I have two pages, on the new website that I'm making, that I want to use for category posts.
on there I have implemented the multi column layout through the Custom Fields option, and it works great for the layout, but both pages show ALL posts, regardless of the category.

so I went into the 'menus' option in 'appearance' and to make a menu that included the category items, which now sorts the posts correctly, but takes away the multi column formatting on those pages.

when I go into 'Edit Category' there is no option for Custom Fields, but in 'Edit Enhanced Category' there is. if I select 'number_of_columns' there and input a number next to it, the formatting still does not show up on the category page...

what am I overlooking, or is there another way to do this?

thanks,
Eric.

PS:

I have also tried to put this code in the index.php file, instead of using the category menu items, but it seemingly had no effect...

<?php if (is_page(6)) {wp_cat_posts(3); } ?>
<?php if (is_page(80)) {wp_cat_posts(4); } ?>

you can craft a custom query to access your posts in one or more categories.

maybe you can, but I wouldn't ask if I could too...

care to give a little hint where to start?

see http://forum.bytesforall.com/showthread.php?t=15718 in the Gold forum tutorials

ok, I had seen that post before, but it starts with the quote:
'This template is now included with the theme as of 3.7.5 - use that version.'
so I had ignored it.

but after rereading it now again, I understand that I should craft a custom_query 'somewhere' using the second link.

so when I craft this query, what does it look like, and where do I put it?
do I put it in the custom CSS file?

forgive me if I sound ignorent, but I have never messed with the loop before, because php editing seems to go a step above my usual html and css skills

You need to create a 'custom query'. Now go back and read that post again.