View source for Skins

{{VLC}} supports skins (sometimes also called themes) through its ''skins2'' interface module. To get new skins go to the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php Skins website].

''The steps mentioned here apply to VLC 0.9 and upward.''

'''Skins are not available on [[macOS]].'''

''If you do have problems with VLC after applying a skin, a reinstall is NOT necessary. See [[#How do I fix VLC when it does not anymore show up properly]].''

== How to switch to the Skins interface ==

In order that you can use skins you have to change from VLC's [[Qt Interface|native interface]] to the skinnable one. You can do that by opening the [[preferences]] and choosing ''Use custom skin'' in the section ''Look and feel''. Then click the ''Save'' button and '''restart''' VLC. It should then show up in the default skin.

[[File:ToolsPreferences-Windows 8.png|400px|alt=]]
[[File:Preferences-Windows 8.png|400px|alt=]]

or use [[command-line]] to start VLC with skins interface

 vlc -I skins2

== How to get new skins and where to save them ==

You can download a variety of skins from the [http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php Skins website]. They usually should come as files with the extension "VLT". Although your browser or operating system might identify them as archive files, don't unpack them. Rather put them as they are into the skins folder of VLC.

On '''Windows''' this folder is located in the installation directory of VLC,
:e.g. '''''C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\skins'''''.

On '''Linux/Unix''' it is located in 
:'''''~/.local/share/vlc/skins2'''''.

If you downloaded the skin pack just unpack it to the folders mentioned above.

'''''Warning: Not all of the skins available for download are fully functional.'''''

== How to change to another skin ==

To change to a downloaded skin, '''right-click''' anywhere on the skin's background and choose ''Interface''.
Then chose either ''Select skin'' to change to a skin that is located in the default skin folder of VLC or ''Open skin'' to open a skin file that is located elsewhere.

https://images.videolan.org/images/wiki/change_skin.jpg

== How to switch back to VLC's default interface == 

When you open VLC and the skin you chose appears, right-click somewhere on the skins background and then choose ''Interface'' and ''Preferences'' (also accessible by pressing Ctrl+P). In the preferences dialog change the ''Interface type'' to ''Native''. Then click save and restart VLC. It should show up in its default interface.

== How do I fix VLC when it does not anymore show up properly ==

If you chose a broken skin it might happen that VLC does not anymore show up properly and that you cannot anymore access the settings as mentioned above.

Then you have to switch back to the default interface.

On Windows you can just open your Start menu and open

:''All programs > VideoLAN > Quick Settings > Interface > Set Main Interface to Qt (default)''

On any other system, or when the start menu entry is missing, run VLC with the following command line:

 vlc -I qt

Now that VLC has been started with its native interface you can open the preferences (Ctrl+P) and change the active skin file. Chose the default skin or a skin you know that works. Then again set the skin interface to be the default one and restart VLC.

== Are there skins with a full screen controller? ==

Full screen controllers in skins are supported since VLC 1.1. But apart from the default skin coming with VLC not many other skins have this feature.

== How to create your own skin ==

There exists a program that enables you to create skins without any deep knowledge how skins are made up exactly. It is the [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/skineditor.html VLC Skin Editor]

If you'd rather want to explore all the possibilities of the skin system and get to know how skins are made up and how to create them in detail, check out the [https://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins2-create.html Skins2 documentation].

If you have any problems while creating your skin, please turn to the [http://forum.videolan.org/viewforum.php?f=15 skins forum].

== See also ==
* [[Skins2 Contest]] (contest over)

[[Category:Interfaces]]