hello
I am trying to make a skin (very new in this) as a B-day gift.. and i can't find tutorials on msn 2009.
I made the basics of the XML file. and it appeared in the plus window. but non of my modifications on my new skin are taking action .. i don't know why.
please help I'm afraid that I'm running out of time till the occasion

thanks

Maybe you changed restrictions to Major 8 Minor 5, while it sould be Major 14 Minor 0...
Post you skininfo pls?

If you're starting from scratch and you've got a time limit, you're going to have some trouble tbh. It takes some time to learn how everything works and to get it right. I'd recommend something else as a birthday present

thanks for u'r responces

I entered the version as Major 9 and minor 0 .. but I'll post my skininfo soon as i get to my laptop

^^ the idea of making a skin as a gift really fits now.. cause i'm finding out more about that person's personality.. and the fun side and.. other thigs really fit well.. i hope to get the skin ready by that time.. but if i couldnt  .. idk what im going to do 'o.O 
think i learned the basics..

As said, use Major 14 and Minor 0 =), you should always use the first values of the version stated in the about window (14.0.xxxx.xxxx)

(and good luck =P)

this is my skininfo:

<?header  <SkinInfo xmlns="urn:msgpluskins" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsichemaLocation="urn:msgpluskins PlusSkins.xsd">?>
<SkinInfo>
<Information>
<Name>My first skin</Name>
<Description>fear my ubor skills</Description>
<Version>1.0</Version>
<Compatibil>
<MsgVersion Major="14" Minor="0"/>
</Compatibil>
</Information>
<MessengerSkin>
<ResGroup>
<Restrictions>
<Version Major="14" Minor="0"/>
<Resources>
<Replace>
<Graphics>
<Pictures Id="48024">
<File>Images/48024</File>
</Pictures>
</Graphics>
</Replace>
</Resources>
</Restrictions>
</ResGroup>
</MessengerSkin>
</SkinInfo>

(the file i was trying to replace was the avatr when i have not chosen a picture_that's what i think i did anyways   )

.. don't need to copy anything of the extracted msn resources into our skin's file..am I right?

thanks so much for the help

This is my skininfo so far..the string changes are working nicely but the graphics are not.


<SkinInfo xmlns="urn:msgpluskins"
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsichemaLocation="urn:msgpluskins PlusSkins.xsd" Version="4">

    <Information>
        <Name>altova</Name>
        <Description>Skin for WLM2009</Description>
        <AboutUrl>insert url</AboutUrl>
        <Version>0.0</Version>
        <Screenshot>insert screenshot</Screenshot>
        <Compatibility><MsgVergion Major="14" Minor="0"</Compatibility>
        <UpdateId>updateid</UpdateId>
        <AllowAutoUpdate>true</AllowAutoUpdate>
        <BuildNumber>00</BuildNumber>
        <TraceFile>true</TraceFile>

    </Information>

    <MessengerSkin>
        <ResGroup>
            <Restrictions>
                <MsgVersions>
                    <Version Major="14" Minor="0"/>
                </MsgVersions>
            </Restrictions>

            <Resources>
                <Replace>
                    <Strings>
                        <String Id="61288">Hello you!</String>
                        <String Id="61295">remember you!</String>
                    </Strings>

                    <Graphics><Pictures>
                        <Picture Id="1828">
                            <File>earth.png</File>
                        </Picture>
                    </Pictures></Graphics>
                    <Windows>
                         <Definition Id="10001">
                             <File>1001.txt</File>
                         </Definition>
                    </Windows>
                </Replace>
                <New>
                    <Pictures>
                         <Picture Id="59000">
                             <File>cloudss_59000.png</File>
                             <Metadata>
                                 <UMLeft>1</UMLeft>
                                 <UMRight>1</UMRight>
                                 <UMTop>1</UMTop>
                                 <UMBottom>1</UMBottom>
                                 <Colorize>true</Colorize>
                             </Metadata>
                         </Picture>
                    </Pictures>
                </New>
 
            </Resources>

        </ResGroup>
    </MessengerSkin>
</SkinInfo>

I'm not too sure about the graphics part, but I have noticed the definition replacement is wrong, it should be:

xml code:

---

<Windows>
>>><Definitions><<<
>>><Definition Id="1001"><<<
<File>1001.txt</File>
</Definition>
>>></Definitions><<<
</Windows>

