BASICS:
1. As always when you make changes to your board it is always a good idea to back up your database.

2. Unzip the .zip file and you will see a number of folders.

3. Upload the folder named plasma to your root forum directory. Usually your pub/html/forum/ -that directory may vary depending on how you installed your board. You should see your "images", "admin", "mod", etc. folders in that directory. If you see those folders you are in the right spot.

4. If you wish to "OVERWRITE" you existing smilies and icons you can upload and overwrite those as well. To do this upload them into your "images" folder.
NOTE: This will OVERWRITE your existing smilies and icons. So it's a good idea to back up the originals first. All I did was hue shift the originals to match the skin better.

5. That should complete your ftp'ing…

BOARD MODIFICATION:
1. The first thing I suggest doing is backing up your current style. To do this log into your admin section/ Go towards the bottom of the navigation area/ Choose Styles-Download/Upload/ Go to the top section that says "Download one of your style sets" and choose your current style (or the style you wish to backup) from the drop down/ Click the download button and save the file to your hard drive. Now you have a backup of your current style.

2. Now while in that same area go to "Upload existing Style Set". Now here you have a couple of options. The .style file you want to upload will be in your unzipped .zip file and end with the extension of .style.
  

    a. If you want to use this Style and this Style ONLY you may choose from the drop down menu of that section your Default or Current style and OVERWRITE it. WARNING: doing this will OVERWRITE your style completely. This is ideal if you only want to have one Style for your users to choose from.
  

    b. Choose "No create a new style" if you want to keep your existing look and add this new skin as a selectable option from the users "edit options" area. From there they may select which style they want to use.
 

     c. You can upload this Style using the "No create a new style" and still make it your "Default" style. Do this by keeping your old style, uploading the new one using the "No create a new style" method. Then once it is uploaded tell your Default/or Current style to use the newly uploaded styles replacements and templates. To do this, once you have uploaded the new style go to Styles/Modify. From there click on the Default/Current Style you are using "properties link". From there you can set what replacements/templates to use. Choosing the new Style's replacements/templates will tell the Default/Current style to use the new system. Meaning the board will use the new look by default. Then if you wish to change back to your old look simply go back and follow these steps but choose your old replacements/templates instead.
  

     d. There are a number of ways to do this. I'd suggest checking out http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/ , http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/ and http://www.vbulletintemplates.com/ forums for really detailed info. on how to use styles.
  

    e. Very important. This style was created in vb 2.7 If you are using an older/newer version of vb (OTHER than 3.0, not tested in 3.0 yet) you must check the box that says "Use style file even if it is for a different version of Vbulletin". If you are using an older vb board and try to upload the new style without doing this you will get an error. So this must be the checked option when uploading.
 

     f. Also once you have uploaded your new style please make sure that the image paths are set correctly. They should be by default but it never hurts to double check. Do this by going to Styles/Modify and clicking the "fonts/colors/etc" link. Scroll down to the "image paths" area and make sure all the images point to the correct directory (the one you uploaded already).


EXAMPLE:
If the folder you uploaded was named plasma then make sure that the "image folder path" is plasma. For the "Title image path" it should be plasma/vBulletin_logo.gif. Making sure there is a / after the plasma. Follow the same rule for the rest of the image paths.
     

    g. Quote Boxes: If you want your quote boxes to look like the one in the style you need to modify your Vb Codes. Go to your admin panel. Click the Custom vB codes/Modify, then click the "edit" link for quote. Copy and paste the original code and save it to your hard drive (in case you ever want to restore the original). In the section that says vB Code Replacement paste this:
<table width='95%' align='center'><tr><td><font face='Arial' size=1 color=#616889>Quote:</font></td>
</tr><tr><td class='mytable'>{param}</td></tr></table>
That will now make your quote boxes appear in a bordered table format…
Change the color=#616889 area to the color of your choice.
 

    h. That should do it for the board work.

.PSD's:
1. I have included the main .psd files for this style. You will need to have Photoshop to open these files. They are layered and editable and named pretty self explanatory. You can change buttons, some of the graphics, etc. Once you open them up you will see what exactly you can edit and change around.

HINT: If you want to make changes to the header for buttons are anything else you can open the file up in Image Ready and the slice guides that I used should be visible to you. That way you should get an exact slice guide to match how I sliced up the header area.

2. The .psd's are open source (READ legal section below). Meaning you may incorporate them into your actual website if you choose to do so. Basically use them however you wish on "your" site and "your" forum.

LEGAL:
1. Basically there is not too much legal info.      

     a. vbskinz.com/Teamphotoshop.com/Pankpages.com owns the copyrights on the actual design. You can use it, hack it, and do what you wish with it. But, you may NOT redistribute any of the .psd files or Style files. You may not resell the style or graphics. You may only use these files for ONE DOMAIN. If you run these skins/files on more than ONE DOMAIN you need to purchase a SECOND license. If you ordered this for a client email me at bob@vbskinz.com and I'm sure I can work out a sweet deal for you.

    b. Since the .psd are limited open source to you. You can change them, whatever, and use them on your actual website (not just for your forum). So if you want to make your website fit the forum go for it.

2. That's it. Help spread the word and send me your comments. Hope you enjoy this skin!

Thanks:
For more help the "members" area is open at http://www.vbskinz.com/forum/ Just sign up for an account and PM your transaction id and the members area will then be open to you.

Bob (pank)- vbskinz.com /teamphotoshop.com /pankpages.com