Change the background of the VAIO Touch Launcher

Well I've always been looking for a way to do this, but never really got around to looking at it. I was browsing around looking for some settings in the Sony folder to adjust for my UX180 which just recently got back to me from repairs. Anyway, I looking into the VAIO Touch Launcher folder, and noticed another folder called "Picture" it has the different backgrounds that you can use with the Touch Launcher, which are very basic. I wanted to give my touch launcher some nice looking background, so I did a little bit of testing, and the following will tell you how to change the background of your touch launcher. I've also included a set of Background Images from the pictures on this post if anyone is interested (see more toward the bottom of the post):

Landscape Background:

(1024x600)

• Go to C: > Program Files > Sony > VAIO Touch Launcher
• Double Click the "Picture" folder

Note: Disregard the images right inside the "Picture" folder they are simply thumbnails, the only images we are concerned about are the ones within the "Height" and "Width" folders.

• To make a new background for a landscape orientation (1024 x 600), go into the "Width" folder
• Pick one of the default images to edit (I choose red because its almost entirely black)
• The easiest way to make a new background, is to right click on one of the three default images, then open it with paint
• Once in paint, make whatever changes you would like to the image, including replacing it with a new image
• When you are finished, simply save your file, I would recommend a .bmp format for high quality (do not rename it, it must keep the default name)
• Launch the Touch Launcher, and click the Wrench in the upper right hand corner
• Find the "Change Background" button, then select the background according to which you edited
• Viola! Your new background should correctly show up when you launch the Touch Launcher

Note: Making a new image in paint with the right size requirements (1024 x 600 for landscape, or 600 x 1024 for portrait) then naming it one of the default three backgrounds, and sticking it in the correct folder will not work. There is some sort of data within the default images files that contains the button graphics for the Touch Launcher. Not editing one of the original pictures will result in a Touch Launcher with only icons, but missing the main button graphics.

• Simply follow all the steps for the Landscape Background change, however edit the picture in the "Height" folder instead of "Width"

Note: Make sure that the default image that you edit is the same as the one you edited in the opposite (Height, or Width) folder. For example, if you edited the image titled "Red" in the "Width" folder, make sure you edit the "Red" image in the "Height" folder.

The first few backgrounds I threw together were of one of the most anticipated games coming out - Halo 3, I'm a big Halo fan, so the choice was obvious. Here are a few different ones that I made: (sorry for the wide post, I wanted people to be able to see the pictures in high quality, I think they look great )






Then I decided that it was time to get creative. I thought for a bit about what would be a good theme for a wide and tall picture, then I finally settled on something. I think you'll agree with me that it looks very nice !




And the "Height" picture -




If anyone would like the Waterfall backgrounds, I zipped them, and uploaded them for anyone to use. (I didn't take the pictures, and I'm not taking credit for them). Here is the link to download them - http://www.box.net/shared/1hj92okfxd

Here is what to do to set them as your backgrounds:

• Go to C: > Program Files > Sony > VAIO Touch Launcher > Pictures
• Put the images in either the "Width" or "Height" folders (I specified which file is which in the file name)
• Rename both files to one of the default file names after you placed them in the correct folders

Note: Default file names are: "Green", "Red", or "Blue"

• Make sure your Background Image is set to the same file as the name you chose
• Open your Touch Launcher in Landscape and Portrait modes to test, and everything should be set to go, enjoy your new backgrounds