Difference between revisions of "Viewer Skins/Starlight"

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{{viewer skin
{{viewer skin
|author=Hitomi Tiponi
|author=Hitomi Tiponi
|viewer_version=2.0 - 2.7
|viewer_version=2.0 - 5.0
|skin_name=Starlight 2.0.1 - 2.7.0527
|skin_name=Starlight 2.0.1 - 5.0.1170
|skin_image=Original Orange.png
|skin_image=StarLight 3 2 versions.png
|summary=StarLight skin - Original Orange Theme
|summary=StarLight 'Silver Pink' theme - colourful, versatile, practical
[[Image:Starlight_skin_poster.png|thumb|StarLight Themes]]
|description=<br />
|description=<br />
|download_source=Various
|download_source=Various
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<br/>
<br/>
==About==
==About==
This skin is designed to give more choice, and hopefully improve the usability and promote usage of Second Life Viewer 2 - all Full and Beta versions of Viewer 2 have a StarLight version to work with them, including Viewer 2.6.
StarLight is designed to provide a colourful, versatile and practical alternative to the default skin for Viewer 5.  Hopefully it will improve the usability, and promote increased usage of the viewer - all official releases of the Second Life Viewer have a StarLight version produced to work with them.
StarLight consists of a number of previously published viewer tweaks - produced by various residents (see credits in the downloaded 'Read Me' file) together with a continual addition of new ones.  In addition there is a slight reskinning to give the interface a lighter feel, several colour variants (called 'Themes') and a sidebar-free variant (called 'StarDust'). It should hopefully benefit those people who have no wish to edit the XML code themselves, yet wish to benefit from a number of tweaks made by other residents, without using a third-party viewer.
StarLight consists of a number of previously published viewer tweaks - produced by various residents (see credits in the downloaded 'Read Me' file or in the 'StarLight Skin' tab of the viewer 'About' floater), together with a continual addition of new ones.  In addition there is a slight re-skinning to give the interface a lighter feel and several colour variants (called 'Themes'). It should hopefully benefit those people who have no wish to edit the XML code themselves, yet wish to benefit from a number of tweaks made by other residents, without using a third-party viewer.<br /><br/>
The major changes that StarLight makes are listed [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight#Major_Changes_to_the_Standard_Skin here].<br /><br/>
'''Over 20,000 downloads so far!'''<br />
''' Over 7,500 downloads so far!'''<br />


'''NEW! World Map can now cover entire floater - makes it more usable'''
[[File:StarLight Themes.jpg|1202px]]
 
==Major Features at a Glance==
 
* Colourful - Eight new coloured themes plus two that you can customise yourself
* Versatile - Masses of extra preferences, toolbar options and an extra 'Film' menu
* Practical - Changes to various floaters/panels to make it easier to see and enjoy the world
 
For fuller details see [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight#Major_Changes_to_the_Standard_Skin the 'Major Changes to the Standard Skin' section]


==Downloads==
==Downloads==
Line 25: Line 31:
It is '''VERY''' important that you always use the version of StarLight for the appropriate viewer release.  Always use the appropriate version from the table below of all supported versions.
It is '''VERY''' important that you always use the version of StarLight for the appropriate viewer release.  Always use the appropriate version from the table below of all supported versions.


====ALWAYS DOWNLOAD THE CORRECT VERSION OF STARLIGHT IF YOU SWITCH VERSIONS OF THE VIEWER====
====StarLight - ''ALWAYS DOWNLOAD THE CORRECT VERSION OF STARLIGHT IF YOU SWITCH VERSIONS OF THE VIEWER''====
'''StarLight is normally updated here within a few hours of Linden Labs issuing a new version of the Viewer (and sometimes before it is officially released)'''
'''StarLight is available below for each release of [https://secondlife.com/support/downloads/ the official Linden Lab viewer]. The appropriate version of StarLight will be available within a few hours of Linden Lab issuing a new version of the Viewer.'''


