I've been running XOOPS on my web site for about 2 years now, and would really like to create a theme that 'looks' like tabletop gaming (Euro/German style games, RPGs, miniatures).

I've downloaded several themes that have elements that I like (top bar navigation, fixed column width, ability for user to turn left and right columns on/off, search box, etc.), and I can work in photoshop to make graphics. I've also tinkered in CSS a bit. I'm not a coder, but I can understand and modify existing code to an extent.

I need some help understanding how all of these pieces come together in a XOOPS theme. I saw the recent threads on the awsome work Snow77 (I think) did on the pirate theme, and I'd like to know more about the visual elements involved so I can give my site more flavor.

So, if there is a thread or a how-to out there, please point me in the right direction!

Quite a bit of basic information in the XOOPS Theme Section of the FAQ, Read through this, as well as look for external links to other sites with tutorials.