Layout's and You!



If you want a layout, you have a few options to get one.

First of all, you'll have to find your way to the Layout Editor. Click the "Edit Profile & Settings" link in the top left corner of the screen. Scroll down about halfway and click the "Edit layout" link.

If you don't want to make a layout yourself, there are a few options. You can ask another member to make one for you. Either ask a member who you know makes layouts or make a thread in the Vizzed Market forum.

Another option is to simply buy one using your Viz. In the Layout Creator, click the "Buy Layouts" link. From there, simply click the name of one of the layouts to preview it. If you like it, click the "Puchase This Layout" link beneath the title of the layout.

If you know any HTML or CSS coding, you can check the information below to familiarize yourself with the rules before making one yourself using the Advanced Editor.

If you don't know coding, you could use the Layout Creator instead. Again, make sure you follow the rules listed in the Layout Guide below.


1. What You Need To Know

You will need a good understanding of either html or css. Preferably both. This is what layouts are made of so if you have no clue what html or css is DON'T MAKE ONE. Get someone else to do it.
Knowing how to make your own graphics is also nice but not neccesary. I always like seeing you make your own though

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2. Don'ts & Do's -You should edit your layout if it does not meet these standards.

Do not
-place regular text in the header, this is very annoying for everyone and is not clever. Don't do it.
-Use a large background picture. I mean in terms of file size and not dimension. Anything over 100 kb is a bit large.
-leave tags unclosed. This can mess up the board and any thread you post in. Always double check to see if you left any open tags.
-use weird text colors. Especially red text. There are rare cases where it works but unless you know what you're doing it will look bad and be hard to read.

Do
-Ask for other peoples opinions. Chances are there's something that you won't notice that others will. Criticism can be helpful so ask a friend to take a look. Also post your layout in the Layout Test thread before committing to it.
-Double/Triple check your code. One missing character can spell disaster for a layout.
-If you have a picture background it's best to use a transparent box for your post.
-Make the width of your layout is 100% instead of a set number. This will keep your layout from stretching someone's screen. If you do set a number make sure it's no bigger than 800px.

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3. Examples

Bad layouts



This is an example of why you shouldn't use text in your header. It's annoying for anyone reading your post and if anyone is like me they'll just start skipping over what you have to say.





This serves as an example for several different things. First we'll start with the background. While it is Bill Nye the Science Guy (the coolest of science guys) the image tiles horribly, which makes the whole layout look dreadful and an eye sore.

Next is the lack of a box for the text. Notice how it's hard to read the text on the background? Annoying isn't it? The best thing to do in this sitiuation is to use a transparent box for your text. Example is shown below.


Good Layouts


-By alexanyways


-By the casualty

Notice that these users have a transparent box on top of their background image? Makes it a whole lot easier to read. It can be made a couple ways. Either through pure code or you can actually place the box on the background in a program like
Photoshop or Gimp. Either way works fine but the code makes for easier editing.

How do you add transparent boxes using code?

hackerman : If you use a table - <table style="opacity:0.5; filter:alpha(opacity=50);">

If you are using divs then switch out table for div.

opacity:0.5; Set the number between 0 - 1

filter:alpha(opacity=50); This is so it shows up in poop Internet Explorer.

Stickied because it's a good good good thread. Thank you for doing this Zamiel.

so do I have to add the box first than change it's transparency basically?

hackerman : Yeah, basically. I'll probably make a How To guide for a basic layout soon.

Fantastic idea but ma by some changes 

By the way, before anyone asks for help in this thread...

I am perfectly willing to make layouts, I have knowledge of html and css, and have time on my hands. Don't be shy, I REALLY don't mind helping.

I prefer a layout that works, and looks slightly appeasable to one that you can't read. So really, you are doing me a favor =P

Oh really? That would be really helpful

Just testing my layout here


Edit by BNuge- It didn't work.

EmosewaRepus : There's a whole thread dedicated for testing layouts here.

On a side note it's effed up

EmosewaRepus : You should have gotten your layout from me...

the_casualty : would've but didnt want to pay alot of cash, i got mine for 100 Viz. but as you can see, this one isnt working too well XD



Edit by BNuge- Layout was messing up the page

EmosewaRepus: Would this background picture be okay to suit my Layout, and I want to know how I can get the left side of the transparent box to stop touching the black border.

EmosewaRepus : I'll do it for free.

Anyways, this is kind of getting off topic, we should take convos to the layout test/comment thread.

EmosewaRepus : You should take that layout out of your thread it really messes it up

You know what's funny, Zamiel?

The day you post this thread, somebody starts selling layouts that have white text on a background which can't tile, no easy reading for us without a highlighter

This is really good I think that it should be stickyed if it is not already this should help me make acceptable layouts.

I can't figure this out at all... I've been trying to make a layout with either Pinkie Pie (MLP:Friendship is magic) or something Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni related,but I can't comprehend any of what this is saying v.v

Mudkipz? : You can't even make a layout at the moment since you are still a regular member. Last time I checked (might have changed since then though >>) you either had to be trusted or have 250 posts.