{| {{Prettytable}}
{| {{Prettytable}}
|-{{Hl2}}
|-{{Hl2}}
!StarLight Release (click to download) !! Alternative Download (use only if main site unavailable)!! Designed for Viewer 2 Release !! Date Added !! New Features / Notes
! StarLight Release (all OS's) !! StarLight Easy Installer for Windows !! Designed for Viewer Release !! Date Version Added !! New Features / Notes


|---
| [http://www.mediafire.com/file/8buwsdfew8z8819/Starlight_5.0.1170.zip StarLight 5.0.1170]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/file/8qd0y72jkqnz2v4/StarLight_5.0.1170_Setup.exe StarLight 5.0.1170]
| '''Viewer 5.0.3 (5.0.3.324435)*'''
| February 6th 2017
| [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight#Recent_Release_Notes Release Notes]
|---
|---
| [http://www.mediafire.com/?s1m8f60ctbtiwmj StarLight 2.7.0552]
|}
|
| '''Viewer 2.7.4*''' (2.7.4.235167)
| July 12th 2011
|


''* Main Viewer downloaded from the Linden Lab web-site is in bold - [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/System_info to see which version you have] look in "Help->About Second Life" in your Viewer''
====StarLight for Firestorm====
StarLight and StarLightCUI are two of the viewer skins available as standard with the [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Third_Party_Viewer_Directory/Firestorm Firestorm Viewer].
220322 Firestorm announces Starlight skins are no longer maintained [https://www.firestormviewer.org/firestorm-release-6-5-3-65658/ Firestorm Blog]
220526 Firestorm announces user ScentualLust steps in to maintain the suite.[https://www.firestormviewer.org/firestorm-release-6-5-6-66221/ Firestorm Blog]
====StarLight Lite====
StarLight Lite is a reduced functionality version of StarLight with features described [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight#Key_Feature_Table in this table].  It works with a variety of Linden Lab and Third Party Viewers and is designed to require few, if any, changes between releases of Viewers.
{| {{Prettytable}}
|-{{Hl2}}
!StarLight Lite Release (all OS's) !! StarLight Lite Easy Installer for Windows !!Designed for Viewer !! Date StarLight Lite version Added !! Notes
|---
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/wqdiaaga9lcb875/Starlight_Lite_3.6.zip StarLight 3.6]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/tjj577xkrf5tvt1/StarLight_Lite_3.6_Setup.exe StarLight 3.6]
| All Linden Lab Viewers (Release, Beta and Project)
| June 12th 2013
| Tested against Viewers 3.6.1 - 3.7.2
|---
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/wqdiaaga9lcb875/Starlight_Lite_3.6.zip StarLight 3.6]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/tjj577xkrf5tvt1/StarLight_Lite_3.6_Setup.exe StarLight 3.6]
| Restrained Love Viewer
| June 12th 2013
| Tested against RLV 2.8.5.5
|---
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/wqdiaaga9lcb875/Starlight_Lite_3.6.zip StarLight 3.6]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/tjj577xkrf5tvt1/StarLight_Lite_3.6_Setup.exe StarLight 3.6]
| Kokua Viewer
| June 12th 2013
| Tested against Kokua 3.6.2
|---
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/o0fpot2bpzo2f3b/Starlight_Lite_3.6_Catznip.zip StarLight 3.6 Catznip]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/0o5qi2omjbofmzk/StarLight_Lite_3.6_Catznip_Setup.exe StarLight 3.6 Catznip]
| Catznip Viewer
| June 12th 2013
| Tested against Catznip R8 & R8.1
|---
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/q08ztayk3k40hbs/Starlight_Lite_3.6_Dolphin.zip StarLight 3.6 Dolphin]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/oobanxgqloa4d41/StarLight_Lite_3.6_Dolphin_Setup.exe StarLight 3.6 Dolphin]
| Dolphin Viewer
| June 12th 2013
| Tested against Dolphin 3.4.14.27321
|---
|---
| [http://www.mediafire.com/?s1m8f60ctbtiwmj StarLight 2.7.0552]
|
| Viewer Beta 2.7.5 (2.7.5.233981)
| June 30th 2011
| World map resize is improved
|}
|}
''* Main Viewer downloaded from the Linden Lab web-site is in bold - to see which version you have look in "Help->About Second Life" in your Viewer''


{| cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%; background-color: #fff; vertical-align: top;"
{| cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%; background-color: #fff; vertical-align: top;"
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<div style="padding:10px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="padding:10px; text-align: justify;">


<span style="font-size:14px">'''[http://jira.phoenixviewer.com/browse/STAR-16 STAR-I6] - The dropdown on the login screen switches to "Basic" no matter which of the two Linden skins (Basic or Advanced) I've picked in version 2.7.0527'''</span>
 
*  There appears to be some problems in skin identification if you switch back to one of the Linden skins.  This does not affect switching between the many StarLight themes. <br /><br />
<span style="font-size:14px">''' - In Viewer 4.1.2 messages about HUD complexity may not display correctly'''</span>
*  When using StarLight 4.1.1166 the messages associated with HUD complexity may display incorrectly, but still be readable.  This will be resolved in the next StarLight release.<br /><br />


