Works just fine on WinXP Pro SP-2 w/ the DX9 update link here. I tried it without the DX9 update and it never launched, but also didn't give any errors (DX 9.0c was on this PC before, but not the latest update for it). This is my work PC, so I don't do any gaming with it. The app even ran ok with a Stardock WindowBlinds skin for XP.
I didn't have LOTRO installed on this PC, so the program was unable to find any skins. This was easy to correct by creating the appropriate folders (%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\The Lord of the Rings Online\UI\skins), then downloading a 3rd-party skin package to have something to load. The program gave an error about it, so for a future release, it would be nice to have the option to create the required folders here if they don't exist (ie: instead of just an Ok, add another button to create the folders automatically).
My only major complaint: the program uses 80-100% processing power of a single thread, even when idle. Is this because you're continually rendering frames with DirectX? If so, can't you set it to only render frames when it does a redraw? It's not a huge problem for me, since I use a quad-core processor, but I really don't like to have my PC working and rendering the same frame over and over again when it should just be idling. I'd like to leave this program up all of the time when working, then use it whenever I have some free time to make new skins. Having to launch it each time isn't good.
Update: I also noticed this issue with your Skin Editor app as well. It uses this 80-100% of a single process thread when on my second monitor. On the first monitor, it uses about 20%. I have a 680i motherboard in this PC, with two 7600GT cards (one for each monitor).
Small complaint: the program doesn't remember its window position when the window state is changed (eg: minimize and restore). Furthermore, the application window appears on current monitor when launched instead of the default monitor, or instead of where it was last closed. This is annoying when I use multiple monitors. Launching it from a shortcut icon on the desktop, will launch it on the monitor where that shortcut exists.
Some questions for D.H1cks, the author:
- You didn't include any license with the program, nor did you mention this on the thread where it is available. What's its license? Is it released under the GNU GPL, as "Freeware", Public Domain, or something else?
- What language and IDE did you use to create it? Does it require .NET or some other library?
- Would you be willing to release the source code? If you are, I'd be happy to help bug-fix things for you, or even help with development. I am more than content to let you run with the project, but I'd like to add some functionality here and there if you're willing, and if this is in C, C++, or C#.
Thanks!