There are tons of articles on how to convert a PSD layout to WordPress and even why WP is a good option for easy updates. However, I haven't found ANY information on just what I will have when the conversion process is finished. Any input, even links to more in-depth articles would be great. I am in the process of hiring a designer to refresh a site. He will use Photoshop, illustrator or other tools to come up with a great design. He will furnish me with a PSD format for the final product. I then want to convert that into a WordPress site. My question(s) center around just what elements of the PSD can be changed in WP and what if any elements are "fixed" and I am unable to find the answers to these questions. Some examples: 1. He designates a 960X245 area for a slider. But I end up with photos that are 960X300. Is the "original" size provided me by the designer "frozen" or can it be changed when ported to WP? 2. Let's say I want to add a navigation bar that wasn't included in the original design. Can that be added as an "after thought" when the PSD design has been converted to WP? 3. If the original design was 2 columns and now I want a new page with 3 columns, will I need a new and different PSD layout or can additional columns, widths, etc. be accomplished after conversion to WP? Hopefully the questions I have asked will help you understand just what I am wanting to clarify. And YES I know that a PSD can be converted to WP and NO I don't want to use a WP theme to start with I want an ORIGINAL design. Anything that will help me understand what can and more importantly can not be accomplished when converting from a PSD will be appreciated. Thanks in advance Ron
You're using a hammer to force 200 pounds of whipped cream into the shape of a shoe you can wear to keep your feet clean in mud. IOW, this isn't the way to do anything, regardless of what your goal is. 1) You can't port a picture to Wordpress - Wordpress is code. (You can't "port" a picture at all, any more than you can cook an idea or pour a dilemma - porting is translating code to run in a different environment.) 2) Assuming that you somehow got your WP site, anything (that can run on a WP site) can be added at any time. 3) Either way? Neither is less totally wrong than the other, though. (They're both completely wrong.) How you do what depends on what your designer is doing how. Work it out with him. No one can give you an answer that's both generic and correct in this case - there are too many specifics we don't have. (I'm betting that lots of people will, anyway.)
Talk about a complete and useless no replay, this one has to take the cake. Either you don't know the answers to my what I thought were rather straight forth questions (with all your posts I would have to think you might) OR your just trying to show off a bit. Cream, mud, whatever. I think any reasonable person would understand the questions rather than making an issue about the word "port". I think you know what I am asking, if not save your non helpful answers. Anyone else want to try and actually give some insight to the questions? I'm sure there are other people on the forum who would like to know as well. As always, thanks.
Hey JustTrying, First and foremost, those are great questions. a psd file has nothing to do with a wordpress theme, they are two completely different entities. Here are a few answers regarding your questions: #1: If the person who is going to code your new theme knows what they are doinge, it wont matter if the images you get are 960x300 and the designated area for those images is 960x245 - the images should adjust (resize, crop) accordingly. #2 - again, if the person who is creating your theme knows what they are doing, then yes you can easily add additional "after thought" navigation areas #3 - easily done with additional page templates In regards to the statement you made: if you use the PSD file that your designer has given you, you will have an original theme amigo. and finally, regarding your statement: I do have a question for you. Are you coding this yourself? The reason I am asking, you sound as if you are not to familiar with WordPress and what can and cannot be done with it. This isnt a bad thing, so please do not take it this way. We all have to start somewhere. If you are new to WordPress and have never built a theme, my suggestion to you would be to find someone to convert your psd to wordpress for you. If you don't know what you are doing, this will be a difficult process for you. I suggest you do a search for whatever it is you are looking for. For example, if your looking into adding additional navigation areas, why not do a search for something along the lines of "adding navigation areas + wordpress" or "how to add additional columns + wordpress" - I am sure with a little effort you will be able to find what you are looking for.
Hi tsquez, Thanks for your helpful reply, that was just the kind of information I was seeking. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. No, there is no way I would attempt to do the coding myself . Again, thanks.