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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 5:09 am 
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BassdudeNZ wrote:
A picture tells the story best - here is the entire process :) - The result is no different double-clicking the Xtreme file.


Yes, the picture indeed tells the story best, and this is not actually a bug in the "Yes to All" overwrite function. The problem is the way you are creating the .xtreme file.

When creating a theme package, you are supposed to zip the contents of the theme folder, not the theme folder itself.

So, for example, if the theme is in:

...\Themes\Foundation\

you should zip the files inside Foundation, not the Foundation folder.

What you are currently doing produces an archive containing:

Foundation\theme files

Then, when you import foundation.xtreme, Winstep is already extracting into:

...\Themes\Foundation\

so the files actually end up in:

...\Themes\Foundation\Foundation\

That is why it looks as if "Yes to All" is not overwriting anything. It is doing exactly what you told it to do - the new files are simply being extracted one directory level below the existing theme files.

Winstep already contains some special handling for this common packaging mistake when importing a new theme: if the expected theme files are not found in the destination folder but are found inside a sub-folder, it moves them up one level.

However, that corrective mechanism deliberately does not kick in when the destination already contains a valid theme, because doing so could potentially move old files from an already-existing nested folder over newly imported files.

So for updates, please create the .xtreme file correctly: open the theme folder, select the theme files and subfolders inside it, and zip those - do not zip the theme folder itself.

Your screenshot actually shows exactly what is happening: the files are being extracted into foundation\foundation.

Back in the v9.5 days, IIRC, the Themes tab in Preferences had an Export button that created the theme package for you, so this was never something you had to worry about. That button no longer exists, so theme packages now have to be created manually, and zipping the theme folder itself rather than its contents is a very easy mistake to make.

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 7:10 am 
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winstep wrote:
and zipping the theme folder itself rather than its contents is a very easy mistake to make.

Thank you :)
Finally, I know. Such a tiny thing can cause more problems than expected. It's funny how many people downloaded all the updates I did and nobody said anything.
Should I re-upload all the updates?

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 7:44 am 
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BassdudeNZ wrote:
Should I re-upload all the updates?


No. If the user doesn't already have the theme installed, the built-in mechanism that handles this particular packaging mistake will move the files to the correct location automatically. The problem only occurs when updating an existing theme.

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 3:18 pm 
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Respected BassdudeNZ! The Zodiac theme has been updated today! I noticed a slight inaccuracy. Or is that how it should be?


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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 3:27 pm 
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As for the formation of a double folder after the update. Example: \Themes\Foundation\Foundation\.
I cut the double folder from the theme. I moved it to the theme's shared folder. I inserted and replaced the files, and there is only one theme left in the shared folder: \Themes\Foundation\. I don't think it's a big mistake.


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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 4:46 pm 
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ppetroff60 wrote:
As for the formation of a double folder after the update. Example: \Themes\Foundation\Foundation\.
I cut the double folder from the theme. I moved it to the theme's shared folder. I inserted and replaced the files, and there is only one theme left in the shared folder: \Themes\Foundation\. I don't think it's a big mistake.



This is Scorpio overlapping which I have since fixed. If you would do me a favor and wait until approximately September the 16th, it would have done a full cycle. This way I can fix on the fly if any others show the same overlapping. I apologise for not being able to do it sooner. I need to be sure every one is fine. I think the rest are, but it is good to be sure.

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 5:16 pm 
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Let's wait! If there are any inaccuracies, I will inform you! :wink:


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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Sun Aug 23, 2026 5:59 pm 
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ppetroff60 wrote:
Let's wait! If there are any inaccuracies, I will inform you! :wink:

Thanks :)

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Tue Aug 25, 2026 11:55 am 
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@ppetroff60

I have put an updated Zodiac in the gallery. I checked as best I could and I think there should be no more overlapping. I am sure you will let me know :)
I additionally fixed the Sagittarian bow and arrow while I was at it.
regards

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Tue Aug 25, 2026 12:05 pm 
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TRIVIA with ZODIAC theme.

To display the Zodiac 3D images created in full resolution, each individual image is approximately 7,680 pixels. Obviously they were resized.

Now imagine multiplying those by 12 (every star sign). So if anyone thinks they would be nice in full resolution, they are, but the size would be ridiculous. They are around one-twelfth of their original size.

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Tue Aug 25, 2026 7:32 pm 
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I will upload this after some minor adjustments. Nothing fancy.
Based on Storage through time... even has all floppies, 5", 1.5, Zip disks, LS-120s, the old Washing machine hard disks, the very first removables, a dissection, and usage of aperture arms as meter arms...Quite difficult to get them sitting right...almost...
Trashcan is bigger than usual. details get lost otherwise if any smaller.

Another whole enchilada theme. Will test in Laptop tomorrow and upload if ok.
Attachment:
desktop 1.jpg
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Attachment:
desktop 2.jpg
desktop 2.jpg [ 191.44 KiB | Viewed 1036 times ]

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Tue Aug 25, 2026 9:02 pm 
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The "Zodiac Signs" theme was updated today. Everything is great! Capricorn with a fish tail! Wonderful plot! Thank you so much! I also increased the size of the Start menu in Settings. Exactly what I needed. :D :lol: :)


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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Tue Aug 25, 2026 10:19 pm 
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Andrew, a suggestion for the future that might interest you and enormously reduce the size of some of those theme files:

PNG files can be heavily reduced in size without any visible loss in image quality through this site here:

https://compresspng.com/

That is what I also use... reductions in size are usually in the order of 60-70% per PNG.

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Tue Aug 25, 2026 11:11 pm 
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winstep wrote:
Andrew, a suggestion for the future that might interest you and enormously reduce the size of some of those theme files:

PNG files can be heavily reduced in size without any visible loss in image quality through this site here:

https://compresspng.com/

That is what I also use... reductions in size are usually in the order of 60-70% per PNG.

Thanks Jorge - I reduce them by 80%-95% as it is - I use Mass Image compressor on my desktop. I appreciate the suggestion though. :)

P.S. - Now for some self-criticism, I just looked at the new theme I did. It might be the ugliest and most crowded one I have done even though the concept is pretty good. Oh well...

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 Post subject: Re: Theme approach
PostPosted: Tue Aug 25, 2026 11:18 pm 
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BassdudeNZ wrote:
Thanks Jorge - I reduce them by 80%-95% as it is - I use Mass Image compressor on my desktop. I appreciate the suggestion though. :)


Ah, ok, I didn't actually check individual PNGs, just saw the massive size of some uploaded theme/icon files in the Winstep server and assumed you might not be compressing the images in them.

Sorry about that. :D

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