User Interface

[rkeesecker]

It appears there is no way to change the user interface color, even in the Preferences/UI Layout tab, which by the way has three greyed-out "Custom" layout settings, so you can't save a custom UI, let alone create one. So, the UI Layout tab appears to be useless. I looked in the user guide, found nothing. I read somewhere other than this forum that dark blue is it. That's all you get. I find all this odd. What am I missing, which I undoubtedly am?

[RobertOZ]

The Custom Layout Settings are greyed out because you have not created one, on the edit screen change the layout of the screen, then select Settings/Layout Settings/Save to Custom 1, 2 or 3

[Ken Berry]

But how on earth do you create a new layout -- how do you actually change a color in the layout. I go to the Settings menu and scroll down to Layout Settings, and if I choose Save To, I select Default 2 (say). But if I then go to Preferences and select the Settings tab, then Default 2 shows there, with the reddish top left screen overshadowed by a green screen with a large ? showing over it and an arrow pointing to it. But nothing I do can actually achieve a color change. This is the same for 2022, and every version I have had before. It doesn't bother me since I am happy enough with the default colors, even if they are rather dark. But it would be nice to know how to change anything if only because it is supposed to work...

Or are you suggesting it is just the layout of what is placed where, rather than the colors which can be changed? I can see how that works. But if that is all that can be done, then why have different colors in the different elements of the screen in Preferences?

[rkeesecker]

The Custom Layout Settings are greyed out because you have not created one, on the edit screen change the layout of the screen, then select Settings/Layout Settings/Save to Custom 1, 2 or 3

Thanks much. Basic, but I chose to make something difficult that isn't difficult! I should have known better.

[rkeesecker]

But how on earth do you create a new layout -- how do you actually change a color in the layout. I go to the Settings menu and scroll down to Layout Settings, and if I choose Save To, I select Default 2 (say). But if I then go to Preferences and select the Settings tab, then Default 2 shows there, with the reddish top left screen overshadowed by a green screen with a large ? showing over it and an arrow pointing to it. But nothing I do can actually achieve a color change. This is the same for 2022, and every version I have had before. It doesn't bother me since I am happy enough with the default colors, even if they are rather dark. But it would be nice to know how to change anything if only because it is supposed to work...

Or are you suggesting it is just the layout of what is placed where, rather than the colors which can be changed? I can see how that works. But if that is all that can be done, then why have different colors in the different elements of the screen in Preferences?

And thank you as well. It is the matter of color, not layout placements. I have lived with this dark blue in previous versions, but it is, for me at least, depressing. I haven't been into VSU since these responses, but if you, Ken, of all people, are a bit flummoxed, I certainly shouldn't feel bad about being flummoxed!

[rkeesecker]

Aside from not being able to change the color of the background/UI, changing the layout is an experiment with which you better be careful. It is not for the faint of heart. First couple tries you will probably bolix the whole thing up. Thank goodness there is a setting for Default layout. I better not press my luck. I'll stay with all the defaults. But I don't want to.

[rkeesecker]

By the way, the Help Topics site says "You can also change the layout settings from the UI Layout tab in Settings > Preferences." I may be crazy, but that is flat wrong. You can't. Again, am I missing something? If I am, it sure is not intuitive.

[Davidk]

Basically, the layout settings in the preferences area relate to the placement of the major sections of the UI, which you can see have a base colour for reference only: these can be un-docked and moved around. Useful for those who use multiple screens, eg screen 1 may have the preview window and the library, and screen2 has the timeline space. But that's the limit of 'customising' available.

When VS was owned by ulead, the basic colour of the platform was a nice cheery blue. When corel bought it, from X2 onwards the same base colour was changed to a charcoal black, depressing and suggestive of one foot in the grave, so to speak. The 2018 makeover that produced the extra options panel in the library area also changed the basic colour to a deep royal blue, where it now stands.

I've long argued for - and given up on - a means of changing the colours (not just the base, but progress bars, message boxes and the like) to provide a choice of integrated colour patterns ("themes") like some other apps do - such as browsers - and for that theme choice to be part of the UI layout preferences. No one listened and being a voice in the wilderness is frustrating. better use of my time than by bitching about something the company does not want to know about.

[lata]

By the way, the Help Topics site says "You can also change the layout settings from the UI Layout tab in Settings > Preferences." I may be crazy, but that is flat wrong. You can't. Again, am I missing something? If I am, it sure is not intuitive.

Hi rkeesecker

The options to choose a different UI layout are not available until we first create and save a new layout.
To create a new layout modify the Edit screen, drag the edge of the preview screen to increase its size.
Now go to Settings – UI Layout – Save to – select one of the 3 custom options. (Custom 1)
Now go to Preferences (F6) UI Layout tab, Custom 1 will have its radio button highlighted
Go to Settings – Layout settings – Save to Custom 2, now in Preferences UI Layout Custom 2 will be active.

To return the program to its default view simply hit the keyboard F7
Go to Settings – Layout Settings – Switch to – choosing one of the active Custom options.

And yes I agree not very intuitive, but we have to save a layout before we can switch to it.

[rkeesecker]

Basically, the layout settings in the preferences area relate to the placement of the major sections of the UI, which you can see have a base colour for reference only: these can be un-docked and moved around. Useful for those who use multiple screens, eg screen 1 may have the preview window and the library, and screen2 has the timeline space. But that's the limit of 'customising' available.

When VS was owned by ulead, the basic colour of the platform was a nice cheery blue. When corel bought it, from X2 onwards the same base colour was changed to a charcoal black, depressing and suggestive of one foot in the grave, so to speak. The 2018 makeover that produced the extra options panel in the library area also changed the basic colour to a deep royal blue, where it now stands.

I've long argued for - and given up on - a means of changing the colours (not just the base, but progress bars, message boxes and the like) to provide a choice of integrated colour patterns ("themes") like some other apps do - such as browsers - and for that theme choice to be part of the UI layout preferences. No one listened and being a voice in the wilderness is frustrating. better use of my time than by bitching about something the company does not want to know about.

Thanks David. I appreciate your sharing your similar thoughts. By doing so, at least I know others have tried to "help" the company in addressing this matter.

[rkeesecker]

I just wrote a well thought-out reply (according to me) and submitted it. I hit the Submit button and it didn't post. Then I find out I had automatically been logged out even though there was no indication of that. I had written that I just discovered that investment equity firm KKR purchased Corel a few years back and that my experience with this kind of buyout is that the product or the company purchased by capital venture firms turn to crap. They suck as much profit out of the company that they can without investing anything back in it.

I expect to see Corel decline in the near future. I hope not. But I am not encouraged after experiencing this forum topic. So discouraging. Everywhere you turn this is happening. It is disgusting.