How to Convert template v8 to v9 in Win7 
Author: P. R.Hi there,
It’s been a long time, but I’m still working and struggling with the conversion from v8 to v9. I've posted before on the subject (#27606, "Upgrade v8 to v9"), but I was informed after 2 months without activity posts are closed. Maybe you should read that post first.
As was explained in the previous post (#27606) I created a custom template with the v8 graphics. In the last answer Samantha M. wrote they are 945px instead of 943px. I’m sorry, but the original graphics I had in v8 were 943 (I never understood this stange number: why not 940, or 950?). BTW: I changed and tried them all with measurements from 943 up to 960. The important thing however is to check if they are all the same.
For the time being is was ok, but dark clouds were gathering… (that's why it is more than 2 months without activity).
I changed to Windows 7. I thought my precautions were sufficient, but when I installed WebsiteX5 v9 and opened my website I thought my hart stopped. It was starting with a default (wrong) template from v9 again: the same as after te update to v9. As far as I could see this was caused by the disappearance of v8 because of the upgrade to Windows 7. I was very unpleasantly surprised to discover the used v8 template graphics weren’t saved in v9 of not even with the website files!
So I really appreciate the sending of the original v8 graphics with the last answer in post #27606! And I copied them in the template folder of v9.
1) I copied the last folder "16.Abstract" to "17.Version8";
2) In the "ver"-folder I renamed "#1" to "#1 ORIG", created a new "#1" and copied my graphics in it.
3) I checked the differences and noticed some files are png and others are jpg.
4) Furthermore I checked the "template.css" and "index.html" in the "ver"-folder, and "settings.xml" in de "17.Version8"-folder. I didn’t do anything with those files, but noticed the "settings.xml" only handles the horizontal menu.
After importing my website and creating a custom template, in which I used the graphics from the new template folder I created, all was fine again. Until I did a preview. Aaaaarrghhhh!
My vertical menu was horizontal and the text in my opening page was on the right side outside the content graphic. I checked everything and found out that:
1- The menu setting is vertical, so that wouldn’t be the problem.
2- The problem is only with the main menu, the submenu is working ok (I don’t use the page menu).
I don’t know what I did wrong, I cannot find any wrong setting.
As I read in the topic "How can I build an Evo8 template in Evo 9?" by Wim K., I see a lot of interesting suggestions. Especially the discussion between Eva and Cheeky Man was astonishing: Not only does this moderator expect v8 still to be there, but he doesn’t seem to understand there is a difference between the horizontal and the vertical menu. Then Claudio of Incomedia takes over and want the user to split the graphic in a "content"- and a "menu"-part. Pfff… The critical user is asking why do I have to bother with it? And I agree. The solution is even more simple: use the same graphic for both the menu and the content option. Why didn’t I came up with this….(well in fact: I did). By the way: user Eva seems to be satisfied by this solution, but in my case it won’t work. Why oh why couldn’t Incomedia convert the v8-templates to v9? They could split the content and menu graphics, make them all as jpg, or png, and make all the changes needed in v9. They could have done it automatically. As I think of it: why doesn’t Incomedia do it now at last? For a next upgrade please consider everything and upgrade the whole system, including taking the graphics with you instead of forcing users to redesign their website. Anyway, as I said above: the vertical menu-design showed horizontal and the text is outside the content picture. So, how on earth can I get my website working in v9 with the use of the converted v8-template and without v8 available? As stated in de mentioned thread, I too belong to the group of website builders who don’t want to spend their time on technical issues they don’t understand. That's why we bought Website X5.
Thanks Peter
Well.. allow me to jump in by saying that I was and am very disappointed by not being able to completely and smoothly convert from v8 to v9. I had to use the new templat ein v9 to match it very closely to the one I used in v8. I am surprised that Incomedia chose to force users to completely re-design their web-site from v8 in order to be compatible with v9.