<span style="font-size:14px">'''[https://jira.secondlife.com/browse/VWR-25735 VWR-25735] - When 'plain text IM and chat history' is selected the name of the 'speaker' is coloured the same as 'URLs''''</span>
<span style="font-size:14px">'''[https://jira.secondlife.com/browse/VWR-25735 VWR-25735] - When 'plain text IM and chat history' is selected the name of the 'speaker' is coloured the same as 'URLs''''</span>
*  A Linden Lab bug means that when 'Enable plain text IM and chat history' is selected from the 'Chat' option of 'Preferences' the colour of the name of the 'speaker' is set to the colour that has been applied to 'URLs' - this is useful to know especially if you are using the lighter colour schemes.  As a workaround please set the 'URLs' colour to a suitable colour in 'Preferences'.<br /><br />
*  A Linden Lab bug means that when 'Enable plain text IM and chat history' is selected from the 'Chat' option of 'Preferences' the colour of the name of the 'speaker' is set to the colour that has been applied to 'URLs' - this is useful to know especially if you are using the lighter colour schemes.  As a workaround please set the 'URLs' colour to a suitable colour in 'Preferences'.<br /><br />


<span style="font-size:14px">'''Only working fully with English language version of the interface'''</span>
<span style="font-size:14px">'''StarLight is only working fully with English language version of the interface'''</span>
*  Versions for German and Japanese languages are planned for the future.<br /><br />
*  Versions for German and Japanese languages are planned for the future.<br /><br />


Line 84: Line 134:
|}
|}


====Beta Versions of StarLight====
== Discussions, information, support and questions ==
 
StarLight is assembled by Hitomi Tiponi, who may be contacted through the aforementioned forum or by IM or notecard in-world.
 
==Major Changes to the Standard Skin==


Occasionally new releases of Starlight are added here to test or see the reactions to new features.
====Key Feature Table====


{| {{Prettytable}}
{| {{Prettytable}}
|-{{Hl2}}
|-{{Hl2}}
!StarLight Beta Release (click to download) !! Designed for Viewer 2 Release !! Date Added !! New Features / Notes
! Key Feature !! StarLight Linden Lab viewer version !! StarLight (incorporated in Firestorm viewer) !! StarLight Lite
 
|---
| Number of standard coloured themes
| 8
| 6
| 8
 
|---
| Number of customisable coloured themes
| 2
| 2
| 0
 
|---
| Draw Distance slider easily available
| Yes (top bar)
| Yes (top bar)
| Yes (camera controls)
 
|---
| Additional options (esp. graphics) in Preferences
| Yes
| Equivalent features provided by Firestorm
| No
 
|---
| Additional items in the 'toolbar toybox'
| Yes
| Equivalent features provided by Firestorm
| No
 
|---
| 'Film' menu
| Yes
| No
| No
 
|---
| Phototools
| Yes (lite version only)
| Standard in Firestorm
| No
 
|---
| Smaller Environment, Air and Water floaters
| Yes
| Standard in Firestorm
| Yes


|---
|---
| None available
| Smaller camera and movement controls
|  
| Yes
|  
| Yes
|  
| Yes
 
|---
| Slideable World Map
| Yes
| Standard in Firestorm
| No
 
|---
| Languages
| English only
| All languages
| All languages (coming soon)


|---
| Works with these viewers
| Official Release
| Firestorm
| Official Release, RC and Project. Catznip. Dolphin. Restrained Love. Kokua.
|}
|}


====StarLight for Viewer 2-based TPVs====
====Colourful Changes====


Versions of StarLight are also available for:
=====Eight preset coloured "themes"=====
* Catznip - versions of all StarLight themes integrated with the Viewer
* '''Original Orange''' - A dark theme with a touch of orange to brighten things up.
* Kirstens S21 - versions of four StarLight themes are available from the Kirsten Viewer forums.
*'''Nostalgia Blue''' - A theme with buttons and other layout changes to remind you of Viewer 1.
* Firestorm - currently being developed and amended for the Firestorm development team
*'''Silver Blue''' - A 'dark on light' theme that lifts the gloom from the Viewer interface with cool blue.
*'''Silver Pink''' - This 'dark on light' theme is very popular and gives your world a hint of candy-floss.
*'''Mono Teal''' - A classy high-definition theme with black text on a light grey/white background and 'teal green' buttons
*'''Orb Red''' - A very different look and feel designed to make the interface seem less one-dimensional. Also suitable for vampires.
*'''Orb Blue''' - Like Orb Red, but a deep shade of blue!
*'''Original Teal''' - LL's original colour scheme for those that love the simple 'teal green' on black look, but with slightly improved contrast.


