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 - 3.3
|viewer_version=2.0 - 5.0
|skin_name=Starlight 2.0.1 - 3.3.0791
|skin_name=Starlight 2.0.1 - 5.0.1170
|skin_image=StarLight 3 2 versions.png
|skin_image=StarLight 3 2 versions.png
|summary=StarLight 'Silver Pink' theme - colourful, versatile, practical
|summary=StarLight 'Silver Pink' theme - colourful, versatile, practical
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<br/>
<br/>
==About==
==About==
StarLight is designed to provide a colourful, versatile and practical alternative to the default skin for Viewer 3.  Hopefully it will improve the usability, and promote increased usage of the viewer - all Full and Beta versions of Viewer 3 have a StarLight version produced to work with them.
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.<br /><br/>
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/>
'''Over 15,000 downloads so far!'''<br />
'''Over 20,000 downloads so far!'''<br />
 
[[File:StarLight Themes.jpg|1202px]]


==Major Features at a Glance==
==Major Features at a Glance==


* Colourful - Five different coloured themes plus two that you can customise yourself
* Colourful - Eight new coloured themes plus two that you can customise yourself
* Versatile - Masses of extra preferences, toolbar options and an extra 'Film' menu
* 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
* Practical - Changes to various floaters/panels to make it easier to see and enjoy the world
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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 couple of hours of Linden Labs issuing a new version of the Viewer (and sometimes before a new version 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 (all OS's) !! StarLight Easy Installer for Windows !! Designed for Viewer 3 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/?id32c8994criicb StarLight 3.2.0769]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/file/8buwsdfew8z8819/Starlight_5.0.1170.zip StarLight 5.0.1170]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/?p69rcshbbjx97d8 StarLight 3.2.0769]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/file/8qd0y72jkqnz2v4/StarLight_5.0.1170_Setup.exe StarLight 5.0.1170]
| '''Viewer 3.2.8* (3.2.8.248931)'''
| '''Viewer 5.0.3 (5.0.3.324435)*'''
| February 13th 2012
| February 6th 2017
| Various small changes and bug fixes - note that the 'Merchant Outbox' feature is not yet functional in the viewer
| [https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_Skins/Starlight#Recent_Release_Notes Release Notes]
|---
|}
 
''* 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/?gk1cheqqmpr6rsb StarLight 3.2.0791]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/wqdiaaga9lcb875/Starlight_Lite_3.6.zip StarLight 3.6]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/?y902pct7auxv2h5 StarLight 3.2.0791]
| [http://www.mediafire.com/download/tjj577xkrf5tvt1/StarLight_Lite_3.6_Setup.exe StarLight 3.6]
| Viewer Beta 3.3.0 (3.3.0.250306)
| All Linden Lab Viewers (Release, Beta and Project)
| March 6th 2012
| June 12th 2013
| Camera and mouse smoothing implemented and new 'no entry' graphics for Silver skins
| 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
|---
|}
|}
''* 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''


{| 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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| rowspan="1" width="100%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="background:#fff; border:2px solid #F26C6C; border-bottom:0; border-top:0; padding:0; margin:0" |
| rowspan="1" width="100%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="background:#fff; border:2px solid #F26C6C; border-bottom:0; border-top:0; padding:0; margin:0" |
<div style="padding:10px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="padding:10px; text-align: justify;">
<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 />


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|}
|}


====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) !! StarLight Beta easy Installer !!Designed for Viewer 3 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


|---
|---
|''none currently available''
| 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


====StarLight for TPVs====
|---
| Additional items in the 'toolbar toybox'
| Yes
| Equivalent features provided by Firestorm
| No


Versions of StarLight are also available for:
|---
* [[Third_Party_Viewer_Directory/Firestorm | Firestorm]] - modified versions of StarLight are included with the latest Firestorm Viewer
| 'Film' menu
| Yes
| No
| No


== Discussions, information, support and questions ==
|---
| Phototools
| Yes (lite version only)
| Standard in Firestorm
| No
 
|---
| Smaller Environment, Air and Water floaters
| Yes
| Standard in Firestorm
| Yes


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].
|---
| Smaller camera and movement controls
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes


Problems, issues and new feature requests can also be entered on the [http://jira.phoenixviewer.com/browse/STAR StarLight JIRA] (which is kindly hosted by the Firestorm team).
|---
| Slideable World Map
| Yes
| Standard in Firestorm
| No


StarLight is assembled by Hitomi Tiponi - she may be contacted through the aforementioned forum or in-world.
|---
| Languages
| English only
| All languages
| All languages (coming soon)


==Major Changes to the Standard Skin==
|---
| Works with these viewers
| Official Release
| Firestorm
| Official Release, RC and Project. Catznip. Dolphin. Restrained Love. Kokua.
|}


====Colouful Changes====
====Colourful Changes====


=====Six preset coloured "themes"=====
=====Eight preset coloured "themes"=====
* '''Original Orange''' - A dark theme with a touch of orange to brighten things up.
* '''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.
*'''Nostalgia Blue''' - A theme with buttons and other layout changes to remind you of Viewer 1.
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*'''Silver Pink''' - This 'dark on light' theme is very popular and gives your world a hint of candy-floss.
*'''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
*'''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.
*'''Original Teal''' - LL's original colour scheme for those that love the simple 'teal green' on black look, but with slightly improved contrast.


