Zune Software Customizer Version 2.5
NOTE: There is a updated version of this located here however the download link is the same so you can still use the link in this post.
I know what you are thinking, “Hey, what happened to the versions in between?“. Well I decided to just change the numbering scheme to coincide with the Zune Software Releases. Just seemed to make more sense. Does that mean you will always have to wait for a Zune Software release before seeing changes to the Zune Software Customizer? No, I’ll just make them point releases. Anyways on to the good stuff.
Just a note before I start, because of the way I handled the custom colors last release, it will have remembered all your settings, so if you left it off on the Dark Zune Theme it will go back to that or if you left it off with DarkGray being red it’ll go back to that, etc.
Changes:
- Bugfixes:
- Fixed it so the MarketplacePageTitle updates when it is changed (This affected the artist title in the album panel).
- Fixed a bug where if the size of the Zune Window was too small the custom color names were being cut off.
- Changes:
- Changed custom color display so that it shows the current set value for the selected option as requested.
- Provided a brief explanation of what each color does when that color is selected as requested.
- Added the ability to increase the “Now playing” Font Sizes with options for 8, 10, 12, 14 as requested.
- Deleted unused colors:
- VeryLightGray
- NewWarmBrown
- Added the following colors upon request:
- ListItemBackground
- ListItemHoverBackground
- ListItemSelectedBackground
- ListHeaderBackground
- ColumnDivider
- ActionButtonShadow
- Added Missing images to DarkZune theme, so now it is much closer to the original one.
- Added Custom Color Theme button for easier changing back and forth between themes.
Note: This download file has been updated. For a list of changes please see the new post.
You can download the file here: zunesoftwarecustomizer
The rest is copied from the original post pretty much with a few changes here and there, however I thought it was still important to note for first time users. Also there is no more special instructions for x64 users.
Note: If you ever have any problems, here is the original 32 bit dll and the original 64 bit dll. Just download whichever one applies to you and rename it to ZuneShellResources.dll.
Instructions:
- Download installer located at the bottom of this post.
- VISTA NOTE: If you have Windows Vista make sure to right click the installer, choose properties->compatability and check the “Run this program as an administrator” box otherwise you will most likely receive Access Denied errors (unless you have UAC off I guess).
- NOTE: Make sure to have the Zune Software closed. Specifically ZUNE.EXE
- Now you can Simply run the installer at the bottom of this post, point it at the Zune Program Files directory, and thats it. Open up the Zune Software and enjoy my modifications.
- If you ever want to remove the modifications, just use the uninstaller that is in the start menu or the Zune programs directory.
Features:
- Custom Color Settings
- Set a wide number of colors right inside your Zune Software
- Most colors will update right then and there, some might require a restart though.
- Custom Font Size Settings
- Set the font size for the Now Playing Notification Fonts right inside your Zune Software.
- Custom Themes
- Set a theme right inside your Zune Software
- Custom Theme saved even when you upgrade your Zune Software
- See note on colors refreshing.
- Column Chooser and Reorder Columns added to Playlists and Podcasts Panel
- Set Image as Background Context Menu in Pictures Panel
- Simply right click a image and set it as your background. If you like the way it looks just hit ok, otherwise cancel out.
- Background Browser
- Now you can browse for a picture using a standard windows dialog
- Added Checks to ZuneBoards Custom Background hack to make sure the file exists, etc.
- Also you can enter in urls for internet images
Bugs/Known Problems:
- I could have kept going updating colors references forever, but I got tired of it so you’ll have to deal with restarting sometimes to view your changes. Sorry.
- The search box background and search box background active color will refresh if you click into it.
Credits:
- ZuneBoards for the Original Background Hack
- ZuneScene (special thanks to WillyJeepsMan for his updater and theme)
- DarkZune (special thanks Aden, Fez, Wetworker who worked on the DarkZune Theme)
Didn’t think making a video was important since there wasn’t a ton of changes, so if you want to view the video please see the original post. I will however add some images since I didn’t post the images I made the first go around.
Very nice.
One problem…after installing the software device/settings/device update causes the zune software to crash.
Uninstalling the customizer puts it back to normal.
Anybody else with this problem?
Reply to smithm43I have fixed the problem and reuploaded the exe file. If anyone downloaded the exe file and is experiencing this issue please uninstall, redownload the exe file and reinstall. I just updated the installer. When you download it it should say the version is 2.5.0.1 when you roll over the exe file.
sorry about that.
I need help. I installed it and im using 2.5 and im guessin this works with 2.5 cuz thats wat its named. I installed and notice no differnce in anything. some help to if im doin sumtin wrong?
Reply to Kasirkin29Did you read the instructions section? What OS are you using? If you are using Vista you need to run it as administrator. If not, did you have Zune.exe open? If, so you need to close it and run the installer again. Are you pointing it at your Zune programs folder? Also make sure you have the checkbox at the end of the installer checked (the checkbox that says Launch Zune Software Customizer). If you still can’t figure it out please let me know and I’ll try and help you, but I’ve tested it on XP and a vista x64 machine with no problems.
Ok i think i got it working. You were right i was being retarded and didnt see that all you do is right click a picture and say set at background. sorry for ur troubles.
Reply to Kasirkin29No trouble at all. Glad you figured it out. If you have any further questions just let me know.
I having problems changing the color of the font. When i change the color they dissapear, but when i click they appear in gray no matter what color i choose.
http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q235/rapol/?action=view¤t=Untitled-1.png
http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q235/rapol/?action=view¤t=Untitled1.png
Reply to RapolGot it nevermind of what I post, but i have another problem cant find what is the one that change the color of the text when you right click(in the box) a song or something else
Reply to Rapol@first post - Looks like you changed the DarkGray (or maybe PrimaryLabel as I realized there might be a bug with that color settings until you restart) color to white, but I guess you already figured that out.