== Discussions, information, support and questions ==
=====Two customisable coloured "themes"=====
The StarLight '''[https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight/CUI Colourful User Interface (CUI)]''' enables full control of many of the colours of the interface - see the [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight/CUI CUI Guide for instructions and examples].
*'''Custom Dark''' - Ideal for using with a backdrop of a black, navy blue, dark red etc.
*'''Custom Light''' - For a brighter, vibrant look this option is ideal for integrating black text with a lighter theme.
 
====Versatile Changes====


To discuss StarLight and get news of changes/versions/bugs etc. please visit the [http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/viewer-xml-skinning/ Viewer xml and Skinning Forum].
* Draw Distance slider (between 32 and 992 metres)
* Comprehensive Shadows, Rendering, Depth of Field and Local Lights settings in "Graphics"
* Revised Preferences panels - with LOTS of extra options to control graphics, chat and many, many other features
* More buttons available in the toolbar 'toybox' to drop on the UI toolbars
* Film menu, for photography and machinima fans
* Phototools added (version of feature created for Firestorm by paperwork)


StarLight is assembled by Hitomi Tiponi - she may be contacted through the aforementioned forum or in-world.
====Practical Changes====


==Major Changes to the Standard Skin==
* Sidebar reduced in size and does not slide the chiclets/buttons along the bottom-bar
* Choice of five colour schemes - Orange, Teal or Nostalgia Blue (giving a feel of the 1.* interface) plus two light-on-dark 'silver' skins
* 'StarDust' skin - for a version without the sidebar
* Comprehensive Shadows and Local Lights settings in "Graphics"
* Revised Preferences panels - with LOTS of extra options to control graphics, chat and many, many other features
* Camera control made smaller than the standard version (similar to the Kirstens Viewer approach but smaller)
* Camera control made smaller than the standard version (similar to the Kirstens Viewer approach but smaller)
* Ability to slide across the World Map to fill it's floater, also with ability to shrink the floater more than at present '''NEW!'''
* Ability to slide across the World Map to fill it's floater, also with ability to shrink the floater more than at present (useful when driving/sailing)
* Most buttons have icons rather than labels, with a semi-transparent bottom-bar
* Removable Favorites Bar
* "About Land", "Preferences" and "Sky Editor" buttons added to Navigation Bar
* More profile information available in the avatar inspector
* Draw Distance slider added to Navigation Bar (between 32 and 992 metres)
* Much smaller Environment, Air and Water Settings floaters
* Several options added to the menu ('Marketplace', 'Grid Status', 'My Uploads', 'My Useful Features')
* "Inventory" Button added to bottom bar
* Better formatting of tabbed IM window (tabs larger and no icons in them)
* Better formatting of tabbed IM window (tabs larger and no icons in them)
* Undocked windows are resizable to a smaller size than Viewer 2 allows
* Smoother movement of camera and while in mouselook
* Special linking and scripting options in build menu
* Undocked windows are resizeable to a smaller size than Viewer 3 allows
* Ability to create 100% transparent prims
* Tweaks to the skinning and usability (more transparent panels, resizing columns, increasing glow, realigning text etc.)
* Tweaks to the skinning and usability (more transparent panels, resizing columns, increasing glow, realigning text etc.)


==Installation Instructions==
==Recent Release Notes==


'''INSTRUCTIONS FOR WINDOWS AND LINUX USERS'''
====StarLight 4.0.1158====
 
*  Fixed bug that caused crashes in 4.0.1155
 
====StarLight 3.8.1150====
 
*  Incorporates updated login screen
 
====StarLight 3.7.1140====
 
*  Also works against the Experiences RC Viewer
 
====StarLight 3.6.1080 & 3.6.1087====
 
*  New toolbox button for toggling Advanced Lighting Model
 
====StarLight 3.6.1072====
 
*  More bug fixes
 
====StarLight 3.6.1058 & 3.6.1063====
 
*  Bug fix for Appearance filter text color in lighter themes
 
====StarLight 3.6.1045====
 
*  Gamma Rendering slider added to Rendering tab of Graphics Preferences - helps with adjusting world brightness with new materials code
*  Bug causing extra debugging messages eliminated
*  Removal of some unused texture files for custom themes (making download slightly smaller)
 
====StarLight 3.5.1026 & 3.6.1030 (withdrawn)====
 
*  Minor graphical changes for lighter themes
 
====StarLight 3.5.0991 & 3.5.1016====


# Log out of Second Life Viewer 2, if you are using it.
*  Changes to Conversations floater to reduce sizes and optimise layout
# Go to the directory you use for Viewer 2.
# Copy across the 'skins' and 'app_settings' folders to the Viewer 2 directory at the same level as the existing folders, making sure you accept any overwriting of existing files (this should just be 'panel_login.xml').
# NOTE: This will NOT delete the existing 'skins' folder - it is essential that the only change to the existing 'skins' folder is the change to one file as well as the addition of the new StarLight skins.
# To uninstall rename the 'panel_login_backup.xml' file to 'panel_login.xml' in the /skins/default/xui/en sub-folder.<br />


