Force dark mode on MOJAVE hack

Ideosound · 06-25-2019, 10:58 AM

Discovered you can force dark mode for non-native apps. If you type this into terminal:

'defaults write com.cockos.reaper NSRequiresAquaSystemAppearance 0'

To change back replace the 0 with a 1.

Makes all tops of windows dark (which can't be done via themes), system messages (like save this project) and right-click menus.

There's a few bugs at the moment with the latest version of reaper.

Playhead doesn't display properly, seems to disappear intermittently. Not sure if this is just on my theme. That's a deal breaker for me, really want that to work in future.

Start up splash animation bugs out a little. Can swap in a custom image as a workaround (also seems to break PNG transparency)

The FX/plugin window looks bad and can't seem to change that via the theme. I expected it to follow the other windows colours. The FX window does seem to run on its own menu system. Also the wet/dry knob doesn't go dark.

Info from this post - https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comme..._applications/

PhelixK · 07-05-2019, 05:19 AM

Thanks for the heads up)
When using latest Reaper Dev-version, the play-head, splash and most elements seems to display correct here. Some 3rd. party GUI are totally blacked out though…

I believe the devs are still working on adjustments to apple metal framework and Retina support.

Btw. for Mojave I recommend NightOwl, for easy dark/light mode switching with a shortcut.
https://nightowl.kramser.xyz/

Justin · 07-05-2019, 07:55 AM

Adding some more tweaks for the next +dev build to make the FX window and splash work better in dark mode with that override set.

FYI: Enabling dark mode might also break plug-ins, as it prevents various Quartz APIs from working in certain contexts... so keep that in mind!

PhelixK · 07-05-2019, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

Adding some more tweaks for the next +dev build to make the FX window and splash work better in dark mode with that override set.

FYI: Enabling dark mode might also break plug-ins, as it prevents various Quartz APIs from working in certain contexts... so keep that in mind!

Yes thank you,
An example is Melodyne VST-3 that is not showing correct with ‘System Appearance'. I suppose it’s using Quartz.

vsgrt · 07-05-2019, 10:26 AM

Another plugin not working is Crave EQ.

The dark mode looks absolutely great though (dev0705) - So pleasant to the eye that i am considering finding another EQ to work around it.

Edit: CraveEQ works as long as i resize it slightly - as if it resets itself.

Triode · 07-08-2019, 02:46 PM

I take it you have to be on Mojave for this to work?

Rather than High Sierra?

PhelixK · 07-09-2019, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triode

I take it you have to be on Mojave for this to work?

Rather than High Sierra?

Yes, HS doesn't have the full dark theme.

Ideosound · 07-16-2019, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

Adding some more tweaks for the next +dev build to make the FX window and splash work better in dark mode with that override set.

FYI: Enabling dark mode might also break plug-ins, as it prevents various Quartz APIs from working in certain contexts... so keep that in mind!

Hi, thanks so much for trying to get this to work better! Really appreciate it as it really does look amazing for people who like darker themed software. The override seems to cause an issue with PNG transparency on the splash start screen. Is there a way around this preventing various Quartz APIs from working?

Ideosound · 12-07-2019, 03:10 AM

Thanks for getting most of this fixed, I think having constancy across the windows is a huge improvement, well-done team! Regarding the forced dark mode on Mojave +, there's just one thing left to fix. The wet/dry knob on FX windows doesn't work correctly:

Lastly, I think it would be the icing on the cake if we could have any fader/slider control to have a light grey colour background like shown in the I/O routing window. Notice the pan and width fader/slider have this but the main volume level doesn't. If all windows with fader/sliders could have this it would be perfect. The media browser volume, dynamic split window and transient detect controls could all benefit from this UI tweak.

06-25-2019, 10:58 AM	#1
Ideosound Human being with feelings Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: U.K Posts: 548	Force dark mode on MOJAVE hack Discovered you can force dark mode for non-native apps. If you type this into terminal: 'defaults write com.cockos.reaper NSRequiresAquaSystemAppearance 0' To change back replace the 0 with a 1. Makes all tops of windows dark (which can't be done via themes), system messages (like save this project) and right-click menus. There's a few bugs at the moment with the latest version of reaper. Playhead doesn't display properly, seems to disappear intermittently. Not sure if this is just on my theme. That's a deal breaker for me, really want that to work in future. Start up splash animation bugs out a little. Can swap in a custom image as a workaround (also seems to break PNG transparency) The FX/plugin window looks bad and can't seem to change that via the theme. I expected it to follow the other windows colours. The FX window does seem to run on its own menu system. Also the wet/dry knob doesn't go dark. Info from this post - https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comme..._applications/

07-05-2019, 05:19 AM	#2
PhelixK Human being with feelings Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 951	Thanks for the heads up) When using latest Reaper Dev-version, the play-head, splash and most elements seems to display correct here. Some 3rd. party GUI are totally blacked out though… I believe the devs are still working on adjustments to apple metal framework and Retina support. Btw. for Mojave I recommend NightOwl, for easy dark/light mode switching with a shortcut. https://nightowl.kramser.xyz/ Last edited by PhelixK; 08-21-2019 at 03:09 PM.

07-08-2019, 02:46 PM	#6
Triode Human being with feelings Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,204	I take it you have to be on Mojave for this to work? Rather than High Sierra? __________________ Mixing / Brush and Beater Drums Online: www.outoftheboxsounds.com

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07-05-2019, 07:55 AM	#3
Justin Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 16,124	Adding some more tweaks for the next +dev build to make the FX window and splash work better in dark mode with that override set. FYI: Enabling dark mode might also break plug-ins, as it prevents various Quartz APIs from working in certain contexts... so keep that in mind!

07-05-2019, 10:26 AM	#5
vsgrt Human being with feelings Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 186	Another plugin not working is Crave EQ. The dark mode looks absolutely great though (dev0705) - So pleasant to the eye that i am considering finding another EQ to work around it. Edit: CraveEQ works as long as i resize it slightly - as if it resets itself.

12-07-2019, 03:10 AM	#9
Ideosound Human being with feelings Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: U.K Posts: 548	Thanks for getting most of this fixed, I think having constancy across the windows is a huge improvement, well-done team! Regarding the forced dark mode on Mojave +, there's just one thing left to fix. The wet/dry knob on FX windows doesn't work correctly: Lastly, I think it would be the icing on the cake if we could have any fader/slider control to have a light grey colour background like shown in the I/O routing window. Notice the pan and width fader/slider have this but the main volume level doesn't. If all windows with fader/sliders could have this it would be perfect. The media browser volume, dynamic split window and transient detect controls could all benefit from this UI tweak.