04/08/2005 - SmoothStripes 4.6 & Aqua Extreme 2.6

The changes:
• Package installers are now compatible with iTunes 4.9
• The menubar now stays glossy in all variations.
• Improves the scrollbars, most notable in Graphite
• Removes most changes the guiKits did to Mail, now it only changes the sidebar color to a light grey and make the selection blue.

SmoothStripes 4.6 [1,2 MB]
SmoothStripes 4.6 [7,7 MB]

Aqua Extreme 2.6 [1,2 MB]
Aqua Extreme 2.6 [7,7 MB]

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 4th, 2005 at 7:31 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Should I uninstall Aqua Extreme everytime there is a 10.4.x upgrade?

btw I’m referring to the package installer version.

Thanks.

No, there is no need for that. The files that are replaced are a couple of images files and .rsrc files for the Finder, iTunes and one where the system fetches graphics for most interface graphics (Extras.rsrc).

If a system upgrade updates any of these files, they are replaced by new ones, not patched. I’m basing this on experience with previous system updates, like when they introduced specific titlebar buttons for the metal apps. Then the appearance is simply reverted to default Aqua.

So no need to revert for a system update. But remember to repair permissions and only install the iTunes patch for iTunes 4.9.

Ah man you put the glossy menubar back in

Any chance of a sunken version while you’ve got time? Please!

Sorry, no sunken variations this time.

Please keep the titlebar unified like Tiger standard in SmoothStripes.

Thank you

The unified windows are disabled by ShapeShifter. To keep them, apply the theme through the package installer and disable SS.

Hello Max. I am a long time user of smoothstripes (and a former user of brushed). First, I would like to thank you for the package installer. I have not been happy with SS under tiger and I think you have a much better aesthetic than apple’s default aqua team.

I have smoothstripes installed in classic via kaleidoscope as well. So, my system has a very maxUI

In any case, I would like to request the return of the flat menu bar. (Even if it is simply via a reposting of the 4.5 theme.) SmoothStripes Kaleidoscope is flat, smoothstripes in Oroborus X is flat, and with smoothstripes also offering a native flat look, I had a totally unified system

Is there anyway for me to re-enable the old menubar myself? I made the mistake of updating without realizing that it would glossy my menu (my fault for not RTFM, I know).

I can’t say that there is any easy way for you to get back the flat menubar if you removed the previous version, no. I suppose ResEx might still be mirroring the 2.5 version, check there.

This is what I hate about theming though, everytime I make a slight change, there are always some that are against it and requests that I bring it back by adding more variations..

Oh no, you mistake me!

Never consider me against any change you make. Again, I so applaud your GUI aesthetic.

Max, I would gladly use ANY of your themes (especially if you chose to make them in Installer Packages) instead of the default themes.

Yes, I would prefer the flat menu. But, even after having the glossy one for only 10 hours, I don’t mind it so much.

Last I checked, ResEx did not even have your themes in the Install Package section for 10.4.x. You may want to let them know that they do exist

(Wow, I can’t believe I went this long without trying to make a case for a 10.4 Brushed )

someone else that agrees with my assessment of your themes:
http://www.db79.com/2005/03/27/how-to-guikit-to-dlta/

“Max Rudberg makes a way better Aqua DLTA theme called Aqua Extreme that you can use to get back to Aqua. Why is Aqua Extreme better? Because Apple was lazy and used different lighting sources for several graphics and left prominent widgets such as the “traffic lightâ€? buttons rather unpolished. (Compare the anti-aliasing in Extreme to default Aqua. Yuck.) It is humorous that you have to use an Aqua theme to get a more consistent (and thus usable) interface than Apple’s Aqua itself.”

Max, anything you make is better than Default Aqua.

You might enjoy this.

After applying Smooth Stripes, I added this file from ResEx:

http://www.resexcellence.com/themes/Button/No_Metal_Free/06-28_NoBrushdFree.sit

Any chance on you adding a these finder tweaks to v4.7 of Smooth Stripes?

I like your Finder Menu better than his, but a de-metallifized system with your images is still a great improvement.

Just for fun, I am thinking about adding metallifizer or unifier to the mix.

You have to see this!

http://sagefire.org/images/smoothstripe-nometal.jpg

Now, if I can learn enough about iTunes skinning to de-metal that, it would be pretty complete.

Metallifiezer is giving all apps the metal shape but since the systemwide graphics are de-metalized, it looks a lot like unified everywhere.

Thanks so much Max, this is EXACTLY what I wanted. Aqua Extreme for Tiger, with the gloss menubar, as a package installer so I can use it for free. Perfect. This will now be the only skin I ever use

PS, did you “soften” the gloss on the menubar a little bit? It might just be my imagination, but it looks a little more subtle than before. I don’t care, just wondering.

I have a question:

If i check-off to install the normal traffic titlebar buttons, and also the blue ones, which will install. Can i choose between them somehow?

I really like this theme. Though I went back to Aqua. Ever think about why Apple choose their look? Like with the scroll bars, the default look is much easier to see and usability is much better. It stands out a lot more.

Is there a simple way to turn off the brushed effect in SmoothStripes? I love this team but would like to see Safari and the other iApps just in Grey without the brushed layer.

Thanks

I really miss the sunken version of smoothstripes and aquaextreme. Can you add that back?

Thank you for your dedication and outstanding work Max!

iTunes 5 was just released.

Max, are you planning on doing any fixes to it?

I’ve done a few fixes myself, if you’re interested in checking them out… http://www.macthemesforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=1648

Hello Max. I am trying to find a direct email for you. I saw your comment on VersionTracker and I am sorry. I misunderstood the permission given at the macthemeforum. I am willing to do anything (from replacing your widgets with default aqua to crediting you with the widgets to taking down the theme).

As a long time user of your themes, I did not want to do anything to disrespect your work. I truly beleive you have the best eye for GUIs around.

In all sincerity,

Steven

Please update iFix!

Love your themes, but after installing via the
package, Itunes will no longer start up.
If i use Shapeshifter with another theme it will work
I have tried usint the aqua restore. But disabling
everything leaves Itunes broke.