@2nd post - PrimaryLabelSelected is the color you are looking for if you haven’t already found it.
Sa-weet
Clean code is always a treat!
Reply to Kateis there any way to change the orange and pink line at the bottom of the zune screen and/or the color that glows above it when music is playing?
Reply to Jeff CarterNot within the software no. You can certainly do it through resource hacking.
I believe that the Dark Zune theme should actually have the glowing colors as a blueish color, and I will add that to the next release, but anything beyond that you would have to make your own custom images.
As far as the orange and pink line, I’m pretty sure thats also a image, but I’ll take a look. I don’t think anyone has released a custom version of that image.
http://www.mjefferson.net/2008/06/09/zune-software-customizer-2502/
In the new version I released today the Dark Zune Theme now has the glowing blue animation I mentioned in my previous response. Also the orange and pink line at the bottom for that theme is now black. If this doesn’t meet what you want you can manually change this, the file you are looking for is called EnergyBar.png
Whenever I chose display from the side panel, Zune crashes and it asks me to send an error report. (I did send a report, but I doubt you’d be the one to get it.)
Reply to GodCubeI’m not sure what you mean by the display side panel? I’d try uninstalling the Zune Software Customizer, making sure the problem no longer exists, and then try reinstalling the Zune Software Customizer again. Also if you didn’t the first time please read over the instructions. If this doesn’t fix your problem please respond with more information (your Operating System, where exactly it crashes, etc). And no I don’t get those error reports, those go to Microsoft.
When you go into settings and choose display, it crashes. And yes, it still crashes when uninstalled. Could you send me the original dll?
Reply to GodCubeIf it happens even when you uninstall it sounds like something was wrong prior to installing. Anyways I have updated the post with the original dll’s. Hopefully you have better luck next time.
Nope, still not working.
Reply to GodCubeIs it still crashing when you use the original dll that I posted? Can you upload the ZSCinstall.log somewhere and post a link in your reply? What OS are you using?
Yes, it still crashes. I am running XP home. Your software is obviously not the problem. It’s probably my OS. I installed it from a modified XPCD (nLite).
Reply to GodCubeWonderful job done!
Keep it up. . .
Reply to Arvind KelkarOne tiny, tiny little problem I’ve noticed is that the next button in the playback controls no longer fills in on mouse over, besides this one tiny thing it is damn near perfect.
The little subtle animation on the bottom of the software is interesting. I’m wishing Microsoft would make it reactive to music playing, i.e. a visualization…
Reply to NathanielI’ll take a look at the next button problem. I have some other issues that I want to get done as well so there might be a new point release this weekend hopefully with a few fixes.
Yea I also wish it was more reactive that would be quite nice.
I looked at the next button and it seems to be filling on mouse over for all themes. Could you maybe send me a picture of what you are talking about? On mine when I mouse over it while in a dark them it highlights sort of grayish and when I mouse over in the normal theme it highlights in white.
Well it seems that it fixed itself, I was about to capture video of it but when I played around with setting themes to test it, the button returned to normal.
I will note that I never changed the theme before then, I only chose a custom background. Setting it to original in the menu seemed to fix it.
Reply to NathanielAha, well, now that I’ve closed and restarted Zune the bug reappears.
Maybe this is unique to my computer or installation.
I uploaded a video so you see what I mean.
Reply to Nathanielhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLmLv2xg98w
That is quite interesting, I’ve never seen that. I’ll have a look around see if I see anything out of the ordinary with the next button as opposed to the rest of them. Could you possibly upload your ZuneShellResources.dll someplace? Then I could look over that as well and do some comparisons.
Also could you check some things for me:
1) If you open up the registry editor (regedit) and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftZuneShell, what is the value of the TransportForwardHoverOptionIndex and the TransportForwardOptionIndex (if they exist that is)?
2) Does it do highlight if you use either of the dark themes? How about after restart as well?
1) Set to 0, which appears to be normal
2) Yes, as does setting as the Original Theme. Just that on every restart of the software, setting a theme is necessary to get the highlight back.
Restarting the software and the system has no effect.
I’ve uploaded my ZuneShellResources.dll here:
Reply to Nathanielhttp://www.mediafire.com/?myusyswwtpr
I found out the problem, I was wrong it does affect everyone. I will have a new update with a couple fixes/changes hopefully by tonight.
Yay! Thank you for fixing it!
Reply to NathanielNo problem sorry it took so long, wanted to get a bunch of other changes in.
http://www.mjefferson.net/2008/06/09/zune-software-customizer-2502/
This isn’t some mistevious way to get a hold of our live id’s is it? (Not that you’d tell us if it was)
Reply to dylanYes this is phase one in my diabolical plan to take over the world…. no it isn’t. Feel free to look at the code. Everything that I changed is clearly labeled. There is nothing mischievous going on here. If you don’t believe me, then you can either A) Ask others who have used it or B) Don’t use it. If this is just some way for you to discredit the hack/frighten people into no longer using it then I think its a rather lame attempt. I did this in what little spare time I have to try and give Zune software users a better way to customize their software and I certainly don’t need or appreciate this sort of accusation. I’d like to think most people in the Zune community work on the same code of ethics that they would have if software engineering was their job (which is to say that since I am a software engineer by day, I carry over the same principles and ethics from my job to any side work I do).
Sorry man didn’t I mean to accuse you of anything. I am paranoid just a bit when it comes to customizing software. I wasn’t trying to get people to not use your software. Everyone please disregard my last comment. Your software is fabulous by the way just tried it out. Thanks.
Reply to dylanBeing paranoid is a good thing when coming to software hacks and I probably over reacted. It’s just I have put a lot of time and effort into making this and I took it too personally.