The following is a World of Warcarft User Interface Setup Guide that I wrote up while I was redoing my UI.
This is the final outcome :)
Curse Client
I will be using the Curse Client to install my addons as I go, it's really up to you if you want to use this tool but since the latest version came out I have been very happy with the performance
and the application in general.
Go here to download: http://www.curse.com/client/
The Curse Client will not only make the installation of Addon's
easy it will also keep them updated :)
Client (Vanilla) User Interface
The following is my clean UI, no addons or modifications.
Core Modules
This list is probably highly debatable but the following are
modules that I consider to be 'Core' to my game play, they include;
Unit Frames, Bar Mod, Minimap Mod, and a couple of others which are
nice to have :)
Installation
You can install these in a batch and we will then configure them
all together too.
While still in Development, I find this to be by far the best Unit
Frames around, the configuration is piece of cake and I think they've
done a great job on this one.
there are a few addons out there for
this but I like Dominos. I also use several tools with it as shown
below.
Show's cooldowns in
your Action Bar
Unfortunately this one isnt listen on Curse so go to WowInterface for
it. This simply makes your buttons red when your target it out of
range.
Really a cosmetic thing, makes the buttons pretty :D
Minimap customisation :) move, change shape etc etc
Does a few things like Auto-Repairs etc
but also allows customisation of your chat frame. Very small but
useful addon.
This is really a nice to have but it helps clear up your minimap, basically moves all your minimap icons into a frame you can move, hide etc.
At the end of that your Curse should look something like this:
Configuration
Now it's time to do all the configuration of these modules. The screenshot below shows how it looks prior to any customisation.
Ugly huh!?! this is where a lot of people would delete all the addons :) but we'll push on.
Dominos
First thing to configure is Dominos,which is the main cause of the confusing screen :) Find the MBF From and left click on the Dominos icon to enter the configuration mode.
You will see all the bars fade a little and you can now make the changes
you want.
Hide the bars you do not want, for me that is;
Action Bars 4-10
XP
Bags
Class Bar
To hide the bar simply “click” your wheel mouse (not roll but click) on the bars you do not want. I also like to move my additional bars to the top left to make it easier. Move the other bars around as you like.
Bar Setups
Right Click on the “Menu” Bar to load the options window.
Menu
Action Bar 1 and 2
Action Bar 3
Vehicle
Pet
Set the following:
Scale: 75
Faded Opacity: 0
Once done hit Exit
Button Facade
This is really just a way to make your bars look nice.
Click OK
Chinchilla
Type /chinchilla into the chat window to load the config menu.
Go through and set the minimap up how you like it. You can also drag and drop it as needed
I used the following:
Appearance
Border Style: Gloss
Shape: Square
Size: 75%
Notice I have moved the map to Bottom Left.
Show/Hide
Untick
Mail
North
Voice Chat
World Map
Zoom
Minimalist
Type /minimalist into the chat window to load the config menu. Go through and set the options up how you like it.
I used the following:
MBF
This is pretty self explanatory so I wont waste my time, I basically have the window sitting above my
minimap and then hide it when I dont need it.
Pitbull
This is going to be the hardest configuration you will do but the new Pitbull makes it real easy.
Basically we will create a few different layouts.
MySelf
MyTarget
PetsFocus&Targets
RaidUnits
MySelf
General
Width: 200
Height: 40
Scale: 100
Bars
Disabled
Height
Health: 12
Power: 2
All others :1
Texts
Name
Location: Outside-Left
Size: 195%
Class
Location: Outside-Left
Size: 100%
Health
all others removed
Auras Disabled
MyTarget
General
Width: 200
Height: 40
Scale: 100
Bars
Disabled
Height
Health: 12
Power: 2
All others :1
Texts
Name
Location: Outside-Right
Size: 195%
Class
Location: Outside-Right
Size: 100%
Health
all others removed
Auras Enabled
PetsFocus&Targets
General
Width: 100
Height: 20
Scale: 100
Texts
Auras Disable
RaidUnits
General
Width: 80
Height: 20
Scale: 100
Texts
Auras Disable
See this page for more details on how
to setup PB4 (rather than me revisiting)
http://upyursh.blogspot.com/2009/02/pitbull-4-in-review.html
Non-Core Addons
These addons you dont NEED but they make life easier.
