Stardock Curtains brings new customization options to Windows
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 by Frogboy | Discussion: Software Blog
Last year, Microsoft released “Dark Mode” to Windows 10 users. Dark Mode gave users an alternative color and style option to the Windows GUI.
Now, Stardock is preparing to release a new customization program called Curtains. Curtains works similarly to the modes that Microsoft has implemented. Any app that already supports the existing dark and light modes will automatically benefit from Curtains.
Stardock Curtains
Stardock Curtains includes several new styles such as Graphite, Crystal, Sky, and Midnight. It also includes styles that give users the ability to change Windows to look like previous versions of Windows (XP, Windows 95, etc.), as well as alternative operating systems.
Stardock is well known for its customization programs including Fences, Groupy and Start10. It also is the developer of classic GUI “skinning” apps such as WindowBlinds. Unlike WindowBlinds, which is far more comprehensive, Curtains doesn’t take over the painting of the Windows GUI but instead works akin to how Dark and Light mode on Windows 10 works. This means that it inherently takes advantage of different DPI settings and is able to leverage apps that already support Dark and Light Mode.
For Creators
Another big difference between Curtains and WindowBlinds is the complexity of a Style versus a WindowBlinds skin. Because WindowBlinds essentially takes on the responsibility of drawing the GUI of windows, skins must include all of the GUI controls. One missing element or one poorly designed control and a WindowBlinds skin can look incomplete. By contrast, Curtains only needs to supply a handful of images and settings. It’s simple enough that style modifying and creating is part of its configuration.
It is very simple to create or modify existing styles
Availability
Curtains will be going into beta on Stardock’s Object Desktop suite of Windows enhancements tools next week (late April 2020). A stand-alone version is expected later in the Spring.
Visit www.objectdesktop.com to get it.
Screenshots
Fluent Peach (Peach Mode)
Dark Waters
Crystal
Fluent Red (Red Mode)
Workbench
MacMono
Midnight
Warp
Reply #4 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 5:24 AM
So when does the beta start?
Tomorrow ist the last day of "late April".
Reply #5 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 7:55 AM
And so it comes to pass....
It's curtains I tell ya...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNCEuc6Ifro
Reply #6 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 4:16 PM
This! I am pleased to see that I can probably be active - making a few adjustments with this Curtains program. Thank you.
I'm imagining that there the titlebar buttons are fixed in terms of positions?
Really like that hi-dpi is a thing now. Most current WindowBlinds themes doesn't look real good on 4K and above; misaligned buttons and such.
Wanted to get started again myself, but was thrown back by the styles of theming - UIS1 and 2 and the multitude of elements to change.
This is good. Appears to be anyway.. I'm gonna at least try it.
Reply #7 Wednesday, May 6, 2020 9:13 AM
Might be being stupid, not been here for a long while! Does this play nice with WindowBlinds or is it an alternative?
Reply #9 Wednesday, May 6, 2020 4:50 PM
Actually works a bit better IF WindowBlinds is running because Curtains will skin more.
For example:
Normally, Curtains can't touch the Settings window in Windows 10. But if you have WindowBlinds running, Curtains gains access to more apps because WindowBlinds hooks into the drawing APis of Windows.
Reply #11 Thursday, May 14, 2020 5:41 AM
Is there an option, like in WindowsBlinds, to make it per application window?
Reply #13 Thursday, May 14, 2020 7:19 AM
Is there an option, like in WindowsBlinds, to make it per application window?
No and we will not be offering that as a feature either I am afraid. It is one style applied globally with no opt outs.
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Reply #1 Monday, April 20, 2020 8:21 PM
There was an oft-quoted comment around the world of GUI customizing in days of old...."If it weren't for Windowblinds it'd be Curtains for us all."
And so it comes to pass....