Arc-Darkest Complete Desktop [GS-3.38 version added]

GTK3/4 Themes arc arc-dark blue dark icons

Source (link to git-repo or to original if based on someone elses unmodified work): https://github.com/rtlewis88/rtl88-Themes/tree/Arc-Darkest

Available as/for: -

Description:

Arc-Darkest is a flat, dark-mode theme with transparent elements, for GTK, xfwm4, openbox-3, GNOME-Shell, and Cinnamon desktop environments. Arc-Darkest also has two varieties of matching Icons and Folders.

This is the matching desktop theme.
FOR ICONS & FOLDERS CLICK LINK BELOW DEFAULT IMAGE AT TOP OF PAGE.

The new rankings are still coming in for 2020, and Arc-Darkest enjoys another #1 & also a #6 spot in the GTK Linux world - according to top Linux/GTK sites: 'itsfoss,' and 'ubuntupit.' Thanks again faithful users! https://itsfoss.com/best-gtk-themes/ https://www.ubuntupit.com/best-mate-themes-for-linux/

The well-embraced standard Arc theme has always been available in the three variants of Arc, Arc-Dark, and Arc-Darker; but, at last, a fourth and measurably even darker dark-Arc has arrived on the GTK+ scene. Even at it dimmest, the earlier Arc variants have never quite satisfied those who need the lights turned down real low, but this fourth variant should fix all of that.

The forth Arc desktop theme darkens only six elements, on the whole, but where it happens makes all the difference. Significantly, keeping the official Arc hues, contrasts, and structure wholly intact was foremost in this project's objective. Thus, nothing is altered one tiny bit in those crucial areas - as the existent, intact, Arc hues are pragmatically darkened.

Moreover, the signature Arc-Blue hue is not darkened or altered in any way via the new Arc-Darkest variant. The goal was invariably to keep Arc as we know it, while merely darkening the elements necessary to align with the brightness values more associated with what heavy users demand from dark themes. We hope we achieved that for you.

Special thanks to horst3180 at: https://github.com/horst3180/Arc-theme, for initially advancing Arc, and for inspiration. Further thanks to NicoHood at: https://github.com/NicoHood/arc-theme, for keeping Arc alive and great, more currently.

Both the Suru++ and the Numix icons and folders have been carefully crafted to match the new Arc-Darkest desktop scheme, but they can surely compliment other desktop themes that sport matching color hues.

Special thanks to the Numix team for their inspiration, expertise and contributions at: https://github.com/numixproject/numix-icon-theme. The Suru-grounded icon set was initially designed and developed by Sam Hewitt - under GPL3. The original Suru icon set and concept was created by Matthieu James - Canonical Design Team. Core developers are Andrea Bonanni (original author) and Gustavo Costa . Devices icons are inspired by La Capitaine created by Keefer Rourke - under GPL3/MIT. Emoji icons are derived from the Twenoji created by Twitter Team - under MIT. Some icons are based on Numix mimetypes icons created by the Numix Team - under GPL3. Devices and places icons and several apps icons are inspired by Papirus icons created by Alexey Varfolomeev - under GPL3. Numberless icons are from Gravit Designer, under GPL3/MIT.

Manual Installation Is Easy:

For themes: 1) Extract the "tar.xz" file into your "~/.themes/" folder - to install for current user only - or into the "/usr/share/themes/" folder - for the theme to be applied globally. 2) Use the GNOME Tweak Tool or an equivalent app to enable it for your desktop.

If installing manually, make sure to install the dependency: "Murrine theme engine" if you do not already have it; and update your GTK+packages if you have not.

For icons: 1) Extract the "tar.xz" file into your "~/.icons/" folder - to install for current user only - or into the "/usr/share/icons/" folder - for the icons and folders to be applied globally. 2) Use the GNOME Tweak Tool or an equivalent app to enable them for your desktop.

Logging out and then logging back in may be necessary on some operating systems to fully implement themes and icons.

Last changelog:

10-12-20: Version 1.8.4 2 months ago

This update sees the standard and 3.36 flavor variants get enhancements. Here, each of the Arc base hue was applied to the GS App-Grid page control elements (big dots on right side). Previously, these elements rendered white. Commit: c8bdae

61 comments

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Comments/Ratings

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icedrat
3 months ago

9 9 excellent

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dobleub
3 months ago

10 10 the best

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torhec
3 months ago

9 9 excellent

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redfred84
9 months ago

6 6 okay

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nicklestrange
9 months ago

10 10 the best

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nicklestrange
9 months ago

Loving this theme.

Just only little problem on Ubuntu 20.04. The Ubuntu Software (app store) has an invisible UI. I am noticing this across all non-native themes. Would there be a possibility of a fix?

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rtl88
9 months ago

I haven't had the testers run across that one, but sually, trying the other version helps with those sorts of issues.

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nicklestrange
9 months ago

Got a reply off of another theme. If the themes are installed in /usr/share/themes instead of ~/.themes then it causes this issue with the Ubuntu Software which is now a Snap application.

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rtl88
9 months ago

Thanks, that's important to know.

