Improve the appearance of the dock shelf

AlexisV · 04:32 AM

I thought this was worth posting here. There are 4 image files in system>library>core services>dock>contents>resources called 'scurve'.

By altering these images you can improve the appearance of the dock, in my opinion at least!

By darkening the existing images, you can really bring out the reflections and see the active application light more easily:

You can also go mad and brighten things up, as seen in this thread: http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/sho...d=1#post516253

bonecandy · Oct 29, 2007, 06:17 PM

Hey that's pretty sexy! Nice.

seanneko · Oct 29, 2007, 06:19 PM

That looks so much better than the default one. Would you be able to post the modified files somewhere please? I don't have Photoshop or anything.

AlexisV · 06:42 PM

Sure.

Here are the modified files:

http://www.violetmount.com/scurve-l.png
http://www.violetmount.com/scurve-m.png
http://www.violetmount.com/scurve-sm.png
http://www.violetmount.com/scurve-xl.png

Looks nice on colours too:

iTim314 · Oct 29, 2007, 06:48 PM

Very nice!

There's just one thing I don't get though... In an earlier topic on this forum, one users discovered where all the UI elements were stored and how simple it would be to edit them.

This new discovery only strengthens my suspicions...

Is Apple opening up their UI to, dare I say, 'Themes'?

p0intblank · Oct 29, 2007, 07:41 PM

Nice discovery! However mine appears to be working only half way... The curves are black for me, but the base of the dock is still a bright white.

zepharus · Oct 29, 2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p0intblank

Nice discovery! However mine appears to be working only half way... The curves are black for me, but the base of the dock is still a bright white.

Ditto. My dock is the same half slightly darker the top wave half is the same help bro

Coolnat2004 · Oct 29, 2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zepharus

Ditto. My dock is the same half slightly darker the top wave half is the same help bro

This is because whatever file is currently being used by the dock won't be overwritten with Finder. It will work if you copy it using the sudo command in Terminal:

Code:

sudo cp /Users/nathan/Downloads/scurve-m.png /System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources/scurve-m.png

Wayfarer · Oct 29, 2007, 08:55 PM

That's amazing! A darker glass dock provides some nice contrast against almost any background and app icon. A major breakthrough, I must say!

Candybar 3 is expected to allow users to customize the Leopard dock. There's A LOT of potential for customization, with multitude of Leopard-specific UI elements. Can't wait to see what the future brings.

Quillz · Oct 29, 2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChexBoss32890

Very nice!

There's just one thing I don't get though... In an earlier topic on this forum, one users discovered where all the UI elements were stored and how simple it would be to edit them.

This new discovery only strengthens my suspicions...

Is Apple opening up their UI to, dare I say, 'Themes'?

I don't think so, I think it's just Apple simplifying things a bit for developers and what not. Keep in mind that most average users would never bother with something with this, let alone probably even know where to find it.

QuarterSwede · Oct 29, 2007, 09:17 PM

I have to admit, everything on the dock is way easier to see. Kudos!

Best Leopard mod yet. This is actually an improvement.

elbirth · Oct 29, 2007, 09:21 PM

This is fantastic, but the very bottom of the dock still has a thin white line all the way across... anyone have any idea how to tweak that as well?

pcguru83 · Oct 29, 2007, 09:23 PM

This really is a very easy Leopard mod. Check out my Leopard dock:

I love this look so much better.

pcguru83 · Oct 29, 2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbirth

This is fantastic, but the very bottom of the dock still has a thin white line all the way across... anyone have any idea how to tweak that as well?

Replace the frontline.jpg file with the graphic of your choosing.

zepharus · Oct 29, 2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolnat2004

This is because whatever file is currently being used by the dock won't be overwritten with Finder. It will work if you copy it using the sudo command in Terminal:

Code:

sudo cp /Users/nathan/Downloads/scurve-m.png /System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources/scurve-m.png

I used this command for each line and it did nothing for me.. I obviously inputted my info..

QuarterSwede · Oct 29, 2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zepharus

I used this command for each line and it did nothing for me.. I obviously inputted my info..

After you do that you have to kill the dock.app. It should restart immediately automatically.

You can easily do this in Activity Monitor. Click on Dock and then "quit process" (the stop sign).

