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Custom template and ".resources" file

Forums > Themes, Containers, and Templates
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Srinath Vall

New Around Here



Posts:9
New Around Here




11/4/2020 2:02 PM

    Hello,

     I have noticed DNN providing a default Template file and a default template.resources file in theor source code at Website/portals/_default/

    IThis is where the default template for the website loads up from. I have a custom website which i have created a custom template called "x.template" at the same level as default. And I am saying my code to use the custom template instead of default one provided b the DNN.

    The problem here is DNN also had a file with .resources extension for default template which i assume is a binary file and was created from the original template. How do I create a ".resource" file for my custom template? And how is a .resource file used by DNN?






    Joe Craig

    Veteran Member



    Posts:1236
    Veteran Member




    11/4/2020 7:12 PM
      Default Website.template is an XML file. You can open it with a text editor, or any other editor that can handle XML files. It defines all of the attributes of the portal (website) that is created. This includes portal settings, roles, pages, modules and module contents, etc. Essentially this is everything that is needed to create the default website.

      Default Website.template.resources is a binary file that contains other resources for the website: things like images, etc.

      Default Website.template.en-US.resx is a .resx file that contains default resource texts strings, etc.

      To a certain extent, these files are somewhat obsolete. And, I'm not aware of a way to created this in current versions of DNN. I believe that you can do this be exporting from older versions of DNN, but I don't know when the switchover occurred.

      I tend to use the Blank Website files and that doesn't include a .resources file, as it's not needed.

      If you want to create a basic website, the best way to do it with current DNN versions is to create your prototype website. I would start with the Blank Website and add to it whatever you need. Then use the Export/Import tools to export this prototype site.

      To create a new portal, create on with the Blank Website template and then Import your exported portal to the new blank one.

      If you need to do this in a completely different DNN install copy the export folder from /App_Data/ExportImport to the new install, and import that you a blank website there.

      ---------------

      As an aside, I think that it would make sense if the DNN developers switched the install and portal creation functions to use Exported portals as the templates for new installs and new portals.

      Or, if anyone knows an easy way to create portal templates, I'd love to hear where to find it.
      Joe Craig
      DNN MVP
      Patapsco Research Group





      Joe Craig

      Veteran Member



      Posts:1236
      Veteran Member




      11/4/2020 10:24 PM
        I should also have pointed out that pages can be saved as "Page Templates" in the old form, and that these can be used when new pages are created.

        (That doesn't get you to a portal template, though.)
        Joe Craig
        DNN MVP
        Patapsco Research Group





        Srinath Vall

        New Around Here



        Posts:9
        New Around Here




        11/5/2020 8:16 AM
          Thank you Joe for the information. Yes it makes sense, I will start off using a blank template.
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