Themes in elgg are driven by something called, views. This should spark, if you're a developer, some common nostalgia regarding the Model View Controller. Technically, you will seperate all the code, engine, UI from your views (which are your templates).

Read the links I posted, then post here with specific questions you have regarding any issues you might encounter.

Something to take a look at would be to search the plugins for themes and study how they work to get an idea of how to develop your own theme.

HTH,
Mahmoud Abdelkader

@KK

Listen to @MA....

He is giving superb advice...!!!
MVC ( + OOP ) is **exactly what Elgg design is about

@MA

Have you joined my Hackers ElggGalaxy + (lolz) Lurkers Elggalaxy yet ?

Thanks guys, it is starting to make since to me now. I was confusing my self reading up on things that were from older versions of Elgg.

I understand now how the pageshell works and the page_elements folder. 

Ok two more specific questions.

1) Is there that just has the login box like the forgot password or register? If not how do I create one.

2) How do I add a static page that I could add PHP to , etc?

Thanks again.

elgg themes are the complete opposite of WP. Once you get it though you can create endless "views" for what ever you need. i.e. mobile.

@mahmoudimus

 Hi, I'm very new to Elgg and PHP(a beginner), I using Elgg 1.8 now, I would like to know customizing the Theme for that Elgg 1.8, I have create CSS and HTML from a Photoshop design which is ready with me, now I would like to know how to implement that theme in to it.

Your reply will surely help me to go further.

Thanks,

Harishankar Naganathan.