=====Two new customisable coloured "themes"=====
=====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].
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 Dark''' - Ideal for using with a backdrop of a black, navy blue, dark red etc.
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====Versatile Changes====
====Versatile Changes====


* Draw Distance slider added to Top Bar (between 32 and 992 metres)
* Draw Distance slider (between 32 and 992 metres)
* Comprehensive Shadows, Rendering, Depth of Field and Local Lights settings in "Graphics"
* 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
* 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
* More buttons available in the toolbar 'toybox' to drop on the UI toolbars
* Film menu, for photography and machinima fans '''NEW!'''
* Film menu, for photography and machinima fans
* Phototools added (version of feature created for Firestorm by paperwork)


====Practical Changes====
====Practical Changes====
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* 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 (useful when driving/sailing)
* 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 in 3.2 onwards '''NEW!'''
* Removable Favorites Bar
* More profile information available in the avatar inspector
* More profile information available in the avatar inspector
* Much smaller Environment Settings Floater '''NEW!'''
* Much smaller Environment, Air and Water Settings floaters
* 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)
* Smoother movement of camera and while in mouselook
* Undocked windows are resizeable to a smaller size than Viewer 3 allows
* 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.)
* Tweaks to the skinning and usability (more transparent panels, resizing columns, increasing glow, realigning text etc.)
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==Recent Release Notes==
==Recent Release Notes==


====StarLight 3.2.0778====
====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)


* Inclusion of two sliders in Glow '''& Derender''' tab of Graphics prefererences enables visual muting (derendering) of avatars with a certain number of bytes or a certain surface area of attachments (using the RenderAutoMuteByteLimit and RenderAutoMuteSurfaceAreaLimit debug settings recently provided by LL). Switching on this feature initially sets it to low value - simply slide the slider to set to a suitable limit.
====StarLight 3.5.1026 & 3.6.1030 (withdrawn)====


* Renamed a texture that was causing the 'Environment settings' toolbar tab to be grayed out even when active in Linux (thanks to Nedrae Messmer for the tip-off).
* Minor graphical changes for lighter themes


* Added two check boxes in Setup preferences to enable switching of CurlUseMultipleThreads and RunMultipleThreads, with slight reformatting to allow for their inclusion.
====StarLight 3.5.0991 & 3.5.1016====


====StarLight 3.3.0791====
*  Changes to Conversations floater to reduce sizes and optimise layout


*  Camera Position Smoothing included as standard (but much less than Nirans Viewer's setting)
====StarLight 3.5.0980====


*  Slider to adjust Camera Position Smoothing added to Preferences
*  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


*  Mouse smoothing added for smoother use in mouselook
====StarLight 3.5.0969 & 3.5.0975 & 3.5.0977====


*  Camera Constraints disabled as default
*  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


*  Special 'no entry lines' for the Silver skins
====StarLight 3.5.0966====


*  Option to stop showing 'no entry lines' added to Preferences
*  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)==
==Installation Instructions (all OS's)==
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'''INSTRUCTIONS FOR WINDOWS AND LINUX USERS'''
'''INSTRUCTIONS FOR WINDOWS AND LINUX USERS'''


# Log out of Second Life Viewer 3, if you are using it.
# Log out of Second Life Viewer, if you are using it.
# Go to the directory you use for Viewer 3.
# Go to the directory you use for Viewer.
# Copy across the contents of the 'skins' and 'app_settings' folders into the Viewer 3 folder at the same level as the existing folders with the same name, making sure you accept any overwriting of existing files.  
# 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.  
# 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.
# 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.
# 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 />
# 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 />
Line 186: Line 327:
'''INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAC USERS'''
'''INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAC USERS'''


# Find the Second Life Viewer 3 application in you Applications folder.
# Find the Second Life Viewer application in you Applications folder.
# Right click on the Second Life Viewer 3 application icon. You will get a menu.
# Right click on the Second Life Viewer application icon. You will get a menu.
# Choose "Show Package Contents" from that menu.
# 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.
# 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 3 as you do this.
# Make sure you are not actually running Second Life Viewer as you do this.
# Copy the files from the folders in StarLight into the Second Life Viewer 3 application folder - this will add in the new skin elements and will overwrite some files.
# 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.
# 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 />
# 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 />


==Installation Instructions using easy Windows Installer==
==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 may not be correct.
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==
==Activating a New Skin==

Latest revision as of 01:59, 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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