How do I use a custom skin?

[jpeters1734]

OK I'll say it, I absolutely hate the UI of OOTP 20 and 21. It just seems really bloated to me. 18 was perfect and 19 was really good too.

Is there any way to customize the skin to look more like those versions and has anyone done it?

[Déjà Bru]

I hope you get responses other than this lame one because I like to tinker a bit here and there as well. I have done a few things in the images folder but the meat and potatoes are in the style_sets folder and there, I am clueless.

That is where you work with frames, text boxes, scroll bars, background colors, and the like. It has 13 files in it, and 87 subfolders!

But it can be done. Questdog had a project going five years ago and it appears he was successful in altering the look of the classic skin.

One thing I keep in mind when facing this temptation. Actually, two things:

First is, by the time I would get done monkeying around with all of those alterations needed to make it look good - and keep in mind that they must fit together like a jigsaw puzzle - it will be time for the next version to be released!

Second is, I have noticed that it's often the change that bothers me rather than the reality. I pick the skin that is least bothersome to me, play the game with it, and guess what? After a while, I am used to it and don't even notice what was bothering me about it anymore.

Like I said, this is a lame response. Hopefully you will get better ones.

[jpeters1734]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Second is, I have noticed that it's often the change that bothers me rather than the reality. I pick the skin that is least bothersome to me, play the game with it, and guess what? After a while, I am used to it and don't even notice what was bothering me about it anymore.

True, but I've been playing 20 for over a year and I still can't stand it. I loved 18 and 19 immediately when it came out.

[Déjà Bru]

Another thought: 18 and 19 may have looked great, but 20 and 21 probably have all sorts of "arrangements" . . . for want of a better term . . . that would prevent you from resurrecting the look of 18 and 19. Designs that fit the programming of producing the GUI and which cannot be significantly altered.

Then again, Questdog probably faced the same dilemmas five years ago and overcame them. Then again again, I doubt he has seen that modified classic skin of his much in the years since, unless he has replicated his mod five time over.

[jpeters1734]

Whoops, I misspoke. 17 and 18 are the pinnacle of UI. 19, 20, and 21 are very similar and I really don't like them. The font is a big part of it, though I know I can change to the 18 font. I don't like how the light skin looks. The buttons are too big. and I reeeally hate the modern 3D view

[Déjà Bru]

I recommend hypnosis.