TeddyFBI, DpR,
here is what I did:
Start off by installing the Skoal2k4 theme from
this thread
This get you an "xthemes" directory in PokerStars Program files folder, which you can change without the client restoring images when it checks for updates.
It also comes with a nice Party stile table from Pokermods.com - I copy/paste changed it for a modified different one for my current setup (pictured a few posts up).
Once you have this set up, you can go about extending the theme - there are very few files altered in the skoal2k4 theme by default.
It extends the Stars "No Images" (simple) theme, so there are no circles in it to begin with, and unlike modding the themes with circled present, the rectangles are closer to the cards / btn position on the table - much better, although the rectangled it look a little different.
Themes in the Xthemes folder extend from a (named) theme from the themes folder, which in turn extend from files in the Gx filder of the PokerStars installation directory.
If a file is present in the selected Xtheme - it is loaded, if not the Stars client follows the path "xthemes -> themes - > gx" until it finds images to use.
So to add to skoal24k's theme, copy/paste the images from the themes/simple folder to xthemes\skoal24k, and edit them - the edits will be used where present.
As you have found, many files have a matching filename.a.bmp - this is an alphamask file, and will probably appear all black in a graphics editor at first.
you will need to use the conversion tools (provided by Stars) to make these alphamask files editable - download
here
an instruction guide is also in this download.
the alphamask files are greyscale images, thet represent what areas of their matching bitmap are to be displayed / active. White is visible, black is transparent, greys are semi-transparent.
This is why by blacking out the whole of seat.a.bmp, it is no longer visible, but also since none of the image is showing, there is no active area - we are unable to sit down.
I cure this by painting the whole of seat.bmp black, and putting a white spot in the centre of seat.a.bmp - to sit down I have to click on the exact centre of the "Seat Open" symbol, but at least the blackness of seat.bmp does not obscure the smppth oval of my pokermods table when the seat is empty [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
I will post my finished mod here when finished - will be a few days yet.
As you can see if you poke around in the image folders, there are seven folders containing similar, but different sized graphics, numbered from 0 to 6 - these Stars uses for it's resizing feature.
Right now I have only finished my table mod for the mini-tables (folder 0) - all I usually use - but I'd far rather finish off all sizes before putting it up for public download...
Sorry, this was long and rabling... I am very tired (long *unexpected* day at work then last 6 hours coding/testing AHK) hopefully this was a little coherent and of use to some of you [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
dave.