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![Thomas Wright](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/525de0d0605d9c747a529bf177e02c72?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Thomas Wright
13,747 PointsCreating Genesis Custom Layouts in Wordpress
Does anyone know of a good tutorial that shows how to create a new custom layout and make it an option in the Genesis theme?
Basically, I inherited a web client who uses Genesis, but they want to have a very specific way of displaying content dynamically. I've built themes before, but I'm having a hard time getting to where you create the <div> structure and where you tell it to output the custom fields, sidebar content and widget areas. I'm about ready to just build a new theme for them on a trusted framework and go from there.
If anyone knows a step-by-step guide, I'd love to know mainly for learning purposes. I've google searched and have pieces, but nothing that goes through the whole process.
Thanks!
3 Answers
![Natalie Graham](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/588f8d4f0c7b1ebb5781887409d4f93e?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Natalie Graham
11,063 PointsI took the plunge into Genesis a few months back, and it's definitely got a learning curve.
I'd recommend starting here: http://designsbynickthegeek.com/tutorials/genesis-explained-the-framework. It's a bit outdated, but the closest thing to a step by step guide I could find.
Without access to the forums your best bet for help will be on twitter using #GenesisWP, The Google+ group (https://plus.google.com/communities/113206330486200023679) or by browsing some of the top developers' sites.
Some developer blogs to check out: Sridhar Katakam (http://sridharkatakam.com/) Bill Erickson (www.billerickson.net) Carrie Dils (carriedils.com)
Sridhar is awesome about answering questions (he usually turns them into blog posts) so maybe even reach out to him if you have a specific need.
![Thomas Wright](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/525de0d0605d9c747a529bf177e02c72?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Thomas Wright
13,747 PointsAs I said, I inherited this project, so no access to the Genesis forum. It's pretty hard to understand all that's going on. It would definitely warrant a tutorial on here maybe? Maybe an "Advanced Wordpress Theming" module? I finally came across a great plugin that is called Genesis Simple Hooks. Basically there are a bunch of hooks built in that let's you insert content, php, and even short codes in a lot of places. Then another plugin called Genesis Display Hooks (or something along those lines) allows you to see where the hooks are from any page when selected from the admin bar. This helps with my current project, but things are kind of hazy still for a developer/coder of only a year or so. I've learned a ton, but would love to learn this.
![Matt Campbell](https://uploads.teamtreehouse.com/production/profile-photos/86019/micro_14908333_567364846789328_4118168172751511528_n.jpg)
Matt Campbell
9,767 Pointsi thought the Genesis documentation was very good? No joy there?
Genesis is quickly becoming one of the most popular theme building frameworks out there. As soon as I have a weekend free, I'll be sitting down a learning how to use it as I can see a lot of people posting jobs and stipulating, "I'd like it built in Genesis".
It's going to be a must have tool in one's arsenal before long.