Skinning Tutorial
Note: This skinning tutorial is now outdated. View our page on Messenger Plus! Live skinning to see how modern Messenger skins are made.
Important: If you are skinning Windows Live Messenger please read this section first.
Then follow the tutorial as you normally would keeping in mind what that section told you.
If you are skinning it is best off starting with MSN Messenger because it is easier then once you think you know the basics,
the raw basics e.g. replacing resources, move onto Windows Live Messenger. Good Luck!
This will tell you what you need and the basic knowledge you need to know.
[Read Lesson 1]
[Read Lesson 1]
Resource hacking alone can create a simple, stylish skin and it is easy. This section will tell you simply how to do this.
[Read Lesson 2]
[Read Lesson 2]
The basic stuff of uifiles. Learn what they are and what they do. Read this before any other UIFILE sections!
[Read Lesson 3]
[Read Lesson 3]
This section explains what parts break the general rule, then says what you need to do to fix them.
[Read Lesson 4]
[Read Lesson 4]
Tells you what each UIFILE controls and how to edit them in Resource Hacker.
[Read Lesson 5]
[Read Lesson 5]
Explains what each command is and what is does in uifiles.
[Read Lesson 6]
[Read Lesson 6]
Some examples for you to follow. This is a must in my view!
[Read Lesson 7]
[Read Lesson 7]
Windows Live Messenger skinning is different from MSN Messenger. This section explains why.
[Read Lesson 8]
[Read Lesson 8]