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chavarriaf
9 months ago

10 10 the best, I'm upping the rating form the 9 I had here a long time. You all have done so much to keep this theme current and awesome. Thanks!

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ryuk
10 months ago

10 wow !! it looks really cool on my opensuse !! Nice job!!

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peppermint
11 months ago

Very nice, except for the dotted lines in the scroll earea's. Personally I find them very ugly and don't understand the use.

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rtl88
11 months ago

Hi, peppermint, thanks for the comment. All GTK3 have the dotted lines; its built in. Perhaps a non-GTK (Qt-based) theme would suite you better.

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peppermint
11 months ago

I know. In this video it's explained how to remove them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghxKvCU2oi0

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linuxoed9
1 year ago

10 10 the best

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bealsc
1 year ago

10 Great work. I am using this theme while working in a very dark environment and the contrast is great. A+ Thanks!

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rtl88
1 year ago

That is really good to hear, bealsc. It seems like, with every update of this theme, my OCD kicks in on securing the tiniest improvement in definition. I think it is because, though I loved the original Arc-Dark, it was never dark enough - and the definition was somewhat muddled vis-a-vis my eyesight, at least. Arc-Darkest came on the scene to address all of that; so, I'm thinking it has to be perfect or what's the point.

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sengchanh-46
1 year ago

10 Thanks you for white word!!! You makes the big change of new white texts. Love for you brother!!

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yolifromcc
1 year ago

Okay rtl88, you guys should start paying me for coming to your rescue but I have the new Ubuntu 19.10 ‘Eoan Ermine’ that just came out and this them looks proper. I dont know how to show you a screensot but it would looki like yours not the guy with the funky screenshot. Just sayin, I dont see how it is your problem. Go relax your theme is perfect!

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accessibilitydoc
1 year ago

10 10 the best
This is the only Arc I have seen that gets a seal of approval for accessibility. The other ones are just too muddled for contrast and clarity. Its not their fault, I know, it is just how it was designed... strictly for good eyes. Thank you for producing an Arc the others can use. I did read the normal variant is very popular, and the color is also amazing on the normal variant, that is why some hated not being able to use it. Blessings to you!

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eh8t
1 year ago

7 7 good The shell dialogs remain in dark text, rendering many fields illegible

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rtl88
1 year ago

Hah, well if I thought you really had 3.24 in your computer, it would be explained. But, you actually have 3.34. Nevertheless, I cannot any of get the rpm based machines, where I'm at now, to produce a bug, but I'll check with someone with Debian I can get with.

In the mean time, make sure your not actually running your rig with 3.24 ;)

Take care.

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rtl88
1 year ago

sorry, "get any of the rpm" rather.

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eh8t
1 year ago

No worries, thank you guys for the prompt help and the awesome looking theme.

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rtl88
1 year ago

Well, here's what we come up with 3.34 on Debian (screenshot). We just can't make it mess up like the example shows - it still looks terrific. Later, I'll run it on that new Ubuntu though.

https://cn.opendesktop.org/img/a/6/1/f/78f61941a1aebbbefd4d3341cbac419eaf94.png

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10-12-20: Version 1.8.4 2 months ago

26-11-20: Version 1.8.3 3 months ago

This update see the 3.38 version receive modifications. Here, the panel text was lightened, to better align with the theme's specs, Also, the GS App-Grid's control button text was made bold and pure white upon active state (press/click). Commit: 33ed52

25-10-20: Version 1.8.2 4 months ago

This update see the 3.38 version added, to accommodate the newest GTK' and GNOME/GS systems.The newest 3.38 version is totally rebuilt, from the ground up, reflecting 420 modifications. Commit: 50128d

18-05-20: Version 1.8.1 9 months ago

This update sees functional enhancements for 3.36 variant. Here, GNOME-Shell slider and scrollbar elements receive coloring vis-a-vis theme-flavor's base hue (where they were they used to be white/gray). For other variant, these enhancements were performed during previous update. Commit: 481222

19-04-20: Version 1.8 10 months ago

This update sees a complete reconstruction, and addition of new variant. Modifications include 423 changes and additions, across all platforms, save for GTK2. This exhaustive upgrade was due to major shifts in the ecosystem, namely the arrival of GNOME 3.36. Since most users are still on earlier versions, the original variant will still be retained, and refreshed, for the foreseeable future. Commit: 5b308a

11-03-20: Version 1.7.6 11 months ago

This update sees more functional enhancements. Here, GNOME-Shell search window text-elements receive coloring vis-a-vis theme-flavor's base hue (where they were previously gray). Commit: b1ac455

28-02-20: Version 1.7.5 1 year ago

This update sees functional enhancements. Here, GNOME-Shell slider and scrollbar elements receive coloring vis-a-vis theme-flavor's base hue (where they were previously white and gray). Commit: 032baa

11-02-20: Version 1.7.4 1 year ago

App-indicators and other functional elements see the classic arc hue added this update, vis-a-vis the GNOME-Shell. Commit: 24156b

26-01-20: Version 1.7.3 1 year ago

Thus update showcases notable modifications to the GNOME-Shell, including better functionality vis-a-vis menus, as well as, a few hue and saturation adjustments, to line up the 'selected' elements with its GTK-2/3 counterparts. GTK-2 text was also modified to improve elemental definition and readability. Finally, Plank saw minimum modifications, which primarily keep it integrated with evolving theme standards.

