Joomla article template - Joomla! Forum - community, help and support

hi,

i have been using joomla (over wp) while now, , honest, think it's better

however, 1 thing still eludes me how modify layout of joomla article default.php file.

i know creating overrides , making 'new' default.php file in templates html folder, getting grips content of file mystery!

i have searched on google , have not found sensible articles begin give me glimmer of hope!

so, here. kneeling @ feet of joomla masters, asking humbly, if me out. sure not 1 in position.

what post copy of article template files contents different sections of file highlighted in different colors.

for example:-
title - blue
author - red
category - green
voting - yellow
intro - purple
intro pic - orange
main content - pink
main pic - aqua

... etc etc etc

you idea?

i sure make great 'sticky' forum.

i have spent hours today messing around file , not php master, have been running around in circles.

i know 'should' simple task, uninitiated, it's nightmare.

regards,

brendan

imho, there no need create html output override files formatting have specified. of formatting specified accomplished using css entries. if @ all, in circumstances, if there need create html output override file, editing minimal.

for each of elements shown, there class names such following.
author -> createdby
category -> category-name
published date -> published
hits -> hits

in addition, following documents of help.
https://docs.joomla.org/joomla_1.6_core_ids
https://docs.joomla.org/joomla_1.6_core_classes_-_components
https://docs.joomla.org/joomla_1.6_core_classes_-_modules

as may know already, 1 inspect elements using tools such firebug (https://docs.joomla.org/using_firebug_with_your_joomla_website).