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Date/Time: Thu, 26 Sep 2024 23:33:41 +0000



[User Discussion] - Can SC sponsor or collab to have a Custom Window Skin to fix detached window borders ?

View Count: 603

[2024-09-02 03:24:10]
User677437 - Posts: 22
I run many detached windows. I've been looking for a solution to remove the white top bar that is the result of hiding the Title and Menu bars. The contrast with a black chart background and a black OLED desktop, is creating unnecessary eye strain. I do not want to change the color of my charts nor do I want to overlap them.

The furthest I was able to get was editing Padded Window Border inside of the Windows Registry. I have changed border settings, title bar settings, accent color settings and DWM within the registry with no luck.

I have read the forum posts asking for this fix. I've seen just about only two options WindowBlinds and WinAeroTweaker to address specific window border issues. Many of us want a definitive solution to this. WinAeroTweaker bricked my windows 11 install and I actually decided to downgrade to windows 10. WindowBlinds actually seems to work, but it's going to affect the entire UI of the OS - and some of the presets need some work.

I'm not completely happy with WindowBlinds 11. #1 I lost the settings to get a borderless, no title, and no menu skin. Now I have to use a title bar with Transparency effects to remove the entire grey 1 pixel outline - This whole this is so frustrating. So many color configurations and UI elements, and it affects other parts of window functionality.

The YouTube search results for Sierra Chart Dark mode - Does NOT address detached Window border padding and coloring.

Surely SC can make money off this and people can get paid for their time. I don't see any 3rd party SC vendor that is doing something like this. With someone that knows what they are doing they can create this up within a very short time period. It seems like free money with how many SC users want this OS change.

We can do whatever SC wants. We can buy the skin from SC. You can give out codes, we can go to the provider with the code to purchase. We can buy the skin from a 3rd party store with affiliate payment to SC. Or SC can collab with a skin software provider with affiliate payments.

Please, Please, let's get this OS UI issue settled, and so many non SC users will be interested in how these charts look. This is the Ultimate Dark Mode.

If I have to move over to linux to get this done, then just tell me / us.

Thank you.
Date Time Of Last Edit: 2024-09-03 06:49:11
attachmentBorderless Window.webp - Attached On 2024-09-02 03:17:08 UTC - Size: 47.95 KB - 314 views
attachmentBorderless Window 2.webp - Attached On 2024-09-02 03:22:29 UTC - Size: 5.83 KB - 280 views
[2024-09-03 02:26:06]
seandunaway - Posts: 267
will you make your attached files public so i can see what you mean?

does this work?

#include <dwmapi.h>
#include <sierrachart.h>

SCDLLName("darkmode")

SCSFExport scsf_darkmode(SCStudyInterfaceRef sc) {
  if (sc.SetDefaults) {
    sc.DisplayStudyName = 0;
    sc.GraphName = "darkmode";
    sc.GraphRegion = 0;
    return;
  }

  BOOL darkmode = TRUE;
  int& initialized = sc.GetPersistentIntFast(0);

  if (sc.LastCallToFunction) {
    darkmode = FALSE;
    initialized = 0;
  }

  if (initialized) return;

  HWND hwnd = sc.GetChartWindowHandle(sc.ChartNumber);
  DwmSetWindowAttribute(hwnd, 19, &darkmode, sizeof(darkmode));
  DwmSetWindowAttribute(hwnd, 20, &darkmode, sizeof(darkmode));

  sc.AddMessageToLog(darkmode ? "enabled" : "disabled", 0);
  initialized = 1;
}

Date Time Of Last Edit: 2024-09-03 03:19:49
imagedarkmode.png / V - Attached On 2024-09-03 02:25:49 UTC - Size: 72.42 KB - 24 views
attachmentdarkmode_64.dll - Attached On 2024-09-03 02:25:53 UTC - Size: 89.5 KB - 21 views
attachmentdarkmode_arm64.dll - Attached On 2024-09-03 02:25:56 UTC - Size: 78 KB - 29 views
[2024-09-03 06:49:44]
User677437 - Posts: 22
I appreciate the help, thank you Sean.

So for the first upload - BlackWindowBorder using WindowBlinds 11, I have no clue what settings I put on, to get a no title window with no gray border outline. My guess is that I made the Window Title Text Transparent and the title bar is actually shown.

WindowBlinds11 software configurations just gives out presets, and you can just change the color inputs for the listed UI elements. I would have never been able to do this if I had to code anything.

The second upload is with a Transparent title with visible text and that gets rid of the grey outline. This is easier to create. I can recreate this no problem.

In WindowBlinds 11, when you show title, the gray outline gets removed, but when you hide it, the gray outline comes back. I have no clue what this process is.

Also scrollbar needs to be hidden as well there is a UI element on the right side border.
And in SC graphics setting - I think with Chart Scale Border there is a UI element on the left side border

So there is not really an option that has an absolute dark mode minimalist look - like the first upload BlackWindowBorder

Right now I'm just settling with the transparent title bar, and or having a grey outline with no white top padded border. I spent way too long on this. And other elements of the Window OS are effected when using a reskin.

I did not dabble in the application specific settings, but I might try that on a later date.

The fundamental problem with running lots of detached windows without changes to the registry, or getting a reskin, is the thick padded white border title/menu element that remains after hiding the title and menu. SC has made this clear that this is an operating system problem, but has not provided any solution for it. Changes to the registry can brick an install. BTW I have the show/hide for title, menu and scrollbar as a short cut in the right click menu. This is a must for running detached windows.

This is the path to change the padded border width Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics\Padded Border Width = and you want this on 0. Natural setting it's at -60

I don't think Active border really does anything. I can't find the name or color setting to change the top border. I changed all the white colors to black and I end up breaking the install, and then I try to import a registry, somehow it fails. It's insane.

I've made various changes to
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM\Accent Color
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\Colors

Changing things with the registry is such a tedious process. If I was smarter I would have probably done this in a virtual machine.

With someone that knows what they are doing, I mean this is a money maker of Sierra side hustle to sell this skin, or to make custom skins for people. I'll have to try the application specific changes to WindowBlinds 11 next time.
attachmentBlackWindowBorder.webp - Attached On 2024-09-03 06:49:29 UTC - Size: 5.83 KB - 22 views
attachmentCurrentBlackBorderTransparentTitle.webp - Attached On 2024-09-03 06:49:34 UTC - Size: 22.37 KB - 26 views

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