What applications do you use to get that custom OS X look? Here are a few to get started:

ShapeShifter

CandyBar

These are a few that I've used in the past. What are your favorites?

@Mashugly
shapeshifter works now with 10.4.1 and 10.4.3 (the both builds)?

Here my ones:

Deskshade2
My Rating:
Notes: Application for storing and applying your desktops.

HimmelBar
My Rating:
Note: It is a very lightweight (and free) application launcher, but not x86 binary maybe run slows.

TigerLauncher
My Rating:
Note: Same as HimmelBar, but it's x86 intel binary and runs great

Konfabulator
My Rating:
Note: Don't like the apple dashboard? No problem, thats a nice replacement choice

Tune
My Rating:
Note: iTunes Controller in your menu bar, great choice

Pixadex
My Rating:
Note: Icon Management, auto drag n drop image 2 icon, safe organize and improve your icon library.

TransparentDock
My Rating:
Note: Customizing the dock the way you want it (should works on 10.4.3, i never test it)

Synergy
My Rating:
Note: The Best of iTunes Control menu (Request on their page the x86 binary)

Quicksilver
My Rating:
Note: Don't like the spotlight? Here's your new launcher.

Cocktail
My Rating:
Note: This have some hidden features, like: put the dock on end position and more.

ThemeChanger
My Rating:
Note: Actually it's don't work very well for us and this software is a little buggy (not the compilation)

Guikit2Dlta
My Rating:
Note: When or If you get themechanger working 100%, this handle be nice to convert .guikit themes to use in it.

Guikitty
My Rating:
Note: A tool to dissasembly the .guikit themes, so you can use it to convert to dlta or mod in themepark

ThemePark
My Rating:
Note: A tool to mod rsrc themes, you can edit, mod and build your own theme as guikit or dlta, good one

Menu Calendar Clock
My Rating:
Note: I personally preffer it than original callendar and clock, that's looks like "LClock" for windows.

I won't put the unsanity products here because they don't work as well for me

ShapeShifter didn't work for me : . I use build 1111f. It installs but can't run. A message warning appears

Any other alternatives for changing themes on OS X X86?

I absolutely despise ShapeShifter. It killed my install for no apprent reason, although I was completelyy upgraded and was supported by the program. I lost a lot of information, and couldn't reinstall myself because I needed the files on the system. Had to go to an Appletech and pay 90 bucks USD to have them back everything up, reinstall the OS, then put everything back on.

Bleh, what a headache.

just a suggestion, go to macthemeforums and d/l max's smoothstripes installer. its not eternal but its an improvment on aqua.

do you guys really buy that software? dude... where all those free apps?

honesty
no

let me give a try

I couldn't live without himmelbar. Seriously. That's one app that everyone should install and I've not had a problem with it slowing down at all.

Himmelbar is an x86 binary, maybe it was not when first posted.. runs great.

Yeah, very handy! Good find!

Wow man awesome-o find

As a launcher I preffer XMenu. Unfortunately it's not universal binary, but at least it doesn't mix the application folders.

I'm gonna try these.. thanks guys look foward for more of the best .. Damn they are like 9/10 shareware lol

I would like to set the transparency of some windows (e.g. VLC): does it is out any tool to make it quickly and safety?



Thanks!

UNO

It gets rid of all that horrible polished metal or whatever that metallish crap is. Everything looks 20x better. Only downside is that it makes your spotlight icon and the Apple icon in the menubar a little smaller. I don't know why

Link: http://gui.interacto.net/

How do I install icons using CandyBar

By dragging and dropping.

Also in finder or Desktop, Ctrl Click or Right Click on Icon or Program then Copy.. then Ctrl / Right Click, Go Get info on Item of which you wish to assign new icon.. and click the little icon preview in top left of info window and Paste..

Could've been worded better, bit tipsy.. Lol.

Does anybody know of a program I can use to change icons for the hard drive and stuff? I mean a free program, not like ShapeShifter where the demo expires 5 days later.

there's Candy Bar for changing your icons.

Onyx is a free application that can tweak a lot of features in OS X that normally aren't customizeable.

Now the dock is no longer prohibited from going near the "almightly menubar."

CandyBar is cool. How bout a free program like ShapeShifter?

Last time I checked, ShapeShifter wasn't free.

He knows. He's asking for a free alternative.

Lol, yeah, limewire isn't being my friend on that one.

http://keakaj.com/visage.htm

That app lets you easy customize your login panel and other things with custom pics and messages.

Ok, if I'm not mistaken, HimmelBar is an application kinda like the start menu on Windoze? Wondering... If so, what's the tweak to get rid of the dock, with the option to bring it back, of course? And, is there a way to locate the finder at the bottom? I know, I know, Windoze sorta but, does anyone know? Thanks!

yea go to dock under system prefs and select automatically hide and show dock

Either what Taylor said, or just press Command+Option+D , works like a charm.

I'ma check out candybar...thanks....
I could ue some redecorating done around here...

For those of you who like himmelbar and spotlight for searching and application launching, there is a program that was mentioned in the second post in passing, that doesn't do justice to how incredible it is.

It is called Quicksilver. It isn't only a launcher, it is an incredible interface for quickly zipping through every kind of process on your Mac. Do a brief Google search for "Quicksilver" or "Quicksilver Mac", and you will see all the people who are obsessed with it and swear by it. Here is a demo video of it in action on YouTube, to show what it is capable of. There are actually 3 videos, but this is the first in the three-set series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBvFUhTqKK4

It is one of the most almighty and die-hard apps for any system, anywhere. Seriously, do the Google search I mentioned, read about it.

-3nigma

is there any way by which i can change the white of the mac?? that is like in the world's most sold OS is it possible to change the theme (not only icons) of the desktop

If you're talking about the way the windows and menubar look, then ShapeShifter is what you want.

Dude I followed your advice and all i can say is - awesome!

Quicksilver is actually really good - I never thought I'd need it, but I can use it with iTunes and stuff, and because of the triggers I can set up, I can integrate it with SideTrack (trackpad software) so I can use the corner taps to play/pause and stuff.
I was using sizzling keys before for that, but I don't need to anymore as I'll be running quicksilver all the time anyway!

Iest

This is a very nice Thread... Hope it's going on & on =)

LiteIcon, free alternative to CandyBar

yay! Thanks!!

how about FolderTeint (Leopard only)
you can change all the system icon colors very easily....

Hey does anyone know if ThemeChanger is Leopard compatible? Thanks in advance.