How to make a frame change?

[Randy]

I run the following simple sequence:

     Start Windows Style Builder, click "open", select "Start a new visual style - base the new style on aero"
     Drill down the tree to Windows and Caption Buttons->Aero->Dwm Window->Frames->Normal->Bottom
     Click Edit; in the Editor, delete the whole contents of the graphic, fill it with a simple solid color (the size of the graphic does not change), and save the graphic; exit the editor
     Notice the modified graphic in Windows Style Builder
     Click Test -- but the bottom frame border is not replaced in any of the windows

This is repeatable for me, solidly, after a brand new (re)install of Windows Style Builder and after a brand new boot and logon.  The same happens with the top border; it too does not take when changed.  However, the same operations on the left and right border cause the replacements to appear during test, as does a change to the top and bottom border of a tool window.

Please note that I do not want a solid color border on a frame, but am describing a simple sequence of operations from a well-defined starting state to try to discover why I cannot change the frame of a standard window.  If I can find out how to make a change take, reliably, then I can get on with making the change I really want.

What am I doing wrong in this sequence?

[Panda X]

Can you send a screenshot of a WSB's window after you change the bottom frame? Like http://i.cubeupload.com/52peHp.png

[Randy]

I ran the sequence from the start (fresh boot but not fresh reinstall) and took these screenshots below during the process. 

The following four shots show the changes to the normal frame:  bottom http://cubeupload.com/im/Randy31416/PixSnap1211190546364.png, left http://cubeupload.com/im/Randy31416/PixSnap1211190546339.png, right http://cubeupload.com/im/Randy31416/PixSnap1211190546312.png, and top http://cubeupload.com/im/Randy31416/PixSnap1211190546294.png.

The following four shots show the changes to the toolwindow frame:  bottom http://cubeupload.com/im/Randy31416/PixSnap1211190546256.png, left http://cubeupload.com/im/Randy31416/PixSnap1211190546217.png, right http://cubeupload.com/im/Randy31416/PixSnap1211190546187.png, and top http://cubeupload.com/im/Randy31416/PixSnap1211190546145.png.

The following shows a cropped shot, just after these changes were made, of the WSB test mode result, with WSB itself the active window and with a toolwindow from another application nearby: http://cubeupload.com/im/Randy31416/testresult.png.  The normal window top an bottom window frames have not been applied.

[3am]

Edit  Windows and Caption Buttons > Aero > Dwm Window > Frames > Shadowless Frames > Normal > Bottom

        Windows and Caption Buttons > Aero > Dwm Window > Frames > Shadowless Frames > Normal > Top

Or  Windows & Caption Buttons > Aero > DWM Window > Frames > Shadowless Window > Normal > Bottom
     
      Windows & Caption Buttons > Aero > DWM Window > Frames > Shadowless Window > Normal > Top

Depending on what XMLs you are using.

Looks like you have "Show Shadows Under Windows" unchecked in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools\ Adjust the Appearance and Performance of Windows\Performance Options

[Randy]

Bingo, 3am.  You have hit it exactly.  Switching shadows on or off causes the top and bottom on the normal window to appear or not appear; editing and adding (in the same manner) plain colors to the shadowless frames causes those colors to appear when shadows are turned off.

...what a week it has been.  Thank you.  And you, Panda X, for asking for the screenshots.