---

thanks for the help

I am trying now to go with the diagras in the official documintation.. and now I've found out about the plus skin schema and how to use it (i hope lol).. and the trace file

this is my skininfo so far.. and, in the trace file it says:
09/04/14 23:00:02| **** The trace has started ****
09/04/14 23:00:02| Skin: fromStart 0.0
09/04/14 23:00:02| Messenger version: 14.0.206.8064 (en-us)
09/04/14 23:00:02| Messenger Plus! version: 4.81.358
09/04/14 23:00:02| SkinLoader: Couldn't find file "664"
09/04/14 23:00:11| **** The trace has ended ****

and when i start messenger .. the upper box (place of scene) appears solid black square.. (not the image i chose)

quote:

---

<SkinInfo xmlns="urn:msgpluskins"
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsichemaLocation="urn:msgpluskins PlusSkins.xsd" Version="4">
    <Information>
        <Name>fromStart</Name>
        <Description>Skin for WLM2009</Description>
        <AboutUrl>insert url</AboutUrl>
        <Version>0.0</Version>
        <Screenshot>
         <File>screenshot.png</File></Screenshot>
        <Compatibility>
           <MsgVersion Major="14" Minor="0"/>
         </Compatibility>
         <TraceFile>true</TraceFile>
         <UpdateId>my_first</UpdateId>
         <BuildNumber>1</BuildNumber>
         <AllowAutoUpdate>true</AllowAutoUpdate>
    </Information>
    <Options>
     <MessengerPlus>
         <AllowContactListChange>true</AllowContactListChange>
         <AllowChatWndChange>true</AllowChatWndChange>
     </MessengerPlus>   
    </Options>
   
        <MessengerSkin>
        <ResGroup>
            <Restrictions>
                <MsgVersions>
                    <Version Major="14" Minor="0"/>
                </MsgVersions>
            </Restrictions>
            <Resources>
                 <New>
                     <Colors>
                            <Color Id="59999">
                                <R>0</R>
                                <G>0</G>
                                <B>0</B>
                            </Color>
                     </Colors>
                     <Pictures>
                        <Picture Id="59000">
                            <File>59000.png</File>
                            <Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                        </Picture>
                    </Pictures>     
                 </New>
                 <Replace>
                    <Strings>
                        <String Id="61288">Hello World!</String>
                    </Strings>

                    <Graphics>
                         <Pictures>
                             <Picture Id="664" >
                                 <File>/59000.png</File>
                             </Picture>
                                 
                             <Picture Id="628">
                                <File>clouds.png</File>
                               </Picture> 
                         </Pictures>
                    </Graphics>
                </Replace>
            </Resources>
        </ResGroup>
    </MessengerSkin>
</SkinInfo>

---

okay.. I got the pictures to appear.. by adding a metadata colorise and make it false.. (i don't know why it used to say it couldn't find the file though)

but.. how do i get to .. change the whole color of messenger to make it black for example.. instead of the light blue color all over the windows of messenger?

thanks all for the help ^^

My skininfo (so if some one might find it helpful)
<SkinInfo xmlns="urn:msgpluskins"
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsichemaLocation="urn:msgpluskins PlusSkins.xsd" Version="4">
    <Information>
        <Name>fromStart</Name>
        <Description>Skin for WLM2009</Description>
        <AboutUrl>insert url</AboutUrl>
        <Version>0.0</Version>
        <Screenshot>
         <File>screenshot.png</File></Screenshot>
        <Compatibility>
           <MsgVersion Major="14" Minor="0"/>
         </Compatibility>
         <TraceFile>true</TraceFile>
         <UpdateId>my_first</UpdateId>
         <BuildNumber>1</BuildNumber>
         <AllowAutoUpdate>true</AllowAutoUpdate>
    </Information>
    <Options>
     <MessengerPlus>
         <AllowContactListChange>true</AllowContactListChange>
         <AllowChatWndChange>true</AllowChatWndChange>
     </MessengerPlus>   
    </Options>
   
        <MessengerSkin>
        <ResGroup>
            <Restrictions>
                <MsgVersions>
                    <Version Major="14" Minor="0"/>
                </MsgVersions>
            </Restrictions>
            <Resources>
                 <New>
                     <Colors>
                            <Color Id="59999">
                                <R>0</R>
                                <G>0</G>
                                <B>0</B>
                            </Color>
                     </Colors>
                     <Pictures>
                        <Picture Id="59000">
                            <File>59000.png</File>
                            <Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                        </Picture>
                    </Pictures>     
                 </New>
                 <Replace>
                    <Strings>
                        <String Id="61288">Hello World!</String>
                    </Strings>
                    <Colors>
                                                                                    <Color Id="1820">
                                                                                        <R>255</R>
                                                                                        <G>0</G>
                                                                                        <B>0</B>
                                                                                    </Color>
                                                                                </Colors>

