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smeger · 11:08 AM

Themies!

Unsanity and Geekspiff are proud to announce the release of ShapeShifter 1.2. It's been about two months in the making, and it's a pretty big update.

Without further ado, lemme quote Phill Ryu of MacThemes on the highlighted new features:

The 1.2 update brings several other key features that improve the user's experience considerably. The loading of kits has been greatly sped up, resulting in perhaps a 99% reduction in load time on this machine. Metal textures are now properly applied, fixing a long standing bug, and ShapeShifter also adds special links that allow users to download guiKits from within the application with a single click from their web browser. iTunes style built-in file management is now enabled, and there is support for .theme, for those interested in installing themes designed for 10.1 and before. In other words, users should be extremely happy with this huge update.

Also, bundled with the release are Swiz's excellent update to SimpleX and jGraphics' spiffy update to Digital Device. These both take advantage of ShapeShifter's new integrated app skins.

Dig in, try it out! ShapeShifter 1.2

For the theme creators, I'll be releasing the ThemePark 1.3 update later today that supports the new app skins, and also has a few other nice goodies.

phillryu · Mar 16, 2004, 10:05 AM

Stay right there! I'll post the ThemePark update news for you, because your post count is seriously 1337!

badidea · Mar 16, 2004, 10:18 AM

Yeeehaaa, I can go back to Brushed!

servo · Mar 16, 2004, 10:33 AM

Built in Safari and iChat themes! Awesome.

Patcarla · Mar 16, 2004, 10:36 AM

MacDog · Mar 16, 2004, 10:55 AM

Sweet! I like having the Brushed texture back, and the auto-loading of Safari skins is a nice touch, though it didn't work 100% of the time.

smeger · Mar 16, 2004, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by MacDog:
Sweet! I like having the Brushed texture back, and the auto-loading of Safari skins is a nice touch, though it didn't work 100% of the time.

Themes need to be updated in order to automatically include the app skins. As of this particular minute, only SimpleX, GarageBand, and Digital Device have been.

Slayer-X · Mar 16, 2004, 11:20 AM

And all of these things will be included in the new Themepark, right? :O Oh joyous day! If 1.2 brought all of this, one can only imagine what 1.5 will bring. :O :O :O :O :O

Xtender is gonna have to work hard to beat out this baby.

Holigen · Mar 16, 2004, 11:21 AM

Hmm, how can I say this...?

I love you guys

Patcarla · Mar 16, 2004, 11:49 AM

smeger, The safari skins don' t install for me (talking about simple X theme and the updated digital device)

.
Yes, I did reverse to the default skin with safaricon
and yes I did log out..
Is there something I missed ?

Also, The iChat skin is installed only for simple X..

help..

brutal · Mar 16, 2004, 11:53 AM

cool!
does this mean that I can delete iChat-themer and SafarIcon?

rezonate · Mar 16, 2004, 12:44 PM

oooooooooooooo, very nice.

iamnotmad · Mar 16, 2004, 01:03 PM

Does it allow changing of finder column view colors? (please!) Either by user or by theme?
Thanks.

FB Eye · Mar 16, 2004, 01:09 PM

OwlBoy · Mar 16, 2004, 01:13 PM

Hmm, Great update but...

Every time I apply a theme iSync launches and syncs for me....

I have an iPod plugged in and .Mac setup to sync.

-Owl

jerseyfreeze · Mar 16, 2004, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by Patcarla:

Also, The iChat skin is installed only for simple X..

help..

Safari skins install fine for me, but I'm having the same problem with the iChat skins. Only SimpleX installs.

-Jason

NetworkShadow · Mar 16, 2004, 01:47 PM

Ok guys! Time to crank out Safari skins and iChat skins, and well everything skins, and update your themes!

memento · Mar 16, 2004, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by iamnotmad:
Does it allow changing of finder column view colors? (please!) Either by user or by theme?
Thanks.

ditto on that question.

u2zoo · Mar 16, 2004, 01:55 PM

heh, any minute now I expect brazil to post his "NEOS UPDATED" announcement.

(not a slam on you brazil... if there's one thing I can count on per week it is a NEOS update.)

dole · Mar 16, 2004, 02:31 PM

Nice update smeger! I found a bug but it could possibly just be me. I installed the SimpleX theme that came bundled with ShapeShifter and had the Restart Menu Extras after applying checked off, but after I install the theme, the menu extras still retains the look of default aqua. After the theme is installed and if I kill SystemUIServer myself, the menu extras get the color of SimpleX until I logout and they go back to the default aqua.

