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Resexcellence
InterfaceLift
ShapeShifter
CandyBar
Safaricon
ThemePark
Konfabulator
Apple
MacUpdate
MacThemes
DSKY
Max Themes
XiAP Themes
DigitalRamen
Swizcore Studio
This website and its contents is best viewed in Apple Safari or Mozilla Firefox. Pages may not display correctly in Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Donations are greatly appreciated and may be made through Paypal by clicking the button below. Thanks so much!
Well it's certainly been a while since I've updated this page (2 months short of a year). I haven't been as active in the community of late and let's just say, "life happens." Thanks for all the response from you the users, it's nice to know that my themes still have avid users in the community (with all the great themes already
out there in circulation). I just checked my email account and rest assured I'll read them all in time. I'll apologize in advance as I won't be able to respond to everyone but I'll try and answer the bulk of the questions here. First and foremost, yes, I do plan on updating all the themes with Tiger compatibility in the following order:
• AquaPro - This theme has been neglected for far too long and I'll try to rectify that first
• X-Metal - This theme has gotten the most requests for an update. It will follow closely on the heels of AquaPro
• iStyle - I'm thinking of a few changes for this one to reflect Apple's updated look of it's "iProducts"
• eXec - Last but not least eXec
Now, I'm sure everyone wants to know ETA. At this time I won't post deadlines for these updates since I'll probably break them. I need to get familiar with the latest versions of SS and Themepark. Some of these updates were already underway but new versions of SS and Themepark have been released since the last time I've worked on these. They will be done in time and I thank you for your patience.
Constructed from a metallic alloy, powder-coated in black with exposed silver accents, eXec is now available exclusively through ShapeShifter 2's all new download tab. Check the Themes area for a preview. The guiKit includes:
• ShapeShifter 2.0 compatible guiKit
• Application skins for iTunes, Safari, iChat, iPhoto and more
• Icons customized for use exclusively with eXec (original design by Hein Mevissen)
• eXec Desktops
X-Metal has been updated to version 2.0. This update takes advantage of features in ShapeShifter 2.0. It will require ShapeShifter 2.0 to run. Some highlights of this update include:
• ShapeShifter 2.0 compatible guiKit and updated application skins
• Icons designed by MiXthepiX (Hein Mevissen)
• Updated metal window appearance
• Contrast in progress bars has been fixed
• Menu items have been re-designed
X-Metal is here! X-Metal is designed to compliment your "Power" computer from Apple, whether it's the ultra-fast PowerMac G5 or the ultra-sleek PowerBook. This is a full GUI makeover kit. The X-Metal disk image includes:
• ShapeShifter 1.2 compatible guiKit with application skins
• Icons designed by MiXthepiX (Hein Mevissen)
• Bonus alternate black menu variation
• New custom desktops
As mentioned above the kit includes icons designed by Hein Mevissen. From the info on Hein's website it seems as though he may not be designing icons anymore. If this proves to be true then I consider it an honor to have his last icon set included with X-Metal. Thanks Hein!
The release date for X-Metal has finally been set. On Saturday, June 26, 2004 X-Metal will be available for download. This package features the X-Metal guiKit, the return of MiXthepiX (Hein Mevissen) via custom icons, and all new desktop pics. Check back here for updates.
iStyle has been updated to version 1.5. Due to numerous requests I have added a black menu variant (what is it with you guys and black menus anyway?). Fixed the glitch with the text not showing up in certain metal windows (most notably in iChat). Cleaned up some of the app skins and added two more (Address Book and VLC). Re-designed the window widgets so they appear more "sunken." Fixed and cleaned up a few various aesthetic issues. For more info please read the "Read Me!" file. Continue over to the Themes area to download. If you're looking for icons to match iStyle, may I suggest Dave Brasgalla's World of Aqua: Rev 2 Folders (which were released today) and the matching World of Aqua: Rev 2 Drives from the Iconfactory.
Introducing eXec. UI designed with the executive in mind. Constructed from a metallic alloy powder-coated in black with exposed silver accents.
