Custom Header for each Forum/Sub-Forum

[trigatch4]

Custom I want each forum to use a different header image... how would I go about doing this? The only way I can currently think of is to copy/re-install the "style" every single time with only a different header image and then choose "custom forum style" in the forum manager.

Obviously, that option ads a lot of unneccessary bulk. Is there a way to right a quick line that will check a certain folder to see if there is a header image named after the particular forum and if so, to display that, and if not, display a default?

An example of what I mean: If you had a "baseball" forum with subforums for each team, each team's sub forum could be branded for that team. Every thread, post, reply template, etc... everything you do under that forum would have the custom header for the designated forum/sub-forum.

I thought the way I suggested sounds like the easiest but I don't code so... who knows? But maybe something like this already exists? Only one I found was from 3 years ago.

Anyways, I'll let you geniuses order me around....

Discuss!

[iogames]

I've been looking for something like that too... the closest thing I had seen is this:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=173240

Let's wait for Lynne to pass around here

[Lynne]

I think you could do something like:

 <if condition="$foruminfo[forumid] == x">
Insert image code for banner in forum x
<else />
<if condition="$foruminfo[forumid] == y">
Insert image code for banner in forum y
</if>
</if>

I'm pretty sure that would work. I'm not too sure about the 'if the banner exists' part of it though. I think you'd have to use a plugin to test for that. Although, if you used a plugin to test for it, then spitting it out could be pretty easy if you named them all something like headerx.jpg and headery.jpg. I think I'm gonna have to leave it up to the real coders here since I'm more of a keep-trying-until-it-works type of coder.

edit: Found the function we want - file_exists - and I'm assuming the header to use for forum 4 is header4.jpg and the header to use for forum 22 is header22.jpg, etc.

PHP Code:

 $filename = '/path/to/header'.$forumid.jpg;

if (!file_exists($filename)) {
    $filename = "default.jpg";
} 


And then spit out the image $filename in the header template.

That's how I would go about it anyway. But, I'm sure that code has some sort of syntax error cuz they always do when I first type them out.

[trigatch4]

Lynne thank you SOOOO much for this. I haven't tried it and I'm sure it will take some tinkering but this is a solid, solid start that I can surely get to work.

You are awesome thanks so much!

[iogames]

Show me the result when you finish

[trigatch4]

It might be awhile as my list of "things to do" before launch is 2352523 things long. But I'll PM you when it's done.

... BTW... how did you predict that Lynne would come around and save the day?

[iogames]

Some have 'IT', some just think they have IT

[trigatch4]

Lynne... your solution works with one problem:

The headers only display if you're on that Forum/Sub-Forum's actual home screen. I want the header to display no matter where within THAT forum you are. So if you're reading a thread, reading a post, replying to post, etc... the custom banner is always there for each forum -not just on the home of that forum/subforum.

Does that make sense? I'm hoping you can be a lifesaver again!

[Lynne]

Then you may need to change it from this:

 <if condition="$foruminfo[forumid] == x">

To this:

 <if condition="$foruminfo[forumid] == x OR $thread[forumid] == x">

[Lee Wallace]

I like where you guys are going with this, thanks! One question, where does this code go? :^)