1. Use Windows Themes - inject a manifest
- Posted by Brian Broker <brian_broker at yahoo.com> Nov 22, 2005
- 590 views
To Windows programmers that like XP themes: Do you want to distribute apps that use XP themes without having to add an additional manifest file? Here is a cool tool with a free 30 day evaluation but you only need it once for two files. This tool will inject a manifest file into exw.exe and/or backend.exe: http://www.restuner.com/tour-manifest.htm This will make your progams look XP-ish without the need to supply an additional manifest file. First backup your exw.exe and backend.exe files for safe-keeping. Then, follow the instructions for this simple tool to inject a manifest file into those executables. The tool will decompress the executables but you can, and should, use UPX to recompress them. Now your translated and bound Windows programs will use XP themes for common controls. You will need to recompress backend.exe if you want your bound executables to show your icon in Windows. (It will show in your application but not in Explorer.) Since you've injected into backend.exe, all of your bound apps will use themes and there is no need to use the tool again. I've even set the time on my computer ahead a few months to be sure it doesn't time bomb your bound application. Note: This obviously doesn't apply to translated & compiled apps but you could still use this tool on your exe if your compiler doesn't support a manifest resource. Anyway, I got it to work and thought I'd share the news. Let me know if you have any questions. -- Brian PS: Rob, if you have any objections to folks sharing this sort of modified exw.exe, you'd best speak up now... PSS: I'm not affiliated with this app, I just found it and used it to my advantage.
2. Re: Use Windows Themes - inject a manifest
- Posted by Vincent <darkvincentdude at yahoo.com> Nov 22, 2005
- 594 views
- Last edited Nov 23, 2005
Brian Broker wrote: > > To Windows programmers that like XP themes: > > Do you want to distribute apps that use XP themes without having to add an > additional > manifest file? > > Here is a cool tool with a free 30 day evaluation but you only need it once > for two files. > > This tool will inject a manifest file into exw.exe and/or backend.exe: > <a > href="http://www.restuner.com/tour-manifest.htm">http://www.restuner.com/tour-manifest.htm</a> > > This will make your progams look XP-ish without the need to supply an > additional > manifest file. > > First backup your exw.exe and backendw.exe files for safe-keeping. Then, > follow > the instructions for this simple tool to inject a manifest file into those > executables. > The tool will decompress the executables but you can, and should, use UPX to > recompress them. I dont think future versions of Euphoria will have compressed executables and libraries. You see, I might just pay Robert a little extra for that translator upgrade, to make sure they dont. > Now your translated and bound Windows programs will use XP themes for common > controls. You will need to recompress backend.exe if you want your bound > executables > to show your icon in Windows. (It will show in your application but not in > Explorer.) > > Since you've injected into backend.exe, all of your bound apps will use themes > and there is no need to use the tool again. I've even set the time on my > computer > ahead a few months to be sure it doesn't time bomb your bound application. > > Note: This obviously doesn't apply to translated & compiled apps but you could > still use this tool on your exe if your compiler doesn't support a manifest > resource. > > Anyway, I got it to work and thought I'd share the news. Let me know if you > have any questions. > > -- Brian Interesting... maybe I'll give it a try, since I use Windows XP SP2. Regards, Vincent
3. Re: Use Windows Themes - inject a manifest
- Posted by "C Bouzy" <eucoder at hotmail.com> Nov 22, 2005
- 595 views
- Last edited Nov 23, 2005
Just so you guys know manifest files only work if the user have themes enabled. Many computer users disable themes and use the original Windows style. There is a Lib called SkinCrafter that can skin an entire application and it is independent from Windows built in themes system. http://www.rapideuphoria.com/cgi-bin/asearch.exu?dos=on&win=on&lnx=on&gen=on&keywords=skincrafter ---Chris