Theme Authors: How can we help you?

[WillyP]

Or you could just use Firebug in Firefox, with a color picker plug-in.

[ishy]

Somebody was going to do this awhile ago, but I'd like to see a much simpler and shorter CSS where elements that are simpler or that would have the same elements  grouped together. Something that makes it easy to customize by just changing a few colors, the catbg, and the background.   I agree with the suggestions on commenting.

I'd also like to see a lot more total variation in theme styles. This comes along with the comments about less variants on Curve, and I strongly dislike the background/catbg/titlebg single image concept. It seems like one of those things that sounds good in theory, but ends up looking really unprofessional in practice.

[SoLoGHoST]

I'd also like to see a lot more total variation in theme styles. This comes along with the comments about less variants on Curve, and I strongly dislike the background/catbg/titlebg single image concept. It seems like one of those things that sounds good in theory, but ends up looking really unprofessional in practice.

I couldn't agree with you more.  The main thing that I see about SMF Themes that is a problem, is that everything looks exactly the same but the images, colors, and locations of text, links, etc..  And while people may argue that this is the exact definition of a Theme, I tend to disagree.  This, to me, is dull.  We are going into a new era where themes can be much more than just color changes, image changes, and/or CSS and Javascript changes.  A Theme should completely change the forums feel IMHO.  But the COMPLETE OVERALL Experience of the Forum.  Everything that is able to be downloaded is EXACTLY THE SAME, but with different images and/or colors.  This to me does not fully represent a Theme.  Ofcourse, all templates are able to be edited and changed completely, but to me, I don't feel like MOST Theme authors take advantage of this, and even if they do, they are limited by the variables found within the SMF Default Source files, or find themselves creating a mod which adds/removes the variables needed for their theme, which in turn can cause problems with other themes.  I'd like to see a completely different feeling put into SMF via a Theme, but this is really close to impossible to do without altering SMF dramatically.

For example, NO MENU at all perhaps.  Completely different feel.  A Theme that doesn't even look like SMF, but is SMF.  Again, as I stated, a theme should completely change the way the forum feels.  It should really change the way the users experience it.  Right now, all I see in Themes is javascript that makes the menus slide, scroll, etc..  Moving the SAME links around to different spots on the same page (Not exactly a different feel), color changes, and image changes.  The catbg, titlebg(2), and windowbg(2) IMO, are good for mods to automatically fit into these areas quite well and have a proper display in ALL themes, but is lacking and only contributes to this theme problem, IMHO.  I understand why SMF decided on global classes to represent themes, however, there is a better way to handle this which will provide more flexibility, uniqueness, and opportunity for SMF to grow into something even bigger (Theme-wise).

Anyways, these are my thoughts and opinions, but this is based on experience as an End-User and a Developer.  I haven't created any Themes, but I understand how to create one ofcourse.  There are only so many variables that can be utilized within the Source file, for template files when creating a theme.  If those variables don't exist in the source files, than you will have to create a MOD that will alter the source files (Customization, not a theme) to be sure that these variables can be used within your Themes template files.  Right now, as it stands, if you want a completely different feel for your forum, you need to create a whole new forum.  I suppose SMF wants it this way, and this is also what makes SMF unique also.  But I long for the day that theme development in SMF will be much more advanced in that they can emulate any forum that is out today.  Ofcourse, SMF should have their own Default Theme, but people creating other themes should have the ability to be as original as possible with it without having to rewrite the entire software forum.

Just my 2 cents.

[Deaks]

i agree

[Antechinus]

There is now an free, online, theme colour editor that deals with basic colour filter variations.

Topic here: Online theme colors editor

Direct link here: http://www.colorizeit.com/browse/24/smf-20-themes.html

As a result of this, the Customize team will no longer be accepting basic colour filter variations of the 2.0 default theme for approval and display on the Theme Site.

ETA: For anyone who would prefer to use Adobe Illustrator, ttteflon has made a copy of the main_block image in .ai format.

[Apllicmz]

Thank you
to make this online color themes

[DaeHawk]

Just wondering on where to re size custom themes at I know with the default theme there is a re size option but Authors remove it. any help on this. Thanks

[MrGrumpy]

Just wondering on where to re size custom themes at I know with the default theme there is a re size option but Authors remove it. any help on this. Thanks

You should of started a new topic for this as this is not a support topic as such but if the theme has had the re size option removed from the admin panel then the theme isn't designed to have the width adjust and is a "fixed width" theme.

[DaeHawk]

Sorry for that should have thought about that when I couldnt find the answer.