Creating Your Own Theme

[NicktheGeek]

my opinion on that type of conversion? I don't think it's a smart move. It is better to learn CSS, HTML, and PHP as well as how WordPress and Genesis work then you can code it correctly yourself.

When I'm given a PSD from a client the first thing I do is use the visual markup guide (well actually my own mental version since I've done it a lot) to work out where everything in the PSD goes within the framework. Then I make note of any new sections that need to be added and also work up functionality that will need to be added. After I get the rough outline of how that all works together I take the latest version of the "sample" child theme and start changing all the widths and heights to get a match. Then I work one section at a time from the #header to the #footer and slice the PSD for each section as I go.

Once I get done with the footer and have the dummy content in place I use an overlay tool to check everything and make final adjustments. It is technical and time consuming, but I can get an exact match with perfect HTML and a robust system for my clients.

Some devs work the opposite direction, they build their frames into the PSD and slice it all in one go. That is a great system too when done correctly, but I just don't work that way.