Cutline Theme for WordPress

As requested in the forums, a small tutorial on how to use different backgrounds for separate categories in Cutline. Using separate templates for each category is rather simple, you only need some additional lines of code.
If you apply this structure, there are no limitations. You could even use a totally different design for every category, with different header, sidebar and font and many more. No limitations are set.

The only thing needed to do so is a conditional tag, and of course Wordpress has the appropriate template tag for this:

(in_category())

Using this condition and a classic if, elseif php call we can change everything we want for the categories we want. Just the post CSS or even the complete design. If you want to feature a complety different design based on pages, use combined conditional tags to define if your new design.

The background images (colored closing tags) and background color for several categories I used on my former blog are easy to achieve.

Open in your theme folder the file index.php or if your theme uses a separate file for the loop, theloop.php and look for following line

This is the regular entry template and here we will have to change the code a little and insert the conditional tags for the categories we want to alter.

As you could see in the link above, I used a different background for several categories, but there are no limits for this principle.

You can easily use a total new template page for every category, in which case you have to make new template files and call them as in the following screenshot.

And obviously you can even call a totally different CSS for every category, or for specific pages. All based on the conditional WP tags.

Now you only need to make the changes to your CSS anymore. In the next screenshot you see a small example of how to achieve this, just like I did at my former blog

Finally the day has come and the Cutline Theme Support Forums have been created!

Head over to the forums with your questions and problems. Let’s show everyone what a great community has been created by Chris and every Cutline user.

Obviously the forums still are empty, but I’m sure that will change fast!

As promised some aids, if you’re experiencing problems with your Cutline installation, both 2 or 3 column version. Most problems returning in the comments have already been addressed by Chris in older entries, but let’s recap the most common questions in the comments.

My Archives Don’t Work

This problem has been addressed by Chris in 2 different entries.

1. Creating About And Archives Pages.
To make sure your archives work, you’ll first have to make sure you have an archives page. Creating this page is simple. Follow these steps (Copy&Paste from Chris’s entry)

1. Log into your WP Administration panel and click on the Presentation link.
2. Assuming you have the Cutline theme activated, you’ll notice a link in the sub-navigation menu called Cutline Options.
3. On the Cutline Options page, simply check the box next to “Enable the Cutline Archives Page.”
4. Click the Update Options button to create the Archives page.
5. In order to ensure that your new Archives page gets published properly, you’ll need to click on the Manage link in the main navigation menu.
6. Once there, click on Pages in the sub-navigation menu.
7. One of your pages will contain the text “Archives” in the Title field - find that page, and then click on the Edit button for that page.
8. Locate the Save » button (which resides just beneath the main text entry box), and click it. You’re done!

If you don’t see a page titled Archives in your page manager, write a new page, called Archives, chose the Archives template for this page and use archives as post slug Template and Post Slug can be found in the sidebar of your admin panel).

2. Why My About And Archives Link Don’t Work
If you click both the About and Archives link, and none of them works, although you have created both pages, make sure that you use the permalinks structure for your WP blog. Chris explains everything in this entry.

The Sitemap Doesn’t Work

If you click in the footer the link to the sitemap and this leads you to a 404 page, you might not have created a Sitemap for your site yet. Again create/write a new page. Call this page Sitemap and use as template Sitemap. The post slug should be sitemap too, exactly as we did with the archives page.

Change The Header Navigation Links To Display Your Pages

If you want to change the standard Cutline header navigation links (Front Page, Archives, About) in to a horizontal list of your pages, replace the line 35 - 36 in header.php

<li><a <?php if (is_archive() || is_page('archives')) echo('class="current" '); ?>href="<?php bloginfo('url'); ?>/archives/">archives</a></li>

<li><a <?php if (is_page('about')) echo('class="current" '); ?>href="<?php bloginfo('url'); ?>/about/">about</a></li>

with

<?php wp_list_pages('sort_column=menu_order&depth=1&title_li='); ?>¹

So far Cutline Problems, Question & Answers Round 1, more to come over the next days.
And yes, I’ll install forums for the community too.