'''INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAC USERS'''
====StarLight 3.5.0980====


# Find the Second Life Viewer 2 application in you Applications folder.
*  New option to switch off pre-caching after teleport replacing slider that changes by LL has made inoperative
# Right click on the Second Life Viewer 2 application icon. You will get a menu.
*  Removal of 'Worn' tab in Inventory as it is no longer functional following changes by LL
# Choose "Show Package Contents" from that menu.
# Open the "Resources" folder and scroll down until you see the "skins" and "app_settings" sub-folders of StarLight.
# Make sure you are not actually running Second Life Viewer 2 as you do this.
# Copy the files from the folders in StarLight into the Second Life Viewer 2 application folder - this will add in the new skin elements and will overwrite one file - 'panel_login.xml'.
# To uninstall rename the 'panel_login_backup.xml' file to 'panel_login.xml' in the /skins/default/xui/en sub-folder<br />


==Recent Changes==
====StarLight 3.5.0969 & 3.5.0975 & 3.5.0977====


===''Changes to 2.6.5 from 2.6.4''===
*  First changes to modify CHUI Conversation Hub to make better use of space
* New 'StarDust' skin version with no sidebar
* Improved definition on CHUI graphics
* Fixed bug affecting setting of letter keys to control movement, and remembering the snapshot button's position
* Bug fix for STAR-38 - StarLight automatically logs in after entering a name or password


===''Changes to 2.6.4 from 2.6.2''===
====StarLight 3.5.0966====
* Fixed bug with editing wearables
* Fully compatible with new Avatar Physics


===''Changes to 2.6.2 from 2.6.1''===
*  First release to match the new CHUI produced by LL
* Simpler skin and theme selection
*  strings.xml changed so that 'Not Available' appears on unavailable commands for default skin.
* Slightly revised installation instructions
* Avatar Inspection brief profile details are now scrollable so you can see the full details that appear under the biog tab
* StarLight extension offering vertical buttons in chat window removed (as that is standard in new CHUI)


===''Changes to 2.6.1 from 2.5.3''===
==Installation Instructions (all OS's)==
* Different coloured StarLight themes are now selectable from the login screen
* New installation instructions


===''Changes to 2.5.3 from 2.5.1''===
'''INSTRUCTIONS FOR WINDOWS AND LINUX USERS'''
* Bottombar changed to use icons and use semi-transparent look in all skins
* Preferences button on Navigation Bar (from Kirstens)
* Additional options (and reorganisation) to allow linking or script handling from within 'Object' menu (thanks to samm florian)
* Bug fixes to name tag display and reverting camera and minimap transparency


===''Changes to 2.5.1 from 2.4.3''===
# Log out of Second Life Viewer, if you are using it.
* Reorganisation of preferences options - 'Graphics', 'Chat' and 'Viewer' now have sub-panels
# Go to the directory you use for Viewer.
* Slight reorganisation of Move floater to make it smaller and fix bug in earlier versions with graphics not aligning fully
# Copy across the contents of the 'skins' and 'app_settings' folders into the Viewer folder at the same level as the existing folders with the same name, making sure you accept any overwriting of existing files.
* Slider to alter viewer text size
# NOTE: This will NOT delete the existing 'skins' folder - it is essential that the only change to the existing 'skins' folder is the change to these two files as well as the addition of the new StarLight skins.
* Provide options to not show library in Inventory, vary timing of tooltips, global illumination and others
# To uninstall rename the 'panel_login_backup.xml' file to 'panel_login.xml' in the /skins/default/xui/en sub-folder, and 'commands_backup.xml' file to 'commands.xml' in the /app_settings sub-folder.<br />


===''Changes to 2.4.3 from 2.4.2''===
'''INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAC USERS'''
* "Admin" menu re-enabled
* Slight changes to workings of floater opacity


