Desktop customization

So at Hardforum there's a thread where users post their desktops. I saw this desktop and really would like to get the same clear menu bar effect and dark/clear dock! I sent a PM to the creator but he has yet to respond. So I'm posting here, anyone have any ideas how this was pulled off?

Before you say it's just regular transparency built in to osx, take a closer look. This one is super clear.

Borrowed from the hardforum thread posted by jhego:

 

I know I have an app xupport and with it you can change the dock settings and has more features but I dont think you can change the menu, thats pretty cool. Im sure its just an app. His icon's all appear to have a "dark" theme to them as well.

 

All the good theming software died off with OSX 10.5 sadly.... you can do that stuff easily in 10.5.

You can try out ThemePark, but it is very complicated to use.

 

The menubar is just a theme that the user applied on the OS.
It's extremely easy to apply on 10.5 via Magnifique.
It's a tad more challenging to tweak on 10.6 as Magnifique has not been ported to 10.6 and will screw your system over if you try to run the 10.5 version on 10.6

 

THAT helps a ton! Wonder if they will do an update for magnifique?

 

Check out The GUI Work of Max Rudberg. Particularly, the "Aqua Extreme 3" theme. This installs on 10.6 (download the correct version), and has a new "obsidian" theme which makes the menubar look like that above. However, I tried it and had issues with some of the icons appearing correctly. I use the Aqua Extreme 3 marble theme to make just the scroll bars look nicer.