Simple Machines Community Forum

Customizing SMF => Graphics and Templates => Topic started by: melanie1986 on August 13, 2017, 04:44:43 PM

Title: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 13, 2017, 04:44:43 PM
Hi Guys,

I'm looking for a special theme that would suit my new Star Trek and Star Wars boards. I need something that is dark, where I can change the banner easily and the background is a generic sci-fi spacey sort of thing. I've been looking at a few of them and I do have one which requires me to change the background image (which I have no idea how to do). So if you have any suggested themes I'd be very grateful. Thank you.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Antes on August 13, 2017, 06:39:44 PM
Your post is lacking what needs to be done actually. I'm interested in doing this but you have to make your mind first so we don't end up with endless revisions.

Also are you looking for an artist who can do the background images as well ? If so you should say that as well.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 13, 2017, 07:04:27 PM
 Sorry, I'm unusually cold this morning....eep.

The graphics I can do myself.

What I need help with is the actual changing of the codes I expect that are done either in the FTP or directly from the admin panel, I am totally clueless as to where. I've been looking at some of the previous topics here, but they are confusing me even more.

For example, I am currently using the default SMF Curve theme. I know its possible to change the background but I don't know how to do it, or what sizes even, that my image should be. Either that, or a generic dark theme that I can use would be a better option.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Kindred on August 13, 2017, 09:23:09 PM
Bloc had a theme called enterprise....   
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 13, 2017, 09:35:18 PM
this one?

http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?action=search;basic_search=enterprise
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Sir Osis of Liver on August 13, 2017, 09:40:14 PM
No, it's called Enterprise, and iirc, can do what you want.  Hold on, will see if I can find it ..........

I believe this is it , attached -
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 13, 2017, 09:50:22 PM
 I got that Lol. I just typed in enterprise on the search/themes and that is what I found.

I'll add that on so I can see what it looks like :D

oooops....

Package upload failed due to the following error:
"Although the package was downloaded to the server it appears to be empty. Please check the Packages directory, and the "temp" sub-directory are both writable. If you continue to experience this problem you should try extracting the package on your PC and uploading the extracted files into a subdirectory in your Packages directory and try again. For example, if the package was called shout.tar.gz you should:
1) Download the package to your local PC and extract it into files.
2) Using an FTP client create a new directory in your "Packages" folder, in this example you may call it "shout".
3) Upload all the files from the extracted package to this directory.
4) Go back to the package manager browse page and the package will be automatically found by SMF."
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Kindred on August 13, 2017, 10:05:52 PM
Themes are loaded in the theme manager, not the package manager
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Sir Osis of Liver on August 13, 2017, 10:08:54 PM
Admin -> Themes and Layout
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 13, 2017, 10:27:17 PM
 thank you both. Note to self, do not do stuff like this when feeding bub..........  ::)

okay that works, but I can't seem to change the banner at all. Even though I pasted the correct url code, it reverts back to his each time?
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Sir Osis of Liver on August 13, 2017, 10:35:24 PM
The theme has a dropmenu top right that allows you to select one of four stock images.  There's a fifth image (Voyager) that can be cleaned up and added.  IIRC, I modified index.template.php to randomly display one of the five images every time page is reloaded.  It's the image in the upper right corner.  You can replace those images with your own.  Looks like I modified the 1.1.x version, but wouldn't be difficult to do it in 2.0.  Depends on what exactly you want to do.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 13, 2017, 11:12:21 PM
basically I want it to look similar to this only using his theme of course

http://startrek.lostworldssff.com/index.php
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Sir Osis of Liver on August 14, 2017, 12:02:49 AM
Something like this (http://www.thekrashsite.com/smf20/index.php)?
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: shawnb61 on August 14, 2017, 12:14:43 AM
Over on the Themes site there are literally dozens of sci-fi & fantasy themes:
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?action=search;type=8

I'd suggest browsing & searching around there.

Some of the non-sci-fi themes use slate/charcoal/black.   Some of the most widely used themes are in that color scheme, e.g., Alpha Cenauri:
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=2851

And others:
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=614
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=126
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=610

Just search for 'black' or 'star' or whatever...
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 14, 2017, 12:27:08 AM
Quote from: Sir Osis of LiverĀ on August 14, 2017, 12:02:49 AM
Something like this (http://www.thekrashsite.com/smf20/index.php)?

Yesssssssssss! how did you do that? I've been knocking my brains out all morning! That is fabulous! What does it look like though as a registered member. As the tool bar bloc has placed in there goes almost over to the right side.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 14, 2017, 12:31:36 AM
Quote from: shawnb61 on August 14, 2017, 12:14:43 AM
Over on the Themes site there are literally dozens of sci-fi & fantasy themes:
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?action=search;type=8

I'd suggest browsing & searching around there.

Some of the non-sci-fi themes use slate/charcoal/black.   Some of the most widely used themes are in that color scheme, e.g., Alpha Cenauri:
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=2851

And others:
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=614
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=126
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=610

Just search for 'black' or 'star' or whatever...

Thanks Shawn!

Alpha Centauri I looked at,

the other three are good, I may use one of them for the second site I am setting up. I think I am getting there though with the Enterprise theme.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Sir Osis of Liver on August 14, 2017, 12:40:22 AM
Just made a few changes, take another look.  The header is the same for logged in members and guests.  Theme needs a bit of cleaning up, but that's the basic idea.

I see what you're saying about the menu.  Think I'll move some things around.  Going offline shortly, will play with it tomorrow.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 14, 2017, 12:47:26 AM
 damned brilliant Sir Osis, now ya'll gotta give me a 101 on how to do that :D unless of course you be volunteering to do it Lol.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Kindred on August 14, 2017, 09:23:28 AM
We used to use enterprise over on fx-sabers.com...   but it was not responsive...   

