## Creating Themes

Themes consist of three graphics (two panels and a background) and one informational text file merged into a single .zla file. Players with digital artist/graphic skills may wish to create their own themes for use within the game and may also submit their themes for upload into the "New Themes" list for public download. Steps to create and use a theme: 1) Create the individual theme files according to the guidelines and criteria below. 2) Create a single theme file using the enclosed DOS tool. 3) Copy the new, single theme file to the correct location in the program structure. 4) Run the program and select the new theme. Note: All example files for creating themes can be found in the program directory under Data\Help\themes. For example, if the program is installed in C:\Program Files\Cubis, you will find the examples in C:\Program Files\Cubis\Data\Help\themes.

# Theme Guidelines

Themes consist of three graphics (two panels and a background) and one informational text file. This section details guidelines on creating these individual files.

Criteria for useable panels:

- Panels must be 244x600 pixels and in JPG format. Please see the example template files provided below.
- File size should not exceed 150 KB each.
- Label each relevant panel clearly as Puzzle or Arcade game-type.
- Score, Time, To Go, and Level areas should not be too detailed in the digit areas, so as not to obscure the digits in the game. The rectangles in the template files (shown below) indicate the area consumed by the maximum number of digits.
- Score, Time, To Go, and Level areas should be labeled clearly.
- The six button areas near the lower half of the panel can be drawn over, but be aware that the buttons will obscure any detail here.
- The logo area below the buttons at the bottom of the panel can be drawn over, but be aware that the FG logo will obscure any detail here.
- The bottom-left corner indicates where the window cuts off the rounded edge, but we advise drawing in this area because this corner is shown when the game runs in full screen for 800x600 desktop resolution.
- The filename for the Arcade panel must be "<theme>_panelarcade.jpg".
- The filename for the Puzzle panel must be "<theme>_panelpuzzle.jpg".

Criteria for usable backgrounds:

- Backgrounds must be 556x600 pixels, in JPG format. Please see the example template file provided below.
- File size should not exceed 150 KB.
- The gridwork of the board corresponds exactly with the board in the game. It is important to use the grid template accurately for best results.
- The grid should not be too light in tone, as the cube sprites, shadows, and other items work best against medium-to-dark tones.
- The two small arrows near the bottom left represent the location of the yellow, beveled "next cube" indicators that will sit on top of the background. These arrows will obscure any background detail in this location.
- There are no "restricted" areas on this JPG (areas that cannot be draw on).
- The bottom-right corner indicates where the window cuts off the rounded edge, but we advise drawing in this area because this corner is shown when the game runs in full screen for 800x600 desktop resolution.
- The filename for the background must be "<theme>_background.jpg".

Criteria for the information text file:

The text file that must accompany the JPG files should be formatted as shown below. Please see the "user.txt" file in the Data\Help\themes directory for a working example.

- All four fields must be filled in.
- The NAME and CREATOR information can be up to eight characters in length.
- The DESCRIPTION information can be up to ten characters in length.
- The DATE must be in the format of day (two-digit number), month (letters), year (four-digit number).
- The filename for the text file must be "<theme>.txt".

Format | Example (theme is named "user"; file name is "user.txt")
[NAME] theme [DESCRIPTION] description [DATE] date month year [CREATOR] name | [NAME] User [DESCRIPTION] A user template [DATE] 01 January 2003 [CREATOR] FreshGames

# Creating a Single Theme File

To have the program recognize your theme, you must first merge all files for the theme into one theme file using the enclosed DOS tool.

To create a single theme file:

1) Create a new directory in the Data\Help\themes subdirectory of the program called "<theme>" (see the top of this page for where you might find the Data\Help\themes subdirectory. For example, this distribution includes a directory called "User" for the example "User" theme in the Data\Help\themes subdirectory.
2) Copy all four files created for the theme into the directory created above. For the example "User" theme, the directory contains the following: user_panelarcade.jpg, user_panelpuzzle.jpg, user_background.jpg, user.txt.
3) Open a DOS prompt and change directory to the Data\Help\themes subdirectory.
4) Type "arc <theme>" (without the quotes). For example, to create a single theme file for the user theme, type "arc user".
5) This will read the files in the <theme> directory and output the single file, called "<theme>.zla", in a new "data" subdirectory. Your four original theme files will be unmodified. The table below illustrates where the output files are placed.

Data\Help\themes contents |

BEFORE creating single "User" theme file | AFTER creating single "User" theme file
arc.exe -- theme creation tool user -- directory containing the four required "User" theme files | arc.exe -- theme creation tool user -- directory containing the four required "User" theme files data -- new directory containing a single, theme "user.zla" file

# Using the Theme in the Game

To display and use the theme in the program, you must A) copy the new theme file to the correct location in the program structure and B) run the program and select the theme. The game will not recognize your theme unless you follow these steps!

Important Note: If a Theme is not created according to the guidelines above, gameplay could be affected adversely. User-created Themes are unsupported. FreshGames is not liable for errors and issues related to Themes acquired from or created by parties other than FreshGames. Use at your own risk.

To copy the single theme file to the correct directory:

1) Find the themes directory for the program. This is located in the Data\bin\themes subdirectory. For example, if the program is installed in C:\Program Files\Cubis, you will find the themes directory in C:\Program Files\Cubis\Data\bin\themes.
2) Copy the themes .zla file created above into this directory.

To select the theme in the game:

1) Press the Settings button.
2) Single-click the theme name in the list under "Choose a Theme to Use".
3) The theme will load automatically.

# Submit for Upload

Players may wish to submit their themes for upload into the "New Themes" download area. To submit your theme for consideration, please e-mail your theme .zla file to cubisthemes@freshgames.com.

Requirements and disclaimers for submitted themes:

- Theme components must meet all criteria listed above.
- Objectionable or offensive material will be refused.
- There is no guarantee that your submitted theme(s) will be posted. FreshGames may refuse to post submitted themes for any reason.
- All submissions become property of FreshGames.
- Please refer to the FreshGames website terms for a complete list of disclaimers.