TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins

Vishal Gupta · 14-07-2007, 10:42 PM

UPDATE: Don't forget to visit following threads:

COMPLETE GUIDE: For Windows Customization - WindowBlinds, Style XP & msstyles
MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!!
TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP look-a-like Windows Vista
List of Some Useful System Utilities!

TUTORIAL: All About Resource Hacker! A Brief Tutorial
TUTORIAL: List of Files to be hacked using Resource Hacker!
TUTORIAL: List of some Interesting Hacks, which can be made using Resource Hacker!
TUTORIAL: Changing Windows XP Login Screen Text Entries !
TUTORIAL: Enable HIBERNATE Button in Shutdown Dialog Box !
TUTORIAL: How to enable "VIEW" Menu on Desktop !
TUTORIAL: Add any Image in Desktop/Explorer Context Menu !
TUTORIAL: Add Your Favorite Program Shortcut in Desktop Context Menu!
TUTORIAL: Add "INSERT" Option in CD Drive Context Menu !

TUTORIAL: How to use the free space under RUN in New Windows XP Start Menu!
TUTORIAL: Change Look-n-Feel of Windows XP Start Menu
TUTORIAL: How 2 change XP Boot Screen using Tuneup Utilities!
TUTORIAL: All Kinds of Restrictions for Windows XP/2003
TUTORIAL: Hide Menubar, Addressbar & Throbber in My Computer
TUTORIAL: How to Add / Remove Entries in Context Menus
TUTORIAL: How to get FREE space in Windows?
TUTORIAL: Windows XP Services that can be Safely set to MANUAL!!!
TUTORIAL: Add DEVICE MANAGER, CONTROL PANEL, Etc. in My Computer Context Menu !
Remove Save Schemes & Other Entry from Desktop Context Menu!

TUTORIAL: Remove ADs from New Yahoo! Messenger 8 Final !
TUTORIAL: Change Yahoo! Messenger Default Status Messages With Your Own Messages

Guys

Recently I released my first Yahoo! Messenger skin "Y! Vista":

Y! Vista: New Yahoo! Messenger Skin by Mr. Vista // Vishal Gupta

A few ppl asked me how I created the skin, so lemme reveal the secret.

Actually I searched lots of Yahoo! Messenger files in its "Program Files" folder, opened them in resource hacker but I didnt find the desired images but after few hours R&D I got success. So lets start the tutorial:

1. Goto "%Programfiles%\Yahoo!\Shared\Graphics" folder and u'll see following folders in it:

Indigo
Maverick

These folders contain skins which u see in Yahoo! Messenger Skin List. So if u want to create ur own skin, then copy any folder and paste it again, it'll create another folder and then rename the folder to any name.

2. Now open this new folder and u'll see lots of images there. U can change those images to make ur own skin.

3. To change the text color, text size, button locations, etc use the XML file present in the folder. Its name will be skin_name.xml (e.g. indigo.xml, maverick.xml). First few lines in this file will be like this:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> 

<skin version="2007.11.07.1" 
      compatible="2"
      AuthorName="Mr. Vista // Vishal Gupta"
      AuthorURL="http://vishal-gupta.deviantart.com"
      Signature="Microsoft MVP"
      SkinName="Y! Vista by Vishal Gupta"
      PreviewImage="preview_Y!_Vista.jpg">

So u can change them acc. to ur requirements.

4. Thats it. U r ready with ur new skin.

Pathik · 14-07-2007, 11:10 PM

good tut vista uncle..

fun2sh · 14-07-2007, 11:17 PM

mast yaar.

sandeepk · 15-07-2007, 01:09 AM

Thanks for the tut... Very good!!!

Vishal Gupta · 15-07-2007, 02:52 AM

thnx guys. I always want to share everything I know and I'm glad u like them.

Gigacore · 15-07-2007, 06:03 AM

thanks boss

salilrane · 15-07-2007, 11:41 AM

thankzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

vishal

Cool G5 · 15-07-2007, 11:48 AM

Thanks.....

blackpearl · 15-07-2007, 12:06 PM

Hey!! that is pretty simple. Thanks bro!!

Btw Vishal, I think you can help me on this one. Have a look.

Help me modify shellstyle.dll

piyush gupta · 15-07-2007, 12:32 PM

Great work vishal

Vishal Gupta · 15-07-2007, 01:37 PM

My pleasure guys.

rakeshishere · 15-07-2007, 02:15 PM

Nice Tut though i stopped using Yahoo Msngr since long time

You can customize Yahoo Msngr with more themes,skins,emoticons by downloading them from below link

http://customize.org/yahoomessenger

BBThumbHealer · 15-07-2007, 05:19 PM

Thnx VG.... really nice one .. !

netguy · 15-07-2007, 05:53 PM

thanx friend ...sure i wil give a try............!

mridul_blaze · 15-07-2007, 06:02 PM

thanks VG

prateek_san · 15-07-2007, 07:46 PM

guys anything related to vista ask vista uncle here ...

