EE Template Basics
Due to the open and easily editable nature of ExpressionEngines template system it is easy to add any design. At the most basic level, EE will publish anything to the site put into a template.
As an example, one could get any template, preferrably Web Standards CSS (!!!), and add the EE tags as needed. Or, as we did as an example, redo a Wordpress template for EE.
Note: Contact us to have any existing templates converted to ExpressionEngine. Wordpress. Joomla, or any other design can be easily added to EE.
BKDesign has a series of two and three column expression engine templates for purchase, not only for those wanting to do their own design, but also for developers and anyone wanting a good Web Standards based foundation. These templates are designed for the ExpressionEngine CMS.
We have set a small fee for future development costs and support (25.00). They are not a design, but a solid foundation for one. If wanted we have a first class graphic designer who will give you any design wanted using these.
In the below examples, only the three col set links to all of the inner templates, the others only the main index shows the columns.
Three Column Template (this page when first here)
Three Column 2 Right Template
Two Column Template
One always wants to know if the templates are compatable across a range of browsers and operating systems. We did the tests in all browsers at 800px and 1024 screen resolutions, and did 96 screenshots of these in:
MacOSX 10.3, 10.4, and PC.
Using:
WinXP, Win2000, Win Vista, and Linux operating systems. (Linux needed more margin in header).
Tested in:
Firefox 2.0, IE6, IE7, Safari2, Opera9.02, and Opera 8.5
View Screenshots
The original set used was developed some years back by another member of The Web Standards Group of which I am also a member.
View Original Set of 40
Examples With Design
The below sites are using these templates with Four background images.
cmsinstallations.com
movablemaps.com
inspiredesignsonline.com
Parchment demo
Header, Mid, footer, and body. Any style - design is that easy to add.
Then add any menu type wanted, set your colors/fonts and good to go.
To change from one column type to another, there are four changes to make in the css only. One uses the same templates for all styles. Changes easily made including width, column widths, and fixed or fluid width. All in a readme with the set.
If you would like a set, and or a design added, please contact us.
Back to article on templates
These are complete EE sets, (expression engine), based on Web Standards. These templates are very basic, generic, simple, and highly customizable. In them content always comes first, they are search engine optimized, valid XHTML and CSS, and very user friendly. Again, they are foundational much like the basement of a house something solid and trustworthy to build on and not representing a complete design.
You have a choice of getting BKDesign to develop your website or using these stylesheets and templates to do it yourself. You can browse the above basic layouts and contact me with your preferences.
They cost 25.00 for a complete set. A definite good start for any design. Again, contact us to order.
ExpressionEngine Template Tags
Adding the Expression Engine tags to any template is a basically simple matter. A tag is replaced by content.
In some cases when designing a new site, adding the tags after the design is done may be easiest, especially if using a custom made design or one created for another system. Drop the template and css file into EE templates and add tags afterwards as wanted.
The Weblog Entries Tag
{exp:weblog:entries weblog=“news” limit=“15”}
<h3>{title}</h3>
{body}
<div class=“date”>Posted on {entry_date format=”%M %d, %Y”}</div>
{/exp:weblog:entries}}
At it’s most basic level here we are telling EE to list the entries from the weblog named “News”, and to show 15 entries. Title, the date and date format, and what is entered into the body field.
Weblog Entries Parameters.
A variety of parameters for in the entries tag, (over 40), can be added to control what is displayed by the weblog tag. Parameters are added to the opening partion of the tag and can be learned from the ExpressionEngines fantastically well done docs, User Guide - weblog parameters.
Additionally, one has even more control using a number of variables to display different information such as entry title, date, body, etc. There are three types of variables:
variables, conditional variables, and variable pairs..
This is a global variable
read more...»