where is ~\.vim folder in mac os? and how to install themes in gvim?

Question

I downloaded color sample pack from http://vim.sourceforge.net/scripts/script.php?script_id=625

it says i should unzip and place it into ~/.vim but where is this folder? I tried unzip it to my usr/share/.vim folder but it is not working, I don't see themes added to gvim Edit>color scheme menu, and i tried "colorscheme sometheme", "color sometheme" in my gvimrc. Both not working for new themes

Isn't the ~/.vim should be the .vim folder in use/share? or I should create a new folder under home?

Note:there is a folder vim73 in my .vim, I guess this doesn't affect anything

thanks for any help!

Solution 1

First of all, open vim, and get help from :help colorscheme

:colo[rscheme] {name}   Load color scheme {name}.  This searches 'runtimepath'
                        for the file "colors/{name}.vim.  The first one that
                        is found is loaded.

After reading the manual above. Take the following steps maybe help you:

• find runtimepath

  :set runtimepath?
  

  It will print out run-time paths:
  runtimepath=~/.vim,/usr/share/vim/vimfiles,/usr/share/vim/vim71,/usr/share/vim/vimfiles/after,~/.vim/after

• create directory called colors under one of them if not exist(for example: ~/.vim)

  $ ls ~/.vim
  ls: cannot access /root/.vim: No such file or directory <== we need create it!!!
  $ mkdir -p ~/.vim/colors
  

• copy your color.vim to your colors directory

  $ cp /path/to/your/color.vim  ~/.vim/colors
  

• restart vim to use new colorscheme

  :colorscheme color
  

• (optional) put command above to ~/.vimrc file to make it permanent

Solution 2

In UNIX parlance, ~ represents your home folder which is /Users/<username> in Mac OS X.

You are supposed to put all your custom scripts/colorschemes/whatever in a .vim folder situated in your home folder. In Terminal.app, type each line (without the $) then hit Enter:

$ cd

to be sure you are in your home folder

$ mkdir .vim

here you'll have an error message if ~/.vim already exists; if you don't receive a message it means that the folder is created

$ cd .vim

to move into it

$ open .

to open a Finder window here. At this point you should follow specific indications.

Comments

[huangli]

Every time I open my vim it still use the default color scheme, it's not permanently.

[kev]

@huangli You need to create a vimrc file, and put the command into vimrc.

[ILikeTurtles]

I think a lot of people don't know that you have to create your own .vim folder.

[Zach Saucier]

Make sure to also put :syntax enable if you haven't already.