[paid] Creating a theme layer

[carriep63]

I know most of the members in this little community already know how to create a theme layer, but I'm posting a step by step guide here for anyone who doesn't.

• This tutorial will show you how to create, edit and use a theme layer for your layout.
• This will only pertain to users with the ability to create custom layers (paid, permanent or early adopters).
• You must be using the S2 style system in order to use this tutorial.
• You can use the ideas in this tutorial with any layout, but it is worded specifically for the Bloggish style.

Creating the layer | Editing the layer | Preview and use the layer

CREATING THE LAYER

1. Go to the customization area (Journal -> Customize Journal) and scroll down to the "developer area" link, or you can go directly to the advanced customization area by following this link: Advanced customization.
   
   


2. Choose "Your Layers".
   
   


3. Scroll to the bottom of the page to Create layout-specific layer and choose theme as the type.
   
   


4. For Layout, choose the layout you plan to use. In this case it's Bloggish.
   
   


5. Hit the
   button.


6. Now we can edit the layer and insert our codes!

EDITING THE LAYER

1. On the "your layers" page, click the edit button next to your layer. This will bring you to the S2 Compiler.
   
   


2. We have to name our layer. Choose any name you like and insert it between the empty quotes next to layerinfo name.
   
   


3. Hit "Save and Compile". You will want to do this often. I compile after every change I make.


4. You will place any coding below the first two lines. For the sake of this tutorial, I am going to use the code for changing the mood/music/location words.
   
   


5. Save and Compile.


6. Done. Now we are ready to apply this theme layer to our journal!

PREVIEW AND USE THE LAYER

1. Go to the customization area (Journal -> Customize Journal) and scroll down to the "developer area" link, or you can go directly to the advanced customization area by following this link: Advanced customization.
   
   


2. Choose Your styles.
   
   


3. Scroll down to Create Style, enter a name for your style and hit the create button.
   
   


4. We are on the "Edit Style" page right now. Choose the layout type you are using for the style (in our case it's Bloggish) and hit the change button.
   
   


5. Now, where it says Theme: we can choose our "Theme Name".
   
   


6. Save Changes.


7. We can preview the style by clicking on the link with the style number.
   
   


8. To use the style on your journal, just click the "use" button next to the style name.
   
   

Note: There is a button that says "edit" here. This is not where you edit your theme layer. The only thing you will edit here is the style. You can pick a different theme layer, language or layout by choosing "edit". To edit the actual theme layer, follow the steps in the Editing the layer section of the tutorial.