ObjectDock: Changing the Background Theme
Monday, December 18, 2006 by Island Dog | Discussion: Tutorials
In response to questions being asked on several online forums, I wrote a small tutorial showing you how to install and use Docklets for ObjectDock. Continuing with that, I would like to show people how to change their background themes in ObjectDock. ObjectDock includes some backgrounds, but the ObjectDock gallery on WinCustomize is where you are going to find many backgrounds, including tabbed dock backgrounds.
For this tutorial I am using ObjectDock Plus, which adds additional features such as tabbed docks, system tray support, taskbar grouping, multiple dock support, and more. However, the basics of changing your dock backgrounds is similar.
When you download a dock background it will typically be in a .zip file. You will need to un-zip the contents and place them inside the backgrounds folders, in the ObjectDock library. The ObjectDock library is located inside your "My Documents" folder.
Next, open your ObjectDock configuration window. You can do this by clicking "configure dock", or through the ObjectDock icon in the system tray. When the configuration window opens you will be presented with a variety of options. Select "Tabs & Styles" from the options on the left.
Note: If you are not using ObjectDock Plus, then you will have to select "Appearance" to change your background.
In "Tabs & Styles" you also have the option to add/remove tabs, colorize, change fonts, and other options to change the appearance of your docks. Under "Style" you will have a list of all the backgrounds you have available. Just select the background you want to use, and it will change to that selected background.
ObjectDock Plus will also allow you to have a different
style for each tab, just in case you want to mix and match to create a style all
your own. If you don't want to make any further adjustments, just select
close and your dock should have a new background.
Default background
Reply #2 Sunday, December 2, 2007 11:00 AM
Thanks, pablo999
Reply #3 Wednesday, January 30, 2008 6:37 AM
I create custom Plus/Minus images for my docks and the only way you can see them is if you move your docks to the "Programs/Stardock/ObjectDock/backgrounds folder."
Reply #4 Monday, August 4, 2008 10:04 PM
NikkiN
Reply #5 Monday, August 4, 2008 10:16 PM
Reply #6 Monday, August 4, 2008 10:44 PM
Dock backgrounds now come in 2 forms....zip & .dockzip files. At one time there was just a .zip file that contained all the background folders...then they got the idea to create new folders in your "My Documents" folders...I'm assuming because people didn't know where to put the backgrounds...and this just created more confusion. So I'll make it real simple for you.
When you download a dock background packaged in a .zip file (all of mine are folders packaged in a .zip file)....download it to where ever you down your stuff and unzip it....then send them to your Programs/Stardock/Objectdock/backgrounds folder...and this includes backgrounds...tiles...and whatever else someone has created as a background. In the case where someone uses the .dockzip method of packaging they're backgrounds...just click on the .dockzip file and it will open it in a folder and you will/should see the file folders...click on them and send them to the folder mentioned above. You can safely delete all those extra folders that have been placed in your "My Documents" folders and forget about them.
Any "blank" spaces you see in the drop down list of your background doesn't mean nothing is there. Some dock background only use one tab and for some reason when that is done you just get a blank space in the list...but you should still get a title of that dock and if you click on it you will see it.
Reply #7 Tuesday, August 5, 2008 12:38 PM
NikkiN
Reply #8 Tuesday, August 5, 2008 1:18 PM
Reply #9 Monday, September 22, 2008 7:39 PM
Reply #10 Monday, September 22, 2008 8:43 PM
I use Object Dock Plus 1.9 and that setting is in the ObjectDock Properties Appearance setting. I haven't looked at the free version if that's the one you're using but if it has an Appearance setting check there.
Reply #11 Friday, September 26, 2008 2:37 PM
Reply #12 Friday, September 26, 2008 8:31 PM
The plus minus images show up when you have more icons on a dock than will fit. Try it, take one of your tabbed docks and grab it by the corner, so the sizing arrow on your cursor shows. make your dock smaller so all the icons dont fit in it anymore. A 'plus' image will appear in place of one icon. That 'plus' image is clickable to show the rest of the icons that are on the dock.
Reply #13 Tuesday, January 12, 2010 2:20 PM
Reply #14 Tuesday, January 12, 2010 2:49 PM
What version of ObjectDock are you using? Click on the About ObjectDock button. It's odd that nothing is going into those folders...
Reply #15 Tuesday, January 12, 2010 6:24 PM
I've had them unzip(.dockzip) to Documents/OD Library both into the Images folder and the Bundled Images folder,not the backgrounds folder. Have you tried looking in all the OD Library folders?
Reply #16 Wednesday, January 13, 2010 2:11 AM
Reply #17 Wednesday, January 13, 2010 2:16 AM
What background are you trying to install. A link would help. What OS ?
Reply #18 Wednesday, January 13, 2010 2:50 AM
Reply #19 Thursday, January 14, 2010 10:32 AM
I tried them all w/Vista and Win7 and everything went where it was supposed to ,the OD Library in Documents. Have you tried a search to see if dockzip shuffled them off to some other location on your computer?
I suggest contacting the creator of the docks you want by PM. In the case of Mirsguy,maybe he can fix you up with the same backgrounds in a standard zip file. (Good choice,he makes some killer backgrounds.) Fortunately dockzip isn't used much any more as it is a bit unpredictable imo.
Reply #20 Friday, December 2, 2011 9:08 PM
I just installed object dock plus2 and wanted to change the background but when I click configure there is NO option whatsoever rembling what is in the tutorial.
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Sunday, December 2, 2007 10:57 AM
Thanks, pablo999