Retaining customization when switching layouts

[nightowl]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if there is a way to switch to a new layout/theme, without having to redo all the customizations (for instance, I have custom text replacing the default "Leave a Comment/# comments" and other navigational links, as well as a custom text box)?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. :)

Comments

[zvi]

Yes, you can, but it's going to involve the Advanced Customization area.

First, go to http://www.dreamwidth.org/customize/advanced/styles One of the styles will be bolded, and the Use button next to it will be unavailable. That's your current style. Click on the EDIT button.

Don't touch anything. You want to look at the User layer. It probably says something like Auto-generated Customizations (#1111111). Take note of the exact number.

Open up http://www.dreamwidth.org/customize/advanced/layersource?id=1111111&fmt=html (Substitute the appropriate number from what you just wrote down in the previous step.)

Open up a BRAND NEW tab or window. Select your new style, with all of the default stuff. Instead of making any customizations, go back to http://www.dreamwidth.org/customize/advanced/styles . The new style should be bolded and have the USE button grayed out. Click on the edit button, and again, take note of the User layer number 222222.

Open up http://www.dreamwidth.org/customize/advanced/layeredit?id=222222

There should be almost nothing in it. Go back to http://www.dreamwidth.org/customize/advanced/layersource?id=1111111&fmt=html Copy over the customizations you want into http://www.dreamwidth.org/customize/advanced/layeredit?id=222222

All of the text customizations start with set text_ Most of the customizations you should be able to guess what they are from their name, but come back and ask questions if you have them.

[nightowl]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your help! I apologize for not getting back to you earlier, but it was a crazy week and I didn't get to try your instructions or even read them until late yesterday night. I didn't see a user layer for the new style when I selected it, so I just created one and wrote that number down. It seemed to work quite well.

Thanks again! :D

** Edited for spelling fail. **

[zvi]

Glad it worked out.