I need some styling help

[MarineCorps]

Using the Style Manager in the Admin CP seems pretty straightforward and easy as long as all you want to do is make basic style changes. However I would like to do more than that and have the graphics background and programs to do so but I am weak on coding.

What I want to know is if I make an image for the header in 3 pieces so that there is a repeating background with a left and right image how does that get coded?
And does that need to be changed in the header template? Or can it be extra css code?

That same question also applies to the Footer, Table Header, and Category Strips. Also on all three areas do you also need to specify the height of the images you are using or will the style adjust upon the height of the image used?

Secondly how do I add a space between threads? And once a space is added does each thread then have it's own footer?

The reason why I ask these questions is because in order to acheive a shape other than a rectangle I assume that is what people have done. I have several more questions concerning changing other parameters but I will wait until I understand and can use effectively what I have allready asked. Thanks to everyone who is willing to help me out.

[ChU v2]

What I want to know is if I make an image for the header in 3 pieces so that there is a repeating background with a left and right image how does that get coded?
And does that need to be changed in the header template? Or can it be extra css code?


I would use tables to separate the images and code that accordingly.


That same question also applies to the Footer, Table Header, and Category Strips. Also on all three areas do you also need to specify the height of the images you are using or will the style adjust upon the height of the image used?


The footer is a template edit and you can also use Additional CSS (for anything really) Table Header and Category strips are under Main CSS. The category strips size depends on how big you make the tables for your style. I don't know the default, but the strips are set at a certain size and the image will either get cut off or not fit if its too small. You can adjust repeating, centering etc in Main CSS. Footer can be completely customized.



I'm new to making skins, so I hope that helps.

[MarineCorps]

Thank you so what I am looking for is best done in the templates correct?
And I have to be sure and have open and close tags < > .
Is there any heirarchy I need to be carefull of, in other words where in the particular template should I add the code?

[valdet]

What I want to know is if I make an image for the header in 3 pieces so that there is a repeating background with a left and right image how does that get coded?
And does that need to be changed in the header template? Or can it be extra css code?


This point and the rest could be well covered from the post below. I used it and got the results I wanted.

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=137415

Cheers,
Val.

[MarineCorps]

Thank you Valdet after I initiqally posted I found that article and then I cracked open my CSS books to see how I could also line up multiple images and set one as expandable so that is covered. I also discovered that you can adjust the navigation bar in the header.

Now what I need to know is what template or area for extra CSS effects the space between the threads on the main forum page. I found this going through the VB help could it really be this easy?
Inner Border Width
This is the cellspacing attribute of your forum tables. The larger this number, the farther apart vBulletin's table cells will be from eachother.

Or would you add space by adjusting the forum home template? Since both the table header / footer are located there.