NetworkShadow · Mar 16, 2004, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by u2zoo:
heh, any minute now I expect brazil to post his "NEOS UPDATED" announcement. (not a slam on you brazil... if there's one thing I can count on per week it is a NEOS update.)

Hope does the iTuns theme in the .guiKit that would rock.

anti-sleep · Mar 16, 2004, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by OwlBoy:
Hmm, Great update but...

Every time I apply a theme iSync launches and syncs for me....

I have an iPod plugged in and .Mac setup to sync.

-Owl

That's because it relaunches the Finder when you apply a theme.

NetworkShadow · Mar 16, 2004, 04:02 PM

It also relaunches menu extras.

Hay how does everyone like the fast loading of your themes? Sure is a lot better now.

cube3 · Mar 16, 2004, 04:04 PM

Excellent job mate, it really impresses me how "stupid" friendly you make stuff. I never have to think when I use your software and I like that tbh

Dace · Mar 16, 2004, 05:12 PM

What if I don't want the Safari theme that the GuiKit installed? And where did SS store my themes? Within itself? And I don't see this button that allows us to download themes from the net.

dws · Mar 16, 2004, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by Dace:
What if I don't want the Safari theme that the GuiKit installed? And where did SS store my themes? Within itself? And I don't see this button that allows us to download themes from the net.

It's the same thing as saying, "What if I don't want Aqua Finder buttons?" A theme will be whatever the theme creator desires it to be. To ask Unsanity to allow users to pick and choose specific elements within a guiKit is probably too much to ask. For myself, I'm thrilled that more apps are able to be included in the guiKit.

Themes are now stored in ~/Library/Application Support/ShapeShifter guiKits

Rosyna · Mar 16, 2004, 05:42 PM

iPod handling is handled by the SystemUIServer. Whenever it sees an iPod, it syncs (with the pref set). SS quits SUIS when applying themes. If you do not like it. You can turn the option off in SS.

Originally posted by OwlBoy:
Hmm, Great update but...

Every time I apply a theme iSync launches and syncs for me....

I have an iPod plugged in and .Mac setup to sync.

-Owl

Rosyna · Mar 16, 2004, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by dole:
Nice update smeger! I found a bug but it could possibly just be me. I installed the SimpleX theme that came bundled with ShapeShifter and had the Restart Menu Extras after applying checked off, but after I install the theme, the menu extras still retains the look of default aqua. After the theme is installed and if I kill SystemUIServer myself, the menu extras get the color of SimpleX until I logout and they go back to the default aqua.

You have snapz installed which quits SUIS and SS thinks it crashed so it stops affecting the SUIS.

OwlBoy · Mar 16, 2004, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by Rosyna:
iPod handling is handled by the SystemUIServer. Whenever it sees an iPod, it syncs (with the pref set). SS quits SUIS when applying themes. If you do not like it. You can turn the option off in SS.

Ok, never had my iPod in when using it before. No big deal, just noticed it when using a new version

-Owl

iamnotmad · Mar 16, 2004, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by Dace:
What if I don't want the Safari theme that the GuiKit installed? And where did SS store my themes? Within itself? And I don't see this button that allows us to download themes from the net.

While have so far always applied the safari theme when avail, I totally agree with this. There could easily be a checkbox or some mechanism to remove the app theming when applying a theme.

And I beleive it is completely different than what dws is saying. totally different idea.

Any answer on the changing finder column view colors?

Thanks.

Patcarla · Mar 16, 2004, 06:04 PM

OK..I've already posted that but Am I the only one here who doesn't get the safari skin installed?? any idea anyone?

dole · Mar 16, 2004, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by Rosyna:
You have snapz installed which quits SUIS and SS thinks it crashed so it stops affecting the SUIS.

Thanks for the reply Rosyna. I deleted Snapz and applied the iStyle theme and everything changed as expected. When I tried to apply the SimpleX theme, everything but the menu extras changed. So this might be a problem with the theme itself.

natey · Mar 16, 2004, 07:07 PM

I was using Smoothstripes when I update SS. Apparently, the brushed metal is back in the theme. Probably just because SS 1.2 handles brushed metal differently?

mac15 · Mar 16, 2004, 10:52 PM

It now can display metal textures. I'm impressed myself, not a bug in sight for me

zachs · Mar 16, 2004, 10:56 PM

Very, very nice update.

