With the release of the "skinny" talk templates (made by TNE), it's time for a how-to-guide! This guide will cover all types of skinny talk bubbles...plus emotions!
Also, please see TNE's and SSC's talk bubble emotion guides!
The first type of skinny talk bubbles we'll look at are the Skinny Rays. These are the basic skinny talk bubbles with some added features: extra borders! The coding for one is as follows:
There isn't much difference between the coding for the skinny rays and a similar form of advanced markup (as seen on a user's template). The added features are two extra borders and some extra coding in the "top-section=" part.
So, you've looked at the first example of coding and the final result. Now what? Just to make sure we understand the coding, let's go over what everything means.
{{User:Xiggie/TalkTemplate: The first line is deciding which template you want to use. So far, we have three main template options.
{{TalkTextTest2: The basic and most simple coding. Although easier to use and see, this template does not allow the user to use images from offsite sources (i.e. Photobucket, Imageshack, etc.).
{{User:Xiggie/TalkTemplate2: This template allows users to use images from other offsite sources.
Most users will either user {{TalkTextTest2 or {{User:Xiggie/TalkTemplate2, depending on the images they want to use.
image: Self-explanatory. The image link would go here. If you're using Photobucket, copy the "direct link" section and paste it here. If you're using an image off the Wiki you would simply list the file's name. In this case, "DaysXaldin.png."
imagesize: Determines the size of the image. Keep in mind that the max size for many talk bubble images is 70 or 75px.
color: Sets the color for the top section of the talk bubble.
color2: Sets the color for the horizontal stripe in the center of the bubble.
color3: Sets the color for the lower section of the talk bubble.
top-section: The "meat-and-potatoes" or "heart" of the coding. The top-section contains information on the user, the timestamp, and any quotes the user wishes to use. A basic outline of what goes here is this: [[User:INSERT YOUR USERNAME HERE]], [[User:INSERT YOUR TALK PAGE LINK HERE]]", quote, timestamp. This section can be modified in many different ways with extra "flashy" features. A guide on these features can be found [[Insert guide here|here]].
*'''textcolor''': Self-explanatory. Determines color of text to be used in the middle section of the talk bubble. What you type here determines what color will be used when you type messages.
*'''border/border2/border3''': It's what you'd expect from their names. Determines color of the borders.
*'''fonttype''': Determines what style of font will be used for the messages/text you type. Most fonts that you'd find in Microsoft Word can be used.
*'''text''': This is what we've been working for! This section will contain the text you type for messages. Nothing is needed in this section except for <nowiki>{{{text}}}. Keep in mind, however, that whatever you label this section as in the beginning of the line you must write the exact same words in this part: {{{ }}}. We'll see more of this when we expand into emotions.
Skinny (the usual skinny talk bubble)
This is the typical skinny talk bubble most users start out with when exploring the skinny talk bubble side. The coding is as follows:
This coding is very similar to the coding of the (somewhat) more advanced markup talk bubbles and the skinny rays. We still use the extra coding in the "top-section" portion, but unlike the skinny rays we only use two color commands. This is shown visually by lacking a three-part construction. Instead of "top-middle-bottom," as with the skinny rays, we have "top-bottom."
Reverse Skinny (bubbles that confuse other users at first)
Alright, this is the last type of skinny talk bubbles; it is also the one Randomnessity and I use. This is a unique talk bubble since the normal text is on the top while the user information/quotes are on the bottom. Be prepared to see some heads turn, or to have questions from others asking if your talk bubble is okay! ^_^; The coding is as follows:
Xion4ever Don't be fooled, Ven! Terra won't fall into darkness. You know that!
Notice that I used {{User:Xiggie/TalkTemplate2 instead of {{TalkTextTest2. This means I'm allowed to link images from other websites, in this case, Photobucket. You could use TalkTextTest2 instead if you wanted to use an image we already have on the Wiki. If not, to Xiggie/TalkTemplate2!
The coding for the reverse skinny bubbles is normally the hardest to follow since the coding after "text=" is not the usual {{{text}}} many of us are used to...Especially with emotions. -_- There is not much difference between the coding for the skinny reverse and regular skinny talk bubbles, except that the "top-section" and "text=" coding is reversed. These type of talk bubbles only have a "top-bottom" section, with the top section being your actual typed messages/text and the bottom portion reserved for your user information, quotes, and the timestamp.
Welcome to the wonderful world of coding, brought to you by the skinny talkbubbles! Brace yourself for lots of coding that over the course of hours makes you go insane!, gives your talk template emotions! Be careful with this coding, it is very touchy! One mistake (even if its an extra "<"), and the coding is ruined!
The emotion coding for the skinny rays isn't that hard. Just remember to use the exact coding! Any parts of the coding missing/added will result in failure! But enough of the negativity, on with the coding!
The coding is similar to that of the somewhat advanced markup talkbubbles. The only problems you should/might encounter is during the |topsection= part. Other than that, you should be fine! ^_^
Also, don't forget to include this at the bottom of the page so the templates appear. Since there are three talkbubbles, there will be six }} at the end of the template (two per talkbubble). DON'T FORGET THIS!
This is the normal skinny talkbubble that is most often used. If you compare the codes, you'll notice that there isn't much of a difference between the normal skinny talkbubble coding and the TalkTextTest2 coding. This is, in my opinion, the easiest emotion coding of the skinny talkbubbles, especially for those who've used the TTT2 coding before. Again, this will be for three talkbubbles.
Xion4ever Oh ho! So its a fight you want. Very good, I shall take you on!
{{{happy}}}
Xion4ever The memories wiles can be cruel. In its silence we forget. In our obsession, it binds our hearts.
{{{talk}}}
That's all there is to the normal skinny talkbubble coding. Just remember that for every talkbubble on the template, each talkbubble has two {{ . So four talkbubbles on a template means eight {{ .
We end this guide with the dreaded reverse skinny talkbubbles! This is by far the hardest (in my opinion) emotion coding out of the skinny talkbubbles. I spent four hours trying to make a user's template work </true story>. But don't worry, after you review the coding and make some test edits, you'll be fine.
The difference in the reverse skinny coding is that the the "top-section" part is where the text (or in coding: {{{text}}}) is, while in the "text" part is all the user information/quotes. The coding may look nasty, but the result is worth it!
Okay, I'm going to again show the emotion coding for three reverse skinny talkbubbles. Before attempting to make your template/talkbubbles please review the coding at least once! This coding is very touchy; a slight mistake and the template is ruined.
Thanks for looking at the guide! ^^ Sorry for the chaos disorganization... If you have any problems with the coding feel free to ask me or TNE on mine or TNE's talkpages! Thanks!
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