                    <Graphics>
                         <Pictures>
                             <Picture Id="664" >
                                 <File>/59000.png</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                             </Picture>
                             <Picture Id="1472">
                                    <File>earthbrt.png</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                                </Picture>
                                 
                             <Picture Id="628">
                                <File>clouds.png</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                               </Picture>
                               <Picture Id="20129">
                                <File>earthmoon.jpeg</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata></Picture>
                                <Picture Id="20632">
                                    <File>us.</File>
                                </Picture> 
                         </Pictures>
                    </Graphics>
                </Replace>
            </Resources>
        </ResGroup>
    </MessengerSkin>
</SkinInfo>

quote:

---

Originally posted by keep the faith
but.. how do i get to .. change the whole color of messenger to make it black for example.. instead of the light blue color all over the windows of messenger?

---

xml code:

---

<Messenger>
<ResetUserColor>
<R>0</R> <!-- RGB value of the colour you would like -->
<G>0</G>
<B>0</B>
</ResetUserColor>
</Messenger>

---

thanks

I tried to change the color the way u mentioned.. didn't work and xmlspy reported an error .. so i followed how it's done in the official documentation (insert the RGB values as attributes ..and it worked= no errors reported.. but it didn't change the color of messenger =(

scene element didn't work neither...

when i saved my skininfo last.. there were no errors.. but still nothing the buddylist didn't work neither..

in the trace file:
09/04/15 20:40:01| SkinLoader: couldn't encode data for window 1001
09/04/15 20:40:01| Attribute pair is invalid. Line (def): 68. Column: 48

now the trace file says:
09/04/16 01:17:35| **** The trace has started ****
09/04/16 01:17:35| Skin: fromStart 0.0
09/04/16 01:17:35| Messenger version: 14.0.206.8064 (en-us)
09/04/16 01:17:35| Messenger Plus! version: 4.81.358
09/04/16 01:17:35| SkinLoader: Couldn't find file "1001.txt"
09/04/16 01:22:25| **** The trace has ended ****

xml code:

---

<SkinInfo xmlns="urn:msgplus:skins"
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
xsi:schemaLocation="urn:msgplus:skins PlusSkins.xsd" Version="4">
    <Information>
        <Name>fromStart</Name>
        <Description>Skin for WLM2009</Description>
        <AboutUrl>insert url</AboutUrl>
        <Version>0.0</Version>
        <Screenshot>
         <File>screenshot.png</File></Screenshot>
        <Compatibility>
           <MsgVersion Major="14" Minor="0"/>
         </Compatibility>
         <TraceFile>true</TraceFile>
         <UpdateId>my_first</UpdateId>
         <BuildNumber>1</BuildNumber>
         <AllowAutoUpdate>true</AllowAutoUpdate>
    </Information>
    <Options>
     <MessengerPlus>
         <AllowContactListChange>true</AllowContactListChange>
         <AllowChatWndChange>true</AllowChatWndChange>
     </MessengerPlus> 
     <Messenger>
     <ResetUserColor R="225" G="0" B="0"/>
     <ResetUserScenes>true</ResetUserScenes>
     </Messenger>
    </Options>
   
        <MessengerSkin>
        <ResGroup>
            <Restrictions>
                <MsgVersions>
                    <Version Major="14" Minor="0"/>
                </MsgVersions>
            </Restrictions>
            <Resources>
                 <New>
                     <Colors>
                            <Color Id="59999">
                                <R>0</R>
                                <G>0</G>
                                <B>0</B>
                            </Color>
                     </Colors>
                     <Pictures>
                        <Picture Id="59000">
                            <File>59000.png</File>
                            <Metadata>
                            <Colorize>true</Colorize>
                            <UMLeft>1</UMLeft>
                            <UMTop>1</UMTop>
                            <UMRight>1</UMRight>
                            <UMBottom>1</UMBottom>
                            </Metadata>
                        </Picture>
                    </Pictures>     
                 </New>
                 <Replace>
                    <Strings>
                        <String Id="61288">Hello World!</String>
                    </Strings>
                    <Colors>
                                                                                    <Color Id="1820">
                                                                                        <R>255</R>
                                                                                        <G>0</G>
                                                                                        <B>0</B>
                                                                                    </Color>
                                                                                </Colors>