¹This will display links to all first level pages, not to subpages.

This is nothing more than a sneak preview, sneak preview because so far there are only official themes, mods for Cutline. But times are about to change. Starting today.

Let me present you our newest feature for Cutline: Cutline Theme Mods

When Brian created the Cutline Showcase we made a first step towards our communtiy, but today we bring this to a new level!

From now on every Cutliner can submit her/his own modification of Cutline for release and selected mods will be featured here on the Cutline homepage!

Of course, this would be totally irrelevant without a new Cutline Mod release, so watch this page for the featured Cutline Blue Modification to be released over the next days! Fully documented.

All downloads soon will be re-released with implemented Microformats.

Seeing someone leave a project is always a sad thing to watch, especially when a talented person like Brian Gardner leaves a community. But Cutline and its thriving community will live on and I am glad to announce that from now on I’ll help you with your questions.

The next days will be devoted to catch up with the questions asked in diverse comments. Keep your eyes on this site for entries addressing those problems, starting next week.

In September a new Cutline mod will be released, honoring some of the greatest actual web designers.

But Cutline would never have been Cutline without you! All of you have helped Cutline to grow to one of the most vibrant WordPress theme communities around. Tell us in the comments what you would like to see here in the future, how you would like to see evolve Cutline and its community!

I would personally like to apologize to the Cutline community - over the past few months, I haven’t been as involved as I had intended. I was able to do a few things, like code a 3 column version and set up the showcase - however from reading all of the comments, it seems as though the community is more interested in theme support, and having issues resolved (as a theme community should).

Anyway, I have been exceptionally busy with my freelance projects and theme development, and want to take full responsibility for the lack of responses here. It is not a reflection of Splashpress, rather the busyness of my personal schedule. Having said that, I am stepping down from managing the theme, only to allow someone with more time, and more charisma towards continuing Chris’ legacy here.

We are proud to officially announce that 3 column versions of the Cutline WordPress theme are now available for download.

• Cutline 3-Column Right (view demo)
• Cutline 3-Column Split (view demo)

Because of the overwhelming response to the Cutline Showcase idea I had, I decided to install an automated service that will serve the Cutline community more efficiently.

It allows users to submit their site for consideration, as well as to modify their listing. Basically this speeds up the process for their submissions, and makes the overall concept much better in my opinion. I would like to ask those who have submitted previously, to do it again with this system.

Thanks to everyone who submits!

The community that Chris created when he developed the Cutline theme is ever-growing. Since it is one of the most popular WordPress themes around, I thought it would be fun to add a Showcase page, where we will have a list of current sites using the Cutline theme.

How can you get your site listed? Simple. Leave a comment on this post, with the link title/url (and a brief description) you want and we will add it.

Please note that I will personally be reviewing every link that is submitted. Which means if you are spamming, or link dropping, you will be banned from this site and I’ll zap your hard drive from where I am sitting.

Once I add your link, I will delete the comment you left. This is the best way for me to keep track of the ones I’ve reviewed and added.

Now submit your link so you can strut your Cutline stuff!

* Bear with me as I try to keep up with the overwhelming amount of people leaving their links! I promise to add yours to the list!

As many of you are aware, Splashpress Media has acquired a number of blog properties recently, one of which is the Cutline Theme for WordPress. Special thanks to Chris Pearson, who was the creator of this great theme…

Moving along, I would like to introduce myself as the new Cutline Wordpress Theme manager. My name is Brian Gardner, and I am a freelance designer as well as blogger. I have written for Performancing, have designed themes for sites such as Daily Blog Tips and have released a number of free WordPress themes.

In the near future, we will be adding a few neat things here at Cutline, so keep your eyes open and watch out for what’s to come. We will try to do our best to answer the comments that are left regarding the theme, and apologize if we can’t get to each and every one.

I’m excited about Cutline Chapter 2!