New style - ignoring stylevars and using only CSS - possible?

[Retal]

I want to do a redesign of our forum. Most webdesigners and coders don't understand the vB stylevars system. They however know CSS very well of course.

Is it possible to create a new style based purely on CSS files, without the need to tamper with the stylevars?

In other words:
Is it possible for a non-vB designer to create a new vB style?

Thank you for any advice.

[Retal]

Any knowledgeable designers here to help me?

[dartho]

Yes - just create your CSS file and reference it in all templates rather than the current CSS links in them

[Rafa-el]

Yes, is possible, but if you do that will be a real pain to upgrade and also perform the changes will take more time than using stylevars IMO.

Just add your CSS into the CSS Templates. replacing all the content of the stylevars vars, but as I said is very time waster do that, prefferable read about the vB stylevar system.

[Retal]

Hello guys, thank you for your answers. I have already delved into the CSS templates and noticed that we could simply replace all stylevar references with fixed directives.

Rafael, how would it make the upgrades harder? Does CSS change between small versions (4.0.x or 4.x)?
I can see how any HTML change in the style makes upgrades harder, but not really how CSS affects this.

[Attitude5ire]

You would have to replace pretty much every CSS template as Stylevars are extensively coded into CSS. Would indeed make each upgrade difficult incase you revert templates as mostly the fixes for 4.0.x versions are through css.

Definately not recommended to remove stylevars jus yet. I do believe Stylevars will be sharpend and made much potent in coming version.

[Rafa-el]

Originally Posted by Retal

Rafael, how would it make the upgrades harder? Does CSS change between small versions (4.0.x or 4.x)?
I can see how any HTML change in the style makes upgrades harder, but not really how CSS affects this.

Because since the CSS will be hardcoded into the skins and if a CSS template had changed you will need to update that skin and merge the changes wich will be a pain in Very complex skins. Also you will have to update if there're new stylevars or stylevar changes.

Not recommended.

[Retal]

Thank you all!
Are there any safe guidelines as for the HTML?
When you guys change HTML in your styles, what do you pay attention to?

Or should I say to our designer: Do the redesign, but don't touch the HTML?

[fxwoody]

I don't like this new Stylevars function obviously! Tho, i guess it was purposed to make us "non-designer" having a hard time modifying the look!?
I had to add some CSS in my site in order to tweak it as i wanted, but at the end, from my test site to the main site, the transfer has been having some strange effects on it! lol
Could there be an explanation/manual on how to create our own stylevars codding ????
Or do we only have the choice to stick to regular CSS????

[Retal]

Fxwoody, please don't derail my thread. Open your own to ask those questions (though admittedly I think those are good questions).