===''Changes to 2.4.2 from 2.3.1''===
# Find the Second Life Viewer application in you Applications folder.
* Two new colour schemes with a 'dark on light' approach - Silver Blue, and Silver Pink
# Right click on the Second Life Viewer application icon. You will get a menu.
* Numerous alterations to the 'Preferences' panels to give an alternative to the LL reorganised panels
# Choose "Show Package Contents" from that menu.
* Numeric values added in various 'Graphics' preferences settings
# Open the "Resources" folder and scroll down until you see the "skins" and "app_settings" sub-folders of StarLight.
* Option provided to select colour name tags for friends and avatars with matching or mismatching name tags
# Make sure you are not actually running Second Life Viewer as you do this.
* Detached side-panels are also adjusted by new floater opacity controls - and local chat remains opaque
# Copy the files from the folders in StarLight into the Second Life Viewer application folder - this will add in the new skin elements and will overwrite some files.
* Item in menu now points to 'Marketplace' instead of 'Xstreet'
# To uninstall rename the 'panel_login_backup.xml' file to 'panel_login.xml' in the /skins/default/xui/en sub-folder, and 'commands_backup.xml' file to 'commands.xml' in the /app_settings sub-folder.<br />


===Changes to 2.3.1 from 2.2.3===
==Installation Instructions using easy Windows Installer==
* Added ability to add a Calling Card when clicking on an avatar (thanks to Kitty Barnett)
* Enable forcing on of antialiasing in computers with GPUs that LInden Lab do not think supports it
* When available will colour the tags of Friends blue/green and avatars with a different display name light orange


===Changes to 2.2.3 from 2.2.2===
Simply download and run the associated file and follow the simple instructions. Ensure that when asked you select the appropriate directory to download StarLight into (this is the one into which you installed the Second Life Viewer) - the installer makes a guess at this but probably will not be correct.
* Further additions to the preferences panels
* Ability to build 100% transparent prims


===Changes to 2.2.2 from 2.2.1===
==Activating a New Skin==
* Smaller undocked panels and minimap permitted
* Draw distance slider has maximum increased to 992
* Minor formatting changes


===Changes to 2.2.1 from 2.1.8===
# Start your Second Life client, but do NOT log in.
* Now available in 3 colour schemes
# In the log-in screen, select the skin from the drop-down list - it is next to the "Login" button"
* 'Sky Editor' accessible from navigation bar
# Restart your Second Life client and log in. The new skin should now be active.

Latest revision as of 00:59, 7 August 2023

Emblem-important.png Important!

Use caution when installing these skins, as modifications to your installed software files are not officially supported by Second Life support

By: Hitomi Tiponi
Viewer Version: 2.0 - 5.0
Information: Starlight 2.0.1 - 5.0.1170
Source: Various
Image:
StarLight 'Silver Pink' theme - colourful, versatile, practical



About

StarLight is designed to provide a colourful, versatile and practical alternative to the default skin for Viewer 5. Hopefully it will improve the usability, and promote increased usage of the viewer - all official releases of the Second Life Viewer have a StarLight version produced to work with them. StarLight consists of a number of previously published viewer tweaks - produced by various residents (see credits in the downloaded 'Read Me' file or in the 'StarLight Skin' tab of the viewer 'About' floater), together with a continual addition of new ones. In addition there is a slight re-skinning to give the interface a lighter feel and several colour variants (called 'Themes'). It should hopefully benefit those people who have no wish to edit the XML code themselves, yet wish to benefit from a number of tweaks made by other residents, without using a third-party viewer.

Over 20,000 downloads so far!

StarLight Themes.jpg

Major Features at a Glance

  • Colourful - Eight new coloured themes plus two that you can customise yourself
  • Versatile - Masses of extra preferences, toolbar options and an extra 'Film' menu
  • Practical - Changes to various floaters/panels to make it easier to see and enjoy the world

For fuller details see the 'Major Changes to the Standard Skin' section

Downloads

It is VERY important that you always use the version of StarLight for the appropriate viewer release. Always use the appropriate version from the table below of all supported versions.

StarLight - ALWAYS DOWNLOAD THE CORRECT VERSION OF STARLIGHT IF YOU SWITCH VERSIONS OF THE VIEWER

StarLight is available below for each release of the official Linden Lab viewer. The appropriate version of StarLight will be available within a few hours of Linden Lab issuing a new version of the Viewer.

StarLight Release (all OS's) StarLight Easy Installer for Windows Designed for Viewer Release Date Version Added New Features / Notes
StarLight 5.0.1170 StarLight 5.0.1170 Viewer 5.0.3 (5.0.3.324435)* February 6th 2017 Release Notes

* Main Viewer downloaded from the Linden Lab web-site is in bold - to see which version you have look in "Help->About Second Life" in your Viewer

StarLight for Firestorm

StarLight and StarLightCUI are two of the viewer skins available as standard with the Firestorm Viewer.

