Comments from a fat-burning Stardock Zombie
A brief synopsis
Published on June 5, 2008 By dream-er In DeskScapes

So, while I have a few minutes off waiting for approval on stuff I decided to write a new article explaining what I do...

Currently, I'm a University of Michigan student working at Stardock creating Dynamic Dreams for DeskScapes (ooh, fancy!). So far, I've been able to make updates on existing dreams (like the Water Dream and starting on the Photo Desktop Dream) and am also creating some new dreams (which will be unveiled later... when they aren't super secret?).

So, this begs the question... What on earth is DeskScapes and what is a Dynamic Dream? So here's an explanation .

First off, a "dream" is the file used by DeskScapes. A ".dream" file can either contain a video, triggered video or dynamic content!

DeskScapes works for all versions of Windows Vista (sorry XP users!) that allows a user to dreams as their desktop background instead of your standard pictures (imagine your screen saver as your normal desktop background). There are two versions of DeskScapes : free and not-free. Here's the breakdown of the difference...

Free : The free version of DeskScapes comes with a few pre-made Stardock dreams, such as the ever popular Water Dream. Other then that... you can't add more dreams to your listing which is a slight bummer but never fear!

Not-Free : The paid version of DeskScapes is a MAJOR upgrade from the Free version. Not only do you get the free dreams from the original Deskscapes, you can also go to this handy-dandy site, wincustomize.com, to download new Dream files to add OR you can make your own with a nifty bit of software called "DreamMaker."

If you're not sure as to whether or not you want DeskScapes, I would HIGHLY suggest going to wincustomize and searching through the existing dreams to see if you like them!

So, all this talk about the program and nothing about the actual content! Well, a video dream is just what it sounds like... A video plays on a loop in your background. A triggered video are video files that work on a trigger... I don't really use these so I can't really explain how they work!

Finally, the ever AMAZING dynamic dreams! So, a dynamic dream is amazing because not only do you get sweet video-type things running in your background, you also have some control over how they operate! For example, the Photo Desktop Dream. When running this dream, you can go to your desktop background settings and hit a nifty link saying "Dynamic wallpaper settings." A menu pops up at the screen and lets you play around with a few settings such as which folder you'd like the Photos to be from! Then low-and-behold the dream actually starts going through those photos and displaying them on the screen! This allows you, the user, to change your DeskScapes experience (ooh, cheesy line).

A new dream that I'm currently working on (top secret I think!) allows you to change a lot of things... Like Gravity for example! Also, it changes based on the time of day so your desktop reflects things the outside world (except weather). Lastly, these new dreams are using something that hasn't been done before with dynamic dreams... Using Mouse/Keyboard input! So, for this dream, hit a few buttons, drag the mouse, let go and BOOM all of the sudden you've started an action in the dream!

So, I hope that this answers most of the questions about DeskScapes! Feel free to post questions in the comment section!

P.S. For those of you who worry about how this will effect your CPU usage, this new Dream I am working on operates at under 10% CPU most of the time on my computer


Comments
on Jun 05, 2008
Very very cool.
Can't wait to see what you come up with!
on Jun 05, 2008
Exciting stuff.
on Jun 05, 2008
Quite interesting, sounds like fun!
on Jun 05, 2008
Welcome, and I can't wait to see what you create. 


on Jun 05, 2008
Cool! Can't wait to see the new DREAMS!

I am curious about one thing though. A DreamScene "crack" available on the net uses about 30% CPU running an official MS video. If you ran the same video in DeskScapes, how much CPU would it use?

I am asking this because I'm thinking about getting OD '08 in a few weeks. (I also want to end this silly little debate over on WinMatrix.)
on Jun 05, 2008
So far, I've been able to make updates on existing dreams (like the Water Dream and starting on the Photo Desktop Dream)


Are these updated version going to be released to those who have purchased the originals and if so, any idea as to when.

Also, it must be nice to have access to the SDK.  I wonder...will be released to us any time soon?
on Jun 05, 2008
Excellent!
on Jun 06, 2008
Any chance of an early Water Dream release please?! *j/k*

It's my Fav one but it currently does not save the personal background choice

Dreamer has already helped me out there and stated it will be done in the new update... I guess this is the one!

Sounds great anyhoo, good work all you content makers/providers!
on Jun 06, 2008

I may be way behind the times at this point in time, and if this is a silly question I sorry.... 

I thought Dream Scapes was only good on Vista Ulti, has this changed?????

on Jun 06, 2008
I thought Dream Scapes was only good on Vista Ulti, has this changed?????

DeskScapes 2.0 will work on all versions of Vista.
on Jun 06, 2008
I thought Dream Scapes was only good on Vista Ulti, has this changed?????

DeskScapes 2.0 will work on all versions of Vista.
All versions that support Aero (and have a video card that will). 
on Jun 11, 2008

Sorry that I haven't gotten back about all the posts! Haven't been able to reach a computer the past couple days (sure, the one time the laptop battery dies the power goes out).

CarGuy1
Are these updated version going to be released to those who have purchased the originals and if so, any idea as to when.

I don't work a lot with updates but I believe the plan is for it to be an update for those who purchased it. You won't need to re-buy the dream, it's silly to need to pay twice for the same program!

CarGuy1
Also, it must be nice to have access to the SDK.  I wonder...will be released to us any time soon?

Unfortunately, I don't really know anything about it! I just kind of do as I'm told... part of my responsibility as an intern

Dreamer has already helped me out there and stated it will be done in the new update... I guess this is the one!

Haha, I am dreamer, i just changed my nick to dreamboy since I thought it sounded way sweeter

I am curious about one thing though. A DreamScene "crack" available on the net uses about 30% CPU running an official MS video. If you ran the same video in DeskScapes, how much CPU would it use?

Regardless of speed, I wouldn't recommend using a "crack" just since it probably won't work as well as the real deal Also, DreamScene is different the Stardock's DeskScapes. DreamScene can only run videos whereas DeskScapes can also run the Dynamic Dream Files. So, if you want dynamic activities, I'd download OD.

Sorry for the long waiting period! Responses will be much quicker now