Thanks for your responses chaps. As for applications not looking like standard Windows apps, well unfortunately that is exactly what I am trying to achieve, being of the school of thought that despises the standard 'Windoes' look-and-feel. Here is an example of a VB6 app that I was able to skin very easily using the VB6 IDE and Photoshop.

Skinning is really my game, so that is what I need to do right from the outset.
If I interpret your comments correctly then I think you are telling me that although it is possible to skin a Real Studio app using some methods/extensions it is not part of the standard capability of the Real Studio IDE - which probably means it is not for me. Please correct me if I am wrong. What I simply want to do is to apply a skin to a standard button and to the background form and to imagebox controls as required. Anything more complex is probably going to put me off, note that programming is my means to an end, not my profession.
I am experimenting with Jabaco (unfinished) and Kbasic. Real Studio seems a lot more finished and 'professional' with a supporting community, multi-platform capability and that is what initially attracted me - but I may be holding onto the VB6 IDE for a little longer...
Thanks for your help though.