Customize: Manage Custom Themes
Submitted Mark, Nov 20 2009 10:35 AM | Last updated May 25 2010 04:00 AM
Overview of Custom Themes
IP.Blog allows, if you have given the user permission, the ability to customise the look and feel of their individual blog. This is done through Custom Themes - you can either create a collection of pre-defined custom themes for your members, or even allow members to create their own.
Firstly, you must enable Custom Themes and give members the permissions necessary. To do this, go to Admin CP --> System --> System Settings --> IPS Apps --> IP.Blog Settings - the settings you need to configure are:
Pre-Defined Themes
Pre-defined Custom Themes allow your members to use a different Look & Feel to your community's skin. Pre-defined Themes are Custom Themes created by the administrator.
To configure Pre-defined Themes go to Admin CP --> My Apps --> Blog --> Customize --> Manage Custom Themes.
From here you can see the themes you have already created. You can enable/disable any by clicking the icon, or edit/delete any by choosing the appropriate option from the dropdown menu.
You can also create a new theme using the button at the bottom.
When creating or editing a theme, you will have several options - the first several options allow you to give the theme a name and specify author details if you desire. The settings which control the theme are:
Once you have created a theme, user's can select it from the "Change Theme" dropdown on their blog.
Member-Customised Themes
If you have enabled the setting to allow members to create their own themes, they will see a "Create a custom theme" link under the "Change Theme" dropdown on their blog.
When a member uses this option, they can enter their own CSS code which will be used as a custom theme. Before it takes effect, you must approve the custom theme to make sure there is no malicious code in it.
To review member-customised themes awaiting approval, go to Admin CP --> My Apps --> Blog --> Customize --> Manage Member Themes.
You will see a table containing member-customised themes awaiting approval. To view the CSS code, click the "View CSS" link - suspicious part will be highlighted in red, but you should review the code carefully before approving it.
To approve or deny a theme, select the checkbox next to it, choose the appropriate option from the dropdown, and then click "Go".
IP.Blog allows, if you have given the user permission, the ability to customise the look and feel of their individual blog. This is done through Custom Themes - you can either create a collection of pre-defined custom themes for your members, or even allow members to create their own.
Firstly, you must enable Custom Themes and give members the permissions necessary. To do this, go to Admin CP --> System --> System Settings --> IPS Apps --> IP.Blog Settings - the settings you need to configure are:
- Allow members to use themes?
- Allow members to create themes?
Pre-Defined Themes
Pre-defined Custom Themes allow your members to use a different Look & Feel to your community's skin. Pre-defined Themes are Custom Themes created by the administrator.
To configure Pre-defined Themes go to Admin CP --> My Apps --> Blog --> Customize --> Manage Custom Themes.
From here you can see the themes you have already created. You can enable/disable any by clicking the icon, or edit/delete any by choosing the appropriate option from the dropdown menu.
You can also create a new theme using the button at the bottom.
When creating or editing a theme, you will have several options - the first several options allow you to give the theme a name and specify author details if you desire. The settings which control the theme are:
- Theme Images URL This allows you to use a shortcut in your CSS. Wherever you type {images} in your CSS code - whatever you enter here will be replaced with it.
- Overwrite CSS completely? If yes, only the CSS you specify will be used when displaying a blog using the theme. Otherwise, the CSS you specify will be added to your community's skin's CSS.
- Theme CSS This is where you should provide the CSS code for the theme. The code will either be the only CSS on the page when viewing a blog using the theme, or it will be added to the community's skin's CSS, depending on the above setting.
Once you have created a theme, user's can select it from the "Change Theme" dropdown on their blog.
Member-Customised Themes
If you have enabled the setting to allow members to create their own themes, they will see a "Create a custom theme" link under the "Change Theme" dropdown on their blog.
When a member uses this option, they can enter their own CSS code which will be used as a custom theme. Before it takes effect, you must approve the custom theme to make sure there is no malicious code in it.
To review member-customised themes awaiting approval, go to Admin CP --> My Apps --> Blog --> Customize --> Manage Member Themes.
You will see a table containing member-customised themes awaiting approval. To view the CSS code, click the "View CSS" link - suspicious part will be highlighted in red, but you should review the code carefully before approving it.
To approve or deny a theme, select the checkbox next to it, choose the appropriate option from the dropdown, and then click "Go".
0 Comments