How would I start making new wordpress theme?

Discussion in 'WordPress' started by problog, May 10, 2013.

  1. #1
    I have dreamweaver cs6 and I want to make a custom wordpress theme from it. Not sure how to set it up although I am very good with html and css and have a lot of practice with that. I just dont know how to start. Please help!

    Thanks people of dp!
     
    problog, May 10, 2013 IP
  2. cadavr

    cadavr Active Member

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    #2
    Hello, problog.

    Wordpress themes are very much like a typical website using separate files like "header.php" "sidebar.php" etc. So when you start making a new wordpress theme you will want check out the wp template hierarchy. http://codex.wordpress.org/Template_Hierarchy You'll need to create the basic templates. header, index (which can be broken down to archive, category, tag, search, etc), footer & sidebar. Just use the wordpress codex for your basic information for things like the post title, the content, thumbnail, etc.

    This is where I started! Though, i'm sure if you hop on youtube you could find a number of helpful videos that could explain this with more detail. Also, it's not a bad idea to find a free theme to look at and see how they built their theme ;) good luck
     
    cadavr, May 10, 2013 IP
  3. themes4all

    themes4all Well-Known Member

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    #3
    themes4all, May 11, 2013 IP
  4. rozehrocks

    rozehrocks Active Member

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    #4
    I suggest looking at the default templates (twentyten, twentyeleven, twentytwelve) and start editing. you'll learn from there. That's how I started.

    You could also download a blank theme or a base theme http://html5blank.com/ and start editing / adding css

    You can search about creating child themes http://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes
     
    rozehrocks, May 13, 2013 IP
  5. crystalq

    crystalq Active Member

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    #5
    I would use a third party framework like thesis or genesis if I were you.
    They handle all of the important things and keep the theme up to date
    with all of the wordpress updates.

    If you're set on diy, this is a good basic tutorial
    http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/wordpress_create_theme.htm
     
    crystalq, May 13, 2013 IP
  6. mrdo

    mrdo Well-Known Member

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    #6
    I think you should start by editing default wordpress theme, it's very helpful
     
    mrdo, Jun 3, 2013 IP