Can some one please help me with creating a Joomla template?

Question

HI, i am learning to create webpages with Joomla (CMS) and i don't want to be an avergage user that just uses the default templates i would like to learn to create my own can some one please help me? thanks a lot :)

Answer 1

My advice would be not to dive into template building from scratch. Although joomla is fairly easy to pick up and start building websites, once you get into the realm of building your own templates, it can get complicated.



I suggest that you download a couple of templates, and edit them according to what you want. When I first started, I got a free template from http://www.bestofjoomla.com (I believe it was called myBusiness) and firebug, and started editing it to see how it handles div's, and how it organizes the information, then I went on to building my own.

Answer 2

Introduction



The purpose of this tutorial is to serve as an introduction to creating Joomla! templates. It will cover the essential files and code needed to create a basic template. The code is presented so it can be cut and pasted with very little modification needed.



Setting Up A Directory Structure



To make the most basic template, create a new folder in the "templates" folder. Name this folder after your template i.e. "mynewtemplate".



Using a text editor (or dedicated editor such as Adobe Dreamweaver) create the files "index.php" and "templateDetails.xml"



To keep things organized, make 2 new folders called "images" and "css". Inside the "css" folder create a file called "style.css".



Although it is fine to place all your CSS code directly in your "index.php" file to start, many web developers prefer to place their CSS code in a separate file that can be linked from multiple pages using the "link" tag.



This is the most basic practical setup.



Outline of folder and file structure:



mynewtemplate/

> css/

> > style.css

> images/

> index.php

> component.php

> templateDetails.xml



Creating A Basic templateDetails.xml file



The templateDetails.xml file is essential. Without it, your template won't be seen by Joomla!. The file holds key "metadata" about the template.



Lets look at an example:




"http://dev.joomla.org/xml/1.5/template-install.dtd">



mynewtemplate

2008-05-01

John Doe

[e-mail]

http://www.example.com

John Doe 2008

GNU/GPL

1.0.2

My New Template



index.php

component.php

templateDetails.xml

template_thumbnail.png

images/background.png

css/style.css





breadcrumb

left

right

top

user1

user2

user3

user4

footer







So, as you can see, we have a set of information between markup tags ( the ). Your best approach is to cut and paste this into your "templateDetails.xml" file and change the relevant bits (such as ).



The part should contain all the files that you use - you possibly don't know what they are called yet - don't worry update it later.



Leave the positions as they are - these are a common set so you will be able to switch easily from the standard templates.



For more detailed Tutorial please visit http://docs.joomla.org/Tutorial:Creating_a_basic_Joomla!_template



Or



You may visit http://www.compassdesigns.net/tutorials/208-joomla-15-template-tutorial.html

Answer 3

regrettably there is no longer a competent template academic. yet as on your difficulty basically open firefox on your considerable cyber web internet site and run firebug. Then basically look on the cyber web internet site and make powerful the css document is referenced on the right. Then bypass to the css firebug tab and confirm that the perfect css is getting used for that merchandise. in case you do no longer see the css reference make powerful you upload it to the template header, in the considerable index.own abode cyber web internet site document located in the muse of the template folder.