JC Board Customization FAQ [version 2.1]

JC Board Customization FAQ
version 2.1

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[hl=yellow][color=black][b]Welcome to the JC Board Customization FAQ![/b][/color][/hl][hr]
So, you've decided to try your hand at making a JC banner, board style or both. Welcome to the group :) Hopefully, this F.A.Q. will aide you as much as possible when designing the board. If you have any questions regarding this document, feel free to [link=http://boards.theforce.net/user.asp?usr=632251]drop me a private message[/link].

So, now that you've been given the task, why don't you take the time to get to know other web designers around the JC boards? The [link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=7004707&replies=22]FanForce Web Masters Discussion Thread[/link] is a great place to get to know people and ask questions related to graphic design (as well as other web-based needs). Also, be sure to check out the [link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=6338681&replies=31]List of customised FanForce forum schemes[/link] to help give you an idea of what other FanForces have designed for their boards.

[b]Need remote image hosting that is free?[/b]
Here's a list of websites that offer free image hosting, incase you're needing a host for the banner images. [blockquote]-- [link=http://www.xieish.com]xieish[/link]
-- [link=http://www.imagestation.com/]Imagestation[/link][/blockquote]And finally, if you need any help not mentioned here, ask away at the end of this post. :)

[hr][hl=yellow][color=black][b]Table of Contents[/b][/color][/hl][hr]
Looking for something specific in this FAQ?

[i]Sections[/i]
[b]1 : Customizing Images for a JC Board[/b]
[b]2 : Board Custom Color Schemes[/b]
[b]3 : Uploading the new Customized Board[/b]
[b]4 : Frequently Asked Questions[/b]
[b]5 : Thanks To[/b]

[hr][hl=yellow][color=black][b]1 : Customizing Images for your FanForce Board[/b][/color][/hl][hr]
Every FanForce chapter is allowed and has the capability of creating their own customized banners for their local FanForce board. The entire banner concept is created of 4 images. The main banner image (or the foreground image), the background image (that sits behind your foreground image), the curve image and the side image. Each of these have their own custom dimensions.

[i]Default Graphic Dimensions for the Banner System[/i]
[ul][li]Main banner image (foreground) - 764 x 110[/li][li]Main Background image - 764 x 110[/li][li]Curve image - 69 x 69[/li][li]Side Bar image - 32 x 465[/li][/ul] The only image that will keep the board in the same shape and not affect anything if you stretch the width out is the [i]Main Background Image[/i]. Remember, though - creating a wider image will create slow loading times for your board.

Here are examples of each, taken off of the current Jedi Council banners created by [link=http://boards.theforce.net/user.asp?usr=235934]Lord Mauly Mall[/link] --
[ul][li][link=http://www1.theforce.net/JC/images/Spring_2002/banner.jpg]Main banner image[/link][/li][li][link=http://www1.theforce.net/JC/images/Spring_2002/background.jpg]Main Background image[/link][/li][li][link=http://www1.theforce.net/JC/images/Spring_2002/curve.jpg]Curve image[/link][/li][li][link=http://www1.theforce.net/JC/images/Spring_2002/left_strip.jpg]Side Bar image[/link][/li][/ul]
A few other things to remember -- try testing out your board. You can do this by either saving your board to your hard drive (in Microsoft Internet Explorer, [i]File > Save As[/i]) and then editing the [i]image[/i] values in the code (see example 1). You could also have someone else do it for you and show you the example (If you'd like, I wouldn't mind doing it ~ just [link=http://boards.theforce.net/user.asp?usr=632251]PM me[/link]).

[ul][b][color=red]Example 1 - Editing the board code for images[/b][/color]
<td background="[b]URL of your Main Background Image goes here[/b]">
<img border=0 src="[b]URL of your other images go here[/b]" alt="TheForce.net Fanforce">
-- Remember, though, that you have 3 images, and that they will be named accordingly to their sp

 

Amazing.

 

Great, give away all the secrets!

 

Secrets? The way I see it, it is more of a "here's the dimensions and here's some info and advice".

I see no secrets in there..
Well, save the.. *goes and edits it out*

Anywho, I felt this needed to be placed over in JC Communications since it didn't see much light over in FanForce Communications.

 

Thanks for putting this here.

 

But most of us had to figure out all this stuff on our own. Trial and error. You know, the banner-making rite of passage.

 

Very informative!

 

I have a question. Does AuctionWatch really provide free image hosting? I was checking out their site and I found image hosting, but you had to pay for it.

 

I just checked and they revoked my free services. Apparently they caught on... I'll have to update that list asap.

 

::cough:: xieish.com ::cough::

 

If you know of a site that has free image hosting, PM me and I'll add it to the list. Deal?

 

Doh.......




...and a pumpkin....

 

Actually, there are still some little things missing from that. I'll update them when I get the chance.

 

Does this mean I could work on one for the AOTC forum?

I've always wanted to take a shot at doing something like that.

 

Bah, there was something like this in FF Comunications all along! ANd like Gaylen, I had to find it out the hard way

 

Excellent! Now it'll make it much more likely that the FF boards will try their hand out at making their own banner!

 

fishi..
I wrote the other one in FF Communications. I finally posted it here

 

Nudging for the new banner competition.

 

DOH! I answered my own question. Erm..... UP!