fit pretty good.Can't wait for the release.
I would rather wait an extra day to start skinning if it would make the skin better. Skinning is not much of a fun process. When you finish a skin and you think you could've done better... Why didn't you just fool around to begin with?

[Heigar]

To me that's a damn good job for his first,and maybe he has fooled around with it and this is what has sparked his intrest,then some one always comes around and nit picks on change this or change that because "I" don't like it ,that doesn't mean that someone won't!
I remember someone telling me in the old forum"you're not designing a skin for a committee,you're designing a skin for yourself,because a skin designed by a committee will never turn out the way you want it to!"

Hanzo:I think it looks great and I'm sure there are a lot of people who would use it just the way it is!:D

[Young Twig]

To me that's a damn good job for his first,and maybe he has fooled around with it and this is what has sparked his intrest,then some one always comes around and nit picks on change this or change that because "I" don't like it ,that doesn't mean that someone won't!
I remember someone telling me in the old forum"you're not designing a skin for a committee,you're designing a skin for yourself,because a skin designed by a committee will never turn out the way you want it to!"

Hanzo:I think it looks great and I'm sure there are a lot of people who would use it just the way it is!:D
Whoa. I'll back off lest I be "e-slapped."

[chicubs]

To me that's a damn good job for his first,and maybe he has fooled around with it and this is what has sparked his intrest,then some one always comes around and nit picks on change this or change that because "I" don't like it ,that doesn't mean that someone won't!
I remember someone telling me in the old forum"you're not designing a skin for a committee,you're designing a skin for yourself,because a skin designed by a committee will never turn out the way you want it to!"

Hanzo:I think it looks great and I'm sure there are a lot of people who would use it just the way it is!:D

Heigar, if someone posts something in the DEVELOPMENT forum and asks for comments/critcts people give them . You seem to have a problem with taking criticism. The point of the developmental forums are to critic peoples work, so they can make it better. Of course, he doesnt have to do everything we say, but if someone's posts something here you have to accept people's opinions on it.

[drewkeller]

i think the buttons look cool the way they are.
i don't see anything wrong with the blue/teal gradient. it's still within a modified monochromatic color scheme.

[Heigar]

Hey guys ,sorry it's just that the last skin I posted I changed it so much that I got so frustrated with it I ended up sending it to the recycle bin.I am currently working on one now , but I just don't want new skinners feeling overwhelmed with critisizm that they never end up finishing one.

Young Twig:SORRY,you have the right to post your opinions just like I do,And I have to agree with you on the buttons .

[Hanzo]

I have been away selling on eBay so I could not post, I see my little post generated a big fuss...

Come on, let's all cool down, I appreciate the "suggestions" from Young Twig and I do thank you Heigar for supporting my first work. But I think we all should understand that developing skins for QCD is no different from oil painting or composing music; it is art, only in a digital canvas and to stare in front of a music player.

However, I do agree with chicubs; I posted it to receive suggestions or criticisms; whichever term you prefer, but just because someone critics my blue to teal gradient it means I will change it, as a fact those are my favorite colors. But as I said in the first post, this is a "draft" which I do recognize needs still work and lots of "coding" behind.

As for the area in the middle, it is the area for the visuals, and as it is a draft only I did not made any extra efforts beyond making the basic shape of it and adding a simple bezel. I might change the buttons for something more "suited" to the gradient or I might not, "the problem is choice"

(anyone saw matrix revolutions? :D )

[drewkeller]

anyone saw matrix revolutions? i would have seen it last night except my g/f has been procrastinating on a paper that is due tomorrow. plus i meant to get started on tearing out a couple of the walls in my house last night and didn't get started until tonight. but i did get the woodstove done earlier this week (finally!!). pics on my website :) so i will probably see revolutions tomorrow night. :( theaters are too crowded on the weekend. people are pigs.

[Hanzo]

i would have seen it last night except my g/f has been procrastinating on a paper that is due tomorrow. plus i meant to get started on tearing out a couple of the walls in my house last night and didn't get started until tonight. but i did get the woodstove done earlier this week (finally!!). pics on my website :) so i will probably see revolutions tomorrow night. :( theaters are too crowded on the weekend. people are pigs.
I went today. AWESOME... that's all I can say. And yeah... people are pigs, I told a little boy to shut up, was driving me nuts asking stupid questions of why Trinity died... oops better keep my mouth shut.:p

[Lich]

I have simplified skinning manual about 10% written, but it's in russian. Never will be complete, most certainly.

[regener8ed]

(anyone saw matrix revolutions? :D )
i gotta say the ending bothers me. they really left some room for another sequel...

[Young Twig]

Hey guys ,sorry it's just that the last skin I posted I changed it so much that I got so frustrated with it I ended up sending it to the recycle bin.I am currently working on one now , but I just don't want new skinners feeling overwhelmed with critisizm that they never end up finishing one.

Young Twig:SORRY,you have the right to post your opinions just like I do,And I have to agree with you on the buttons .
Okay. I understand now. And I was joking around. I wasn't offended by what you said or anytihng...

100 posts... Custom User Text?

[Hanzo]

i gotta say the ending bothers me. they really left some room for another sequel...
Hopefully they do. I would like to see how more complex than that it can get.

Okay. I understand now. And I was joking around. I wasn't offended by what you said or anytihng...

100 posts... Custom User Text?
I was hoping it can be done, but it seems you can't...:(