How to Use the Base Theme

Latest revision as of 04:49, 6 January 2012

The Base Theme for PageLines 2.0 has several different uses. Developers can use it as a reference for creating their own child themes for the PageLines Store. It can also be used for inserting your own custom CSS & PHP coding into your website, just like the PageLines Customize Plugin. However, the Base Theme goes a step further in that you can also use it to customize PageLines 2.0 core Sections without them being wiped clean whenever you update PageLines 2.0.

[edit] The Base Theme vs. the PageLines Customize plugin

Many people have asked "What's the difference between the Base Theme and the PageLines Customize plugin? or "Why should I choose one method over the other?" Both methods contain their own style.css & functions.php files that you can edit & add your own customization. Either way you can customize your site while keeping your files intact when you apply a core update.

The advantage of the Child Theme is that you can customize PageLines 2.0 core sections without losing any edits when you update the core. The disadvantage is that you can't then install a 3rd party child theme through the store and update it, as you will lose your edits.

The advantage of the PageLines Customize Plugin is that you can update the core files and a 3rd party child theme and still keep your edits. The disadvantage is that sections folder isn't scanned in to the plugin. So any changes you make to the core sections will be lost when updating.

If neither of those scenarios apply, it's really up to your preference on which method you choose.

If for some reason you are using both the Base Theme and the PageLines Customize plugin, any custom code entered in the PageLines Customize plugin will take priority over any code in the Base Theme that contain changes for the same div container or class.

[edit] The Base Theme vs. the Custom Code setting

You can also add custom CSS via the Custom Code tab located in the PageLines=>Settings menu. The Custom Code tab is a simple quick way to add custom styles to your current site design, however it is not necessarily considered the preferred method. Using the Base Theme to make your CSS changes is preferred for several reasons:

• You can open style.css inside your favorite text editor or CSS editing program such as Adobe Dreamweaver
• You are able to edit an actual file instead of your changes being saved in the database
• Even though your Custom Code Settings that are stored in your database should remain safe when you update the theme or migrate to another site, there's always a small chance of database corruption. With the Base Theme, your custom CSS won't get wiped out even if your database does.
  • Always backup your database regularly & before updating or migrating your site

Any custom code entered in the Custom Code Setting will take priority over any code in the Base Theme that contain changes for the same div container or class.

For more information on CSS & how it relates to PageLines 2.0, click on Custom CSS

[edit] Install the Base Theme

The Base Theme is available for free in the PageLines Store.

From your WordPress Administration Panel:

1. Select the "PageLines" panel, then "Store"
2. Select the "Themes" tab, then "Add Themes"
3. Select "Top Free"
4. Click the Base Theme "Install" button
5. Select the "Added" tab, where you will now find the newly installed theme
6. Click "Activate"

You will now see the Base Theme located inside: /wp-content/themes/pagelines-template-theme

[edit] Customize Your Site Using the Base Theme

There are two files in the Base Theme for customizing your site: style.css & functions.php.

• style.css - This is where you should put all your custom CSS (graphical changes)
• function.php – This is where you put all your custom PHP and hooks

Editing the style.css file, you can apply custom CSS to your theme.
Editing the functions.php file, that you can add pretty much anything else.

You can edit these files directly using a good Text Editor via FTP:
/wp-content/themes/pagelines-template-theme

You can also access the files using WordPress:
From your WordPress Administration Panel:

1. Select the "Appearance" panel, then "Editor"
2. Choose the "Base Theme" then click "Select"
3. Click on either "Theme Functions" (functions.php) or "Stylesheet" (style.css) to make your changes

For more information on CSS & how it relates to PageLines 2.0, click on Custom CSS

[edit] Customize Core Sections Using the Base Theme

If you would like to make custom changes to any of the core Sections, you can easily do so through the Base Theme. This method is preferred over editing the core files directly, because

• Your edits won't be overwritten when you update PageLines 2.0
• The original section files remain safe & unedited, preventing any accidental changes that might cripple your section or entire site

To make changes to a core Section:

1. Make sure the Base Theme is installed & activated
2. Navigate via FTP to the PageLines Sections folder
   • /wp-content/themes/pagelines/sections
3. Copy the folder of the Section that you want to customize
4. Navigate via FTP to the Base Theme Sections folder
   • /wp-content/themes/pagelines-template-theme/sections
5. Paste the folder of the Section that you want to customize
6. Go to Dashboard => PageLines => Store & click "Refresh Store"

Now any changes you make to the section inside the Base Theme will be reflected on your site as long as the Base Theme is active.