Oh – I forgot to ask- is this the best/ simplest process to be using?
First off, you MUST use a Child Theme to make any modifications to theme files – especially for a default WP theme. Is that what you are doing?
So the child theme style.css file contains only changes – so maybe I’m not sure what you are asking.
I’d strongly recommend using Firebug for working with CSS (among other things).
I’m starting using a duplicate of the twenty twelve stylesheet for my chid theme style sheet because I want to change as little as possible.
I just don’t know enough about css to know whether I need to include the WHOLE thing when I upload it or just my changes.
And whether or not I can isolate certain selectors and change them independently of others, specifically I need to center the top nav and the footer without making the text on the main page centered. I’m finding it difficult to see which div takes precedence over others. I’m adding text-align: center; to different parts of the css, but so far it aligns ALL the text center. Can’t figure out which divs to change only the header and the footer. 🙁
I also cant the main nav to appear below a header image, not above. Can this be changed in the css?
Firebug instead of Google Web Developer Tools? I started out using this, but read that GWDT was better.
I only just started using GWDT – always used Firebug in past.
So include only my changes and it will reference the original twentytwelve theme style sheet for the rest?
As I’m making these changes, is the best way to see one change at a time to make the changes in firebug, add each change to child theme stylesheet, then upload that and viola?
Andrew Nevins
(@anevins)
WCLDN 2018 Contributor | Volunteer support
Firebug instead of Google Web Developer Tools? I started out using this, but read that GWDT was better.
Google chrome developer tools may be faster to use than Firebug, but I think Firebug has more functionality.
That’s really not a good way to go – it makes it much harder to keep track of what you have changed and it creates duplicate CSS code (only slows down loading of the site).
I’d really suggest you set it up correctly – once you get used to it, it really works much better. Firebug solves many of the issues you are running into.
You may also be having trouble because twentytwelve is coded “mobile-first” – so you need to use media queries for CSS to target bigger screens (opposite of how most themes use media queries).
To move the navigation, you have to modify the header.php file – and again, it’s crucial to use a Child Theme for that. Otherwise all the changes will be overwritten when WP is updated – I’m sure that would not be desirable for your client (or you) :).
For specific help with CSS, I’d really need to see the site.
If you were me, is the simplest process (see above) to do this work or could I be using something else to make it quicker?
You also don’t need to be uploading file – just add the CSS changes to the style.css file in the child theme in the Editor.
Using a child theme is the simplest way (and best in terms of not losing changes, being easy to maintain, minimizing extra code…).
So include only my changes and it will reference the original twentytwelve theme style sheet for the rest?
Yes, that’s exactly how child themes work!
Got it.
Where can I learn how to modify the header.php file without breaking the theme? And if I do this and WP makes an update, I’m screwed, right? So I should probably use another theme
Can you suggest a better – simpler parent theme to start with? I’m only trying to create a TWO page static site- one is basically a business card online and the other is a simple contact form. The client insists that I use WP instead of just making static, HTML site.
All I need on page 1 is:
logo on top
three link main nav
text on left
image on right
page 2: simple contact us form
I’ve looked through dozens of themes and they all seem beautiful, but very complex. also I need the correct way to make certain functions NOT show (comment area, etc) to use the more complex themes.
Thanks, WPyogi – I really appreciate your help. I’ve been wrestling with this for over a week! Argh.
