Template:Pattern box
The purpose of a pattern box template is to create a simplified "logo" for clubs where a "proper" logo does not exist, but the team colours are known. For the most complete listing of templates available for use, see the category. Also, generic templates are available at Template:Pattern box/pattern list.
Specification
Usage
The most common usage is in the "UICA association COUNTRYNAME" template, or as a sub-template of an infobox such as {{Infobox football club}}, {{Infobox football club season}}, or {{Infobox national football team}} in use on an article relating to a football club or an article relating to a club's season. In some instances, particularly in articles relating to noteworthy and high profile matches, the template can be used in a standalone instance by using {{Pattern box large}}.
Example
This template uses patterns (saved as partially transparent images on Commons) to cover solid blocks of color and render a pattern box. In the example below, the stripes are covered with a black pattern, while the background is red. This gives the impression of red and black stripes, which can then be used to represent (for example) the Osarian club Firewood City, if there was no logo file available
{{Pattern box
| alt = red and black stripes
| pattern = blackstripes
| background = FF0000
| title = Red and Black stripes
| size = 50
}}
Parameters
The parameters for this template are as follows:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| alt | alternative text for screen readers; see Wikipedia:Alternative text for images |
| pattern | pattern modifier |
| background | base colour |
| title | title that appears under the pattern as rendered |
| size | the height and width in pixels of the rendered pattern; default is 50px |
You may specify the optional parameter |filetype= to use a different image format than the default PNG. For example, setting "filetype = svg" will direct the template to SVG files. When using this optional parameter, you must ensure that all of the images you want to use exist in the format that you select. Currently, most images only exist as PNG files and will not work with the SVG setting.
Best practice
Creating and naming a new pattern
If you determine that a new pattern is necessary, use your image editor to create a new pattern including any details necessary to render the pattern as accurately as possible. Templates for higher profile clubs should generally include more detail than those for lower profile clubs. For top flight clubs, the emphasis is on historical accuracy and season specific identification. For lower level clubs, the emphasis is on using generic templates and accurate representations of team colors.
Please follow the following rules for designing new patterns:
- Every pattern must include a transparent field.
- Never include the word "transparent" in any file name.
- Each pattern file must start with "Pattern_box_"
- Each pattern file must end with .png or .svg (lower case).
- Each pattern file must have equal height and width, with a minimum width of 50px.
Generic patterns
If you feel that the pattern that you are adding could be used for other clubs and is not specific to a particular club, you are creating a generic pattern.
Naming convention for the Pattern_box_ patterns are described as follows:
- Multiple vertical lines are called stripes.
- Multiple thin vertical lines are called stripes_thin.
- Single vertical lines are called vertical.
- Multiple horizontal lines are called hoops.
- Multiple thin horizontal lines are called hoops_thin.
- Single horizontal lines are called horizontal.
- Halves are called righthalf (where the pattern color is on the right as viewed) or lefthalf (where the pattern color is on the left as viewed).
- Sashes are called rightsash (/) or leftsash (\).
- Crosses (+) and Saltires (x) are different and should be named appropriately.
When there is an uneven number of lines, this should be specified for clarity. For example "blackstripes" provides two black, vertical lines; while "blackstripes3" provides three black, vertical lines.
Other patterns should be named sensibly, and descriptions added above for reference.
When creating generic Pattern_box_ patterns, use the "«colour»«pattern identifier»" naming structure, where:
- «colour» is a word that clearly describes the colour of the details added by your pattern.
- «pattern identifier» is a word that clearly describes the style of the details added by your pattern.
For example, the body template used in the example above is named Pattern_box_blackstripes.png.
Team-specific patterns
If you feel that the pattern that you are adding could generally not be used by another team, you are creating a team-specific pattern.
When creating team-specific patterns, use the «team identifier»_«cycle identifier» naming structure, where:
- «team identifier» is a word that clearly indicates the club for which the pattern was originally designed for.
- «cycle identifier» is a number that identifies the IFCF/UICA/World Cup cycle for which the pattern was originally designed for (i.e. "ifcf10" for a design made for the IFCF 10 cycle; "wc93" for a design made for the World Cup 93 cycle).
If the pattern is for a specific purpose, and not necessarily a specific cycle, that can also be specified. For example, if the representation of a country's colours changes due to a new regime introducing a new flag, it may make more sense to reference the new regime rather than a World Cup cycle number, or IC year. e.g. "xiaolin_independent" may be used to refer to a change in design for the Xiaolin national football team corresponding to their flag change after achieving independence.
Uploading a pattern
Once your pattern has been created, upload the file to the wiki and categorize your new pattern as appropriate. Place the pattern into the single category it fits best.