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Theme Tutorial
Theme Texture Locations 1
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Getting started
This will hopefully be a more understandable guide to creating themes than those currently available at 3DNA's site.
To start with, make a new folder under this directory:
C: Program Files 3DNA Desktops Loft Visual
NB: The word in bold is the name of the world you wish to make the theme for. Therefore, make the folder in the world folder appropriate for your theme.
Unfortunately, forward and backward slashes don't show up in that file name. So, wherever there is a space, assume it's a new subfolder or sub directory.
This is assuming that you installed the program under the recommended directory. Call the folder whatever you want (usually pertaining somewhat to the eventual look you're going for).
Next, you need to get some textures for building your theme. You can either:
a) choose textures from the default themes and edit them,
b) go to Dave's site and find textures you like there,
c) go to Blizzy's site, download a couple of themes and choose from their textures (check with the authors first PLEASE!!), or
d) get them from wherever the hell you like. =D Whatever suits you best.
The main thing to remember is that you need to keep the eventual filenames the same as the ones in the default folders. So if, for example, you've copied the textures from the default theme, then pasted them into your folder you made, you can edit the pics anyway you like, just don't change the filenames!!!!
Another helpful guide to see if you've got all the textures you need (if you created your own) is to check that:
For the Villa, you have 50 textures in your theme pack.
For the BaseStation OR Gamestation, you have 38 textures in your theme pack.
For the Loft, you have 55 textures in your theme pack.
For Mercury, you have 24 textures in your theme pack.
For the Chateau, you have 58 textures in your theme pack.
For Verto, you have 65 textures in your theme pack.
For Xenon, you have ?? textures in your theme pack.
Now, you should have all your textures you need in the one folder. They should all have the same names as those in the other theme folders. This is the point at which you may need to edit some of the pics you have chosen. All the pics must be either JPEG or PNG. JPEG's are really the main format for most textures, but if you want clear (glass-like) walls, or other clear areas, then PNG is the way to go.
3DNA's guide says that you should save your files at a graphics setting of 80%. I don't see this as essential, it just may help with performance whilst running the theme. Choose how you want to do it.
After you have finished sorting the textures, and have them all in one folder, then it's time to test it out. See what you like/don't like about it, and adjust accordingly. When you are done, then put the folder in a zipped file and post on the forums asking for someone to host it (or just e-mail Blizz asking if she will host it for you).
Below are pics of areas in Mercury. A contrasting texture will be placed in several areas of each picture, with arrows coming off each area saying what the texture for that area needs to be called. For the other worlds, please look at the Theme Textures sections
NB: *** = media, browser, apps, portal
This depends on where the texture is going. If it goes behind the portal, name the texture "bayback_portal". The example below should be named bayback_browser.
Another thing to note is that for all worlds, the "title_apps", "title_browser" and "title_media" are all in plain sight. Just look above the respective bays and you will see either: Media, Applications or Browser on default themes. These are the "title_***" areas.
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