Dynamic Headers - Directions For Use

Please read all directions prior to use!

Description: This plugin will allow you to upload various media type (jpg's, gif's, png's and Flash files) to use as headers throughout your site. You can assign different headers of different filetypes to be used on different posts/pages. You can also set a default header to use on posts/pages that do not have a set header.

1. After installing the plugin you will need to create a folder called header-images in your wp-content folder (/wp-content/header-images/). You will need to make this folder writable. If you are unsure on how to do this, consult your hosting company, your help files for your hosting, your FTP client documentation, etc. This process can vary from server to server.

If the directory is not writable you should be seeing an error message at the top of the plugin admin pages.

2. Upload media (using the filtypes listed above) on the Add New File Page.

3. Go to the Settings Page (created under the Headers menu created by the plugin). and set your default header image. If you do not set a default header image, no media will be shown for posts and pages that do not have a header image associated with it.

Alternatively, you can also add images to the /wp-content/header-images/ directory using your FTP client or other file manager.

4. Create or edit a post or page and at the bottom of the page you will see a new box called "Dynamic Header by Nicasio Design". Select from the drop down one of your uploaded media files. This media will be shown only on the page or posts you set it to appear on.

5. BACKUP YOUR THEME DIRECTORY BEFORE MAKING ANY MODIFICATIONS TO ANY THEME FILES

6. Now you will need to add the template tag created by the plugin to your theme file where you want your dynamic header to appear (this will usually be in wp-content/themes/your-theme-name/header.php).

You have 2 options for adding your dynamic header:

Option 1 (Recommended): Simply drop the this line of code into your theme file that controls your header (usually header.php)

Note: The location to add this code can vary widely from theme to theme and depending on your theme's css settings you may have to use Option 2 and modify the CSS of your theme **BACKUP ANY THEME FILES BEFORE MODIFYING**

<?php if(function_exists('show_media_header')){ show_media_header(); } ?>

This will automatically determine what type of media you are using and generate the appropriate code to insert it. No other coding is required on your part.

Option 2: You can use this line of code to simply get the URL of the media for a particular post or page. This will allow you to do some more advanced things and embed the media yourself if you know what you are doing.

<?php if(function_exists('dh_get_page_image_url')){ $dynamic_header_url = dh_get_page_image_url(); } ?>

You can then use the variable $dynamic_header_url however you see fit. It will contain the full path to your media file for that particular page/post, including any default media that should be shown.
It is advised that most users simply use Option 1 if at all possible, as it is significantly more simple.
Note: This function can return NULL or the string 'None' if there are no headers for the current page.

Important Notes: On archive pages, the header media is controlled by the first post in the list. We plan to add control for archives pages separately in a future release, but for now, be aware that the first post on an archives page controls that page's header.