Help with skin =)

[gray929]

I am currently working on my first skin but need some help. I am not even close to being done. I think I am going to make it a template. Anyways, I'd just like some answers to these questions, thanks:

-What size should I make head/base images?
- How do I make it so the log-in screen text box's are gradients instead of white.
-How can I add an image like SSD has to the reply text box?

I will have more as I keep working on it.

www.redlandscape.proboards76.com/index.cgi

[. i n t e l]

Head and base image width would depend on the width of
the forum.

The height will depend on the style of image. Normally 30 will do for a normal round edge.

The other two questions are done by code.


Just wondering, how did you become a mod of the showcase board
with little experience in design?

[Josh]

For the posting background, use this.


<style type="text/css">
<!--
textarea {
background: url(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/jaj43123jaj/RTS/postingbg.gif) #323232;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: center bottom;
color: #9c9c9b;
border-width:  1px;
border-color: #212224;
border-style: solid;
}
-->
</style>

Modify as needed. Taken from my site, RTS so I know it works

[gray929]

Thank you a lot Josh, just what I needed.

@. i n t e l: Dude, I have never said anything mean to you. Why are you trying to "get" me? We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Skins are not one of my strengths. Ollie probably looked at my strengths and thought they were valid enough to have the Critique position.

[Psionic]

This isn't the place to ask that, Intel. Carry it over to PM, please.

If you mean the gradiants for the head and base images, you only need to do a small image (width wise) as it gets placed next to itself until the width is covered. Standard height for these "slices" is usually about 30-35 pixels, I believe.

[Admin]

americanidiot said:

Just wondering, how did you become a mod of the showcase board
with little experience in design?

He was chosen by me because he put a lot of effort into giving people critique on their work, something which is very important, whether you are experienced or not. I was about the same when I started here too.

[Knighty]

admin said:

americanidiot said:

Just wondering, how did you become a mod of the showcase board
with little experience in design?

He was chosen by me because he put a lot of effort into giving people critique on their work, something which is very important, whether you are experienced or not. I was about the same when I started here too.

Oliver a noob? wtfomg

---

As for the width of the forum and header/footer images, shoot for around 700px, that seems to be the norm lately.

[Josh]

kingellesar said:

admin said:

He was chosen by me because he put a lot of effort into giving people critique on their work, something which is very important, whether you are experienced or not. I was about the same when I started here too.

Oliver a noob? wtfomg

---

As for the width of the forum and header/footer images, shoot for around 700px, that seems to be the norm lately.

I'd go more like 730-ish now. 1024x768 is being phased out. Start making things for 1280x960.

[gray929]

Gotchya. Thanks Josh + Knighty. I will work on the skin this weekend and "release" it on Monday maybe. I know you are all anticipating it because it is so amaizng.

[Zilla]

For head base, I've found thinner height looks better on PB skins. Go for something around 25 pixels. Reason behind this is because you already have a gradient below it, and adding something higher than 30 pixels in height on top of that will make it look cumbersome.

And looking at the skin, some of my suggestions are:

-Change the text color from black. A lighter gray would work well there and be less harsh on the eyes.

-Your gradient color transition is too harsh. On one end black and the other red is too drastic. Try a dark red to a lighter red, with the two being very close on the hex chart.

-You need some depth. Try adding a 1 or 0 pixel bevel on your gradient with layer styles. Or do it the manual way by adding another layer and penciling in a white 1 pixel line up top and lowering the opacity until it looks good.

Good luck gray.

[gray929]

Ooo, Zilla went above the call of duty. Thanks for therate. I will do all 3 of those things. I agree with adding some depth. It will definitley look much better that way =) Also, do you think it would look good with grey in the banner? I might make that my color scheme. Grey + Red

Check your PM btw.

[Zilla]

Depends on the shade of gray. But it could work as long as it doesn't contrast too much with the dark reds you have going there.

Oh yea, make your on/off icons smaller. 50 pixels is huge for on/offs. Something more along the lines of 30 would make it look more compact.