Template production for Joomla & Wordpress...
May 31, 2009 - 10:53pm
March 31, 2010 - 3:50am
I used Artisteer to make
I used Artisteer to make Joomla templates. I don't like it. Why? After I made the template I need to change a lot in CSS file and index.php file to add more positions, change some css etc. I prefer to do the templates from scratch.
If you don't know CSS and how to add conditional if... else... in index.php for Joomla, how to add positions and you like what you see an their site in Demo section then you can use it.
Download the demo version, try it and if you like it... buy it. It costs you $130 (like 3 professional Joomla templates).
April 13, 2010 - 8:41am
Artisteer - Highly Recommended
I am not a web designer by trade. I know some CSS/PHP, and given enough time can and have created my own templates from scratch. However, I ran across Artisteer a month ago and my approach has changed. Instead of taking 40 hrs to create and tweak code, I spent under 2 hrs put together better looking Joomla! templates (see www.independence.k12.oh.us and www.westhillbaptist.com). With all the self-hiding module locations, I only had one code change to add a header module position. The module layout diagram is here in the "Joomla Positions" section.
I think it's well worth the money.
April 13, 2010 - 1:52pm
See more here...
There is more discussion on Artisteer here: http://geeksandgod.com/forums/dynamic-website-foru... and http://geeksandgod.com/forums/random-discussion/ge... Blessings! -NP
March 28, 2011 - 7:45pm
I would try and learn CSS!
Honestly,
I used to use heeps of these types of applications. Joomla is quite easy to design to. How I do it is make a static HTML page and get the design looking how i want.
Port that css over to your template and put the divs around each module position in the index.php and 'walla.' Yes there will be a fair bit of tweaking, and like jevansjr said, it can easily take 40hours. But would it be worth it.
I suppose the main question is outcome! Will Artisteer give you a better outcome then if you did it yourself, if you think you could make it look alot better without, id go without. DESIGN TODAY IS EVERYTHING (well, almost) - if your website does not look good, generally people will not come back or use it often.
But hey! I really encourage EVERYONE who reads this to learn CSS it is simple when you get the hang of it.
I'd Recommend having a look at this website to kick you off.
Eitherway, make the most of your site :P
Thanks,
Josh
Not sure if I'm allowed to put links in here to advertise commercial software, but I'm just so overjoyed to find this particular product, I figured perhaps others might like to be made aware of it too. I'll not link to it, but you can search for it - it's called Artisteer and it is a nifty program that comes with a multitude of templates that you can tweak in all manner of ways to produce your own tailor made one for your site/s. I just loved the fact that it's hugely versatile and unbelievably easy to use straight off. No programming experience needed, or CSS, etc. And you can do a heck of a lot with their free version, which I think can be used for Wordpress okay. However, in order to save J1.5 templates you have to shell out the dosh, and it's a reasonable amount too if you want to do the job properly. I can't afford it unfortunately, but some on here might feel it worth the investment.
I've long wanted to be able to produce templates myself, but get totally confused with CSS and haven't a clue about how to even start with the whole thing, so this was just a perfect program, which I'm thoroughly enjoying playing with, even if I can't actually use what I create! Sad I know LOL :).
And apologies again if I shouldn't advertise like this - feel free to remove the post if that's the case - I'll totally understand. (I couldn't find any "rules" anywhere for posting).