Xfce Forum

Tio

Member

Registered: 2021-09-26

Posts: 92

Border around windows

I was trying to add a border around the active window for usability purposes via .config/gtk-3.0 but nothing seems to work. I tried with the "decoration" selector or "window decorations". Nothing works. I've read countless articles and posts and still no solution in sight. Any suggestions?

I can only make the border visible around context menus...weird

Last edited by Tio (2023-08-04 22:23:14)

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 11,485

Re: Border around windows

SSD or CSD windows? Can you post an image?

Which GTK (Appearance) and xfwm4 theme are you using?

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Tio

Member

Registered: 2021-09-26

Posts: 92

Re: Border around windows

Both SSD and CSD. Here's an image https://files.trom.tf/s/e8jzTw4et65yCr8

The Theme used is Colloid https://www.pling.com/p/1661959 - but I tested with other themes too, makes no difference. They also have a XFWM4 variant in their theme, so it should be compatible with XFCE.

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 11,485

Re: Border around windows

For CSD windows, something like:

decoration:backdrop {border-width: 5px; border-style: solid; border-color: transparent}
decoration {border-width: 5px; border-style: solid; border-color: red}

For SSD windows, you need to manually edit each of the *-active.png files to add a colored border.

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Tio

Member

Registered: 2021-09-26

Posts: 92

Re: Border around windows

Thanks a bunch! Indeed for SSD windows you need to change multiple png files individually. I thought it is a simpler way to do this. How is the shadow added? Isn't that added to a window frame? And can't we use that for the border?

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 11,485

Re: Border around windows

Thanks a bunch! Indeed for SSD windows you need to change multiple png files individually. I thought it is a simpler way to do this.

This particular xfwm4 theme uses only png files. Usually they are created with xpm files that easier edited using a simple text editor.

How is the shadow added? Isn't that added to a window frame? And can't we use that for the border?

The compositor usually adds the shadow, afaict.

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Tio

Member

Registered: 2021-09-26

Posts: 92

Re: Border around windows

I understand, so there is no global way to "hug" all windows with a border. Thanks as always for being so helpful and kind!