Published on February 10, 2006 By sTonEbLuE In OS Customization
Just updated my Window FX through Stardock Central. Going to play with it now.

Some new features.....

Windows XP or later is required.

Major new features:
-Added support for use with WindowBlinds 5 per-pixel skins. You
need the latest WB5 beta build for that to work (5.00b or later).
-Added "swipe" animation (expect others like that)
-Added Expand/Reduce to desktop animations and transitions.
-Added taskbar thumbnails.
-Added previews to task switching
-Added previews for animations/drags/transitions (the
transitions preview window is supposed to be disconnected
from the main window, that's not a bug).
-Added improved support for window dragging animations
on dual-monitor systems (note: semi-trans window dragging
doesn't work with per-pixel skins)
-Shadows are disabled when used with a per-pixel skin (no point)
-Simplified (we hope) the UI
-Performance optimizations
-Right-mouse button and middle-mouse button clicks to tile
a window will not work with WB5 per-pixel skins.
-Most dedicated video cards from 2004 or later should be fine
with the various features. Integrated gpu chipsets? ...
If you already knew this ...disregard and shame on you for not letting the rest of us know

Comments (Page 1)
2 Pages1 2 
on Feb 10, 2006
Just downloaded but can't seem to get the window dragging effects to work. Using 81.94 drivers on NVidia GeForce 5500.
on Feb 10, 2006
I'm having problems opening "configure WindowFX" from the systray. If I unload Windowblinds it'll show. Sti;; tinkering here....
on Feb 10, 2006
Updated to latest Windowblinds...problem solved. Still can't set or change "system settings".



Anybody?
on Feb 10, 2006
Out-@#$@!#$$-standing!!! I love this toy!! I am using LiteStep (Obsidian) and GeForce 5500, 81.95 drivers. Window dragging is only thing not doing...but I think it's because of the per-pixel or LiteStep config. Loving the animations and transitions!!!
on Feb 10, 2006
what about the trial version, the cnet site says, it still has the same file from septembar 2002
on Feb 10, 2006
Very disappointed.

Can't enable shadows for some reason. My guess is the vid card on my laptop doesn't support per pixel, but I have been using shadows with the current 2.20 version for a long time. Sure, I see a bit of a drop when dragging windows etc. but it works fine and I won't be giving up my shadows.

Also, the visual previews from the taskbar are awesome, but completely pointless if you have your taskbar at the top of the screen, as the preview window doesn't drop below the taskbar.

There are other things that are nice, but as those were the two things I was planning on using, well, I will stick to the older version until those issues are addressed.
on Feb 10, 2006
Blue Dev:
From the release notes:
-Shadows are disabled when used with a per-pixel skin (no point)


Window dragging not working here and desktop corrupts on tiled minimize. Posted screenie and stats here: https://www.wincustomize.com/Forums.aspx?ForumID=191&AID=100546

The Toolbar preview is cool and teh mi/max animation is very nice.


Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
on Feb 10, 2006
Zubaz: Thanks for pointing that out. In that case, I desperately hope they will somehow work around that, as I can't have shadows with skins (no per pixel), but still want to use shadows.
on Feb 10, 2006
The taskbar preview doesn't account for taskbar position, will draw preview out of view.

Seems that shadows don't work in this build, as well as draging and system settings. Minor things that will be fixed, I'm sure. Other than that, WinFX is friggan awesome! Personally, I'd like to see better animations that don't involve cheesey 80s wipe effects. Horizontal and vertical blind wipes were cool on Happy Days.
on Feb 10, 2006
I can't have shadows with skins (no per pixel), but still want to use shadows.


Hmmm . . . the notes indicate taht shadows SHOULD work with non per-pixel. I guess that's why they call it a beta.

I only wish it came with ice cream. I could go for a scoop of sweet cream.

Stardock should sell ice cream!! Wait, . . . Stardock should GIVE AWAY ice cream!


Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
on Feb 10, 2006
And tell me . . why are the taskbar thumbnails not picking up my WB skin? -=sigh=-

All I ask for is everything.


Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
on Feb 10, 2006
I tried the ALT+Tab replacement. And while different and pretty nicely done, its too jarring. It turns the screen dark and you only see the previews of the tasks.
I think one thing that might help is either an icon of the program superimposed over the center of the screenshot, or the icon of the program with the title.
It really made it difficult to see which window was which when they look similar.
Also one odd part is when Winamp is in the tasks, it shows the default winamp skin, not the one currently being used. Not that bad, just odd.


Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central
on Feb 11, 2006
Back home from work. The shadows and window dragging work on non-per pixel skins but not on WB 5 skins. Downloaded twenty minutes before I had to go to work and didn't have time to mess with it. The menu transitions sort of work on WB 5 skins, they pop-up as they did before but use the transition to disappear. I'm trying task bar transparency and window dragging transparency from NVidia and so far it's working. All in all, pretty neat.

Update, When using NVidias window dragging transparency on WB 5 skins I get magic pink on the title bar and the window contents flash momentarily. Using task bar transparency, if I minimize a window to the task bar the task bar goes back to default until I mouseover, no click just mouse over.
on Feb 11, 2006
Tried it, like it a lot.

The ALt preview keeps playing videos inside thumbnails !!!
on Feb 11, 2006
Very disappointed.

Can't enable shadows for some reason. My guess is the vid card on my laptop doesn't support per pixel, but I have been using shadows with the current 2.20 version for a long time. Sure, I see a bit of a drop when dragging windows etc. but it works fine and I won't be giving up my shadows.

Also, the visual previews from the taskbar are awesome, but completely pointless if you have your taskbar at the top of the screen, as the preview window doesn't drop below the taskbar.

There are other things that are nice, but as those were the two things I was planning on using, well, I will stick to the older version until those issues are addressed.


I had the same problem, but what i did to fix it was to right click on my Intel Extreeme Graphics icon in the system tray then changed the set to True color from high color.
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