		     _____     ______     _____     _____     _____
		    / ___/|   / __  /|   / ___/|   / ___/|   / ___/|
		   / /___|/  / /_/ / /  / /___|/  / /|__|/  / /___|/
		  /__  /|   / ____/ /  / ___/|   / / /     /__  /|
		 ___/ / /  / /|___|/  / /___|/  / /_/     ___/ / /
		/____/ /  /_/ /      /____/|   /____/|   /____/ /
		|____|/   |_|/       |____|/   |____|/   |____|/

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Winamp Skin Specs Version 2.0 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Author: Fyre
Date: 8/26/2000

OVERVIEW

So what exactly is Winamp Skin Specs? It is a compilation of bitmaps and documents 
to help Winamp skinners create bug-free skins. To novice skinners, this is a useful tool in 
creating their your Winamp skin. It provides you with a blueprint to work with so that you 
are not starting empty handed. To advanced skinners, this can be a reference to check to see 
whether your skin has any blatant bugs.

This version of the specs are arranged in text format for those who are plain and dull (just 
kidding). An HTML version can be downloaded also at fyreskins.tripod.com.

First of all, a short description on how Winamp skins work. Each Winamp skin is actually a 
group of bitmaps and text files. There are 16 bitmaps and 3 text files (older versions of 
Winamp may differ - but why not download the latest version for free at Winamp.com?). 
These 19 files are bunched up in a zip file for easy downloading. There is no programming 
involved, just graphics. All you have to do is to draw the skin as you would want it to look 
like, and place paste them as separate pieces into the correct bitmaps and correct positions.
It's that easy!

GETTING STARTED

For each bitmap and text file that make up the Winamp skin, there is a corresponding 
information file that goes along with it. All the information files are in the extention 
.inf. In each information file, the information is set up in the form of a table. The table 
contains information about each component's size and position. It looks complicated at first 
but it will get easier to understand. The location and size entries were obtained using the 
selection tool in MS Paint. Some programs may have a different selection system, thus you 
may have to adjust. However, most programs like Adobe Photoshop will follow the selection 
system I have used.

A very important note: the pictures are color coded for your convenience! Notice there are 
four colors. Green, white, red and grey. Green signifies a border. That means Winamp 
differentiates between one region and another at those green coordinates. White and red mean 
drawable (is that a word?) space. That means you can draw freely on the white and red 
regions. The red is simply for decoration or that you can tell which button is which. The 
grey regions are the ignored regions. Winamp does not use (display) any of the grey regions 
whatsoever. This space can be used for things like your personal logo or credits. Just make 
sure any doodles you do don't fall beyond the grey region.

These are the files that should be included in this package:

>> avs.bmp		avs.inf
>> balance.bmp		balance.inf
>> cbuttons.bmp		cbuttons.inf
>> eq_ex.bmp		eq_ex.inf
>> eqmain.bmp		eqmain.inf
>> main.bmp		main.inf
>> mb.bmp		mb.inf
>> monoster.bmp		monoster.inf
>> numbers.bmp		numbers.inf
>> playpaus.bmp		playpaus.inf
>> pledit.bmp		pledit (bmp).inf
>> posbar.bmp		posbar.inf
>> shufrep.bmp		shufrep.inf
>> text.bmp		text.inf
>> titlebar.bmp		titlebar.inf
>> volume.bmp		volume.inf
>> pledit.txt		pledit (txt).inf
>> region.txt		region.inf
>> viscolor.txt		viscolor.inf

NOTES

There are many reasons I created the specs. One of them of for myself, of course. I found a 
need to be sure that the skin was accurate rather than count on another skin which may have 
many mistakes. Another one was that after tons of people saw my most popular skins, I 
started getting 10 e-mails a day asking me how I made the skins and if I could teach them 
how to start. The most important reason is that I have seen too many messed up skins out 
there that would be otherwise good if corrected. What a shame to make a great looking skin 
but have it full of bugs.

There are a few bugs that nobody can avoid making. In fact these bugs have nothing to do 
with the skinner but every to do with Winamp itself. Until the Winamp guys can correct 
Winamp's code for displaying the skin these bugs will be seen everywhere:

 main windowshade - the bottom pixels for the active windowshade are the same as the top 
pixels for the inactive windowshade

 main module time display - in the main window, there is a designated space for a negative 
sign if you like to see a count down instead of a count up; Winamp incorrectly shifts the 
negative sign out of place

 playlist windowshade button - when the playlist windowshade is on, try clicking the 
maximize button; once your mouse button is down, the button will magically move one pixel 
to the right

Enough complaining from me now. If you have any complaints, comments, questions, even a 
"well done" message you wanna send me, my address is:

mt_101@yahoo.com

or...

fyreskins@yahoo.com