Tips for theme designers
Hopefully we can all contribute and all benefit from posting helpful tips here.
One issue with themes is the file size after packing.
So here is my tip for today.
Saving larger images in jpg format can drastically reduce file size.
If you are still have size issues, try applying an alpha mask.
Even applied at an opacity that is hardly noticeable, an alpha mask can reduce file size greatly.
Where to host my themes?
There are many options available for hosting themes.
File hosting sites like Rapidshare, Mediafire, etc.
But these sites limit your audience to the forums where you post the links.
CRX may not be a supported file type at many of these sites, requiring you to zip or rar them.
A lot of people are leery about downloading from file hosting sites, due to ads and such.
Uploading as attachments.
You can add the files as attachments on the forums you are posting them to.
With this option, you are uploading them to each forum, a lot more work.
And again, you are limited by each forums audience.
Not to mention file size limits.
Art specific sites.
DeviantArt
VS-Designs
Google Chrome Themes Gallery
Now here you can upload your crx and a preview image, and then post the links to all the forums.
File size won't be an issue.
You also get the largest audience with this option.
VS-Designs is my site and almost exclusively for themes, but the audience is not as vast as deviantart.com.
Another benefit of these sites, is updating themes.
The download and image links are retained after updating, so you won't have to go around to all the forums and edit your posts.
Just make a quick reply that you have updated the theme.
I'm not sure if you can update your themes at Google Chrome Themes Gallery.
If you have any tips that may be helpful to others, please post them here.
This is not a place for requests or off-topic discussions.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by raljanalli