220322 Firestorm announces Starlight skins are no longer maintained Firestorm Blog

220526 Firestorm announces user ScentualLust steps in to maintain the suite.Firestorm Blog


StarLight Lite

StarLight Lite is a reduced functionality version of StarLight with features described in this table. It works with a variety of Linden Lab and Third Party Viewers and is designed to require few, if any, changes between releases of Viewers.

StarLight Lite Release (all OS's) StarLight Lite Easy Installer for Windows Designed for Viewer Date StarLight Lite version Added Notes
StarLight 3.6 StarLight 3.6 All Linden Lab Viewers (Release, Beta and Project) June 12th 2013 Tested against Viewers 3.6.1 - 3.7.2
StarLight 3.6 StarLight 3.6 Restrained Love Viewer June 12th 2013 Tested against RLV 2.8.5.5
StarLight 3.6 StarLight 3.6 Kokua Viewer June 12th 2013 Tested against Kokua 3.6.2
StarLight 3.6 Catznip StarLight 3.6 Catznip Catznip Viewer June 12th 2013 Tested against Catznip R8 & R8.1
StarLight 3.6 Dolphin StarLight 3.6 Dolphin Dolphin Viewer June 12th 2013 Tested against Dolphin 3.4.14.27321
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Known Bugs and Issues

    


- In Viewer 4.1.2 messages about HUD complexity may not display correctly

  • When using StarLight 4.1.1166 the messages associated with HUD complexity may display incorrectly, but still be readable. This will be resolved in the next StarLight release.

VWR-25735 - When 'plain text IM and chat history' is selected the name of the 'speaker' is coloured the same as 'URLs'

  • A Linden Lab bug means that when 'Enable plain text IM and chat history' is selected from the 'Chat' option of 'Preferences' the colour of the name of the 'speaker' is set to the colour that has been applied to 'URLs' - this is useful to know especially if you are using the lighter colour schemes. As a workaround please set the 'URLs' colour to a suitable colour in 'Preferences'.

StarLight is only working fully with English language version of the interface

  • Versions for German and Japanese languages are planned for the future.

Discussions, information, support and questions

StarLight is assembled by Hitomi Tiponi, who may be contacted through the aforementioned forum or by IM or notecard in-world.

Major Changes to the Standard Skin

Key Feature Table

Key Feature StarLight Linden Lab viewer version StarLight (incorporated in Firestorm viewer) StarLight Lite
Number of standard coloured themes 8 6 8
Number of customisable coloured themes 2 2 0
Draw Distance slider easily available Yes (top bar) Yes (top bar) Yes (camera controls)
Additional options (esp. graphics) in Preferences Yes Equivalent features provided by Firestorm No
Additional items in the 'toolbar toybox' Yes Equivalent features provided by Firestorm No
'Film' menu Yes No No
Phototools Yes (lite version only) Standard in Firestorm No
Smaller Environment, Air and Water floaters Yes Standard in Firestorm Yes
Smaller camera and movement controls Yes Yes Yes
Slideable World Map Yes Standard in Firestorm No
Languages English only All languages All languages (coming soon)
Works with these viewers Official Release Firestorm Official Release, RC and Project. Catznip. Dolphin. Restrained Love. Kokua.

Colourful Changes

Eight preset coloured "themes"
  • Original Orange - A dark theme with a touch of orange to brighten things up.
  • Nostalgia Blue - A theme with buttons and other layout changes to remind you of Viewer 1.
  • Silver Blue - A 'dark on light' theme that lifts the gloom from the Viewer interface with cool blue.
  • Silver Pink - This 'dark on light' theme is very popular and gives your world a hint of candy-floss.
  • Mono Teal - A classy high-definition theme with black text on a light grey/white background and 'teal green' buttons
  • Orb Red - A very different look and feel designed to make the interface seem less one-dimensional. Also suitable for vampires.
  • Orb Blue - Like Orb Red, but a deep shade of blue!
  • Original Teal - LL's original colour scheme for those that love the simple 'teal green' on black look, but with slightly improved contrast.
Two customisable coloured "themes"

The StarLight Colourful User Interface (CUI) enables full control of many of the colours of the interface - see the CUI Guide for instructions and examples.

  • Custom Dark - Ideal for using with a backdrop of a black, navy blue, dark red etc.
  • Custom Light - For a brighter, vibrant look this option is ideal for integrating black text with a lighter theme.

