HOW-TO create/make a skin for XBMC

**Gamester17** · 2003-10-01, 15:50

xbmc is fully skinnable and support animated gif's (can be used but is not a must) and much more, please look at existing skins.

a thing to think about is that one has to make seprarate skins (xml' & images) for each resolution to optimize the quality, like:
ntsc 720x480, 4:3
ntsc 720x480, 16:9*
pal/secam 720x576, 4:3
pal/secam 720x576, 16:9*
hdtv 480p/i 640x480, 4:3
hdtv 480p/i 640x480, 16:9*
hdtv 720p/i 1280x720, 4:3
hdtv 720p/i 1280x720, 16:9*
hdtv 1080i 1920x1080, 4:3
hdtv 1080i 1920x1080, 16:9*

* = note that 16:9 has same pixel-resolution as 4:3 on widescreen tv's, the pictures is simply streached to fit widescreen.

remeber that it's illegal (according to copyright law) to plainly rip/clone images and textures from other software/applications or websites, but it is however ok to get ideas/inspiration from other peoples work. we will not post any skins on our websites that contain illegaly aquired material!

brncmp · 2004-05-17, 04:58

i would like to learn how to skin xbmc. i have not been able find and help on were to start. i really dont know anything about how to do this.
can someone tell me how to get started and what ill need.

thanks
brncmp

Nickman · 2004-05-17, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by (brncmp @ may 17 2004,02:58)

i would like to learn how to skin xbmc. *i have not been able find and help on were to start. *i really dont know anything about how to do this.
can someone tell me how to get started and what ill need.

thanks
*brncmp

a graffics program and a text editor.

photoshop/paintshop pro,notepad, write

floink · 2004-05-17, 11:27

i'd suggest starting by taking an existing skin and edit that with your own graphics using above mentioned method.

roortman · 2004-05-17, 13:15

help!?

i want to learn how to make/edit a XBMC skin, but i cant find a tutorial or something anywhere.
i know that someone already asked the same question, but he got some "lame" answer that he needed photoshop etc.

can you tell me if there is some graphical designer prog, or a tutorial somewhere?

because just telling someone that he needs to edit the xml files isnt really enough, is it?

thankx..

floink · 2004-05-17, 13:44

there is no current editor. so actually editing xml files is the only way. and ofcourse you need to create your own aswell graphics

so creating a skin is a lot about ftp as tv is the only way to preview.

mysiskatten · 2004-05-17, 14:19

how do i create a textures.xpr file??

can i open a textures.xpr file?

roortman · 2004-05-17, 14:36

do you know where to get like a tutorial or someting

"

thankx

Hullebulle · 2004-05-17, 15:30

there is no tutorial either. take a look at the skin xml files.

Blackbolt · 2004-05-17, 21:11

its takes a long time to create a skin, so i imagine creating a tutorial would take a long time, would require images and i don't know anyone that would be willing to do that.

firstly to create a good skin, you need some skill in either paint shop pro or photoshop. if you don't use either of those apps further than you use ms paint, then your asking for trouble learning to skin.

making a skin for xbmc is all about the xml's. after doing a few, it comes to you. trial and error my son, just do it.

2003-10-01, 15:50	#1
Gamester17 Team-XBMC Project Manager Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 10,582	xbmc is fully skinnable and support animated gif's (can be used but is not a must) and much more, please look at existing skins. a thing to think about is that one has to make seprarate skins (xml' & images) for each resolution to optimize the quality, like: ntsc 720x480, 4:3 ntsc 720x480, 16:9* pal/secam 720x576, 4:3 pal/secam 720x576, 16:9* hdtv 480p/i 640x480, 4:3 hdtv 480p/i 640x480, 16:9* hdtv 720p/i 1280x720, 4:3 hdtv 720p/i 1280x720, 16:9* hdtv 1080i 1920x1080, 4:3 hdtv 1080i 1920x1080, 16:9* * = note that 16:9 has same pixel-resolution as 4:3 on widescreen tv's, the pictures is simply streached to fit widescreen. remeber that it's illegal (according to copyright law) to plainly rip/clone images and textures from other software/applications or websites, but it is however ok to get ideas/inspiration from other peoples work. we will not post any skins on our websites that contain illegaly aquired material! __________________ Always read the XBMC online-manual, FAQ and search the forum before posting. Do not e-mail XBMC-Team members directly asking for support. Read/follow the forum rules. For troubleshooting and bug reporting please make sure you read this first.

2004-05-17, 14:36	#8
roortman Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4	do you know where to get like a tutorial or someting" thankx

2004-05-17, 15:30	#9
Hullebulle Fan Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,972	there is no tutorial either. take a look at the skin xml files. __________________ read the xbmc online-manual, faq and search the forums before posting! do not e-mail the xbmc-team asking for support! read/follow the forum rules! note! team-xbmc never have and never will host or distribute ms-xdk binaries/executables!

2004-05-17, 21:11	#10
Blackbolt Skilled Skinner Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 149	its takes a long time to create a skin, so i imagine creating a tutorial would take a long time, would require images and i don't know anyone that would be willing to do that. firstly to create a good skin, you need some skill in either paint shop pro or photoshop. if you don't use either of those apps further than you use ms paint, then your asking for trouble learning to skin. making a skin for xbmc is all about the xml's. after doing a few, it comes to you. trial and error my son, just do it. __________________ Ellipsis Beta One, available for everyone Friday December 4th 2009, for FREE! www.TeamBlackbolt.co.uk \| Twitter: @TeamBlackbolt \| Become a fan on Facebook

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2004-05-17, 04:58	#2
brncmp Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1	i would like to learn how to skin xbmc. i have not been able find and help on were to start. i really dont know anything about how to do this. can someone tell me how to get started and what ill need. thanks brncmp

2004-05-17, 11:27	#4
floink Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 380	i'd suggest starting by taking an existing skin and edit that with your own graphics using above mentioned method.

2004-05-17, 13:15	#5
roortman Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4	help!? i want to learn how to make/edit a XBMC skin, but i cant find a tutorial or something anywhere. i know that someone already asked the same question, but he got some "lame" answer that he needed photoshop etc. can you tell me if there is some graphical designer prog, or a tutorial somewhere? because just telling someone that he needs to edit the xml files isnt really enough, is it? thankx..

2004-05-17, 13:44	#6
floink Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 380	there is no current editor. so actually editing xml files is the only way. and ofcourse you need to create your own aswell graphics so creating a skin is a lot about ftp as tv is the only way to preview.

2004-05-17, 14:19	#7
mysiskatten Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 23	how do i create a textures.xpr file?? can i open a textures.xpr file?

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