Gantry Framework
Gantry Framework
Definition of Gantry
gan·try (gan′trē) noun
- (RocketTheme) A framework used for assembling, building and maintaining a RocketTheme template
Overview of Gantry
Gantry is a sophisticated Joomla template framework with the sole intention of being the best platform to build a solid template with. Gantry takes all the lessons learned during the development of many RocketTheme templates and distils that knowledge into a single super-flexible framework that is easy to configure, simple to extend, and powerful enough to handle anything we want to throw at it.
Key Features
The Gantry framework is packed with many great features that enable the rapid development of feature-rich designs with a minimum amount of effort. We've also gone to great lengths to enhance the standard Joomla administration user interface to make configuring a Gantry-powered template easier than ever before. Check out a sampling of the features Gantry brings to the table:
- 960 Grid System
- Stunning Administrator interface
- XML driven and with overrides for unprecedented levels of customization
- Per-menu-item level control over any configuration parameter
- Preset any combination of configuration parameters, and save custom presets
- 65 base module positions. Easily add more!
- 36 possible layout combinations for mainbody and sidebars
- Up to 3 sidebars for a total of 4 column layouts
- Many built-in features such as font-sizer, to-top smooth slider, IE6 warning message, etc.
- Flexible grid layout system for unparalleled control over block sizes
Installing/Updating Gantry
The Gantry library is a separate from the templates that use it. It is installed separately as com_gantry (although will not appear under Components in the Joomla Administrator). Therefore, to update Gantry, you just need to reinstall through the Joomla interface rather than manually edit files in the template.
Each template will have a bundle download option available to install both the template and the Gantry library at the same time, in conjunction with a standalone download.
Overview of the Administrator Interface
The administrative interface for Gantry is one of, if not the, most extensive and intuitive Joomla administrators in the community as a whole today. Gantry takes the template parameter ability of Joomla and takes it to the next level with a robust, diverse, functional and overall, substantial array of options to control, essentially, all aspects of the template.
The options are subdivided into various categories:
- Preset - Select from an array of prebuilt presets
- Settings - Configure preset specific settings such as Link Color
- Features - Control the various Gantry features such as Date
- Menu - Manage the menu parts of Gantry such as the javascript options of Fusion
- Layout - Customize the layout options of Gantry such as the Feature-a/f row distribution
- Advanced - Various other options are located here
Gantry Framework Full Features
- 960 Grid System
(http://960.gs - 12 & 16 Column Support)
- Joomla Support
Currently The Gantry Framework is available for the Joomla! A very powerful and popular GPL Content Management System
- Stunning Administrator interface
Gantry provides a uniquely intuitive interface to control all aspects of the design
- XML driven and with overrides for unprecedented levels of customization
Gantry is easy to configure, customize and extend
- Per-menu-item level control over any configuration parameter
Layouts, colors, features, etc can all be different for any menu item
- Preset any combination of configuration parameters, and save custom presets
Creating custom presets allows you to easily save any combination of configuration settings for later use
- Built-in extensible AJAX communication layer
Our powerful AJAX system allows dynamic functionality in features as well as opening up AJAX to 3rd party extensions
- RTL language support
Gantry makes it easier than ever to develop Right-to-Left (RTL) based designs for languages such as Arabic, Hebrew and Farsi
- Built-in CSS and JS compression and combination
Reduce the total number of requests for your site as well as adding compression for maximum page optimization
- Flexible grid layout system for unparalleled control over block sizes
Control the sizes of your blocks with our simple grid layout controls
- Optimized codebase with speed, size, and reuse core tenants of the framework design
Gantry is more than just unparalleled flexibility and control, it also provides a powerful basis to build professional quality designs.
- 65 base module positions.
To get you started right we've included plenty of modules, but adding even more is a trivial procedure
- 38 possible layout combinations for mainbody and sidebars
The mainbody and sidebars now have an unprecedented level of control. Gantry provides support for all kinds of layout options
- Source-ordered 4 column mainbody
With up to 3 total sidebars, Gantry allows you to achieve highly complex mainbody layout scenarios
- Many built-in features such as font-sizer, to-top smooth slider, IE6 warning message, etc.
Easily add your own unique functionality with Gantry's feature support
- Ability force 'blank' module positions for even more advanced layout customization
Create layouts with blank spaces or complex alignment requirements with this functionality
- Flexible parameter system with ability to set parameters via URL, Cookie, Session, Presets, etc.
Any parameter can be configured via XML to be settable from a variety of mechanisms for complete customization
- Table-less HTML overrides with content overrides base don excellent GNU/GPLv2 overrides from YOOtheme
Gantry designs provide modern table-less output for the best in SEO and usability
- Standard typography and Joomla core element styling
Great typographical features right out of the box
- ini-based configuration storage for easy portability
All configuration options are stored in simple text-based ini files
- Automatic per-browser-level CSS and JS control
Advanced control of CSS and JS for any specific browser version allows browser bugs and issues to be isolated and patched with a minimum of fuss
Gantry Top Features
Below is a list of some of the top features of Gantry:
1RTL Support: automatic grid inversion when RTL is detected in Joomla.
2Custom Presets: a simple user interface for creating your own custom presets.
3Menu Item Control: set various template options on a per menu item basis.
Gantry Blog Docs
We advise reading the blog entries below to gain a greater understanding of Gantry. They go into much greater detail than the overview on this page.
Gantry RTL Preview
Below is a preview of the demo frontpage in RTL mode, please click on the image for a larger preview via RokBox:
