Make Default Theme prettier?

[haktanir2]

The default theme is not very pretty, but I don't want to install a theme because I will have to always manually add modifications to it.

Is there a simple way to make the existing theme look better? I saw some color alterations but none of them are even as good as the blue default.

[bloc]

What exactly is "not pretty"...?

[m3talc0re]

I think a better question would be what IS pretty...

[bloc]

The default theme isn't meant to be "pretty". Its meant to convey a feeling of what SMF stands for, be functional for all kinds of communities and interesting enough to be noticed. It should work on all browsers, not rely on special effects and be easy to modify for own needs.

[Skipdawg]

Well I am waiting on 1.1 final (gold) to really look into doing more.

But all I've done is just personalize the default theme some. Added in a background, changed the title default image, moved the menu-bar over and such things.

[farhaddad]

Actually smf 1.1 default theme is the best default forum theme I've ever seen (including commercial forums) !
I'm talking about structure and layout. Colors are a matter of taste and can be easily changed.

[Toadmund]

Even still, if you install a theme you like you can switch any time you like back to the default.
Or perhaps you wish to create your own?

[SKETCHi]

You can change everything about the default theme if you wanted. Asking if there is a way to do so will get you a simple answer, however, the act of making the theme "prettier" is much harder. Personally, I think the default theme is very well designed, but it all comes down to personal choice.

If you want to edit the theme, there are a few files you should look at. First, have a look at the style.css. This controlls all of the colors, aside from images. If you want to change the way your board is laid out, you should look at index.template.php, display.template.php and boardindex.template.php. These files will allow you to change almost anything in the theme.

I think you will save yourself some headaches if you just use a theme and install mods manually . Anyway, good luck .

[Zwinto]

Easy to do ..just change style.css as mentioned before and then you can
edit all the images in photoshop. Easy to do nice bares with the gradient tool..

[haktanir2]

Okay thanks for the replies.

[m3talc0re]

Heh, speaking of which, have a look at this:
http://m3talc0re.com/smfboard/index.php?action=forum;theme=15

That I accidently made when I started a new theme and uploaded the template files from my slickpro theme and the css from another theme. Came out kinda nice actually... hint hint SMF...