Basically, you need to create a new picture and give it an ID. That ID then may be used in the UIFile.
1. Create a new skins directory under your Plus! skins directory. Name it whatever you want.
2. Make a new file named SkinInfo.xml under the skin's directory and save the code below in it.
code:
<SkinInfo>
<Information>
<Name>Skin Name</Name>
</Information>
<MessengerSkin>
<ResGroup>
<Restrictions>
<MsgVersions>
<Version Major="8" Minor="5"/>
</MsgVersions>
</Restrictions>
<Resources>
<New>
<Pictures>
<Picture Id="59000">
<File>yourimage.png</File>
<Metadata>
<UMLeft>1</UMLeft>
<UMRight>1</UMRight>
<UMTop>1</UMTop>
<UMBottom>1</UMBottom>
<Colorize>true</Colorize>
</Metadata>
</Picture>
</Pictures>
</New>
<Replace>
<Windows>
<Definitions>
<Definition Id="1001">
<File>msgres_4004_1001.txt</File>
</Definition>
</Definitions>
</Windows>
</Replace>
</Resources>
</ResGroup>
</MessengerSkin>
</SkinInfo>
2. Move
yourimage.png to the skin's directory.
3. Extract Messenger's resources. Copy the 1001-definition (msgres_4004_1001.txt) from your extraction folder into the skin's directory.
Note, I have attached the WLM 8.5 msgres_4004_1001.txt for those of you having trouble finding it.
4. Search in msgres_4001_1001.txt for the code below (line 54 in WLM 8.5):
code:
<BuddyList id=atom(abView) Layout=FillLayout() CmdGroup=guid("{16E32D35-5350-4805-B7F0-5E782510AF6F}")/>
5. Once found, replace with the new code below and save.
code:
<BuddyList id=atom(abView) Layout=FillLayout() CmdGroup=guid("{16E32D35-5350-4805-B7F0-5E782510AF6F}") background=rcbkd(59000)/>
6. Have fun. The End
Add me to your contact list if you're having trouble or PM me.
Attachment: 
