Header image questions

I was trying to follow this http://ocportal.com/docs/tut_fixed_width.htm However I am not sure I should. I did change my site back to a fixed width layout. Although I could not change the global.css file in my theme because there was no file there. I did it in the default even though the tutorial said "Add it to your own custom theme, and not direct to the default theme." So did I really screw up?

Then I went to the top banner and I got a little more confused. It states template editing HEADER.tpl . Again it was in the default theme but not in my theme? I really got concerned when it states "wipe out a big chunk" then it gives the code. Right after that it states we removed the zone navigation menu. It goes on to say you can keep the menu, and I want to, but centered I think. But there were no step by step on how to or a link to the process.

So then I go to the forum searching and there is a recent post talking about menus here that even got me wondering if I had made a bigger error. In Jeans diagram .global_top looks like what I should have put my image in global_top not the banner. And I just changed ocPortal's logo to the banner image. Obviously I would have to make the area bigger to hold my taller image but it would not have messed with anything like the menu correct? I also noticed Jeans edit required the editing of global.css and in that file it says "Don't enable if banners addon is still installed". But Jeans edit requires enabling some of it I believe. Or is that not the "banner addon" part that is disabled?

So now I am absolutely confused. All I wanted to do was add my larger image that spans the entire top of the page centered, and linked to the front/home page, and removing the ocPortal logo while still leaving everything else working as it was. Any suggestions where I can get a step by step process to accomplish this?
   

Normally I would be only too happy to offer a suggestion or two, as all the sites I've built do exactly what you are attempting …

HOWEVER

… I recently started to give a couple of our members an 'assist' in this area, and to my horror I found that version 8.x.x has changed several areas that affect how this was achieved in the 7.x.x series.

So I will duck this one until I've resolved this predicament (MY predicament), and let somebody else step in and offer a few ideas.

Sorry!

 

Hey Sahs!

The first tutorial you refer to was done for ocPortal 5.1 and we are now at 8.1. It is there because most of it is still relevant, however newer coding of the CSS and the HEADER.tpl performs what you want to accomplish automatically with minimal code change.

Refer to this image of global.css where you can see it will be implemented automatically after you select fixed-width from the configuration menu.


The HEADER.tpl also implements automatically the taller header after you remove the comments for it in global.css. Refer to the image I have used on another post today:3-using the taller header option for a wider zone menu.

Now, for the Banners; it is true that considerations for the standard banners must be made when implementing the taller header, but since it is disabled by default, I wouldn't really worry about it for now. I must confess that I've not looked at it, but it should be fairly easy to deal with this through the CSS if banners need to be enabled eventually.

For a step by step on how to change the logo on the taller header, follow my latest tut (part 2) HERE.
Go down to the second section after the DiffMerge.

For the changes you did to the "Default HEADER.tpl", go back to the editor and at the bottom of it you will find the original version which you can paste over the changed one. 

Jean

Jean said

… however newer coding of the CSS and the HEADER.tpl performs what you want to accomplish automatically with minimal code change.

Thanks for the 'pointer' Jean. Perhaps I won't be quite so lost when I get back to trying to 'fix' the themes I started for those couple of users I referred to earlier …!!

 

How did I know you guys would come rescue me.    Great responses I am learning more and more I should know about version changes as I have went through many with phpbb. But most of those were really mild and usually did not have much effect if any theming. Im going to go give what you said a shot.  

Again Thank You for the pointers.

You are most welcome, Fletch!

Thanks for the good words, Sahs!
Be sure to take a good look at that tutorial, has there is no need for you to play with the CSS and TPL files from your FTP like with phpBB. There is a wonderful interface in ocPortal giving you access to all these files and in the case of TPL with a preview button. It is also good to know that ocportal has its own "Firebug", even better, located on the footer of your site: Contextual CSS edit global.css (font, header, etc)=Instant gratification Button.

Jean

That fixed me up! OK I am off to see how much more I can break.