Now when are themers gonna start posting gui:// links so we can download themes directly to ShapeShifter?

rhythmicmoose · Mar 16, 2004, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by zachs:
Very, very nice update. Now when are themers gonna start posting gui:// links so we can download themes directly to ShapeShifter?

When they stop including extras

. Nice trick, but I'm not sure I fully get this feature. I don't exactly see it replacing goodie-packed disk images as the distribution method of choice. At least not for the big guys.

Appskins are absolutely incredible. The fact that Rhapsodized skins iTunes makes me want to throw a ShapeShifter party at school tomorrow. I knew this feature had to be coming sometime. I mean, if you can do it to the OS resources, why not individual apps, but this is dang slick.

Love the iTunes-esque organization features, as well as the faster load times.

I would have gladly paid an upgrade fee for this update. This is astounding.

And now you've got me excited again about themes. If I weren't in such desperate need of sleep, I'd definitely be Photoshopping right now. So for now, good night, and thanks loads for all your hard work. Keep it up!

mac15 · Mar 16, 2004, 11:19 PM

Well now that SS supports app skins, distrubting just a guikit is fine. Unless ofcourse you include desktops and icons

brazil · Mar 16, 2004, 11:28 PM

I been on the floor since I updated . This is an extreme improvement . I used to kinda dread changing themes cause of the process but now - it is very very fast . The fact that it extends into other apps has left me a bit giddy . I won't soon recover . Thanks Unsanity for scads of fun . It has been getting better and better . Just think of what is to come . To all of you over there in Unsanityville - You are a marvelous Company and crew . You have my charter support .

zachs · Mar 16, 2004, 11:33 PM

Originally posted by rhythmicmoose:
When they stop including extras . Nice trick, but I'm not sure I fully get this feature. I don't exactly see it replacing goodie-packed disk images as the distribution method of choice. At least not for the big guys.

Appskins are absolutely incredible. The fact that Rhapsodized skins iTunes makes me want to throw a ShapeShifter party at school tomorrow. I knew this feature had to be coming sometime. I mean, if you can do it to the OS resources, why not individual apps, but this is dang slick.

Love the iTunes-esque organization features, as well as the faster load times.

I would have gladly paid an upgrade fee for this update. This is astounding.

And now you've got me excited again about themes. If I weren't in such desperate need of sleep, I'd definitely be Photoshopping right now. So for now, good night, and thanks loads for all your hard work. Keep it up!

I copied the iStyle guiKit to my server just to test it out. Here's what happens:

JudieKaren · Mar 17, 2004, 12:45 AM

Can we *lose* SafarIcon now?

Thanks!

zachs · Mar 17, 2004, 12:49 AM

Originally posted by JudieKaren:
Can we *lose* SafarIcon now?

Thanks!

Well, there are some Safari themes that aren't included with regular themes.
Also, many themes have not been updated to include their Safari themes within the guiKit itself.

So I'd keep it until those themes are updated.

JudieKaren · Mar 17, 2004, 01:09 AM

Originally posted by zachs:
Well, there are some Safari themes that aren't included with regular themes.
Also, many themes have not been updated to include their Safari themes within the guiKit itself.

So I'd keep it until those themes are updated.

Thank you!

TheSpaz · Mar 17, 2004, 08:52 AM

Now the real question is... when is ShapeShifter going to do Icons and Desktops

memento · Mar 17, 2004, 09:37 AM

so it looks like a nogo on changing finder column colors. At least from a user's perspective. I couldn't find anything.

dru · Mar 17, 2004, 07:05 PM

I still can't try it. Ever since I installed ShapeShifter 1.0 way back and uninstalled it when I decided it wasn't for me at that time, I cannot try later versions. I always get a notice of "Demo expired" after installing.

When 1.1 was out, I complained. It's still not fixed.

Way to grow your user base.

I'm not sure what's worse, ShapeShifter / theme creator collusion or that other thing just released as beta which after the installer was supposedly fixed still didn't show any themes.

Among Unsanity's wares, I own WindowShade, Silk, XSound and MightMouse. I'm *NOT* happy I can't try ShapeShifter.