Quiz_Master · 15-07-2007, 08:07 PM

Actually I figured this out a few days ago too. But didn't knew that text size can be changed too.
Thanks for telling.
Good tute.

And hey guys! Stop calling him uncle, he is just 25.

Vishal Gupta · 15-07-2007, 08:43 PM

^^ lol. thnx a lot guys for ur sweet comments.

gaurav_indian · 15-07-2007, 09:02 PM

Good tutorial Big B.

ax3 · 16-07-2007, 12:58 PM

superb bo .............

Vishal Gupta · 16-07-2007, 01:02 PM

thnx guys.

milnniki · 18-07-2007, 07:05 AM

nice tut man

dark_side_of_the_moon · 18-07-2007, 09:24 AM

wow!thanks yaarr, nic tutorial. Helped me lot

Masroor · 27-10-2007, 10:15 AM

anybody have a idea to edit XML file

Vishal Gupta · 27-10-2007, 11:19 AM

^^ Open it in Notepad.

14-07-2007, 10:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Vishal Gupta Microsoft MVP Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AskVG.com Posts: 5,173	TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins UPDATE: Don't forget to visit following threads: COMPLETE GUIDE: For Windows Customization - WindowBlinds, Style XP & msstyles MASTER TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP Super Fast !!! TUTORIAL: Make Your Windows XP look-a-like Windows Vista List of Some Useful System Utilities! TUTORIAL: All About Resource Hacker! A Brief Tutorial TUTORIAL: List of Files to be hacked using Resource Hacker! TUTORIAL: List of some Interesting Hacks, which can be made using Resource Hacker! TUTORIAL: Changing Windows XP Login Screen Text Entries ! TUTORIAL: Enable HIBERNATE Button in Shutdown Dialog Box ! TUTORIAL: How to enable "VIEW" Menu on Desktop ! TUTORIAL: Add any Image in Desktop/Explorer Context Menu ! TUTORIAL: Add Your Favorite Program Shortcut in Desktop Context Menu! TUTORIAL: Add "INSERT" Option in CD Drive Context Menu ! TUTORIAL: How to use the free space under RUN in New Windows XP Start Menu! TUTORIAL: Change Look-n-Feel of Windows XP Start Menu TUTORIAL: How 2 change XP Boot Screen using Tuneup Utilities! TUTORIAL: All Kinds of Restrictions for Windows XP/2003 TUTORIAL: Hide Menubar, Addressbar & Throbber in My Computer TUTORIAL: How to Add / Remove Entries in Context Menus TUTORIAL: How to get FREE space in Windows? TUTORIAL: Windows XP Services that can be Safely set to MANUAL!!! TUTORIAL: Add DEVICE MANAGER, CONTROL PANEL, Etc. in My Computer Context Menu ! Remove Save Schemes & Other Entry from Desktop Context Menu! TUTORIAL: Remove ADs from New Yahoo! Messenger 8 Final ! TUTORIAL: Change Yahoo! Messenger Default Status Messages With Your Own Messages Guys Recently I released my first Yahoo! Messenger skin "Y! Vista": Y! Vista: New Yahoo! Messenger Skin by Mr. Vista // Vishal Gupta A few ppl asked me how I created the skin, so lemme reveal the secret. Actually I searched lots of Yahoo! Messenger files in its "Program Files" folder, opened them in resource hacker but I didnt find the desired images but after few hours R&D I got success. So lets start the tutorial: 1. Goto "%Programfiles%\Yahoo!\Shared\Graphics" folder and u'll see following folders in it: Indigo Maverick These folders contain skins which u see in Yahoo! Messenger Skin List. So if u want to create ur own skin, then copy any folder and paste it again, it'll create another folder and then rename the folder to any name. 2. Now open this new folder and u'll see lots of images there. U can change those images to make ur own skin. 3. To change the text color, text size, button locations, etc use the XML file present in the folder. Its name will be skin_name.xml (e.g. indigo.xml, maverick.xml). First few lines in this file will be like this: Code: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> <skin version="2007.11.07.1" compatible="2" AuthorName="Mr. Vista // Vishal Gupta" AuthorURL="http://vishal-gupta.deviantart.com" Signature="Microsoft MVP" SkinName="Y! Vista by Vishal Gupta" PreviewImage="preview_Y!_Vista.jpg"> So u can change them acc. to ur requirements. 4. Thats it. U r ready with ur new skin. __________________ http://www.AskVG.com/ Last edited by Vishal Gupta; 27-07-2007 at 05:40 PM.

14-07-2007, 11:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pathik Google Bot Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 9,751	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins good tut vista uncle..