                    <Windows>
                         <Definitions>
                            <Definition Id="1001">
                                <File>1001.txt</File>
                            </Definition>
                        </Definitions>
                    </Windows>
                    <Graphics>
                         <Pictures>
                             <Picture Id="664" >
                                 <File>/59000.png</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                             </Picture>
                             <Picture Id="1472">
                                    <File>earthbrt.png</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                                </Picture>
                                 
                             <Picture Id="628">
                                <File>clouds.png</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                               </Picture>
                               <Picture Id="20129">
                                <File>earthmoon.jpeg</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata></Picture>
                                <Picture Id="20632">
                                    <File>us.png</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                                </Picture>
                                <Picture Id="20673">
                                    <File>Creek</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                                </Picture>
                                <Picture Id="20691">
                                    <File>Dock.jpeg</File><Metadata><Colorize>false</Colorize></Metadata>
                                </Picture> 
                         </Pictures>
                    </Graphics>
                </Replace>
            </Resources>
        </ResGroup>
    </MessengerSkin>
</SkinInfo>

---

There is no file "1001.txt" in skin's folder...

well this is what i did

I opened the definition file from the extracted files.. did this modification: added rcbkd :

<BuddyList id=atom(abView) Layout=FillLayout()
CmdGroup=guid("{16E32D35-5350-4805-B7F0-5E782510AF6F}") background=rcbkd(59000)/>

then i clicked save as and saved the definition file in the file that has my skininfo .. and it's named 1001.. file type .txt

it used to say 'file not found' to pictures untill i added the meta data element (colorize)

thanks everybody for ur help

Be sure it is with the right text enconding... I don't remeber wich one it is, it's stated in the docs actually.
Also, it's not

xml code:

---

<ResetUserColor R="225" G="0" B="0"/>

---

xml code:

---

<ResetUserColor>
<R>255</R>
<G>0</G>
<B>0</B>
</ResetUserColor>

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by keep the faith
well this is what i did

I opened the definition file from the extracted files.. did this modification: added rcbkd :

<BuddyList id=atom(abView) Layout=FillLayout()
CmdGroup=guid("{16E32D35-5350-4805-B7F0-5E782510AF6F}") background=rcbkd(59000)/>

then i clicked save as and saved the definition file in the file that has my skininfo .. and it's named 1001.. file type .txt

it used to say 'file not found' to pictures untill i added the meta data element (colorize)

thanks everybody for ur help

---

code:

---

"msgr",

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ryxdp
When you add rcbkd, rcimg etc. attributes, you must always add

code:

---

"msgr",

---

before the image ID, so for example:

background=rcbkd("msgr",59000)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by blessedguy
Not actually...

---

thanks =)

I kept trying a lot of things to make the buddy list background (as well as the login background) to work..and to change the whole color of msn..

i copied and pasted the suggestions mentioned in the thread.. and i 'didn't start a new line in the definition's file.. i tried several things (going with 'trial and error') ..i even started a new xml and for only changing the color..didn't work..

(when i started a new xml and ..and xmlspy asked me to base my document on a schema.. then it started the xml for me and put a header too:

xml code:

---

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<SkinInfo xmlns="urn:msgplus:skins" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="urn:msgplus:skins C:\PROGRA~1\MESSEN~1\Skins\TESTSK~1\PlusSkins.xsd">
    <Information>
        <Name/>
    </Information>
    <MessengerSkin>
        <ResGroup>
            <Restrictions>
                <MsgVersions>
                    <Version Major="" Minor=""/>
                </MsgVersions>
            </Restrictions>
            <Resources/>
        </ResGroup>
    </MessengerSkin>
</SkinInfo>

---

I'm pretty sure there's probably something going on with your 1001.txt, so if you could attach that so I could have a look at it that might help.

