What Is RocketDivision StarSkin? | Skinning Windows XP

StarSkin is a popular skinning software package from RocketDivision Corporation. StarSkin uses the native uxtheme.dll skinning engine to apply visual styles to the Windows interface. It provides an interface window similar to the Windows Display Properties dialog box (see Figure 6.17).

Figure 6.17. The StarSkin window.

StarSkin is similar to Style XP in that theme elements and a visual style are applied to the Windows interface to create a skin. StarSkin also provides support for custom logon and book screens (discussed in Chapter 14). You can also download themes, visual styles, logon screens, and boot screens directly from the StarSkin window.

You can download a 15-day trial version of StarSkin from www.rocketdivision.com. You can also purchase two versions of the StarSkin software from the RocketDivision website: StarkSkin and StarSkin Premium. The Premium version of StarSkin comes with an extra premium pack of skins (not themes, but full-blown skins).

Let's take a closer look at the StarSkin window. We can then discuss how you can download themes and visual styles and apply them to the Windows interface.