Real black title/status bar wm6?

gurachn · 05-11-09, 10:49 PM

I am running WM6.1 on my x51v and really like the beveled gradient on the title/status bar, but can't seem to make them black (as opposed to a darkish gray).

I have tried a few theme maker programs and downloaded a lot of supposedly 'Black themes' only to get that same gray in the title/status bars.
I have managed to make these black, though only in a flat WM5 style, without the sharp looking WM6 gradient bevel.

Is there any way to make get the WM6 style top and bottom bars in true black?

danshi · 05-12-09, 02:42 PM

Try it. Install and run

gurachn · 05-12-09, 07:24 PM

Thanks very much for that Danshi.
Unfortunately it doesnt seem to work.
I installed it and click on the program and it gives me a message that it is running, but no change in the bars.
Perhaps it only works for WM5?

johnhu_2005 · 05-12-09, 07:49 PM

There is a flaw in your logic.

You have made a WM5 theme that is pure black, without the gradient bevel.

If you want a "pure black" theme for WM6 with a gradient, there would be no such thing. A gradient is a fade between two colors. Therefore, you cannot have a gradient from black to black.

I could have a gradient from black to dark gray, but that would not be, in your words, "True black".

gurachn · 05-13-09, 10:15 PM

Sorry Johnhu,
Perhaps my original message did not clearly state that I was looking for a way to make the top and bottom bars in the beveled gradient WM6 style, using black as the base color.

I used the term 'true black' only to contrast with the supposedly 'black' themes I have downloaded that use a dark grey as the base color.

I am not looking to make a "pure" black (no gradient bevel).

Please see the included image to illustrate what I am looking for.

johnhu_2005 · 05-13-09, 10:58 PM

I think I am able to make that. Give me until the weekend and I will upload it for you. Sorry, but this is on low priority on my list of to-do :)

gurachn · 05-14-09, 10:00 AM

much appreciated.
If you are able to manage it I (and I am sure a few others) would be interested in knowing how it is done.
Thanks

AKAJohnDoe · 05-14-09, 03:17 PM

It is possible with UITweaker on WM5 and might work on WM6.1 ...

johnhu_2005 · 05-14-09, 05:49 PM

He/she needs a black with gradient. X_X

Box · 05-14-09, 07:21 PM

I fail to see how you can have black with a gradient without using Gray, I await the magic.

johnhu_2005 · 05-14-09, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by gurachn

Sorry Johnhu,
Perhaps my original message did not clearly state that I was looking for a way to make the top and bottom bars in the beveled gradient WM6 style, using black as the base color.

I used the term 'true black' only to contrast with the supposedly 'black' themes I have downloaded that use a dark grey as the base color.

I am not looking to make a "pure" black (no gradient bevel).

Please see the included image to illustrate what I am looking for.

He/she explained it... Black for base color... Remember, Box, I'm not too shabby with GIMP or Photoshop...

gurachn · 05-14-09, 11:56 PM

I think I may have discovered a way to manage it.

[08/14/08 - NEW THEMES ADDED!!] My Custom WM Themes + Black and Colored 6.1 Themes - xda-developers
The black theme on that page includes a file called "Glossy Black Bars.exe", which does as you may imagine.

It actually uses a very very dark gray as the gradient base, rather than true black, but it is very close and looks fine.
(I include a shot of my screen for reference.)
I suspect that WM6 uses some sort of overlay to achieve the gradient effect so it probably isnt possible to get a real black base.

In any case, I am satisfied with this result.
Many thanks to all who made suggestions.

AKAJohnDoe · 05-15-09, 12:42 PM

Ah, I understand. You want the gradient, but you want it to go to fully black. The standard gradient never gets pure black at any point, only a close dark gray.

gurachn · 05-15-09, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by AKAJohnDoe

Ah, I understand. You want the gradient, but you want it to go to fully black. The standard gradient never gets pure black at any point, only a close dark gray.

Yes thats true, and as I said, I suspect that it may not be possible to get a completely black base hue on the gradient.

However, I keep my brightness at almost the lowest setting which further darkens the top and bottom bars. (see included image)
I find this also significantly improves battery life, and with a such a dark theme the colors dont look as washed out at the low backlight settings as they do on brighter and more colorful themes.
I also really like the look.