hi Bart - remember i was asking about a possible new image being added so the submenu would 'look' a little better, but you rejected it cos you didnt really want to use another image.
i may of found an alternative method which is a simple tweak to the code and i would like you to consider it - thanks
see the control showing the 'HomeSubFo.png' - change as such
<control type="image">
<left>5</left>
<top>4</top>
<width>280</width>
<height>45</height>
<texture border="5" colordiffuse="$VAR[MainColorOne]">HomeSubFO.png</texture>
<include condition="!String.IsEmpty(Skin.String(HomeTrans))">HomeTransparentEffect</include>
<visible>ControlGroup(9001).HasFocus</visible>
</control>
so now when focused on a submenu item it will look like it has a border to it - making it look spot on.
p.s - also please check and confirm in IncludesMenuContentItems.xml
do the other properties need to be added as include conditions, for 'all' them 'items' in the xml.