= How to install skins/themes in Miranda =
{{Important|message=First of all you have to realise that Miranda itself doesn’t support themes/skins so if you are looking for a quick’n’painless solution you’re not gonna find one.}}
== What can I skin? == *contact list, using [{{FLURL|id=2103}} Modern Contact List] (a.k.a. clist_modern) plugin *contact list, using [{{FLURL|id=2602}} Nicer Contact List] (a.k.a. clist_nicer) plugin *message log, using [{{FLURL|id=1788}} IEView plugin] + [{{FLURL|id=2457}} tabSRMM] / [{{FLURL|id=1885}} Scriver] *popups, using [http://nullbyte.org.ua/category/miranda/popup-plus/ PopUp Plus plugin] *[{{FLURL|id=2457}} tabSRMM] message window *[{{FLURL|id=2457}} tabSRMM’s] message log layout But theming the '''WHOLE''' Miranda with a single theme file is just '''NOT POSSIBLE'''. Themes are available for download from the Miranda’s File Listing: *[{{FLCATEGORY|id=93}} clist_modern themes] *[{{FLCATEGORY|id=91}} clist_nicer themes] *[{{FLCATEGORY|id=83}} IeView themes] *[{{FLCATEGORY|id=72}} PopUp skins] *[{{FLCATEGORY|id=90}} tabSRMM skins] *[{{FLCATEGORY|id=90}} tabSRMM layouts]
{{Tip|message=Before downloading any of the themes/skins be double sure it is for a module you want to theme/skin. Then read the description, the requirements and the readme file (if there is any). Be sure you have the '''correct versions of the plugins'''. Finally, before installing, read the tutorial for the appropriate plugin (below).}}
== How to install Modern Contact List themes. == To theme/skin the contact list using Modern Contact List you’ll need: *[http://www.miranda-im.org/download/ Miranda IM 0.5] *[{{FLURL|id=2103}} Modern Contact List Layered plugin] *[{{FLCATEGORY|id=93}} a theme]
{{Warning|message='''clist_modern won't run with Miranda 0.4.0.3. You need to upgrade your Miranda to the latest 0.5 release.'''}}
=== Installing Modern Contact List plugin === #turn off Miranda #make a backup copy of your entire Miranda directory and make sure the *.dat file is there too #unzip clistmodern.zip file and copy clist_modern.dll to your Miranda\Plugins directory #turn Miranda back on. The contact list should now have a default skin. === To install a custom theme: === #unzip the downloaded theme into the Miranda\Skins directory. If the directory doesn’t exist - create it. The *.msf file should go directly to the Skins folder along with the *skin_name* directory (check the skin package structure above). #in Miranda go to Options→Customise→Skin and choose your custom skin, then hit 'Apply' button. #the theme/skin is now installed. == How to install Nicer Contact List themes. == Generally you don’t need to install any themes/skins. You can theme it yourself by proper fiddling around with the options. However, due to public demand, an export/import feature has been added to allow creating and exchanging skin files. To theme/skin the contact list using Nicer Contact List you’ll need: *[http://www.miranda-im.org/download/ Miranda IM 0.5] *[{{FLURL|id=2602}} Nicer Contact List plugin] *[{{FLCATEGORY|id=91}} a theme]
{{Warning|message='''clist_nicer won't run with Miranda 0.4.0.3. You need to upgrade your Miranda to the latest 0.5 release.'''}}
=== Installing Nicer Contact List plugin === #turn off Miranda #make a backup copy of your entire Miranda directory and make sure the *.dat file is there too #unzip clistnicerplus.zip file and copy plugins\clist_nicer.dll to your Miranda\Plugins directory #turn Miranda back on. The contact list should now have a default skin. === To install a custom theme: ===
{{Warning|message=Note that loading of a skin file is partialy irreversible. Some changes the skin files makes to the configuration will stay even if you unload the skin so make sure you created a backup before loading any skins.}}
#create an individual folder for each skin in the Miranda\Skins directory. If the directory doesn’t exist - create it. #in Miranda go to Options→Customise→Contact list skin, hit the ‘...’ button, browse to the Skins\*skin_name* directory and open the *.cln or *.clist file. #check ‘Load this skin on startup’ and click ‘Apply skin now’ #the theme/skin is now installed, althought further configuration will be probably needed to achieve desired effect. [[Screenshot Required]]