It is very simple to use the StdCtrlSkinTool. There are only several steps needed. It is much easier than managing the layout yourself, or switching to a DirectUI library.

Only the following steps are needed to manage the layout and skin of your application with StdCtrlSkinTool:
1. Add the StdCtrlSkinTool to your application.
You can copy the source files of StdCtrlSkinTool to your project, or build StdCtrlSkinTool as a library to use. The demos along with StdCtrlSkinTool are using the second method.

2. Log the controls to StdCtrlSkinTool
Log the controls that you want to managed to the StdCtrlSkinTool. Controls not logged will be kept there untouched.

3. Call the StdCtrlSkinTool to draw skin and do layout
There are only several lines needed to call the StdCtrlSkinTool, in order to draw the skin and do layout.

4. Create configuration and images
The configuration files are flexible and easy to make. It is much easier than creating C++ code to manage the layout and skin of your application.

5. Enjoy the ease and functionality of StdCtrlSkinTool
Now everything is done, just enjoy it.

Please also refer to demo1 and demo4 for step-to-step tutorial about how to modify the code in more details.