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Locate & click on the Sidebar menu option near the top of the window on the Look & Feel sub-menu.  Because the sidebar and gadgets are features of the Windows Vista operating system, this tab is only visible in Windows Vista.  The Sidebar tab allows you to: change how the Windows Vista sidebar looks, override skin settings and create a new sidebar skin. 

Sidebar tab. 

Changing the Sidebar Skin
By default, "Use skin defined sidebar" is selected.  You can change it to "Use OS default look" to change to the way the Vista OS (Operating System) presents the sidebar.  Or you can select one of the other options, such as "Convex Sidebar Skin, "Diamond Skin", a new skin (if you created one) or others.  As you select a new skin, it will be displayed in the preview area.  Click on Apply changes to apply the sidebar skin to your desktop.  Here is a sample of the "Convex Sidebar Skin" skin:
 
Convex Sidebar Skin. 
Convex Sidebar Skin
 Diamond Skin. 
Diamond Skin
Not as wide and has less of a shadow
along the edge, than the Convex skin.
   
Create a New Sidebar Skin
To create your own unique sidebar skin, click on "Create a new sidebar skin".  You will be prompted with the following dialog box, prompting you to type in the "Title of sidebar skin" and "Author of sidebar skin".  After entering the information, click Create.  To abort, click either Cancel or Close. 

Create new sidebar skin.
 
The editor will open with a preview area and the option of editing each graphic image that makes up the sidebar.  Move the horizontal scroll bar to view all of the images.  Initially, a new skin uses the Windows Vista skin as a base for the graphic images.  You can then edit the existing images or create entirely new ones.  If you don't replace every image, WindowBlinds will use the images you didn't replace with the Vista theme images.  This way your skin won't be missing graphics if you didn't replace all of the sidebar images.  This allows you to apply one change at time if desired, to see how it looks on your desktop. 

Creating a new sidebar. 

When you create a new sidebar, a folder will be created under: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds\New Sidebar.sidebar (where "New Sidebar" is the Title you named your sidebar, without quotes).  Any images you create will be stored under this folder.  Since a sidebar can appear on either the right (default) or left side of the screen, the graphic images are different (i.e. RightBackground, LeftBackground).  Double-clicking on an image will launch your graphic editor application or the Windows Photo Gallery.

If you're graphic editor application (i.e. Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Paint) opens:
  1. Edit the image, save it and close the graphic editor and you will be returned to the WindowBlinds "Edit Sidebar Skin" window.
  2. If you wish to edit other images, double-click on each image and repeat step 1.
  3. Once you're done, click on Close to close the "Edit Sidebar Skin" window and to return to the Sidebar window.
  4. To apply your new skin, make sure it's selected  (clicked on) and click on Apply changes.
If Windows Photo Gallery opens instead: 
  1. To edit the image, click on Open and select the desired program to edit the image (i.e. Paint).
  2. Use the graphic editor program to edit & save the image.
  3. After closing the graphic editor, you will be returned to Windows Photo Gallery with the updated image shown in the preview.
  4. If you wish to edit other images, click on Close to close Photo Gallery and return to the WindowBlinds "Edit Sidebar Skin" window.  Then double-click on each image and repeat steps 1-4.
  5. Once you're done, click on Close to close the "Edit Sidebar Skin" window and return to the Sidebar window.
  6. To apply your new skin, make sure it's selected  (clicked on) and click on Apply changes.
Edit Sidebar Skin
To edit an existing skin, click on the desired skin and click on "Edit sidebar skin" (under the preview area).  (Note: You won't see "Edit sidebar skin", if you selected "Use OS default look" or "Use skin defined sidebar".)  You can use this option to edit a theme you created or downloaded.  You can edit the sidebar skins that came with WindowBlinds (i.e. Convex Sidebar Skin, Diamond Skin) or other skins from MyColors Themes (i.e. Magic, Quest, ...).  But you should backup (copy to a different location) the original skin images.  Otherwise when you change the skin's images you will overwrite (destroy) the original version and you won't be able to restore them. 

Edit Sidebar Skin.
 
Locate the original images under: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds\<name of skin>  (where <name of skin> is the name of the skin your editing, without the "<" or ">" symbols).  Editing a skin is the same as creating a new one, except WindowBlinds won't ask you to enter the Title & Author.  After making the desired changes, click on Apply changes for the changes to affect your desktop.  
 
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