before i start a theme, a simple question.

[rtil]

i'm a new SMF user. just moved from IPB. i want to make my own skin. my question is, is it inadvisable to work off of o the default theme? if so, is the ideal way to start a new theme to make a duplicate of the default theme and work from that?

[ARG01]

Is advised to use a duplicate for a base if you are working with a live site that already has members. This way you wont be an inconvenience to your members as you are designing.

[rtil]

haha true.

[Akyhne]

Do never edit the default, but make a copy of it. Or find another theme you like and ask the author wether it's ok for you to edit it.

Be sure you choose a theme for the right SMF version. Themes for SMF2 are very different from SMF1. They are not compatible.