Coolnat2004 · Oct 29, 2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbirth

This is fantastic, but the very bottom of the dock still has a thin white line all the way across... anyone have any idea how to tweak that as well?

Try replacing this file as well.

http://misc.nathanbolender.com/frontline.png

QuarterSwede · 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcguru83

Replace the frontline.jpg file with the graphic of your choosing.

For those of us less graphically inclined, anyway someone can post a graphic to match the OP's mod?

[edit] How did I miss the link!?

ivnj · Oct 29, 2007, 09:33 PM

Very cool. Yes I posted earlier "remove leopard dock effect". But I had no ideas which files were which. Thanks.

ivnj

CalBoy · Oct 29, 2007, 09:35 PM

What a great find. Good discovery OP.

pcguru83 · Oct 29, 2007, 09:39 PM

Since there appears to be two concurrent threads about basically the same topic, I'll post this in this thread as well.

I feel it's necessary to point everyone to the place where I got the graphics files to mod my Dock. Early this morning, a user over on the Ars Technica forums was the first person that I had seen mention this mod. Here's his original post:

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/...1#963004628831

He then followed up with a post including a link to download the graphic files:

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/...1#345004628831

And finally, here's a direct link to his graphic files:

http://www.dlpart.com/dock/DarkDock.zip

Credit must go out to ciel over at the Ars forum, as these graphic files appear to be his doing. He's calling the package "Dark Dock". Awesome stuff ciel!

EDIT: I also wanted to point out that ciel's zip package also includes a Readme file with very clear instructions on how to complete this mod.

elbirth · 10:05 PM

hmm... thanks for the info on frontline.png, but for some reason it's not updating like the scurve files...

edit: actually this is very odd... now none of my attempts at replacing the files are working.. I replace the appropriate files and it never changes after I kill the dock.. it worked perfectly on my first change, I wonder why it's stuck? I've logged out and rebooted, but to no avail

Quillz · Oct 29, 2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbirth

hmm... thanks for the info on frontline.png, but for some reason it's not updating like the scurve files...

edit: actually this is very odd... now none of my attempts at replacing the files are working.. I replace the appropriate files and it never changes after I kill the dock.. it worked perfectly on my first change, I wonder why it's stuck? I've logged out and rebooted, but to no avail

Are you doing all your editing through the Terminal? Because you should. I can replace every file, including frontline.png, just fine via the Terminal.

Here's what my Dock looks like right now for those who are interested...

elbirth · Oct 29, 2007, 10:16 PM

I'm just doing it through the Finder, but I got it figured out... just deleted the files and then moved the new ones over instead of trying to replace and it works now.

un1ty · Oct 29, 2007, 10:17 PM

Here is my modded dock. I made it slightly darker, removed the curved highlight, and made it less deep.

