It sounds like your on the path. <br />Photo Shop, Paint Shop Pro and The Gimp are the programs that I use most. There is a learning curve for them too. I can look at my earlier works and ... actually I just uploaded a wallpaper that´s based on 1 that I did 2 years ago. The difference between them is like daylight and dark. <br /> <br />...but you also mentioned SkinStyle. I also have this. It´s a great cookiecutter for Winamp, but I can´t think of another program that I would put in that catagory. Maybe Stardock´s SkinStudio for WindowBlinds, But that program has quite a learning curve too. I´ve looked at it but couldn´t get my head around it.
I appriciate your advice. i have to agree it takes time and alot of playing to learn more about skinning. I´ll look into photoshop elements. I hate it when you get so used to using certain programs then have to relearn others (shrug). <br /> <br />"the Hooded One"