I don't know about methods (1) and (2). As suggested elsewhere in this thread I effectively use a little code in the php page (not the vBulletin template). Mine looks like:
PHP Code:
// #######################################################################
// ######################## START MAIN SCRIPT ############################
// #######################################################################
if (!is_member_of($vbulletin->userinfo, 6, 7, 5, 15, 13, 9, 11, 16, 12))
{
// give no permission unless in usergroup x, y, or z
print_no_permission();
}
$navbits = construct_navbits(array('' => 'TMGA Logos'));
$navbar = render_navbar_template($navbits);
// ###### YOUR CUSTOM CODE GOES HERE #####