Before proceeding with installation, it is recommended that you back up your forum database.
Then extract the skin "Zip" file and save it to a folder on your computer.
Tick the box on the left when you are done with this step.
"Step 1" is Complete.
Proceed to "Step 2" below.
Step 2
Inside the folder that you saved the zip file into, you will see a folder named after your skin and vBulletin version number.
For example, if you have purchased version 3.6.1 of the "Aria" skin, the folder will be named "Aria 3.6.1".
Inside that folder you will find another folder with the name of your skin e.g. "aria"
Upload that folder to your web host www, forum's "images" directory using your favorite FTP program.
e.g. /www/forum/images/
Tick the box on the left when you are done with this step.
"Step 2" is Complete.
Proceed to "Step 3" below.
Step 3
Now that you have uploaded all of the images to your forum's images directory, go to your forum "AdminCP" and login with your adminstrator account.
Once you have logged in, go to the "Styles & Template" section from the menu on the left and click on "Download / Upload Styles".
Once the "Download / Upload Styles" page is loaded click on the "Browse..." button to install the skin from your computer.
Browse to the folder that you saved the zip file into and go to the XML folder located under the Install directory. Choose the "Skin XML" file that you wish to install e.g. /aria 3.6.1/Install/XML/aria.xml.
What are the meaning of the different XML's names?
The "+" sign determine that the skin is in 100% width.
The "#" determine that the skin is using the "legacy" postbit.
Choose "Create New Style" from the "Merge Into Style" drop down menu. You can keep your existing style and add this new skin as a selectable option for your users, or merge it into your current skin to overwrite it with this new style.
If you are installing a style that was created for a different version of vBulletin than yours, make sure to tick the "Ignore Style Version" check box before proceeding to upload.
Click "Import" to complete this step.
Tick the box on the left when you are done with this step.
"Step 3" is Complete.
Proceed to "Step 4" below.
Step 4
While you are still in your forum "AdminCP" go to the "Languages & Phrases" section from the menu on the left and click on "Download / Upload Languages".
Once the "Download / Upload Languages" page is loaded click on the "Browse..." button to install the phrases from your computer.
Browse to the folder that you saved the zip file into and go to the "Phrases" folder located under the Install directory. Choose the "Phrases XML" file that you wish to install.
For example:
/aria 3.6.1/Install/Prhases/prhases-aria.xml.
Choose "Your forum language" from the "Overwrite Language" drop down menu e.g. English (US)
Click "Import" to complete this step.
Tick the box on the left when you are done with this step.
"Step 4" is Complete.
Proceed to "Step 5" below.
Step 5
Please Note, "Step 5" is only required if your skin "Install" folder includes a "Product" folder.
While you are still in your forum "AdminCP" go to the "Plugins & Products" section from the menu on the left and click on "Manage Products".
Once the "Manage Products" page is loaded click on "[Add/Import Product]".
In the new page click on the "Browse..." button to install the "Skin Product" from your computer.
Browse to the folder that you saved the zip file into and go to the "Product" folder located under the Install directory. Choose the "Product XML" file that you wish to install.
For example:
/aria 3.6.1/Install/Product/product-aria.xml.
Click "Import" to complete this step.
Tick the box on the left when you are done with this step.
"Step 5" is Complete.
Proceed to "Step 6" below.
Step 6
While you are still in your forum "AdminCP" go to the "Forums & Moderators " section from the menu on the left and click on "Forum Manager".
Once the "Forum Manager" page is loaded click on your "First Forum" e.g. "vBstyles Area"
In the new page, at the very top, next to your forum name take note of the "Forum id " and remember it.
For example,
in this case the "Forum id" is "1"
Close the "Forum Manager" and go to the "Styles & Templates" section from the menu on the left and click on "Style Manager".
In "Style Manager" look for your new skin and from the drop down menu choose "Edit Templates" e.g. Aria.
From the template list browse to the "forumhome_forumbit_level1_nopost" template and click "Edit"
At the very top of the "forumhome_forumbit_level1_nopost" template look for the following code:
Replace the number "1" with the "Forum id" number that you have saved from the "Forum Manager".
In our example the number in the code above and the "Forum id" are a match so there is no need to change anything.
Click "Save" to complete the Installation.
Tick the box on the left when you are done with this step.
"Step 6" is Complete.
Congratulation you have successfully completed the installation!