Default theme (RC3 Curve) colour variations - updated

[Aleksi "Lex" Kilpinen]

Hi Chas Large, If I understood you correctly - you would wish to use these themes on a 1.1 installation?
I have to say that is near impossible, as these are based on a completely rewritten theme base, the 2.0 default called "Curve", that was not available for 1.1 at any point in time, and will not work on 1.1 at the moment - nor probably ever.

[Chas Large]

Hi Chas Large, If I understood you correctly - you would wish to use these themes on a 1.1 installation?
I have to say that is near impossible, as these are based on a completely rewritten theme base, the 2.0 default called "Curve", that was not available for 1.1 at any point in time, and will not work on 1.1 at the moment - nor probably ever.

Thanks LexArma, I guessed that was the case, hence the question. I just wondered if there was some easy way to export the graphics from Curve to Core but having spent some time looking at the differences, I can see it's not easy, so I'll have a go at making my own version based on core in 1.1.10 with some editing of the graphics in that theme. Of course I've cloned it first so no worries about damaging the core theme. Many thanks for your prompt reply.

[Antechinus]

It wont work with Core without a hell of a lot of recoding. You would have to change every template, and I'm not exaggerating.

[zushiba]

I believe I've finished my little redesign of the Prince of Darkness variant.


EDIT: Ooops forgot to show the menu.

[nivlac]

Antechinus,

You said,

These are default theme colour variations (made by a simple application of a filter to the main image and tweaks to link/text colours)

Could you explain the "simple application of a filter" part, without going into a lengthy tutorial? Are you saying you changed the color of the images by using a filter on all layers, or something else?

Thanks...

[Antechinus]

Sure. Bloc originally made all the bits of Curve as separate images. During development it was decided to use one large, compound image (or sprite, if you prefer) so the original psd's weren't suited to this. I ended up making a main_block.psd myself from scratch because Bloc was working on other things and the styles required were quite simple anyway, but I made these variants before I made that.

Because I made these variants before the main_block.psd I just improvised by taking the png image from the default version of Curve and throwing various Photoshop filters at it to see what looked cool. This is why the main_block.psd files for these variants are very simple. I only added extra elements where they were needed (like the catbg bars hex pattern for PoD).

From what I tried my opinion was that the dark ones worked best for looks, and any light variants would require more extensive changes to work really well. With the psd this is not that difficult so I will do some more when I have time.

[Linda.V]

Hello,

There are some colour variations and I hope there were also be one with a light gray header and gray/silver catbg's. I can not change the colours in the main_block because I don't have psp...

[nivlac]

Antechinus,

Personally, I like the dark themes, and Blue Steel and Curvaceous Chocolate are my favs. In addition to hosting my high school's alumni forum, I'm also the webmaster. I'm preparing to upgrade the production site from SMF 1.1.10 to 2.0 and from MKPortal to Simple Portal. I made a copy of the site and converted it to 2.0 and started customizing. The forum is currently made up of alumni from the 40s through the 70s, so I'm hoping the upgrade will attract some younger alumni so there will be more action.

The Admins are truly excited about the new look but they pointed out, as someone else on this topic did, that the dark colors are difficult for older people and requested something in lighter gold tones. I think Curvaceous will do if I change the dark backgrounds to the golds they liked. I was planning on using #dee3e7 and #f5f5f5 and was thinking I might be able to pull it off.

I appreciate your reply and thanks for the themes. They give the forum a very nice professional look. If I succeed in my attempt at a variation, I'll let you know.

Thanks...

[Antechinus]

Dark backgrounds are fine but they are less tolerant of lighting than lighter themes. This is why they are a favourite with gamers (who often lurk in the dark so reflections on the screen don't interfere with their gameplay) but are no good for office workers (since dark themes are crap with bright office lighting).

The two colours you mention are both light greys. If you want something to go with those you are probably best off just starting with the psd and changing gradients, etc to suit. Have to play with it and see what works.

[butchs]

Hello,

There are some colour variations and I hope there were also be one with a light gray header and gray/silver catbg's. I can not change the colours in the main_block because I don't have psp...

Try GIMP if you have a mac, or GIMP-Win if not.

[Linda.V]

Thanks butchs 

[Linda.V]

With the psd this is not that difficult so I will do some more when I have time.

Yesss, thx 

[Мel]

Hey, where can I find Core Theme color variations for 2.0 RC2?
Don't like Curve much.

[DirtRider]

I cannot find the light ones 

[Мel]

Yep, too dark.

[Antechinus]

Make some.   Teh psd is in the OP. Go for it.

[zushiba]

I don't think I've had as much fun with a theme since back in the early days of Winamp before it supported skinning   

The darker theme is inspired by (ripped off) from gameriot.

[DirtRider]

Make some.   Teh psd is in the OP. Go for it.

Not much good at doing this type of stuff 

[Mick.]

Warning: this PSD was made during testing of Curve and a change was made to Curve for the actual RC2 release. The PSD is 2300x664 and the main_block.png in Curve RC2 is 2300x864. You can use the PSD to sort out your custom colour schemes but will need to stretch the middle section of it by 200px in height before saving it as a png. Anyone capable of manipulating PSD's to make usable theme images should have no trouble with this.

Boy! im having a hard time with this.   I spent several days figuring out on why the curved corners on the footer didnt appear after an edit.   Today i read this post and it fixes the footer. 

....but when i change the entire image from 2300x664 to 2300x864, the header goes out of whack.

This is what i did:   cntrol, alt & image brings up the image size.  Unchecked "constraint proportions" and add an additional 200px in the height.

Hmmmm.....   any ideas?

[butchs]

Check a few posts back, on reply 21 Mike Bobbitt posted a corrected main block.   

It seems to work for me...