Software Technology Tips

Skinning your is the most honored aspect of the administrative process. A skin is a collection of physical files (HTML, CSS etc) which decide the look and feel of your site.  Admin or host of the site can be upload any skin package.  Before I describe the process of how to upload skin package in the DNN site let me tell you a little about the skin package.

A skin package consists of two zip file named as (a) Skin and (b) Container.
Skin.zip file is deciding the background color, banner size, number/ types of panel etc of your site and container will decide the color, shape of the module panel etc of your site. The way to uploading skin package in DNN 4.X and 5.X are different.

(A) Following are the steps for uploading skin package in DNN 4.X

Uploading skin:

1. Unzip the skin package, you will get two zip file name as skin.zip and container.zip
2. Login to the site with Admin/ Host login.
3. Click on link ‘Skins’ under admin tab or host tab.
4. Click on ‘Upload Skin’ pencil icon.
5. Select the skin.zip file from your local host and press ‘Install skin package’.
6. Application shows you message as “Skin uploaded successfully” after uploading the skin.
7. Then you can find a screenshot of skin under ‘skins’ panel.
8. You can apply a skin to your site/ application by pressing ‘Apply’ link of corresponding
     screenshot of skin.

Upload container:

1. Click on link ‘Skins’ under admin tab or host tab.
2. Click on ‘Upload Container’ pencil icon.
3. Select the Container. zip file from your local host and press ‘Upload container package’.
4. Application shows you message as “Container uploaded successfully” after uploading the
    Container.
5. Then you can find a screenshot of Container under ‘Containers’ panel.
6. You can apply a container to your site/ application by pressing ‘Apply’ link of corresponding
     screenshot of container.

(B) Following are the steps for uploading skin package in DNN 5.X

Upload skin:

1. Unzip the skin package, you will get two zip file name as skin.zip and container.zip
2. Login to the site with Admin/ Host login.
3. Click on ‘Extensions’ link under admin tab or host tab.
4. Select ‘Skin’ under “Filter by type” drop down.
5. Select ‘Install Extension wizard’

6. Select skin.zip file from the local host and press the next button.

7. Select skin option (Radio button) and press next.

8. Check on the license check button and press next.

9.  Application shows you message as “Installation successful”.

10. Then you can find a screenshot of skin under ‘skins’ panel.
11. You can apply a skin to your site/ application by pressing ‘Apply’ link of corresponding
     screenshot of skin.

Upload container:

1. Click on ‘Extensions’ link under admin tab or host tab.
2. Select ‘Container’ under “Filter by type” drop down.
3. Select ‘Install Extension wizard’

4. Select container.zip file from the local host and press the next button.

5. Select container option (Radio button) and press next.

6. Accept the license check button and press next.

7. Application shows you message as “Installation successful”.

8. Then you can find a screenshot of container under ‘container’ panel.
9. You can apply a container to your site/ application by pressing ‘Apply’ link of corresponding
    screenshot of container.

Note:  If you upload skin through host tab then the skin is placed at \Portals\_default\Skins in the physical folder and if you upload skin through admin tab then it will placed at \Portals\0\Skins in the physical folder.