So...anyone know how to make a custom layout?

[brendala]

I want to add a custom look to my journal and the Scooby comm I'm modding for; but I can't make heads or tails of any of the tutorials I've seen. So I just thought I'd ask you guys if any of you can explain the process to me in a "for dummies" fashion that someone with minimal tech/computer skills can understand. I'd really appreciate it! 

Comments

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Honestly, if you want to do it yourself I'd go for a pre-made one from some layout communities and alter it. I have some layouts I've made that you could alter the images of if you want to use them. There a link on my info to my layout journal if you want to look or whatever.

If not I can try and help you through it. I'd have some questions to help you out like what style you're going with and what you want to do.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

For the Scooby journal, I wanted to create a layout using the pattern from the Mystery Machine (blue border, green in the middle, and red flowers scattered around).

Basically, I just want to know if it's possible to paint that pattern over an existing layout template.

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

You can do pretty much anything with the layouts if you know how. I think what you're saying is you want that as a background to the whole journal, yes?

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Pretty much.

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Okay that's easy, what layout are you using?

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Right now it's on the S2 default layout (it's called "Nautical something-or-other"). Here's a link so you can see it:

<http://community.livejournal.com/scooby_doo/>

I'm not attached to this current layout; it's just there as a place holder.

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Okay. Do you want a header (the banner at the top) as well??

Also, do you have images you want to use or do you need them made?

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Yeah. For now, I just want the header to be text that says "Scooby Doo Community".

I'm sure I can easily make the Mystery Machine background pattern. The only problem is that I don't know what size it should be or how to place it into an LJ template.

I assume that a simple template like this...

<http://palebird.webs.com/lovesmenotv2.htm?referer=affiliatenetwork>

...would work best for this kind of thing. Am I right?

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

It could but I've got a simpler way. Select quite lickable in the styles. It'll give you your background and just the top banner saying the journal name. For a background of that sort you can't tile it vertically so I'd go with 768 height. It will repeat horizontally but that shouldn't matter because it tiles and should be seamless. You only need it to be wide enough to put a few flowers on it.

Putting a banner in is super easy too so if you want to make one fancier than just the text, I can ive you a size for that with this layout and the coding.

Link! Go to the link ->put in the following code
body {background-color: #000000; background-image: url('URL OF BACKGROUND'); background-repeat: repeat; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin: 0px;}



Link! Got to the link -> select colors (if you want me to do that, I can but I figured you could try what you like)

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

And if you want, I could easily make up the background for you. It wouldn't take too long. You just need to host it on photobucket or something.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

I actually just threw together a design I thought might work as a background for the Scooby comm.



The actual image isn't as pixelated as the one here (I just made a smaller version to give you an idea of what I was going for).
And, yeah, I know I suck at photoshop. But maybe someone with more skill than me can tweek this design and make it look less "MS Paint-esque".

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'd advise aainst using something that has a design in the corners. Reason being, if you tile it so it fits every resolution, it won't work. It'll repeat on some and not others and look messy.

I'd suggest something you can tile unless you don't care that everyone see a clean, neat layout.

Here's something I came up with that you can either use or not use.



I also came up with a matching banner that, again, you can use or not use. I'll be happy to help you code.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

WOW! That is beautiful! Thank you!

Now I just need to figure out how to get those pictures into a layout

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome hun. Its easy enough to put them up.
You'll need to be using the "quite lickable" layout and put this in for the background.

Link! Go to the link ->put in the following code

body {background-color: #000000;background-image: url('URL OF BACKGROUND');background-repeat: repeat;font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;font-size: 10px;margin: 0px;}




Link Go to that link ->Auto-generated Customizations ->put in the following code

<DIV>set custom_css = "body {background-color: #000000;<BR>background-image: url('URL OF BANNER');<BR>background-repeat: repeat;

That should work but if you have any trouble I'm here to help.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Thanks again for all your help!

I figured out how to get the background working:
<http://community.livejournal.com/scooby_doo/>

...but I'm still trying to get the banner in place. :P

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Hmm it put the background in the wrong place.

What code did you put in?

Btw, if you can't get it I can do it with mod abilities. It'd take me only a few minutes and then you can remove them.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

I used the image html when I couldn't get the code to work.

I think it would be best to just make you a temp mod and let you handle it (BTW, I think you have to join the comm before I can add you as a mod).

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

No problem. Yeah I think you do, lol. I just joined up.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

OK, you're a mod now. Congrats!

Thanks again for putting up with my technical retardation. You're too kind! ^_^;

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Okay here's the thing, I got the background set up properly. However, I forgot only paid accounts can get the layers but I'm going to get 2 months for the comm and set up a layer (which allows a banner).

Haha no worries, I kind of do this all the time, make layouts. Its no big.

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Okay I've got a layout up for the community. You can check it out now and let me know if there's anything you want changed or let me know if you like it. After that, I'll make any changes you wanted and if there are none, you can remove mod power.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

I LOVE the new layout! It looks fantastic. Thank you!

I want to make a comm post crediting you for the new layout. Is that cool with you or do you want to remain anonymous?

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm glad you like it and I hope your members do too.

Sure you can make a credit post. :) Thank you.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Just wondering...is it possible to make the text black in the user posts? The orange can be a bit hard to read (especially for longer posts and for people with bad eyes).

[ladyxmoonlight.livejournal.com]

Of course. Would you like me to do that quick? I have reat eyes and minor differences in color stand out very well for me so its hard for me to think as someone with bad eyes. Heh.