Activating template

Hello ModX community and thanks for the great work. I feel the huge potential of this CMS, but apparently struggling to realize it. I am sure it’s the right place to get a quick start.

So here’s my first baby step - I was going to create a new template (by copy/pasting of existing HTML and CSS) and enjoy the sparkling new look of my new empty website with new ModX CMS.
(Joomla makes me feel like inside of these MacDonald’s playgrounds and it’s not cool any more)

So I’ve managed to copy/paste HTML code from MODXCMS template tutorial, but for lord’s sake I couldn’t figure how to "activate" my new template?
And second - what to do with CSS part of template? Does admin panel has a way to create/edit CSS part of template, just like it has with HTML?
Or should I create a new file in notepad, fill it with CSS, name it properly and then upload it somewhere using admin panel?

Is there a granma’s-style tutorial where you are told what to click and were to copy/paste stuff to make good things happen?
Online template tutorial feels a bit like it’s written for people who already know ModX.

Thanks in advance,

Gleb

Quote from: gesman at Jul 31, 2006, 04:44 PM

So I’ve managed to copy/paste HTML code from MODXCMS template tutorial, but for lord’s sake I couldn’t figure how to "activate" my new template?

When you create or edit a document, you can set it’s template by using the "Uses template" dropdown. You can set the default template in System configuration and if you check the "Reset all pages to use Default template" it does just that. And you can also use document template changer module to change templates on documents..

Quote from: gesman at Jul 31, 2006, 04:44 PM

And second - what to do with CSS part of template? Does admin panel has a way to create/edit CSS part of template, just like it has with HTML?
Or should I create a new file in notepad, fill it with CSS, name it properly and then upload it somewhere using admin panel?

Take a look at [Tutorial] Use CSS as MODx document. Also, chunks are great for static building blocks for your template, like footers etc.

Thanks!
Well - here is the result of me following 2 tutorials:
http://25pix.com/

...still searching for a way to make something that looks ... a bit more appealing.

Seriously guys, are there any tutorial which is not written by experts to experts, but rather will guide newbie from scratch to a decent looking bare site?

Thanks!

Gleb

http://modxhost.com/ is a good as it gets. Today, MODx is not targeted at inexperienced folks, as our priorities lie in making a more solid foundation to get it in better shape for folks like yourself. Have some patience and be persistent, and I’m sure folks will lend a hand. Until then, good luck!

Ryan,
thanks for your reply.
Apparently I do feel a strong foundation behind ModX with it’s amazing flexibility and "buzzword" compliance.
At 0.xxx version it already installs flawlessly and looks great. I just need to get over the initial fence barrier to get a feel of doing the site from the beginning to the end to grasp pieces together.
I’ll check out the site you suggested, thanks!

Gleb

Gleb,

Think of templates in the most simple way as possible. It is a basic HTML page (whether with tables, css, or both). It really is just that. You might even want to fill the page with some filler text (lorem ipsum).

Then, to run it off of MODx, just insert [*content*] where your main body is.
Let’s say your header and footer is always the same. Then you can create two "chunks", through the admin, named header and footer.
- Then replace your HTML header with the chunk "header".
- And replace your HTML footer with your "footer" chunk.

You can then replace your menu with the [[DropMenu]] snippet.

For another template example, check out Doze’s conversion of mollio here: http://modxcms.com/forums/index.php/topic,3450.msg36265.html#msg36265.

It really is very easy. Just a plain HTML page. Then you replace the HTML content with your placeholders/snippets/chunks you make.

Chuck

Whenever I see a template I like (OSWD rulz!) I simply copy the HTML document and paste it into a new template. Then (after setting up the CSS for it, of course) a page using that template will be an exact copy of the original. I remove all content and replace it with the appropriate tags, such as [*content*] for the main content area, and replace the hard-coded menus with DropMenu calls. Fast and easy.

You can see the "guts" of my site, http://www.sottwell.com by logging in to the Manager as guest, password guestuser. Start with the Templates, then check out the chunks and TVs in the template. Other TVs are in the document content of various pages, you can view that also. I’ve even put my CSS into a chunk so it’s easy to view as well.

Thanks everyone and Susan.
I really like ShopX shopping cart. Is there a tutorial to create chekout page and actually make this whole thing up and running as e-commerce?

I particularly interested if it is possible to create 1-page shopping cart without forcing user to sign-on, fill-in unneded forms and make extra clicks that could eventually discourage him from purchase. Complicated chekout procedures is a plaque of most e-commerce solutions.

Thanks!

Gleb

Quote from: gesman at Aug 03, 2006, 01:50 PM

Thanks everyone and Susan.
I really like ShopX shopping cart. Is there a tutorial to create chekout page and actually make this whole thing up and running as e-commerce?

Part II of the step-by-step tutorial on my site is in progress.

Susan, thank you. Looking forward to it, please let me know ASAP when it will be ready!

Back to templates. I have a bare bone very simple pure CSS template that I wanted to adjust for ModX. Please check - http://25pix.com right now.
So I did the following:
1. inserted <title>[(site_name)] | [*pagetitle*]</title>
2. replaced contents of it with [*content*]

But how do I connect it’s very simple CSS menu with ModX internal structures? That’s would be cool to know.
The template with all it’s tiny files is attached.

Thanks in advance.

Gleb