Really nice mod that allows you to manage your whispers in an easier way, also helps to not miss any whispers too.
No Config needed, it just works out of the box :D
Consolidates all your bags and bank slots into single windows. Can also be setup to group and auto-sort your items but out of the box achieves what we want.
Helps with your auctioning, I generally only run this on my shopping toon but up to you :)
Instance maps and world map love, no config needed
Just gives you your gear color in your character and bag screens, nice to quickly see how many purples you are wearing, no config needed
Is supposed to speed up your UnitFrames and how they pickup when group members take damage, no config needed
Quartz is a great Cast Bar addon that clearly shows latency and when you should be hitting your next spell. Very useful!
Type /quartz to open the config menu and play with it to get the best out of it for yourself. I just use my own cast bar and my targets.
Simple mod that shows the distance from your target and/or focus.
Right click on the Range Display areas (focus or target) and set your fonts and preferences.
I hide focus and just use Target.
Allows customisation of the Bliz Buff area. Scale/Move and more.
Type /sbf options to open the window
I have 2 setup, 1 for buff one for debuff. This is the default but I make some changes.
Frame 1
No of Buffs: 40
Buffs per row: 2
Reverse Order: Yes
Frame 2
No of Buffs: 20
Buffs per row: 1
Show in Rows: Yes
Reverse Order: Yes
Move the Tooltips window wherever you want it :)
type /tipsy show to get the window to move where you want.
Nice little addon that takes screenshots whenever you level, get an achievement or down a boss.
No configuration needed.
Raiding Addons
The following are mods that are essential if you plan on raiding.
Raid alerts and warnings for all instances
No configuration needed.
Automatically enable Combat Log for instances. Useful if you use a website like WWS to analyse your performance
No configuration needed.
Threat meter is all I need to say, essential for DPS.
No configuration needed really but I do get rid of all backgrounds and borders.
Recount gives you ingame stats like dps\damage\healing etc.
No configuration needed.
Raid module especially useful if you are leading/assistant
No configuration needed.
Misc Addons
These are misc addons that are useful to some classes.
Shows your hots in a list to allow you to easily see who needs a refresh of Lifebloom or something similar.
Type /hotcandy to get your options like whether to lock the window etc.
Warning when Mana is low to remind you to use Innervate
No configuration needed.
Autobar is a dynamic bar that is will update based on what you have in your
bags and your class\scenario.
Type /autobar and click “move the bars” to move them around. I get rid of all the other bars and just stick with my general. I remove Quest Items as they dont work the best anyways and tick on Fading
SBC presents LibDataBroker data. The other modules also install their own but I disable most of them. I use the following additional addons as well.
StatBlock_Durability
StatBlock_FPS
StatBlock_Latency
StatBlock_Memory
StatBlock_Money
Broker_Currency
Broker_Location
Broker_Regen
Broker_SocialState
SimpleMarker
Healing Addons
Useful for any class that can decurse etc. Presents warning and click casting to quickly get rid of those pesky curses and poisons.
Grid is a Raiding UnitFrame addon that presents information in an easy to use format. It can be extended with a number of addons but I use the below.
I use grid with the below:
GridIndicatorCornerIcons
GridIndicatorCornerText
GridManaBars
GridStatusHots
GridStatusLifebloom
Grid_QuickHealth
My configuration how to can be seen here: http://upyursh.blogspot.com/2009/02/grid-configuration.html
Final Screenshot
So this is how it looks for my Hunter
and Druid.