We currently use a moderately modified version of bloc's studio-003 for that one...  a slightly different modification of stupid-003 for los.turtleshellprod.com and a slightly modified version of alpha Centauri for 40konline.com

All of those sites are now responsive designs...
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Sir Osis of Liver on August 14, 2017, 12:57:03 PM
FYI, this topic was moved without leaving a redirect in Help Wanted.  Makes it difficult to find.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Shambles on August 14, 2017, 02:36:58 PM
Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver
FYI, this topic was moved without leaving a redirect in Help Wanted.  Makes it difficult to find.

It was in "Mod Requests", with a redirect ;)


https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=555627
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 14, 2017, 03:56:48 PM
Kindred, los.turtles looks good  ;D 40k, is fine but we are looking for a total dark backrgound.

Sir Oisis, I only saw it in my email notices Lol.

So what does not responsive mean anyway?
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Kindred on August 14, 2017, 04:46:34 PM
https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/01/guidelines-for-responsive-web-design/

https://www.w3schools.com/html/html_responsive.asp
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Sir Osis of Liver on August 14, 2017, 09:49:42 PM
Quote from: Shambles on August 14, 2017, 02:36:58 PM
Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver
FYI, this topic was moved without leaving a redirect in Help Wanted.  Makes it difficult to find.

It was in "Mod Requests", with a redirect ;)


https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=555627

I'm quite sure it was originally in Help Wanted, why would it be in Mod Requests?  Someone must have moved it there.  (Sir Osis never looks in Mod Requests.)
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Sir Osis of Liver on August 14, 2017, 10:05:18 PM
Melanie, attached are the files you need to modify Enterprise theme. 

- index.template.php goes in /enterprise_smf20final/.

- index.css goes in /enterprise_smf20final/css/.

- index.english.php goes in /enterprise_smf20final/languages/.

- The two images go in /enterprise_smf20final/images/theme/

Bloc used a lot of absolute postion to locate most of the things I moved, I stayed with that.  Checked it in IE11 and FF52, looks ok.  See what it looks like on a tab or phone.

Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 15, 2017, 12:29:56 AM
 Kindred ! thanks, now I know what you mean. I think its okay on mobile devices, I'll soon know :) (don't use one myself)

Sir Osis! I think I finally got it. As in PM :D
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Bloc on August 15, 2017, 07:30:05 AM
Quote from: melanie1986 on August 14, 2017, 12:31:36 AM
Quote from: shawnb61 on August 14, 2017, 12:14:43 AM
Over on the Themes site there are literally dozens of sci-fi & fantasy themes:
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?action=search;type=8

I'd suggest browsing & searching around there.

Some of the non-sci-fi themes use slate/charcoal/black.   Some of the most widely used themes are in that color scheme, e.g., Alpha Cenauri:
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=2851

And others:
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=614
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=126
https://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=610

Just search for 'black' or 'star' or whatever...

Thanks Shawn!

Alpha Centauri I looked at,

the other three are good, I may use one of them for the second site I am setting up. I think I am getting there though with the Enterprise theme.

The graphics of Enterprise might be re-used in my current theme project. Its a SMF 2.1 theme, and I do aim to convert the 2.0 themes(studio, alphacentauri, shellflife, enterprise etc) over to that "engine" (basically a re-written css/html theme from the default SMF 2.1 theme) , rather than convert them as they are.(which takes longer anyway)

Not sure I will be doing any new 2.0 themes though, its about high time SMF 2.1 gets some new themes. :D
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Looking on August 15, 2017, 10:52:30 AM
Why not get something custom built in that way it is responsive as well.
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 15, 2017, 03:55:12 PM
Bloc! Hi, I thought you were gonski  ::)

that would be cool, as I have two more boards to open which will need to look different. One will be Star Wars and the other a Military themed one. Looking forward to seeing what you do.

this is how I have it set up now.

http://startrek.lostworldssff.com/index.php

I did notice though some of the 'stickied' topics were showing up white on the directory (child board index) and you couldn't read them.

Quote from: Looking on August 15, 2017, 10:52:30 AM
Why not get something custom built in that way it is responsive as well.

I would if someone was willing to do it, in fact a guy on another board said he would, he also wanted $150 for doing it....  :'(
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Looking on August 15, 2017, 03:59:09 PM
Well, creating a custom theme does take quite a bit of time and effort. The payment is an appreciation of the service and skill involved. ;)
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 15, 2017, 04:50:23 PM
 Yes I know. I simply can't afford it. But then I have done over 5gb of graphics work for people over the last six years, never charged a cent  :)
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Looking on August 15, 2017, 04:57:59 PM
Oh, well I'll have to get you to come over and give me a hand in my projects then. ;)
Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 15, 2017, 05:10:58 PM
 I'm Down Under  ;D

Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: Bloc on August 16, 2017, 08:29:58 AM
Themes take time, no doubt. When making free themes the key is to make them such that its easy to customize them later on. You never know what people will use them for - in contrast to a custom-built theme for a site. But that too is still a lot of work - at least if you like to do it properly. :) Because, why do anything if you won't do it properly?

Title: Re: That special theme-Sci-fi
Post by: melanie1986 on August 16, 2017, 04:24:36 PM
Quote from: Bloc on August 16, 2017, 08:29:58 AM
Themes take time, no doubt. When making free themes the key is to make them such that its easy to customize them later on. You never know what people will use them for - in contrast to a custom-built theme for a site. But that too is still a lot of work - at least if you like to do it properly. :) Because, why do anything if you won't do it properly?

Exactly. I'm the same, anything I do for someone, be it my graphics, or even helping someone with their pets (I'm a qualified vet) I make sure I do it right.