Custom Site Template in Variations

You have created a custom Site Template and you need to use it in your Variations?

Very simple.

Open your webtemp.xml file.

In the configuration node of your Template, you just need to add the following property:

FilterCategories="PublishingSiteTemplate"

Here's an example of my webtempMySiteTemplate.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<Templates xmlns:ows="Microsoft SharePoint">

<Configuration ID="0"

Title="My Site Template"

Hidden="FALSE"

ImageUrl="/_layouts/images/CPVW.gif"

Description="My Custom Site Template Description"

DisplayCategory="MyCustomTemplates"

SubWebOnly="TRUE"

FilterCategories="PublishingSiteTemplate">

</Configuration>

</Template>

</Templates>

Now, after deploying your .wsp, check Variation Labels under Site Settings.

Your site template should now appear under the Publishing Site Template dropdown list:

(this print screen is in Portuguese :) )

Good luck ;)