[paid accounts] How to create a theme layer

[cyrnelle]

1. Go to Your Layers. Create a layout specific layer with Type: Theme and Layout: Flexible Squares.
2. Click on the Edit button of the theme layer called (none).
3. In the Edit layer source box, there are two lines. Leave the layerinfo "type" declaration as it is. In layerinfo "name", give the layer a name.
4. Insert whatever code that you want to use to modify

Comments

[afuna]

Re: #8, I also find that it works if I uncheck all overrides in the color tab, then select the theme I want, go back to edit customizations, check override defaults for all colors, and then change the theme to layout edits :D

Not sure which is easier, but one puts the colors in the user layer, and the other in the new theme layer.

[auricle]

I'm trying to use this tutorial to allow myself to add a banner to my paid journal. I am able to complile the layer correctly but the problem starts around

"Name the style whatever you wish. Choose Flexible Squares for Layout:, hit change. Then choose the name of the theme layer you created earlier for Theme:."

Whenever I try to choose the name of the theme layer I created earlier it is not on the list with the other wizard style's. Any help?

[afuna]

Possible Problem: the theme layer was being created under a different style, and not Flexible Squares.
Fix: See #1 of the above

Possible Problem: custom theme layers only show up at the very bottom of the dropdown box, under

----
Others:
(etc etc)

and you might not be scrolling down far enough to see it.

If it's not either of the two above, I'm not sure what the problem was/could be and I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to state which steps you did, in the exact manner you're doing them :)

[alonewestand]

hmm its not working for me either.

Go to Your Layers. Create a layout specific layer with Type: Theme and Layout: Flexible Squares. -done
Click on the Edit button of the theme layer called (none). -done
In the Edit layer source box, there are two lines. Leave the layerinfo "type" declaration as it is. In layerinfo "name", give the layer a name. -done
Insert whatever code that you want to use to modify the style after the layerinfo declarations. -done
Hit Compile. The layer should compile with no errors. -done
Go to Your Styles. Create a new style. If you get an error message, just hit the edit button on any of the wizard-whatever styles that you don't mind losing your previous customisations. -i got an error, so i chose to edit the cuteness style
Name the style whatever you wish. Choose Flexible Squares for Layout:, hit change. Then choose the name of the theme layer you created earlier for Theme:. -i renamed it and chose the layer, and it says layerid not found

[afuna]

Odd.

By chose the layer, do you mean that you chose it from the dropdown box? Or did you choose "Other..." and then typed something in the textbox that showed up?

[torinosu]

Question about point 8. Forgive me for being a hell of a newbie, as I'm just not sure where to find this information.

If you want to use a theme which is not the default one, you'll need to copy the colour information from that theme layer into this new one, since you can only use one theme layer at a time. To do that, download the theme layer you wish to use, copy everything except the layerinfo declarations, paste it in the new layer and compile.

Does this mean, then, that when I change color options through the normal customization method, that a theme layer is generated? If so, how do I access that theme layer info?

Again, forgive me for being such a bloody newbie.

-Lauren

[afuna]

No need to apologize; we all need to start somewhere :)

When you change color options using the Customization Wizard, a new user layer is generated, and not a theme layer. You can see all your layers in www.livejournal.com/customize/advanced/layers.bml.

If there's anything unclear to you about that page, comment back with your question(s) and I'll do my best to answer them :)

[lynda]

I am unsure from these instructions how I'm supposed to go about downloading my current theme. Where do I get that information?

[lynda]

Ok, I just found it (figures since I've been stumped at this for days). To download a current theme, go to to Public Layers section of the site and find your theme. Then get the "Raw Source Code"

[autumn_faerie]

I've done this okay, but I have a question... if you want to delete a layer you created, can you do that without it affecting anything else? For instance, if I mess up on a layer I created, or just don't want it anymore, can I delete it without it doing anything wonky?

[afuna]

Yes, you can delete without worrying that it'll make things wonky. Deleting the layer means that you'll lose all modifications that you've done to your style using that layer, and your layout will simply revert back to the defaults for Flexible Squares.

Caveat, (and I'm about to bring up a very unlikely situation): If you've got related code for one modification split up among different locations (for instance, you position your sidebar in an external stylesheet, and you position your main content in a theme layer), and you delete your layer, your layout will probably look messed up. There'll be no permanent harm, but the sidebar and maincontent could overlap, for instance, since the maincontent is taking the default position while the sidebar is in an adjusted position.

But that's only to be expected, after all :D

[autumn_faerie]

Thanks for the speedy reply! :) I haven't done anything with an external style sheet, just the theme layer to create a header. So I should be able to delete that layer without anything going funky. Thanks for your help!

[afuna]

You're welcome ;) Enjoy editing your layout!

[willow_diamond]

In the Edit layer source box, there are two lines. Leave the layerinfo "type" declaration as it is. In layerinfo "name", give the layer a name.

I'm lost already.

I think LJ changed things, because I don't see this. I don't see 'name.'

[willow_diamond]

I can do a screencap if you need.

[afuna]

I just tried creating a new theme layer and I did see the two lines specified in the instructions above.

A screenshot might help figure out what's happening, yeah :)

You could also try manually inserting the code yourself -- shouldn't make any difference.

layerinfo "type" = "theme";
layerinfo "name" = "";

(Though if you want to be really sure, go ahead and take the screenshot and put it here :D There might be something else going on here that will cause more problems in the future)