Theme & Layout Change for Beginners
We all have to begin the learning process somewhere. Don't feel bad about it because it took me a while to learn it too. I make mostly Flexible Squares layouts so I'm going to teach you to switch from what you are currently using (say Smooth Sailing or some such) to Flexible Squares and put in a new layout!
1. Go to Select Journal Style. It is going to tell you what your current layout theme is..
2. If it does not say Flexible Squares we will have to change it (if it does go to step 4). Below you will see a bunch of Featured themes. We need to click for All Themes. Change the theme to whatever theme is needed for your layout (ie Smooth Sailing, Expressive, etc).
3. You may have to hit the next arrows until you find a Flexible Squares Theme (below I'm showing your two FS themes). Once you find a Flexible Square theme click the apply theme. I tend to use Autumn and sometimes this does effect the coding so for best results just use the Autumn layout.
4. Your Current Theme at the top should now say Flexible Squares. You are next going to want to click "Customize your theme" under more options. (I usually work under the Autumn Flexi Squares if that helps. For my Smooth Sailing layouts I usually use Army Attire.)
5. It will automatically take you to the Display section. Go down to Custom CSS and click.
6. On the Custom CSS page for Flexible Squares Themes you will be asked 3 questions. Mark them all NO. Then you are ready to insert the coding for one of Layout Lounge's Flexible Square Layouts. I would Save Changes now just to be safe. But we aren't done.
7. There are several different places to change stuff in the code you might need.
Background: Behind the journal
Header Image
Tiny Icons8. Changing the background image is simple. At the top of the code under the BODY section there is a "background-image: url(BACKGROUND URL);": You will insert your direct image link into the ( ).
9. Header image is also pretty easy. Near the bottom of the coding you will find a part called HEADERIMAGE. You will put the direct image link into the () of " background-image: url(HEADER URL);". Above this code there is also height and width, make sure you match these dimensions to your header image.
10. Tiny Icons: Going through the Code you will find a section called SECTION: Currents, tags, comment links, direction under this you will see .ljtags {. In this coding there is background: url(TAGS IMAGE URL) no-repeat center left for a image that will sit next to your tags on your jounral posts. You will put the Image Direct Link for your tiny icon in the ( ).
Then you will scroll down to SECTION: Tiny Icons. Under this is the Subject Protected, Subject Private, LJ User, LJ User, LJ Comm, Location, Mood and Music codes. Each has a background: url(); where you will put the Direct Image Link in the ( ).
11. Make sure you don't lose any of the ( ) or ; in the coding where you are adding image links. Once done with all this you can click Save Changes. Go to your journal. It should look similar to the preview.
12. If the layout I made has special fonts used it will be indicated on the layouts page and all fonts can be downloaded at my Font Tutorial page.
If you are still having problems I can help you by going into your account to fix things. It would require you to change the password temporarily for me. I would never change or mess with anything you don't want me too and it is a last resort. Comment and we can decide together whether you need such extreme help.
1. Go to Select Journal Style. It is going to tell you what your current layout theme is..
2. If it does not say Flexible Squares we will have to change it (if it does go to step 4). Below you will see a bunch of Featured themes. We need to click for All Themes. Change the theme to whatever theme is needed for your layout (ie Smooth Sailing, Expressive, etc).
3. You may have to hit the next arrows until you find a Flexible Squares Theme (below I'm showing your two FS themes). Once you find a Flexible Square theme click the apply theme. I tend to use Autumn and sometimes this does effect the coding so for best results just use the Autumn layout.
4. Your Current Theme at the top should now say Flexible Squares. You are next going to want to click "Customize your theme" under more options. (I usually work under the Autumn Flexi Squares if that helps. For my Smooth Sailing layouts I usually use Army Attire.)
5. It will automatically take you to the Display section. Go down to Custom CSS and click.
6. On the Custom CSS page for Flexible Squares Themes you will be asked 3 questions. Mark them all NO. Then you are ready to insert the coding for one of Layout Lounge's Flexible Square Layouts. I would Save Changes now just to be safe. But we aren't done.
7. There are several different places to change stuff in the code you might need.
Background: Behind the journal
Header Image
Tiny Icons8. Changing the background image is simple. At the top of the code under the BODY section there is a "background-image: url(BACKGROUND URL);": You will insert your direct image link into the ( ).
9. Header image is also pretty easy. Near the bottom of the coding you will find a part called HEADERIMAGE. You will put the direct image link into the () of " background-image: url(HEADER URL);". Above this code there is also height and width, make sure you match these dimensions to your header image.
10. Tiny Icons: Going through the Code you will find a section called SECTION: Currents, tags, comment links, direction under this you will see .ljtags {. In this coding there is background: url(TAGS IMAGE URL) no-repeat center left for a image that will sit next to your tags on your jounral posts. You will put the Image Direct Link for your tiny icon in the ( ).
Then you will scroll down to SECTION: Tiny Icons. Under this is the Subject Protected, Subject Private, LJ User, LJ User, LJ Comm, Location, Mood and Music codes. Each has a background: url(); where you will put the Direct Image Link in the ( ).
11. Make sure you don't lose any of the ( ) or ; in the coding where you are adding image links. Once done with all this you can click Save Changes. Go to your journal. It should look similar to the preview.
12. If the layout I made has special fonts used it will be indicated on the layouts page and all fonts can be downloaded at my Font Tutorial page.
If you are still having problems I can help you by going into your account to fix things. It would require you to change the password temporarily for me. I would never change or mess with anything you don't want me too and it is a last resort. Comment and we can decide together whether you need such extreme help.