Window border transparency issue...

Transparent part outside edge of the screen...

Published on October 31, 2005 By Ronan H In WindowBlinds

For this example lets use the R.I.P. Halloween skin released by Stardock as the base for my query.

When the skin is maximised, the transparent part of the window border goes outside the visible area on my screen, hence the top of the min / max / close buttons, and the top of the little moon and cloud image is not visible as its outside the screen. If the window isnt maximised it looks fine. It seems to be happening on all windows that can be maximised. I have to say its a little bit frustrating seeing as the reason for using WB5 skins is to see the transparency effect...

Is anyone else experiencing this? If so id love some feedback, its the first issue ive had with Windowblinds EVER since i started using it years ago...

Thanks...

Ro

Comments (Page 1)

scorpio-logic

on Oct 31, 2005

Ronan, what video card are you using? If it is an older card, first try going into the "troubleshooting" section of WBConfig. Down at the bottom, click "Enable if you have corrupted titlebar and text background". If this doesn't work, you options narrow slightly.

Ronan H

on Nov 01, 2005

Howya, thanks for that. My video card is as follows (from troubleshooting report):

NVIDIA GeForce2 Go (Microsoft Corporation)

My machine is a Dell Inspiron 2650, bout 3 - 4 years old now so i suppose that might indicate an "older card" in these rapidly changing times.

Ive tried the "Enable if..." feature but it still seems the same. Im not sure if im explaining whats happening properly so when i get back from work tomorrow i will depict it visually with some screenshots, it might be clearer then...

Thanks for your help...

Ro

Ronan H

on Nov 02, 2005

Im back again, heres two screenshots to highlight what i was saying. The first one is just the window in its un-maximised state and the second one is the window in its maximised state. You can see how the clouds and the moon image are clipped as the window seems to go outside the visible area on the screen...

If anyone can help with this id be very grateful thanks...

Ro

scorpio-logic

on Nov 03, 2005

AAAH! Guess what: there is nothing wrong with your stuff. That seems to be where the theme stops painting. I just checked out 6 of my skins, alpha and non, it depends on the author of the skin to make it fit exact and I don't think you will find one that stays like you are expecting it to.

scorpio-logic

on Nov 03, 2005

Found one: Rusty Rooster. I think it is because of the alpha pixeling that Windows just cuts it off at that point. The graphic there, the moon with the cloud, is painted off the edge of the actual window size.

Ronan H

on Nov 04, 2005

Hmm... Interesting i say! Does that mean that the same thing happens for everyone? If so thats quite a pity as it would seem to negate a lot of what WB5 is all about? Maybe im a little bit confused...

My favourite skin for months has been DogmaX and ive been following the updates since it began, and the WB5 version has a lovely glass border type thing around the whole skin, but of course i cant see it if the window is maximised...

I think im not fully understanding the technical explanation, as in the "painting" part, and if its a widespread problem...?

If you could explain that a bit more that would be great...and thanks so far for your wise words

scorpio-logic

on Nov 04, 2005

I don't see it as a problem. I see it as a limitation. When you maximize the screen, the window is instructed to take up the full space of the screen. Most of the per-pixel alpha is about what lies just outside the window, like shadows, glass effects and all that. So of course when you max a window, there is no screen left for the effects. I am not a programmer, so my theory here is just based on my understanding of how this neato-nifty toy we call windowblinds works. However, I think it would be possible to integrate a sizing transition in the authoring of the skin, to allow for keeping the glass effects and ghost effects, as in the R.I.P. skin, so that when it is maximized, the full affect is still there. But I am not sure that is built into the SkinStudio program. I will play with it, not adept so I don't know how long that might take. You have me interested though.

Ronan H

on Nov 11, 2005

Wow, thats very interesting indeed. It seems bizarre though that it behaves like that even though it seems to make sense technically. For myself i NEVER use windows that arent maximised, and hence if all my maximised windows arent gonna function properly in terms of transparency then WB5 has nothing for me, perhaps. Surely they wouldnt release a major program update with something like this being standard across the board? That really doesnt make sense to me... Im very confused now, it will give me something to think about on the way to work!

Ro

Neil Banfield

on Nov 11, 2005

The maximized titlebar itself can still use per pixel if the skin author wants. Its just that the borders will not be visible as they are offscreen (which is normal for maximized windows)

Ronan H

on Nov 13, 2005

Then is it the case that WB5 for maximised windows is useless for thousands of users then or is it just me? I cant see that they would release something like that...

R

Cavan1

on Nov 13, 2005

Hey Neil, is Screen Edge Clip adjustment for per pixel frames not possible.

(which is normal for maximized windows)

If I am wrong Neil can correct me, by default maximized window clip, amount off screen is 4 pixels.

Neil Banfield

on Nov 13, 2005

Screen Edge Clip adjustment is not permitted with per pixel frames.

Ronan H

on Nov 13, 2005

By the way, i am not having a go at Stardock in any way about this, im just totally intrigued by the issue and am baffled why there arent more people experiencing the issue...

I find that i learn a huge amount from threads like this, such is the greatness of forums such as these!

Ronan

Cavan1

on Nov 13, 2005

By the way, i am not having a go at Stardock in any way about this, im just totally intrigued by the issue and am baffled why there arent more people experiencing the issue..

Screen Edge Clip adjustment is not permitted with per pixel frames

by default maximized window clip, amount off screen is 4 pixels

Ronan H, the 4 pixel screen clip is Windows default. As Neil Banfield, developer of WindowBlinds,
stated; clip adjustment of per pixel, transparent frames is not permitted.
Unload WindowBlinds, with Luna XP you will see the same loss of top of title bar when window is maximized.

Cavan1

on Nov 13, 2005

Then is it the case that WB5 for maximised windows is useless for thousands of users then or is it just me? I cant see that they would release something like that...

Forgot to put this quote in; Is Window default not WB, so Windows is useless?

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