4.2 Using Themes to Customize the Desktop

This section describes how to use themes to customize the appearance of the Java Desktop System.

4.2.1 Introduction to Themes

A theme is a group of coordinated settings that specifies how a desktop component or a group of desktop components appears. You can use themes to modify and control the appearance of the desktop in a consistent manner. When you apply a theme, the system modifies many desktop components simultaneously to achieve the desired effect. For example, if you apply a theme that increases the font size across the desktop, the theme also modifies the size of panels and icons on the desktop for optimum compatibility with the font size.

A theme contains settings that affect different parts of the desktop as follows:

Controls

The controls setting for a theme determines the visual appearance of all windows, applications, panels, and panel applications. The controls setting also determines the visual appearance of the GNOME-compliant interface items that appear on windows, applications, panels, and panel applications, such as menus, icons, and buttons. Some of the controls options that are available in the desktop are designed for special accessibility needs.

Window frame

The window frame setting determines the appearance of the frames around windows only.

Icon

The icon setting determines the appearance of icons on panels and on the desktop background.

4.2.2 To Choose a Theme

To open the Theme preference tool and view the themes that are available, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Display -> Theme. The Theme Preferences dialog is displayed.

The themes are listed on the left side of the Theme Preferences dialog. To choose a new theme, click on a theme in the list box. The system automatically applies the theme to the desktop. There are several themes available that suit different accessibility needs. These themes are described in the following table:

Table 4–2 Themes Designed for Accessibility Requirements

Theme Name	Description
HighContrast	Provides dark text on a light background using high contrast colors.
HighContrastInverse	Provides light text on a dark background using high contrast colors.
LargePrint	Increases the font size to 18pt. The background and foreground colors are the same as those specified by the Default desktop theme.

To view the controls, window frame, and icon settings that are associated with a theme, select a theme in the Theme Preferences dialog, then click on the Theme Details button. The Theme Details dialog contains a tabbed section for each setting category. Each tabbed section lists the options that are available and the current setting for the theme is highlighted.

4.2.3 To Modify the Controls Setting for a Theme

To modify the controls setting that is associated with a theme, perform the following steps:

1. In the Theme Preferences dialog, select the theme that you want to modify.

2. Click on the Theme Details button. The Theme Details dialog is displayed.

3. Click on the Controls tab to display the controls options that are available.

4. Select the controls option that you want to associate with the current theme from the list box, then click Close. The following table lists the controls options that are suitable for accessibility needs.

Table 4–3 Controls Options Designed for Accessibility Requirements

Control Option	Description
HighContrast	Provides dark text on a light background using high contrast colors.
HighContrastInverse	Provides light text on a dark background using high contrast colors.
LowContrast	Uses low contrast colors for the background and foreground text.
LargePrint	Increases the font size to 18pt. The background and foreground colors are the same as those specified by the Default desktop theme.
HighContrastLargePrint	Provides dark text on a light background using high contrast colors and increases the font size to 18pt.
HighContrastLargePrintInverse	Provides light text on a dark background using high contrast colors and increases the font size to 18pt.
LowContrastLargePrint	Uses low contrast colors for the background and foreground text and increases the font size to 18pt.

4.2.4 To Modify the Window Frame Setting for a Theme

To modify the window frame setting that is associated with a theme, perform the following steps:

1. In the Theme Preferences dialog, select the theme that you want to modify.

2. Click on the Theme Details button. The Theme Details dialog is displayed.

3. Click on the Window Border tab to display the window frame options that are available.

4. Select the window frame option that you want to associate with the current theme from the list box, then click Close. The Atlanta option is an accessible option.

4.2.5 To Modify the Icon Setting for a Theme

To modify the icon setting that is associated with a theme, perform the following steps:

1. In the Theme Preferences dialog, select the theme that you want to modify.

2. Click on the Theme Details button. The Theme Details dialog is displayed.

3. Click on the Icons tab to display the icon options that are available.

4. Select the icon option that you want to associate with the theme from the list box, then click Close. The following table lists the icon options that are suitable for accessibility needs.

Table 4–4 Icon Options Designed for Accessibility Requirements

Icon Option	Description
HighContrast	Provides dark on light icons using high contrast colors.
HighContrastInverse	Provides light on dark icons using high contrast colors.
LowContrast	Uses low contrast colors for the background and foreground text.
LargePrint	Increases the font size to 18pt. The background and foreground colors are the same as those specified by the Default desktop theme.
HighContrastLargePrint	Provides dark text on a light background using high contrast colors and increases the font size to 18pt.
HighContrastLargePrintInverse	Provides light text on a dark background using high contrast colors and increases the font size to 18pt.
LowContrastLargePrint	Uses low contrast colors for the background and foreground text and increases the font size to 18pt.

4.2.6 To Create Your Own Themes

For information about how to create your own themes, see the Java Desktop System Release 3 Administration Guide.