Customizing DP's Built-In Themes

[Phaedrum]

I have been editing the XML Resource file found in each Theme bundle with remarkable (and remarkably easy) results. Using a standard text editor, I am able to change the color of text and background in the various windows (e.g., Tracks, MIDI Note list, Mixer, etc.), as well as the counter's font/color, the color of menu tabs, and the brightness/contrast of mixer button labels. In fact, just about every color can be edited in this manner.

I'm no Amplidood, but the results are impressive and drastically improve the ergonomics of DP (since you control all the contrasting colors and intensities).

I propose that this topic be a repository for users' modifications, including the changes made to the XML (and perhaps some png) files and their results. I will upload samples asap.

Editing is straightforward--right-click on a theme (bundle) file, open the "package"', drill down into the"Resource" folder, and open the XML file in any editor (try double-clicking). The file has comments throughout. Go to the section containing "color" commands and change the RGB values (e.g., 255:255:0 is pure yellow) or shades of gray. Save the XML file and check out the change in DP. All this can be accomplished interactively by keeping open both DP and the XML editor--once your XML is saved, switch to the newly edited Theme within DP to observe your modification.

[Shooshie]

Having the Themes feature in DP drastically reduces the amount of time it takes to work on these. You don't even have to close DP. Just drop the new "theme" into the folder, then access it through DP's prefs in real time. Previously (before themes) you had to create a new copy of DP with the edited XML and graphic files in it, boot it up, and see if you liked what you did. Andy ( http://www.AmpGUImods.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) made a map of all the parameters identified as per XML file/line. This also simplifies the process. I think he includes that resource map with at least one of his bundles of several themes, and it's worth getting his themes not only for their beauty, but for the utility of that file -- a very valuable commodity for anyone who wants to do this. You might be surprised just how detailed the editable parameters, areas and lines really are, and I remember that Andy's resource map went through a lot of revisions over many months before he felt like he'd tracked them all down. While it's fun to tinker, if you want to do a professional-quality job, one could do worse than to buy some of Andy's mods to learn from a real pro AND get the resource map.

Would love to see screenshots of good themes.

Shooshie

[Phaedrum]

Superb points, Shooshie. I didn't realize Andy had compiled a list of XML parameters--you are absolutely correct in that obtaining that list would be a terrific time saver. In last month's issue of Sound On Sound, an article on customizing DP 7.2 referred to editing themes' PNG files, but made no mention of the XML resource file.

I'd be happy to post sample screenshots of my modified themes herein, but I do not believe this forum section has that option enabled. Is that accurate?

[amplidood]

No, you can post screenshots and pics all day long. Just use Skitch or Flickr or some photosharing service and you can plant the link using the "Img" html button.

[Phaedrum]

Thanks, Amplidood--I am a great fan of your work (which clearly goes WAY beyond what I have done here).

Here are the links to 3 straightforward customizations of DP 7.2 themes:

Yellow: https://img.skitch.com/20110119-8spjy38 ... 36t5pi.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Green: https://img.skitch.com/20110119-nppd3pf ... rgauwh.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Amber: http://img.skitch.com/20110119-qeq65fy2 ... 5yn171.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Take care.

[amplidood]

Those are pretty cool color ideas... not bad at all.

[Dwetmaster]

Hey Phaedrum
I was wondering if you'd share you themes. I'd like to give them a spin...