The Mac OS X Theming WikiPost
Original revision: 7 July 2023
Overview
During the 2000s and early 2010s, customizing the look and feel of Mac OS X was common-place within the Mac community. Sites like MacThemes were constantly creating new themes, icon packs and docks to enhance (or overhaul) Mac OS X. However, as time passed, many of these themes, especially those for 10.5 and 10.6 have been lost to time. The purpose of this WikiPost is to preserve as many of these themes as possible.
Note that as of the first revision of this WikiPost, the primary focus is on themes for 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.6 (Snow Leopard). Themes for 10.4 and earlier have been archived on Macintosh Garden.
Themes
Individual themes have been encased in spoilers, making it easier to older web browsers to load the page.
Note that unless a theming tool or installer is mentioned, the theme requires manual installation.
10.6 [ThemePark]
A 10.5 version was available through Magnifique, however it was only hosted on their servers, so has been lost.
10.5 [Installer]
Certain iLeopard features are available through SnowTunes, if you want the iLeopard look on 10.6.
Applying Themes
Themes can come packaged in three forms, a plugin for a theming app, an installer package, or as plain files that require manual installation. For 10.5 (Leopard), Magnifique is the only plugin-based app available. For 10.6 (Snow Leopard), ThemePark is best app to use, however some Magnifique plugins do work as well.
Magnifique 1.2
Magnifique 2.1
ThemePark 4.1
Manual Installation requires copying the theme files into their respective locations in the System folder:
ArtFile.bin · /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreUI.framework/Versions/A/Resources/
SArtFile.bin · /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreUI.framework/Versions/A/Resources/
Extras.rsrc · /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HIToolbox.framework/Versions/A/Resources
Extras2.rsrc · /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HIToolbox.framework/Versions/A/Resources
Not all themes will come with all four of these files. Please note that this will overwrite the default Aqua theme, make sure to backup these files before installation!
Editing this WikiPost
As with any other WikiPost here, all MR members are welcome to contribute to this WikiPost. If you've got a theme for 10.5 and/or 10.6 that is not currently on here, and don't feel like taking all of the matching screenshots etc..., message me with a download link and I will add it to this post.
Future content that I will be adding very soon includes:
- Icon packs
- Dock skins (Some of which haven't been downloadable from anywhere for over a decade)
- Other theming apps and tools for 10.5 and 10.6
Original revision: 7 July 2023
Overview
During the 2000s and early 2010s, customizing the look and feel of Mac OS X was common-place within the Mac community. Sites like MacThemes were constantly creating new themes, icon packs and docks to enhance (or overhaul) Mac OS X. However, as time passed, many of these themes, especially those for 10.5 and 10.6 have been lost to time. The purpose of this WikiPost is to preserve as many of these themes as possible.
Note that as of the first revision of this WikiPost, the primary focus is on themes for 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.6 (Snow Leopard). Themes for 10.4 and earlier have been archived on Macintosh Garden.
Themes
Individual themes have been encased in spoilers, making it easier to older web browsers to load the page.
Note that unless a theming tool or installer is mentioned, the theme requires manual installation.
10.6 [ThemePark]
A 10.5 version was available through Magnifique, however it was only hosted on their servers, so has been lost.
10.5 [Installer]
Certain iLeopard features are available through SnowTunes, if you want the iLeopard look on 10.6.
Applying Themes
Themes can come packaged in three forms, a plugin for a theming app, an installer package, or as plain files that require manual installation. For 10.5 (Leopard), Magnifique is the only plugin-based app available. For 10.6 (Snow Leopard), ThemePark is best app to use, however some Magnifique plugins do work as well.
Magnifique 1.2
Magnifique 2.1
ThemePark 4.1
Manual Installation requires copying the theme files into their respective locations in the System folder:
ArtFile.bin · /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreUI.framework/Versions/A/Resources/
SArtFile.bin · /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreUI.framework/Versions/A/Resources/
Extras.rsrc · /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HIToolbox.framework/Versions/A/Resources
Extras2.rsrc · /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/HIToolbox.framework/Versions/A/Resources
Not all themes will come with all four of these files. Please note that this will overwrite the default Aqua theme, make sure to backup these files before installation!
Editing this WikiPost
As with any other WikiPost here, all MR members are welcome to contribute to this WikiPost. If you've got a theme for 10.5 and/or 10.6 that is not currently on here, and don't feel like taking all of the matching screenshots etc..., message me with a download link and I will add it to this post.
Future content that I will be adding very soon includes:
- Icon packs
- Dock skins (Some of which haven't been downloadable from anywhere for over a decade)
- Other theming apps and tools for 10.5 and 10.6