09-12-19: Version 1.7.2 1 year ago

38 color modifications were applied to gtk-3.0, gtk-2.0, and plank. These adjustments improve visibility of assets utilizing the Arc-Blue hue; and definition vis-a-vis radio and other non-principle buttons.

01-12-19: Version 1.7.1 1 year ago

This update embraces multiple color tweaks, to include: 7 changes to xfwm4; 10 dash & dock changes; 1 plank change; 1 openbox-3 change; 3 metacity changes; 1 gtk-3 change; 6 gtk-2 changes; and 6 cinnamon changes. The intention, here, was to add more elemental definition vis-a-vis text and scroll/selection components.

15-11-19: Version 1.7 1 year ago

79 modifications to Arc-Darkest across most platforms . Due to user requests, the Arc's traditional 'selected' text is no longer a dark value. When scrolling over most applicable elements, the text color will now be an off-white hue and value. Other minor color tweaks also apply to this update.

07-11-19: Version 1.6.2 1 year ago

Assets adjustments and color tweaks. Namely, the close buttons have been altered to better match values present in this measurably darker variety of Arc.

27-10-19: Version 1.6.1 1 year ago

Assets adjustments, tweaks, and re-coloring (namely close buttons) totaling 16 - including: 3 changes to xfwm4, 6 changes to gtk, 1 change to plank, 3 changes to metacity, 1 change to gtk3, 1 change to gnome-shell, and one change to cinnamon. Unaffected complimentary products' version numbers adjusted to match suite.

18-10-19: Version 1.6 1 year ago

Fresh Build

11-10-19: Version 1.5 1 year ago

Dialog Button Tweaks

01-10-19: Version 1.4.4 1 year ago

Assets Adjustments

24-09-19: Version 1.4.4 1 year ago

Border Adjustments

15-09-19: Version 1.4.3 1 year ago

Gtk-2 Adjustments

07-09-19: Version 1.4.2 1 year ago

Assets Adjustments

30-08-19: Version 1.4.1 1 year ago

Shell Text Color Adjustment

20-08-19: Version 1.4 1 year ago

Shell-Menu Color Tweaks, Suru Icons Resolution Adjustments

12-08-19: Version 1.3 1 year ago

App-Grid Tweaks, Icon Color Tweaks

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
					1	2	1	8	21

icedrat Nov 27 2020 9 excellent

9 excellent

dobleub Nov 11 2020 10 the best

10 the best

torhec Nov 09 2020 9 excellent

9 excellent

redfred84 May 22 2020 6 okay

6 okay

nicklestrange May 20 2020 10 the best

10 the best

chavarriaf May 18 2020 10 the best

10 the best, I'm upping the rating form the 9 I had here a long time. You all have done so much to keep this theme current and awesome. Thanks!

ryuk May 02 2020 10 the best

wow !! it looks really cool on my opensuse !! Nice job!!

linuxoed9 Jan 26 2020 10 the best

10 the best

bealsc Dec 09 2019 10 the best

Great work. I am using this theme while working in a very dark environment and the contrast is great. A+ Thanks!

sengchanh-46 Nov 15 2019 10 the best

Thanks you for white word!!! You makes the big change of new white texts. Love for you brother!!

accessibilitydoc Nov 06 2019 10 the best

10 the best This is the only Arc I have seen that gets a seal of approval for accessibility. The other ones are just too muddled for contrast and clarity. Its not their fault, I know, it is just how it was designed... strictly for good eyes. Thank you for producing an Arc the others can use. I did read the normal variant is very popular, and the color is also amazing on the normal variant, that is why some hated not being able to use it. Blessings to you!

eh8t Nov 06 2019 7 good

7 good The shell dialogs remain in dark text, rendering many fields illegible

timbowman23 Oct 29 2019 10 the best

This is a terrific idea! They're still well defined enough, you guys definitely know what your doing over there!

gavinzimmerman3 Oct 09 2019 10 the best

Thank You!

zordan Sep 26 2019 9 excellent

9 excellent

fenyx Sep 12 2019 9 excellent

Great work, thanks a lot for sharing it with us. Anyway I don't use it yet on my Ubuntu 19.04 because of incompatibility with my very favorite file manager (Double Commander aka. doublecmd-gtk, installed through apt, not by snap or appimage). I don't understand what makes a dark theme work with this application or not but I see that Starlabs and Adwaita-dark are theming it perfectly. I don't know the difference with a theme like yours nor which files should be included or modified, sorry to be of no help. Do you think that this issue with Double Commander could be fixed? I would be glad to use this theme as I really like it. Here's a concrete example: Ark-Darkest > https://i.imgur.com/aR5ibCC.png StarLabs Dark > https://i.imgur.com/FGDgJHI.png I've posted a message on application's forum to get more informations about the files to customize but nobody answered for now > https://doublecmd.sourceforge.io/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5769