Vector UI
From MacThemes Theming Wiki
10.5 has an experimental resolution-independent Vector UI (sometimes referred to as Core UI) system. However, it is still under heavy development by Apple and thus is hidden from the user by default.
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Enabling the Vector UI
Usually, the Vector UI only turns on when the UI scale is set to a value other than 1.0 by using Quartz Debug. However, one can get around this by typing these commands into Terminal:
defaults write "Apple Global Domain" CUIAllowDebugPrefs 1 defaults write "Apple Global Domain" CUIDisableArtFile 1
Theming with the Vector UI
With the Vector UI enabled, Leopard builds most controls from "material" files located in /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/CoreUI.framework/Versions/A/Resources/AquaUI.bundle/Contents/Resources
Vector-based UI Problems
For older Macs, forcing the use of vector resources can treble the time it takes for windows to draw, making the user interface seem sluggish or laggy in revealing windows. Not all elements have XML files for CoreUI to know how to draw them, most obvious with the Mail and Preview Plastic-Capsules and also Safari and Finder's matte buttons (which are dubbed "Plastic Buttons" by CoreUI). This can be remedied by duplicating one of the XML files for a button type in AquaUI.bundle and renaming them to match one of these two missing elements. The results are usually mis-aligned or cropped oddly.
System stability is also an issue. One can presume that Apple disabled the vector-based UI for a reason. Some users reported application crashes - especially when the Open/Save dialog was opening - or extremely sluggish behavior.
External Links
Breakthrough Discovery Original post exploring the possibility of theming OS X by activating the Vector UI.