Author
Please Incomedia, read my post and help me out. Don't wait for two months: it'll be closed again.
I cannot go on with my website, or I'll have to redesign the site all over again. I hate that.
Thanks, Peter
Hello everybody,
In V9 we had to modify the template's HTML to match the new specifics of HTML5. That's why a V8 template cannot be directly imported into v9.
The best way to use a v8 template into v9 is to use a custom template and import into V9 the old graphics, as I've already explained in the original topic:http://answers.websitex5.com/post/1816#9
You don't have to bother with converting the old template HTML and CSS files. Just select the V8 graphics from the v8 installation folder when you're building the V9 custom template and you're done.
Did you export your project into iwzip before installing Windows 7? It is the only way to do a proper backup, just like the batched export of v8.
Author
Hi Claudio,
Thanks for your answer. It seems to me you're not so good in reading what problems were mentioned. Never mind. I found the way to rebuild the website using the v8 templates. However, I have to consider saving those templates in the event a new version is installed. I'll be losing all of them by losing the previous version. And you threw away lots of previous graphics because you won't keep your old customers satisfied (what beautifull site? Go on with the flow to a more beautifull future as we see it!).
So, I converted my website in v9 with the v8 templates imported as custom templates. But, as I read in other messages, why is my main menu horizontal, while the setting is still vertical?
And why is the body text on the right side outside the template (in the right border of the screen)?
And why is my advertising picture not shown?
Has these problems to do with Windows 7 x64, or is it the imperted v8 templates, or is it the new version 9?
Do I have to look out for a X5 replacement?
I look out for your comments and answers.
Thanks
Peter
Hi Peter,
This sounds strange to me. It's really the first time I find this kind of error. If you have already selected the vertical menu in the template options at step 1, try to presso CTRL+Preview to rebuild the entire site and update the preview.
This could be related to the site content's margin set at step 1 in the custom template settings. Try to enlarge the content section size/margin in the template customization page.
This happens when a custom script throws some errors.
I suggest you to create a small project from scratch and test if these errors still exist.
PS: Did you edit the content of the _Custom folder in the software's templates folder?
Author
Hi Claudio,
Thanks for your answer. It is not true this is the first time you find this kind of error. See the first message of this sequence: I refer to another message where this problem is mentioned and where you are denying it too.
Pressing CTRL-Preview wasn't changing the results. Nor does changing any margin setting in step 1. Of course not: it has nothing to do with wrong margins. If it was, it would be another proof of not being able to update smoothly from v8 to v9. And last but not least: I have no custom scripts, so they can't throw errors. Do I really have to create a new project to see if the problem still exist? This is the kind of extra work I had hoped to prevent by buying X5. And no, I did not edit the content of the _Custom folder in the software's templates folder, or any other folder.
Why would everything being the same as it was in v8 and come out so wrong in v9? If the used graphics and settings are right (custom or prefab), why would the content not go between the margins, but be placed outside of it?
Try to imagine the problems are really from within X5. Try to figure a solution. And please tell us. Don't throw things back to me. I tried everything.
Thanks,
Peter
To understand what's is wrong in that project, I need to check the site's code. If possible, can you send me your project file? .iwzip would be better but, if it's too large, I can use the iwprj file you can find in the project folder. You can send it to file@answers.websitex5.com setting "To Claudio N." as subject.
I'm sure we'll figure out a solution.
Thank you!
Author
Hi there.
Sorry I've been so long. Very busy... I have sent you the requested .iwprj file. I'm curious to see what you can make of it.
Thanks,
Peter
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your answer.
Looking into your project I found what's going on. You could have mistyped the menu width. It is actually set to 936px so it's larger than the content itself.
Just go to step 1, in your custom template settings. Then select "Menu" in the "Page section" dropdown menu. In the "Width" field set something like 145px (you can adjust the width as you like). This will solve the problem. Just press "Preview" and check your site.
Keep me informed!
Thank you!