for question #3,

Are you currently running XP or Vista?

if it's XP , and you want to see transparency , I think the problem might be in  windowblinds config.

if you have the setting in "transparency and blur" set to "vista-ize me" it should show transparency in your skins. I have it set to all skins on my computer, and only disable it when the skin really needs to be opaque, (like the "beer" blind).

sorry if this doesn't help, I'm not actually a skinner, just a skin user. but it could be a possibility that you aren't seeing transparency on your computer  because it isn't clicked to be so.

if you're a Vista user,... disregard anything I just said... it's a moot point.

Yep im using vista

Doenst fix it im afraid - i can switch between skins that have it and it works fine on them but as soon as i switch back to my skin its gone - all transparency settings are set as default in windowblinds

Skin name and Author is changed in File > Skin properties > Save Skin.

The blurry menus in photoshop can only be fixed by matching up certain colors in your colors section, basically ur selected item color needs to be very similar to the color of your menu background image. If you are using transparency in your menus the more transparent you go the more 'fake" shadow you will get in your menus, nothing you can do about that though...it's a result of going too transparent. Also this is a balancing act as the slected item color affects other parts of you theme.

To get transparency in the Infopane u have to also have a transparent image for the command bar, they are tied together. You also must have alpha channel setting turned on in the Extra's tab for both.

I knew someone would have a good answer,..

hmmm ie8 doesn't like the smilies...

(good thing I had a link of my own to go to....)

Thanks a lot Vstyler - ill give those a try.

just keep in mind... its tricky...especially on trans menus and dark menus.

Ive made dozens of themes and I still fight with those menus EVERY theme.. so as long as u know this.. just keep adjusting away until it balances out. Just keep in mind that the selected item color is also your all programs arrow mousover color.. just to add that extra twist

Hi again

just an update - i still cant get 2 and 3 fixed here

Though if i take the exact same images and fonts and import them into say rapture they work perfectly as they should

Same with the transparency - works perfect if i build them on another skin but not mine - even though they have the same settings...

Very frustrating

This program seems to have a mind of its own - i was trying to fix the start menu - i had all the settings perfect but the image was all over the place - i rebooted, restarted skin studio etc - still all over the place - suddenly after around 5-6 apply's of other parts of the skin the start menu fixes itself - i mean wtf???

Well..Many a time I have restarted a skin from scratch just to try whittle down a problem , all part of the learning curve, you may think it has a mind of its own, I an can almost bet it's something you are doing wrong or haven't done.

It's far from easy for sure.

Your right V it probably is just wish i understood it - ive rebuilt now and all seems well - your tips work perfect on the new built skin so problems all solved for now - thanks again

Anytime