Oct 29, 2007, 06:02 PM	#1
AlexisV macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK	Improve the appearance of the dock shelf I thought this was worth posting here. There are 4 image files in system>library>core services>dock>contents>resources called 'scurve'. By altering these images you can improve the appearance of the dock, in my opinion at least! By darkening the existing images, you can really bring out the reflections and see the active application light more easily: You can also go mad and brighten things up, as seen in this thread: http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/sho...d=1#post516253 Last edited by AlexisV; Oct 30, 2007 at 04:32 AM.
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 06:29 PM	#4
AlexisV Thread Starter macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK	Sure. Here are the modified files: http://www.violetmount.com/scurve-l.png http://www.violetmount.com/scurve-m.png http://www.violetmount.com/scurve-sm.png http://www.violetmount.com/scurve-xl.png Looks nice on colours too: Last edited by AlexisV; Oct 29, 2007 at 06:42 PM.
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 06:48 PM	#5
iTim314 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.	Opening a new door in OS X? Very nice! There's just one thing I don't get though... In an earlier topic on this forum, one users discovered where all the UI elements were stored and how simple it would be to edit them. This new discovery only strengthens my suspicions... Is Apple opening up their UI to, dare I say, 'Themes'?
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 09:17 PM	#11
QuarterSwede macrumors 604 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO	I have to admit, everything on the dock is way easier to see. Kudos! Best Leopard mod yet. This is actually an improvement. __________________ Help stop children from viewing internet pornography. "Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." -- Martin Luther
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 09:21 PM	#12
elbirth macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina, US	This is fantastic, but the very bottom of the dock still has a thin white line all the way across... anyone have any idea how to tweak that as well? __________________ 17" MacBook Pro 2.66GHz Core i7, 4GB RAM, SSD Mac Pro 2 x 3GHz Quad-Core Xeon, 14GB RAM, 3 24" LCDs iPhone 5 - Black, 32GB
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 06:17 PM	#2
bonecandy macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2006	Hey that's pretty sexy! Nice.
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 06:19 PM	#3
seanneko macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2007	That looks so much better than the default one. Would you be able to post the modified files somewhere please? I don't have Photoshop or anything.
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 07:41 PM	#6
p0intblank macrumors 68030 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA	Nice discovery! However mine appears to be working only half way... The curves are black for me, but the base of the dock is still a bright white.
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 08:55 PM	#9
Wayfarer macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2007	That's amazing! A darker glass dock provides some nice contrast against almost any background and app icon. A major breakthrough, I must say! Candybar 3 is expected to allow users to customize the Leopard dock. There's A LOT of potential for customization, with multitude of Leopard-specific UI elements. Can't wait to see what the future brings.
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 09:23 PM	#13
pcguru83 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC	This really is a very easy Leopard mod. Check out my Leopard dock: I love this look so much better. __________________ 2011 27" iMac, 3.1 Ghz Quad i5, 16GB RAM Black iPhone 5 32GB Black iPad Mini 16GB
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 09:33 PM	#19
ivnj macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2006	Very cool. Yes I posted earlier "remove leopard dock effect". But I had no ideas which files were which. Thanks. ivnj
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 09:35 PM	#20
CalBoy macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2007	What a great find. Good discovery OP.
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 09:39 PM	#21
pcguru83 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC	Since there appears to be two concurrent threads about basically the same topic, I'll post this in this thread as well. I feel it's necessary to point everyone to the place where I got the graphics files to mod my Dock. Early this morning, a user over on the Ars Technica forums was the first person that I had seen mention this mod. Here's his original post: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/...1#963004628831 He then followed up with a post including a link to download the graphic files: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/...1#345004628831 And finally, here's a direct link to his graphic files: http://www.dlpart.com/dock/DarkDock.zip Credit must go out to ciel over at the Ars forum, as these graphic files appear to be his doing. He's calling the package "Dark Dock". Awesome stuff ciel! EDIT: I also wanted to point out that ciel's zip package also includes a Readme file with very clear instructions on how to complete this mod. __________________ 2011 27" iMac, 3.1 Ghz Quad i5, 16GB RAM Black iPhone 5 32GB Black iPad Mini 16GB
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 09:49 PM	#22
elbirth macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina, US	hmm... thanks for the info on frontline.png, but for some reason it's not updating like the scurve files... edit: actually this is very odd... now none of my attempts at replacing the files are working.. I replace the appropriate files and it never changes after I kill the dock.. it worked perfectly on my first change, I wonder why it's stuck? I've logged out and rebooted, but to no avail __________________ 17" MacBook Pro 2.66GHz Core i7, 4GB RAM, SSD Mac Pro 2 x 3GHz Quad-Core Xeon, 14GB RAM, 3 24" LCDs iPhone 5 - Black, 32GB Last edited by elbirth; Oct 29, 2007 at 10:05 PM.
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 10:16 PM	#24
elbirth macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina, US	I'm just doing it through the Finder, but I got it figured out... just deleted the files and then moved the new ones over instead of trying to replace and it works now. __________________ 17" MacBook Pro 2.66GHz Core i7, 4GB RAM, SSD Mac Pro 2 x 3GHz Quad-Core Xeon, 14GB RAM, 3 24" LCDs iPhone 5 - Black, 32GB
	0

Oct 29, 2007, 10:17 PM	#25
un1ty macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2007	Here is my modded dock. I made it slightly darker, removed the curved highlight, and made it less deep. __________________ MBP SR 2.4 G5 Dual 2.3 + 20"ACD x2 Apogee Duet + MediaDesk 2.1 iPhone 8GB
	0

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