Versatile Changes

  • Draw Distance slider (between 32 and 992 metres)
  • Comprehensive Shadows, Rendering, Depth of Field and Local Lights settings in "Graphics"
  • Revised Preferences panels - with LOTS of extra options to control graphics, chat and many, many other features
  • More buttons available in the toolbar 'toybox' to drop on the UI toolbars
  • Film menu, for photography and machinima fans
  • Phototools added (version of feature created for Firestorm by paperwork)

Practical Changes

  • Camera control made smaller than the standard version (similar to the Kirstens Viewer approach but smaller)
  • Ability to slide across the World Map to fill it's floater, also with ability to shrink the floater more than at present (useful when driving/sailing)
  • Removable Favorites Bar
  • More profile information available in the avatar inspector
  • Much smaller Environment, Air and Water Settings floaters
  • Better formatting of tabbed IM window (tabs larger and no icons in them)
  • Smoother movement of camera and while in mouselook
  • Undocked windows are resizeable to a smaller size than Viewer 3 allows
  • Tweaks to the skinning and usability (more transparent panels, resizing columns, increasing glow, realigning text etc.)

Recent Release Notes

StarLight 4.0.1158

  • Fixed bug that caused crashes in 4.0.1155

StarLight 3.8.1150

  • Incorporates updated login screen

StarLight 3.7.1140

  • Also works against the Experiences RC Viewer

StarLight 3.6.1080 & 3.6.1087

  • New toolbox button for toggling Advanced Lighting Model

StarLight 3.6.1072

  • More bug fixes

StarLight 3.6.1058 & 3.6.1063

  • Bug fix for Appearance filter text color in lighter themes

StarLight 3.6.1045

  • Gamma Rendering slider added to Rendering tab of Graphics Preferences - helps with adjusting world brightness with new materials code
  • Bug causing extra debugging messages eliminated
  • Removal of some unused texture files for custom themes (making download slightly smaller)

StarLight 3.5.1026 & 3.6.1030 (withdrawn)

  • Minor graphical changes for lighter themes

StarLight 3.5.0991 & 3.5.1016

  • Changes to Conversations floater to reduce sizes and optimise layout

StarLight 3.5.0980

  • New option to switch off pre-caching after teleport replacing slider that changes by LL has made inoperative
  • Removal of 'Worn' tab in Inventory as it is no longer functional following changes by LL

StarLight 3.5.0969 & 3.5.0975 & 3.5.0977

  • First changes to modify CHUI Conversation Hub to make better use of space
  • Improved definition on CHUI graphics
  • Bug fix for STAR-38 - StarLight automatically logs in after entering a name or password

StarLight 3.5.0966

  • First release to match the new CHUI produced by LL
  • strings.xml changed so that 'Not Available' appears on unavailable commands for default skin.
  • Avatar Inspection brief profile details are now scrollable so you can see the full details that appear under the biog tab
  • StarLight extension offering vertical buttons in chat window removed (as that is standard in new CHUI)

Installation Instructions (all OS's)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR WINDOWS AND LINUX USERS

  1. Log out of Second Life Viewer, if you are using it.
  2. Go to the directory you use for Viewer.
  3. Copy across the contents of the 'skins' and 'app_settings' folders into the Viewer folder at the same level as the existing folders with the same name, making sure you accept any overwriting of existing files.
  4. NOTE: This will NOT delete the existing 'skins' folder - it is essential that the only change to the existing 'skins' folder is the change to these two files as well as the addition of the new StarLight skins.
  5. To uninstall rename the 'panel_login_backup.xml' file to 'panel_login.xml' in the /skins/default/xui/en sub-folder, and 'commands_backup.xml' file to 'commands.xml' in the /app_settings sub-folder.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAC USERS

  1. Find the Second Life Viewer application in you Applications folder.
  2. Right click on the Second Life Viewer application icon. You will get a menu.
  3. Choose "Show Package Contents" from that menu.
  4. Open the "Resources" folder and scroll down until you see the "skins" and "app_settings" sub-folders of StarLight.
  5. Make sure you are not actually running Second Life Viewer as you do this.
  6. Copy the files from the folders in StarLight into the Second Life Viewer application folder - this will add in the new skin elements and will overwrite some files.
  7. To uninstall rename the 'panel_login_backup.xml' file to 'panel_login.xml' in the /skins/default/xui/en sub-folder, and 'commands_backup.xml' file to 'commands.xml' in the /app_settings sub-folder.

Installation Instructions using easy Windows Installer

Simply download and run the associated file and follow the simple instructions. Ensure that when asked you select the appropriate directory to download StarLight into (this is the one into which you installed the Second Life Viewer) - the installer makes a guess at this but probably will not be correct.

Activating a New Skin

  1. Start your Second Life client, but do NOT log in.
  2. In the log-in screen, select the skin from the drop-down list - it is next to the "Login" button"
  3. Restart your Second Life client and log in. The new skin should now be active.
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