Genesis README.txt Genesis is a kick-ass starter theme Drupal 6. Genesis allows you to quickly build any theme using its preconfigured directory structure, template files and modular stylesheets. Online Genesis documentation: http://drupal.org/node/323404 There are additional README files in most directories, they contain helpful instructions, tips and comments. Look out for them in each directory. This is a basic guide for getting started with your own subtheme. CREATE A NEW SUBTHEME Online docs: http://drupal.org/node/439698 1. First copy/paste one of the subthemes: - genesis_SUBTHEME - the standard subtheme - genesis_DARK - support for dark style themes - genesis_ULTRALITE - a subtheme with much less HTML Save your new sub-theme in the sites/all/themes directory. 2. Rename the new subtheme with your theme name. For example if you want to name your theme "foo" name the folder "genesis_foo". 3. Rename genesis_SUBTHEME.info file. For example "genesis_foo.info". 4. Inside the genesis_foo.info file change: - the theme name - the description Gpanels: If you want to use the Gpanels uncomment the additional regions for Gpanels in genesis_foo.info - http://drupal.org/node/460800 Internet Explorer CSS: If you want to use an IE stylesheet follow the instructions in the info file for downloading the Conditional Styles module and setting up the stylesheets. http://drupal.org/project/conditional_styles Equal hight columns: Uncomment the jQuery script in genesis_foo.info. WAI ARIA Roles: By default these are enabled. If for some reason you do not want them simply comment out the jQuery script in genesis.info (the core info file, not your subthemes). SETTING UP THE LAYOUT Online docs: http://drupal.org/node/439670 First open these two files: /genesis/genesis/css/uncompressed/layout.css /genesis_foo/templates/page/page.tpl.php (your subthemes page.tpl.php file) In layout.css you will find the preconfigured layout methods to choose from. There are 3 main layouts, please see the documentation in layout.css To change the layout select the ID selector that matches your preferred layout and change the in page.tpl.php By default this is . OVERRIDING THE LAYOUT Online docs: http://drupal.org/node/439670 If you want to change the sidebar widths or otherwise modify the layout, simply copy the relevant layout CSS to your page.css file in your subtheme and modify it there. TIP: Do look at genesis/genesis/css/layout-overrides for 3 example layout overrides and full instructions. GPANELS: What are Gpanels? Gpanels are drop in snippets that emulate the layout of normal mini-panels. See the docs http://drupal.org/node/460800 for instructions and screenshots. You can also see the README file in genesis/genesis/gpanels for full instructions. SUBTHEME PREPROCESS FUNCTIONS If you need to use a preprocess funtion open the template.php file in your new subtheme (one is included by default) and rename the function using your theme name e.g. mytheme_preprocess_page. This follows the standard Drupal convention of themeName_preprocess_hook.