ok, i'm kinda new at skinning and i've made a pretty good start on my first skin (named FirstAmp of all things, but anyway...), and there are some aspects that i am having some trouble editing. here they are: if anyone could give me some advice on editiing pledit.txt, i would appreciate it. i'm not too sure about the format for the colors (help!?). also, if anyone could give me like a set of coordinates for the various buttons, etc. so i can know their exact sizes and placements - handy for overlapping complex pictures. i think i have a fair idea of region.txt and transparencies, also i THINK i can do the viscolor.txt: that color format (RGB) i understand. any help will be GREATLY appreciated and i will go ahead and thank you profusely well in advance for anything THANKS :)

I use calculator (the Windows program) to convert between the number systems. Going from RRR,GGG,BBB to #RRGGBB:

1. Put your calculator in Scientific mode.

2. Select "Dec" in the upper left portion of the calculator.

3. Type the RRR value (i.e. "197")

4. Click "Hex" (next to "Dec"). This will give you the RR value, in this case "c5")

5. Put that in for the "RR" in #RRGGBB

6. Repeat 2-5 for greens and blues.

It's basically just converting the decimal numbers to hexadecimal.

"197,5,243" converts to "#c505f3"

Also same system as webpages.

ok, thanks a whole lot - i can grasp this whole thing now!
one problem i came across, though:
those little lines at the top of the spectrum anyalyzer ("peaks" i think?)... well, i cant get those colors to change to the ones i want. how do i do that? i changed every line of viscolor.txt and they are still the same color of grey. i know it is possible to change because other skins are like that. HELP please! :)

It's hard to explain in words. It's row 23 that sets the Peaks' colour. Check out this tutorial:

http://members.nbci.com/wsdskins/skinning/main.html

ok, thanks, i thought that was the line for it, but i changed that line and nothing happened. one thing, though: i made an entirely new .txt file for it instead of changing the one that comes with it. shouldnt make a difference, though. all of the other colors changed, but not the peaks. i then found the original one and just filled in my numbers, leaving in all the stuff after them, and it works, so i just kept that one and am not worrying about it. another thing, though - i cant get my little equalizer line (you know-the one that moves up and down when you move the bar on the left) to change colors. it is white. also i have a white line to the left side of that display as well.

Check your Eqmain.bmp....the area for the PreAMP bar is the very bottom (left) line on the .bmp :)

thanks, everyone - i finally got my skin done and i'm gonna send it in (gee i hope it doesn't take forever). also, i'm hoping to get some cursors and mb skinned to add to it later. :)