ShapeShifter
Encyclopedia
ShapeShifter is an Application Enhancer
(APE) plugin for Mac OS X
developed by Unsanity
that allows the user to make system-wide modifications to the appearance of the operating system's graphical interface by applying GUI skins
through “injection” into running code and without modifying system files, very much like Kaleidoscope or WindowBlinds
. It uses GUIKit files (called “themes”) which can contain interface elements, desktop backgrounds and icons. GUIKit files are most often edited using a program called ThemePark.
Like many APE modules, it does not yet work with 10.5
or 10.6
, due to major changes in the way they draw interface elements as compared with earlier versions of OS X. Development on ShapeShifter has ceased for the time being, with the rationale from ShapeShifter's primary developer being that he feels the fashions in which 10.5 and 10.6 draw graphics are stopgap measures in place of a new Core UI API, and so is waiting to rewrite ShapeShifter until OS X's GUI subsystem has restabilized.
Application Enhancer
Application Enhancer is a software program released by Unsanity for Apple's Mac OS X operating system. Application Enhancer provides a framework that allows third-party developers to write "haxies" for OS X. It also provides a daemon to load haxies when certain applications are launched. These...
(APE) plugin for Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
developed by Unsanity
Unsanity
Unsanity is a Mac OS X shareware software developer founded in May 2000, notable for coining the term "haxie".Their most popular software includes ShapeShifter and WindowShade, utilising their freeware Application Enhancer module...
that allows the user to make system-wide modifications to the appearance of the operating system's graphical interface by applying GUI skins
Skin (computing)
In computing, a skin is a custom graphical appearance achieved by the use of a graphical user interface that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users....
through “injection” into running code and without modifying system files, very much like Kaleidoscope or WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds is a computer program that allows users to skin the Windows graphical user interface. It has been developed by Stardock since 1998, and is the most popular component of their flagship software suite, Object Desktop. It is also available separately, and as an ActiveX/COM component...
. It uses GUIKit files (called “themes”) which can contain interface elements, desktop backgrounds and icons. GUIKit files are most often edited using a program called ThemePark.
Like many APE modules, it does not yet work with 10.5
Mac OS X v10.5
Mac OS X Leopard is the sixth major release of Mac OS X, Apple's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers. Leopard was released on 26 October 2007 as the successor of Tiger , and is available in two variants: a desktop version suitable for personal computers, and a...
or 10.6
Mac OS X v10.6
Mac OS X Snow Leopard is the seventh major release of Mac OS X, Apple's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers.Snow Leopard was publicly unveiled on June 8, 2009 at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference...
, due to major changes in the way they draw interface elements as compared with earlier versions of OS X. Development on ShapeShifter has ceased for the time being, with the rationale from ShapeShifter's primary developer being that he feels the fashions in which 10.5 and 10.6 draw graphics are stopgap measures in place of a new Core UI API, and so is waiting to rewrite ShapeShifter until OS X's GUI subsystem has restabilized.