AquaPro - February 15, 2004
Author: COTL GUI Studio
Version: 2.0
Reviewed by: Steven Canfield
User Rating: 
65%
AquaPro is yet another take on Apple's pro Aqua, this time by COTL GUI Studio. The look isn't stale, however, and COTL manages to coerce it into something truly beautiful. If one of those other Aqua themes didn't do it for you, download AquaPro and see what a more laid back interpretation feels like.
Aesthetics
My first impression with about theme was that it seemed very similar to Apple's "Graphite" Aqua variant, almost a half hearted copy. How wrong I was. The overall feeling in this theme is much the same as the overall feeling of Aqua - it gets out of your way, it paints big areas with lighter colors, and it feels smooth, but AquaPro is still very different.
Because AquaPro aims to be a professional alternative to Aqua, just as Swizcore Studio's own SS Studio Pro, inevitably comparisons will be drawn. Let me get this out of the way early on by saying that while SS Studio Pro is probably the more exciting theme to look at, with some more color variety and glossiness, AquaPro is infinitly easier to look at for longer amounts of time. There is a very soft feel to the elements in AquaPro: light gradients on menu highlights, rounded buttons, and a light background color. All buttons look much the same, and very little distinction is made between popup buttons and standard buttons. Infact, many of the controls like progress indicators, combo boxes, and radio buttons are very close to their Graphite cousins. Because the background color of windows is a gray as well, though, it takes on a completely different appearance. There is also a difference between the Graphite and Blue appearance options in System Preferences. In Graphite, window widgets are always gray, and under Aqua, they light up with their familiar traffic light colors when you mouse over. The sliders have been given a good deal more contrast, and overall, it's a pretty nifty look.
Usability
AquaPro, being very much a derivative of Aqua, is quite solid on the usability front. The single issue I found is the similarities between buttons and popup buttons, because at a glance, they are difficult to tell apart. I don't know why this problem doesn't exist in other themes, but it exists here, caused by some sort of a contrast issue. However, as I said, AquaPro's usability is otherwise fantastic. The gray used for window backgrounds lets you focus on your work and forget about the interface around it. Playing the devils advocate, for a bit, some people might feel this theme is too gray. In fact, there is nary a stitch of color anywhere, except on the traffic light rollover. (Ok, the "gray" is slightly blue, but we'll disregard that small detail.) However, this is hardly a shortcoming for a theme catered to pro users, and the end result is simply a very usable theme. High marks here.
Extras
This theme comes with a lone Safari skin, which is pretty well done. That's all though: no icons, no desktops, no app skins. Application skins might be an issue, but if you set the system appearance to Graphite, and the software is Aqua HIG compliant, you won't notice too jarring of a difference.
In AquaPro's defense, though, the standard Aqua icons fit into AquaPro just fine, and Apple's included graphite desktop does as well. Furthermore, the graphite/aqua switch with the colored traffic lights is a nice touch for those who might be maddened by AquaPro's lack of real color. Basically, I'd like to see more here, but extras are needed less here than in most other themes.
Comments
Posted by My default theme lately at February 18, 2004 10:41 PM | Edit | Delete
Aqua Pro is a wonderfully subtle and more refined that Panther's Aqua. The gray may seem drab to most, but it keeps the interface neutral while working in any app.
Posted by Dave at February 18, 2004 11:23 PM | Edit | Delete
This is a top notch theme.
I focus more on usability than aesthetics when evaluating themes, and usually find that themes look amazing until you use them. Aqua Pro is not among them - it looks and works great.
It's clean, pleasing to the eye, and not distracting. All in all a great theme. The gray can get tiresome for me, but that's subjective. Others may love it.
- DAT
Posted by jon at February 18, 2004 11:58 PM | Edit | Delete
now if only we could get the Pro widget sizes from dvd studio pro and sound track.. mmmmm..... i love those widget sets...
Posted by Daniel Grenell at February 19, 2004 12:13 AM | Edit | Delete
good theme
(and review)
Posted by brazil at February 19, 2004 12:30 AM | Edit | Delete
I try and use many themes but I never forget how perfect this theme is for me . It totally works for long periods of time . I do not think about changing as much with this one loaded - - - -
Posted by NetworkShadow at February 19, 2004 11:55 AM | Edit | Delete
It's better than Aqua that's for sure.
Posted by Joe Buhler at February 19, 2004 07:58 PM | Edit | Delete
I've been coming back to Aqua Pro time and time again after trying out all sorts of other themes. I fully agree with the reviewer. It's simple, elegant and easy on the eye and I'm working on my powerbook daily for long stretches at a time.
Posted by mrtew at February 20, 2004 08:21 PM | Edit | Delete
This theme is fantastic! Definitely what Aqua should have been and what it should now become! I wish there was another variant that was a true gray though rather than the slightly bluish grey of 'graphite'. I'd LOVE that!
Posted by bakshi at March 14, 2004 01:37 PM | Edit | Delete
I really like this theme but I would like for column selectors (like in Mail.app or Finder) to be brightened up a bit. It's difficult to tell at a glance what column is selected and the contract on the text is too low.
Otherwise, brilliant theme. It made me buy ShapeShifter.
Posted by devboy at April 24, 2004 02:39 PM | Edit | Delete
Its to simple.
Posted by Ernest Liu at April 24, 2004 10:16 PM | Edit | Delete
Woah.. rocks! Simple and usable and appealing... who could ask for more? But then, it is mostly aqua with color revisions.
Posted by MacDragon123 at May 11, 2004 10:07 AM | Edit | Delete
i don't like the menu's but beside that the best theme i have ever downloaded!
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