Ah, I didn't realize you are the developer, yes? Okay, useful notes.
I had installed the full WinStep and as I mentioned the preferences interface was a nightmare to navigate. Eventually I figured it out but found the dock was "steppy" in its animation once I got it 1/2 configured. Never finished configuring it because of that.
But I saw this new standalone dock release, so I installed that on top of WinStep and it seems to work fine. The new GUI is great, btw.
So, I've got about 10 items on the dock. Six are "gadgets" for CPU, Net In (Net Out btw always returns the same values as Net In so methinks that is broken somewhere hehe), clock, start menu, recycle bin, and weather.
The other five are standard folder or application shortcuts. This represents 1/2 of the icons on have on the same Object Dock Plus zoomer on my main monitor, #2 of 3. Nexus is running on my primary monitor, #1. This allows me an apples to apples comparison.
But even with twice as many icons (and four more docks hidden around), the OD+ zoomer is buttery smooth animation-wise, and the Nexus dock is starting to step a bit as I move the mouse through them. It's subtle but there. I know if I add more, it'll slow down more.
Both have semi-transparent backgrounds (Leopard default, 20% transparent in Nexus). The only difference is that Nexus has 50% reflections, which is indeed the main reason I am testing it...and behavior under Vista 64.
I also have "Apply transparency to dock background only (icons remain opaque)" ON/Checked because the Leopard dock is still a bit too solid for my liking by default.
NOTE: I've done some testing to narrow this down. It appears to be linked to the Unmagnify that occurs when the mouse moves off the dock back into the main window area. Sliding the mouse through the dock objects doesn't step at all...it's baby smooth. I've tried different desktop backgrounds (still, color, deskscape dream) and it makes no difference. When the mouse moves off the dock, it shrinks back down kinda choppy...as if it is fighting something that it doesn't have to when the mouse is hovering over it.
I hope these notes help. Thanks for being here and supporting your product. 8)