No, it's not X-Metal. It is a mod of and a companion to X-Metal called iStyle. iStyle was originally planned to be previewed and released after X-Metal. Since X-Metal is awaiting a few more finishing touches I've decided to bump iStyle up in the queue to coincide with the release of ShapeShifter 1.2. Where X-Metal was designed to compliment Apple's "Power" line of computers, iStyle is designed to compliment Apple's "i" line of products. The perfect GUI for your iBook, iMac, etc. FYI, this release uses modified elements that will be seen in X-Metal so if you want a sneak peek at what parts of X-Metal will look like I strongly suggest downloading and installing iStyle. BTW, I've noticed that Dave Brasgalla's "World of Aqua: Rev 2 Drives" icons from the Iconfactory work really well with iStyle.
Package includes:
• ShapeShifter 1.2 compatible guiKit
• iStyle Desktops (featuring a special animated desktop package)
AquaPro has been updated to version 2.2. A few aesthetic and usability issues have been fixed. Please read the "Read Me!" file for more info. Head on over to the Themes area to download.
Introducing iStyle. Where AquaPro is designed to enhance your professional work environment, iStyle is designed for the rest of your computing life. iStyle will compliment the design of Apple's "i" line of computers and peripherals.
X-Metal has entered the beta phase. I can't believe the amount of work I was able to complete in the past week during my spare time. The theme still lacks the metal texture but I'm hoping the update to ShapeShifter that supports metal textures isn't too far off. Some things that still need to be finished (along with bug squashing) are the Safari skin, desktops, and icons. I recently received an update from miXthepiX on the status of the icons and I must say that they are looking quite tasty indeed. Fans of Hein's icons will NOT be disappointed.
Development continues on X-Metal. It was definitely an adventure digging up the archived artwork and ThemePark file I had for this when I initially started development some months ago. Since this was initially started on Mac OS X 10.2 everything that was done had to be updated for 10.3. Most of the elements that were shown in the initial preview have changed (I believe the only element that remains unchanged is the menubar). At this point I would estimate that X-Metal is about 60% done. One factor that may hold up release though is ShapeShifter's lack of support for metal textures. Although the theme looks okay without the metal texture it really shines with it. More than likely ShapeShifter will have support for metal textures by the time X-Metal is ready to ship, so this should be a non-issue.
Today, along with the teaser image, I am pleased to announce that custom icons will be designed by none other than Hein Mevissen of miXthepiX fame. I'd like to thank Hein for staying with this project considering the troubles he's had recently with a certain unscrupulous software publisher. Hein doesn't know this, but the fact that I was able to get him to design the icons for X-Metal is one of the reasons I decided to pick up development again. Thanks Hein!
Major re-design of the site. The first version was thrown together rather hastily for the release of PantherPro. I never took into consideration frequent updates when I designed the first version (never thought I'd release another theme after PantherPro). I never planned to get as involved with Mac theming as I have. I never thougth that this site would be around for very long - it was only supposed to be temporary.
Never say, "never."
To celebrate the site re-design I have released a new desktop aptly named Gray Apple. I know, it's not a very inventive name but it's descriptive plus it fits perfectly with AquaPro. Head on over to the Desktops area and download.
AquaPro 2.0 has been released for Mac OS X 10.3. AquaPro started life as PantherPro and along with the name change comes a format change to guikit for use with ShapeShifter. AquaPro is inspired by the appearance of Apple Computer's pro applications. It is styled with the professional user in mind. Designed to fade into the background and leave the emphasis on what's most important - your work.
Update includes:
• Mac OS 10.3 compatibility
• Menus re-designed and stripes removed
• Menubar and menu selections re-designed
• Metal texture removed (will return once support is added to ShapeShifter)
• Updated and refined existing elements
• Safari theme color adjusted to match
As some of the previous visitors to the site are aware, there was a theme under production called PantherMetal a few months ago. A small preview was posted on the themes page and unfortunately development was abruptly halted due to my concerns of unauthorized ports of my themes. I am pleased to announce that development will resume and what was once PantherMetal will be reborn X-Metal. The GUI package will include all new desktops and icons. I have recruited a very talented icon designer whose work I admire (others involved in the Mac customization community will recognize his name). More information will be forthcoming with a possible "teaser" closer to release.
Copyright © 2004 COTL GUI STUDIO and R. Galza.
All rights reserved. v.2.0
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