is there a way to save a custom layout theme...changing all the colors everytime i make a new layout is starting to get annoying

Why not create a 'MASTER' layout with all relevant features/themes and just duplicate it when you need a new layout

Phil

yea i thought of that after i posted...but i would still like to know if saving a theme is possible

i will probably just make a master for now though

You can create and save custom themes. There is a whole chapter on this in Developement Guide.

Generaly start with a copy of theme and modifiy it in a word processor.

i'm assuming that the Development Guide is a book that i would have to go out an buy

It is one of the 2 Guides that comes with Developer. You can download a PDF from the FileMaker Site.

Start at: http://www.filemaker.com/support/product/documentation_archive.html