I've also cleaned up your previous SkinInfo; see attached. Just change the extension to .xml, as these forums apparently don't like XML files.

are you SURE it is named 1001.txt and not 10001.txt or 101.txt?

  thanks  so much ^^"

I have attached my 1001.txt file

but when i save the file it gives me this error:
End tag must not have name 'R'

(about this part:

xml code:

---

<ResetUserColor> <!-- ResetUserColor can't have attributes; instead we put in child elements -->
                <R>225</R>
                <G>0</G>
                <B>0</B>
            </ResetUserColor>

---

ResetUserColor and Scenes only work when importing =)

how do i know how it looks like.. and weither it really did work?
(u mean it won't work by just applying the skin from the plus! window from my msn?)

quote:

---

Originally posted by keep the faith
how do i know how it looks like.. and weither it really did work?
(u mean it won't work by just applying the skin from the plus! window from my msn?)

---

how do I change extensions? (from .zip to .plsk)

Open any explorer window (like My Computer), press Tools in ther toolbar (if in Vista, press "alt" key to show them), go to Folder's options > Visualization (middle tab) > Show hidden files and folders (don't know the correct translation, sorry), and then you should just change the .zip part to .plsk.
OOORR, you cuold use WinRAR, set compression to .zip, but use .plsk instead of .zip as extension.

I've tested the definition, and it doesn't appear to be seeing the PlusSkin tag at the top

code:

---

Missing <*PlusSkin/> tag at the beginning. Line (def): 1

---

xml code:

---

<*PlusSkin FileKind(def) MsgVer(5) PlusVer(1) */>

---

Erasing that blank line in the beggning helps?
(<*PlusSkin FileKind(def) MsgVer(5) PlusVer(1) */> has to be Line1, that's why there is that SkinTrace ryxdp showed here)
blame Chrome for showing a huge space before line 1 ;p
* blessedguy blames Google Chrome.

quote:

---

Originally posted by blessedguy
Erasing that blank line in the beggning helps? (<*PlusSkin FileKind(def) MsgVer(5) PlusVer(1) */> has to be Line1)

---

thanks so much guys.. really appreciate it

I'll try packing my skin.. and adding the background first thing when i get back to my laptop 

quote:

---

Originally posted by keep the faith
thanks so much guys.. really appreciate it

I'll try packing my skin.. and adding the background first thing when i get back to my laptop 

---

I changed the exntension using WinRAR:
opened the program.. then pressed 'add' then in archive name i changed .rar to .plsk  ..there was an option below to chose from .ZIP or .RAR.  I ignored it (although one had to be pressed).. then i checked the new file's options it is .plsk and opens with msn.. but when i double click it or import it in plus! it says that:
"the file you tried to load does not appear to have a valid messenger plus! skin pack" =/  and it didn't appar in the skins' list

about the <graphic> tag.. there isn't any under the <new> element..
or..I didn't understand correctly ...

xml code:

---

<Pictures>
                        <Picture Id="59000">
                            <File>59000.png</File>
                            <Metadata>
                                <Colorize>true</Colorize>
                                <UMLeft>1</UMLeft>
                                <UMTop>1</UMTop>
                                <UMRight>1</UMRight>
                                <UMBottom>1</UMBottom>
                            </Metadata>
                        </Picture>
                    </Pictures>   
                </New>

---

you have to click "zip" and then change the extension to .plsk...

it's not working =/

thanks everybody for your patience and help.. deeply DEEPLY appreciate it..
I took a look at some examples of some XML files and i was somehow (by alot of trial and error and compairing many files) to add the picture to the buddy list.. logon window.. chat window.. i kinda have an idea of how to change sizes of windows.. (but idk about the definitions and styles though.. if any can help me out on this? =)  cause i intend to continue learing and making skins)
i figured out myself how to change strings.. and some pictures..

I was not able to change the whole color of the windows.. or to change any colors  =s
I managed to transfor the thing into a usable .plsk file ^^

but.. my friend.. didn't have plus! when he DLed it.. he got a trojan virus.. and all the mess that comes with that.. idk if it's safe to download plus! again for him??
or could i like.. send him the plus! files from my computer?
i dont want that virus issue to come up again..(that is if he did agree to do so..)

Download Plus! from here only, to ensure that it's safe and hasn't been repackaged or anything

thanks for replaying =)

that's the same site we both used for downloading  =/

quote:

---

Originally posted by keep the faith
thanks for replaying =)

that's the same site we both used for downloading  =/

---

yes sponser was installed..
(would plus work if i just gave him the files that i have on my laptop?)
cause somehow i don't know how i can convince him to download plus again after what happend..

quote:

---

Originally posted by keep the faith
yes sponser was installed..
(would plus work if i just gave him the files that i have on my laptop?)
cause somehow i don't know how i can convince him to download plus again after what happend..

---

thanks so much =D