setting a background to the panel in xfce

Knightron · 06-21-2011, 11:07 PM

Hey, i'm using xfce and trying to set the background to the panel. I've searched the answer on a search engine, and from peoples responses it appears to have been possible in previous releases but the option isn't in the panel settings in the one i'm using. I'm relatively new to xfce and wasn't sure what version i'm using, it's the default xfce with Slackware 13.37.

Snark1994 · 06-22-2011, 03:15 PM

It's been a while since I last used XFCE, but I thought you just right-clicked on the panel and chose 'Properties'... Then there were options to change the background colour/image.

Diantre · 06-22-2011, 04:44 PM

In Xfce 4.6.2 one can change the size, transparency and position of the panel, right-clicking the panel and going into "Customize Panel...".

Apparently the only way to change the panel background is through gtkrc files. Check this link for more info: http://wiki.xfce.org/tips

Knightron · 06-22-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diantre

Apparently the only way to change the panel background is through gtkrc files. Check this link for more info: http://wiki.xfce.org/tips

Ok i just found out where to see which version of xfce i'm using and it is, 4.6.2. So this method must be how to do it. I checked your link, but was a little confused to be honest. I can't even find my gtkrc file. I checked hidden files in my home directory and then in the themes directory but there is none. Am i looking in the right place?

Diantre · 06-22-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightron

Ok i just found out where to see which version of xfce i'm using and it is, 4.6.2. So this method must be how to do it. I checked your link, but was a little confused to be honest. I can't even find my gtkrc file. I checked hidden files in my home directory and then in the themes directory but there is none. Am i looking in the right place?

Create a hidden file named .gtkrc-2.0 in your home directory and make the changes suggested in the Xfce wiki there.

I use .gtkrc-2.0 to change the transparency and colors of the icons in the Xfce desktop:

Code:

style "xfdesktop-icon-view" {

XfdesktopIconView::label-alpha = 35
font_name="Sans"

base[NORMAL] = "#ffffff"
base[SELECTED] = "#ffffff"
base[ACTIVE] = "#fefefe"

fg[NORMAL] = "#ffffff"
fg[SELECTED] = "#73B2D0"
fg[ACTIVE] = "#D17100"
}
widget_class "*XfdesktopIconView*" style "xfdesktop-icon-view"

I'm not using the Xfce panel, so I actually haven't tried changing the background, but I can tell you certain gtk themes do change the panel background.

Knightron · 06-25-2011, 09:05 AM

Hey thanks for your help, i got it working. (= Unfotunatly i use two panels. This configuration sets the same background on both panels. Is it possible to set different backgronds to different panels?

Diantre · 06-25-2011, 11:20 AM

I don't know my friend, I haven't tried that. But I suppose the setting you're looking for is related to this line:

Code:

widget_class "*Panel*" style "panel-background"

That line will match widgets with the partial word "Panel" in their name, and assigns the style "panel-background" to them. What we need to know here is how Xfce calls the panels. Knowing that, you can create an entry for the first panel and another for the second, each one with a different style.

Perhaps somebody else knows what's the widget name of the Xfce panels? Anyone?

Diantre · 06-25-2011, 01:20 PM

Well, I've been googling for this but it seems I can't find the right answer. The only thing I found was a different reference to the widget name:

Code:

widget "*Xfce*Panel*"           style "theme-panel"
class "*Xfce*Panel*"            style "theme-panel"

Perhaps if you try using *Xfce*Panel*1* or *Xfce*Panel*2*. That's a wild guess, don't know if it will work or if it's correct...