Suggestion for designing templates

[lordcoffee]

Hi!

I've found out that I have a lot of ideas for templates but as far as I'm a better designer than a programmer I've had the idea to deliver some new designs (no ports) in some kind of image format (.psd for example) and if someone would like to add the php to it, he's free to do. I don't know if that is a good way to do it. Anyone interested? Better suggestions?

Greetings,
lordcoffee

[yellowled]

I've had the idea to deliver some new designs (no ports) in some kind of image format (.psd for example) and if someone would like to add the php to it, he's free to do. I don't know if that is a good way to do it. Anyone interested? Better suggestions?

This is really funny since I am the exact opposite (I'm not an expert with Photoshop and the likes, I'm much more about code.)

I'd love to give this a try. It may not be a perfect match, but it sound promising. However, it would be nice if you could set up some kind of preview page so people can take a look at your PS mockups in JPG or PNG before downloading huge PSD files.

YL

[lordcoffee]

Sounds good!

I'm setting up a previewpage for that wich will be also a downloadpage if a template is finished. It will take a view days because I'm giving training in bulgaria since next wednesday.

I thought about a page with a preview file (jpg) and some text what I've thought about this "possible template", like the template options and stuff.

I think a s9y-blog could do that so everyone who has suggestions for a template could leave a comment.

lordcoffee

[yellowled]

I'm setting up a previewpage for that wich will be also a downloadpage if a template is finished. It will take a view days because I'm giving training in bulgaria since next wednesday.

I thought about a page with a preview file (jpg) and some text what I've thought about this "possible template", like the template options and stuff.

Sounds very promising and interesting. Some thoughts, though: You should probably just make it an option to host the finished templates on that side. Some of them might be included in Spartacus, some people might want to host them on their sites. Also, you should probably provide an alternative image format to .psd - some people might be using graphic application which cannot import .psd.

Other than that I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve

YL

[lordcoffee]

Yes, of course I'd also like to add the finished template files as a download option on this site. I'm looking for some compatible image formats wich can be read by free apps like gimp or similar. I'll post updates here when the site is up and the first images/templates are online.

lordcoffee

[yellowled]

I'm looking for some compatible image formats wich can be read by free apps like gimp or similar.

Oh, newer version of Gimp are able to import .psd files As far as I know, it even keeps the PS layers intact etc.

However, I don't know about other graphics applications. For those, PNG or JPG with sensible compression might be suitable.

YL

[lordcoffee]

I'll test gimp psd-import soon. I'd like to use a filetype wich supports layers like .psd or .tif. It's much easier to modify and edit those. But like I said, I'll have a look at most supported filetypes

I think it would be usefull when I make packages with all useable filetypes, used fonts ... and additionally other image formats. In this case I would prefer png because of the transparency support. I could then save the single layers of the psd-file to single pngs.

lordcoffee

[yellowled]

I'd like to use a filetype wich supports layers like .psd or .tif. It's much easier to modify and edit those.

Right, but beware! Apparently, Gimp can still not handle CMYK .tifs (or any CMYK image, for that matter) as I just found out yesterday trying to open a logo someone sent me ...

I think it would be usefull when I make packages with all useable filetypes, used fonts ...

Here's another beware! for you: Make sure you only use free/stock stuff (i.e. fonts, brushes etc.) in your mockups if you use "external" stuff at all. You wouldn't want anyone to get into some kind of license debate.

In this case I would prefer png because of the transparency support.

And yet another hazard: IE<7 transparency issues *sigh*

YL

[Don Chambers]

Sounds like a great idea! I look forward to seeing the first collaborative effort!

[lordcoffee]

@Yellowled: I think you misunderstood me a view times

I don't need cmyk files because I don't want to print my blog I'll work with Photoshop and translate the files to other fileformats so we'll only have RGB.

I'm working nearly 8 years in this job so I know the the licence stuff of fonts, textures, ... I only meant that I'll put everything I used or what is usefull inside the package.

And the png files were only for those people who want to modify the "finished" theme so that they can move graphics without having trouble by cutting them out from the background. More a gimmick than needed. I prefer gifs and jpgs for the "real" template files.

But thanks for thinking about everything

[yellowled]

@Yellowled: I think you misunderstood me a view times

"Overthinking" is my middle name, actually

YL

[yellowled]

Sounds like a great idea! I look forward to seeing the first collaborative effort!

Well, maybe you'll find some time to collaborate yourself on of these days

YL

[abdussamad]

Hi!

I've found out that I have a lot of ideas for templates but as far as I'm a better designer than a programmer I've had the idea to deliver some new designs (no ports) in some kind of image format (.psd for example) and if someone would like to add the php to it, he's free to do. I don't know if that is a good way to do it. Anyone interested? Better suggestions?

Greetings,
lordcoffee

I am interested in helping with this too. I often don't get thread reply notifications so if you want to contact me please email me at contact |_@_| abdussamad.com. I have photoshop cs 2 so you can send me psds too.