14-07-2007, 11:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
fun2sh Pawned!... Beyond GODLIKE Join Date: May 2006 Location: World Of Warcraft -DOTA Posts: 1,003	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins mast yaar. __________________ If God has indeed created Himself in His own image, then I submit to you that God is a cockroach !!!!!!!!

15-07-2007, 01:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
sandeepk In The Zone Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 247	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins Thanks for the tut... Very good!!! __________________ Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new

15-07-2007, 02:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Vishal Gupta Microsoft MVP Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AskVG.com Posts: 5,173	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins thnx guys. I always want to share everything I know and I'm glad u like them. __________________ http://www.AskVG.com/

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15-07-2007, 06:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
Gigacore Dreamweaver Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,885	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins thanks boss __________________ Today's noobs are tomorrow's geeks. Don't make fun of them.. encourage them. - Gigacore Follow me on twitter.com/gigacore

15-07-2007, 11:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
salilrane .........Access Denied!!! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 168	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins thankzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz vishal

15-07-2007, 11:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
Cool G5 Human Spambot Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Aamchi Mumbai !!! Posts: 4,176	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins Thanks..... __________________ ShutterTux - Photography, Linux & Life! : http://shuttertux.wordpress.com

15-07-2007, 12:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
blackpearl The Devil Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 0x02AE88C6FF Posts: 966	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins Hey!! that is pretty simple. Thanks bro!! Btw Vishal, I think you can help me on this one. Have a look. Help me modify shellstyle.dll

15-07-2007, 12:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
piyush gupta Wise Old Owl Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: never land Posts: 1,284	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins Great work vishal

15-07-2007, 01:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
Vishal Gupta Microsoft MVP Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AskVG.com Posts: 5,173	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins My pleasure guys. __________________ http://www.AskVG.com/

15-07-2007, 02:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
rakeshishere HELP AND SUPPORT Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,595	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins Nice Tut though i stopped using Yahoo Msngr since long time You can customize Yahoo Msngr with more themes,skins,emoticons by downloading them from below link http://customize.org/yahoomessenger

15-07-2007, 05:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
BBThumbHealer BlackBerry Guru ! :) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Delhi , NCR Posts: 1,270	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins Thnx VG.... really nice one .. ! __________________ Username Changed - BlackBerry7100g To BBThumbHealer !

15-07-2007, 05:53 PM	#14 (permalink)
netguy In To The World Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 79	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins thanx friend ...sure i wil give a try............!

15-07-2007, 06:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
mridul_blaze Right Off the Assembly Line Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: guwahati,Assam Posts: 18	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins thanks VG

15-07-2007, 07:46 PM	#16 (permalink)
prateek_san Phenom II X4 920 Owner Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Delhi Posts: 398	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins guys anything related to vista ask vista uncle here ... __________________ "A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug." - Patricia Neal

15-07-2007, 08:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
Quiz_Master * Teh Flirt King * Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Originally From : Ratlam M.P., Currently in: Hyderabad Posts: 971	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins Actually I figured this out a few days ago too. But didn't knew that text size can be changed too. Thanks for telling. Good tute. And hey guys! Stop calling him uncle, he is just 25. __________________ World is just a Quizzical Reality : Quiz_Master//Ashwin Blog: http://ashwinsaxena.com/blog - Tech, Life and Other Things.

15-07-2007, 08:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
Vishal Gupta Microsoft MVP Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AskVG.com Posts: 5,173	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins ^^ lol. thnx a lot guys for ur sweet comments. __________________ http://www.AskVG.com/

15-07-2007, 09:02 PM	#19 (permalink)
gaurav_indian CG Artist Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi,India Posts: 1,461	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins Good tutorial Big B.

16-07-2007, 12:58 PM	#20 (permalink)
ax3 Cool as a CUCUMBAR ! ! ! Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,002	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins superb bo ............. __________________ ... W H O T ...

16-07-2007, 01:02 PM	#21 (permalink)
Vishal Gupta Microsoft MVP Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AskVG.com Posts: 5,173	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins thnx guys. __________________ http://www.AskVG.com/

18-07-2007, 07:05 AM	#22 (permalink)
milnniki Bula! Namste Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 36	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins nice tut man __________________ "Think big, think fast and think ahead. Idea is monopoly of nobody." - Dhirubhai Ambani

18-07-2007, 09:24 AM	#23 (permalink)
dark_side_of_the_moon Right Off the Assembly Line Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins wow!thanks yaarr, nic tutorial. Helped me lot

27-10-2007, 10:15 AM	#24 (permalink)
Masroor Right Off the Assembly Line Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 32	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins anybody have a idea to edit XML file

27-10-2007, 11:19 AM	#25 (permalink)
Vishal Gupta Microsoft MVP Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: AskVG.com Posts: 5,173	Re: TUTORIAL: How to Create Yahoo! Messenger Skins ^^ Open it in Notepad. __________________ http://www.AskVG.com/

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