Microsoft Pocket PC Theme Generator.....

Electraglider · 08-17-03, 06:16 PM

.....now that I have it and I have created a theme for my toaday screen, how do I save it? There doesn't seem to be a facility for saving the picture as a .tsk file. I'm using Theme Gererator V2. Could the fact that it was a free download have something to do with it? Any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

SPNJHockey · 08-19-03, 02:29 PM

No help from me, but I couldn't get either version of the MS Theme Generator program to work on my Axim!:(

Electraglider · 08-19-03, 03:18 PM

I was under the impression it was something you loaded on your PC that would allow you to convert pictures of your choosing over to the .tsk file format after which you could save it to your AX. I did get the theme switcher feature to work on my AX but the theme generator itself looked as if it was missing some functionality.

Oblox · 08-19-03, 03:54 PM

Theme generator is a fully featured download that runs on your PC. You then copy the created theme over to the axim via activesyncs explore function.

You use the theme generator to go through the process of creating a theme, first selecting the main background image, then the image to be used for the menu, then you set the text colours and top and bottom taskbar colours for the theme then you save it.

Simple.

SPNJHockey · 08-19-03, 05:31 PM

If you say so! ;)
Will give it a try...thanks for the help.

gcguy28 · 08-19-03, 05:42 PM

When I tried it, I kept getting errors about not being able to find a start image when I tried to save it.

Electraglider · 08-19-03, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oblox
Theme generator is a fully featured download that runs on your PC. You then copy the created theme over to the axim via activesyncs explore function.

I was under the impression it was a fully featured application and I did download it and install it on my PC. It went further and installed the theme switcher on my Axim ( which works). However, I don't seem to have all the features required to complete the theme. I can browse for a picture, modify the picture by adjusting brightness, contrast and transparency and gamma but the program seems to be missing some buttons or something. From there I can go back to the opening screen but that's it.

I downloaded it from Microsoft, installed it with no errors and ran it. Do I need some kind of Directx or Activex controls or some such upgrade or patch in order for this thing to function completely? I'm running Win2k.....

:rolling:

08-19-03, 07:51 PM

Hmm, I downloaded it and it runs fine on my computer. Is there not a little "Next" button down on the bottom? That should take you through each step. Once you are done the finish button will automatically save your new theme (the default directory is in My Documents>My Device Themes). Just confirm that there is no Next button down on the bottom, just left of center. Then we will have a better idea of what is going on.

jeepfaned · 08-19-03, 07:57 PM

i may be dumb at this,but i have the same program..works fine. but i know that 1 of them is for win xp only,thats the 1 i have.
at 1st i tried the original version but it didnt support win xp
i dont know if that helps..or if you already knew that..which im sure you probably did.

Jwilker · 08-19-03, 08:00 PM

I don't have the theme maker installed anymore but I liked the one from Novasec better. Go to pocketfacelift.com in the forums in the link to the Full screen theme generator. If you install facelift you get the FS themes but any theme you make with it will work as a non fullscreen theme.

Electraglider · 08-20-03, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeepfaned
i may be dumb at this,but i have the same program..works fine. but i know that 1 of them is for win xp only,thats the 1 i have.
at 1st i tried the original version but it didnt support win xp
i dont know if that helps..or if you already knew that..which im sure you probably did.

Actualy, I don't know which version I have. I downloaded the only one I could find at the link I discovered in another thread........twice and both times I installed it I got what appeard to be an incomplete app. In any case it seems to be non-functional to the point that I can't save a theme. There is no little next button or anything that leads to me to believe I can proceed. I was trying to capture a screen shot of what I have but I couldn't get a decent picture.

Anyway, the opening screen says Welcome to the Microsoft Theme Generator V2 and I get three options,

1. Create a New Theme
2. Open an existing theme
3. Find Themes on Pocket PC.com

All of which seem to work

But when I go to Create a new theme browse for a picture and modify that picture there is no little "Next in the corner. I just hit "OK" and I go back to the first screen. My modified picture is there but no little next button. One thing though, it looks almost like the application window is just a hair too small and I'm not getting the entire picture in the window. However, the expand button in the upper left corner is grayed out and I can't drag the window bigger.:rolling:

Dell1Axim · 08-20-03, 01:09 AM

Try launching the Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 Theme Generator.

The intial screen should have the following three choices:
-> Create a new theme
-> Open an existing theme
-> Find themes on PocketPC.com

Select "Create a new theme."

On this screen you should have something that says the following:
Select a Today screen image

Just click next.

This screen will say:
Select a Start menu image

Again just click next.

Next is:
Select your theme's colors

Next Again!

This will bring you to the last screen:
Name and save your theme.

Call the theme Default and make sure Location says My Device Themes. If it says something else, find the My Device Themes folder that was created when you installed the software under your My Documents folder.

Make sure the checkbox to Send to device is UNCHECKED.

Then save the Theme. You can then use Microsoft Activesync to explore to you PPC and copy the Default.tsk file from My Documents/My Device Themes to you My Documents folder on your PPC.

This will be the default PPC background that used to ship with the original PPCs but at least you have successfully created a background image. Now try this with a custom image and colors.

Sorry about the Novel!

Dell1Axim

Electraglider · 08-20-03, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dell1Axim

Just click next.

Now there's the rub. I have no NEXT. I get everything you mentioned above but no NEXT. It's almost as if I have an incomplete version of the app. I tried to post a screen shot of what I get last night with my previous post but I couldn't get a satisfactory image. If I get a chance I'll try again tonigt but it's my wife's birthday and I suppose I ought to spend some quality time with her.

As for the novel, don't even think about it, I can't wait to see what happens in the end. Further, I'm grateful you took the time to try and help me out because really, I do like the look and feel of what the Theme Generator promises to accomplish. And of course the best part is that it's free.

Eglider

tgreenstein · 08-20-03, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Electraglider
Now there's the rub. I have no NEXT. I get everything you mentioned above but no NEXT. It's almost as if I have an incomplete version of the app.

This problem has been noted on this site before. It's most likely the result of your font size setting in Windows. If you have the fonts set to more than 100% of normal size, part of the Theme Generator window gets cut off. I had exactly the same problem; go to "Display Properties", "Settings", "Advanced" and make sure that the "DPI"window says "Normal size".

Electraglider · 08-20-03, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tgreenstein
If you have the fonts set to more than 100% of normal size, part of the Theme Generator window gets cut off.

Ya know what tgreenstein, I think you may have something there. That's something I hadn't thought of. I have my system fonts set larger so I can see them. There are other ways to do it however, besides changing the system fonts. I will check that out when I get home tonight and if it pans out you get the grand prize. And the prize.....:crooked: well I haven't quite figure that out yet.BUT when I do, you will be the first to know.

Thanks muchly

Eglider