StudioPress released version 1.2 of the Genesis Theme Framework for WordPress 3.0. This new version integrates the new WordPress 3.0 options like f.e. custom navigation menus. For a more closer look check out the screenshot of Genesis below, or read on for more information about the Genesis Theme Framework.
Genesis Theme Framework for premium WordPress themes from StudioPress
Theme Framework explanation
First, an explanation of a theme framework for WordPress, parent themes and child themes.
What is a Theme Framework?
A theme framework is a robust WordPress theme which can be used out of the box as is, but also easily can be extended with hooks and child themes. Not only theme framework does provide a number of enhancements above the typical WordPress theme, but they also serve as a platform to build upon for additional functionality.
What is a Child Theme?
A child theme is an extension of a theme framework which consist of typical WordPress theme elements. With the Genesis Theme Framework it consists of theme files, a screenshot, a CSS stylesheet, a functions PHP file and a folder with images. All these elements are grouped together in what’s known as a child theme folder and can be activated like a normal WordPress theme. To explain the relationship of the parent Genesis theme framework with a child theme we will go into detail with each element.
Theme Files
All of the theme files are kept at the Genesis theme framework, which in essence is the parent theme. This includes the typical theme files such as index.php. header.php, 404.php, comments.php, footer.php, page.php, single.php etc. Child themes can also include these files, and the hierarchy works in a way that if any of these files exist in the child theme folder they will override the parent theme. So in other words, if you customize a comments.php file and place it into your child theme folder, that will be used in place of the file in the Genesis parent theme. At the moment the only theme files that you will find in some of the Genesis child themes is a custom home.php file, which will control the way a site’s homepage will appear, and the stylesheet file. If a file is not a part of a child theme, then the theme will use the index.php file for the homepage in the Genesis parent theme.
CSS Stylesheet
Many theme frameworks are built in a way that imports the parent theme CSS stylesheet, and then allows for customizations to be made by way of the child theme stylesheet. While there is nothing wrong with the way that works, StudioPress has chosen to simplify things for Genesis and just give every child theme it’s own stylesheet. So in other words, if a child theme is being used, the style.css file in the child theme folder has complete control over the way the child theme looks. It’s not necessary anymore to compare and go through multiple stylesheets to look for and change style elements.
Screenshot
As you probably know all WordPress themes have a screenshoot image included which is a visual display of the theme. This image is called screenshot.png and is 600 x 450 pixels in dimension and can be seen inside your WordPress dashboard on the Appearance > Themes page. As child themes have their own folders and are activated like any other theme, they require a screenshot like a standard theme.
Images Folder
As with any WordPress theme there is an images folder which is used to hold any images that a theme requires. Use this to hold icons, navbar gradients, background images etc.
Functions File
In most WordPress themes you will find a functions.php file where you can control certain behaviors of how WordPress is run or how the theme outputs various things. For instance, sidebar widgets can be registered by a functions file and how they are styled, as well as a number of other function related things. With Genesis the functions.php is quite simple; it calls the entire theme framework to run and that is the only code which can be found there. Another great thing about the way Genesis is built is that the child theme’s functions file is where a number of things occur; you can register additional sidebar widgets, and custom functions are defined as well as filtered and hooked.
Hooks
Customizations can be done via hooks, a piece of code written into a theme which allows you to attach additional content to the theme itself. Put simply, it provides the ability to add functionality by way of inserting (or hooking) code. The Genesis Framework has over 40 locations, throughout its code structure, where you can do this. StudioPress provides a lot of training material like a Genesis Hook Reference page and Genesis Hooks 101.
Summary
The easiest way to explain the relationship between the Genesis parent theme and child theme is to relate it to a cell phone. The Genesis parent theme is the cell phone, and the child theme is the case you hold it in. You’ll always use the same phone, but if you want to change the way it looks on the outside, you put a cover on the phone to make it look different. Just like using a child theme, as that is what decorates the way your theme looks. If you have changed the code of your child theme you won’t have to redo your code if you upgrade the Genesis Theme Framework, simply because your changes are made in the child theme. Also child themes are also much easier to create, which means more styles for Genesis will be offered, so you will have more website designs to choose from if you use this theme framework – StudioPress intends to set up a marketplace where you can buy and sell child themes for Genesis.
Features
More advantages and features of the Genesis Theme Framework :
- Automatic Theme Updates : any time there is an update to the Genesis, you’ll be notified in your dashboard and can update with one simple click
- Theme Settings : everything from choosing between dynamic text or a logo image for your header to site-wide comment control to controlling archive content display by excerpt or full text. See the screenshot below of the theme settings page :
Genesis Theme Framework theme options
- Search Engine Optimized : Genesis has an SEO Settings page, as well as inline SEO Inline Options, which give even more control of varying elements of search engine optimization. See the screenshot below of the SEO settings page :
SEO settings page of the Genesis Theme Framework from StudioPress
- Custom-Built Widgets : widgets like My Tweets (list of your latest Tweets), User Profile (displays the Gravatar of a user, as well as their biography and a link to an about page), eNews & Updates (opt-in box for users to sign up for delivery of your posts by email), Featured Posts (displays post excerpts and a thumbnail to be used in a homepage featured section) and Featured Page.
- Different Layout Options : 6 different layout options: content/sidebar, sidebar/content, content/sidebar/sidebar, sidebar/content/sidebar, sidebar/sidebar/content and full width content. See the screenshot below of these different layout options :
Layout options of the Genesis Theme Framework
StudioPress offers outstanding forum support, with excellent moderators who are exceptionally quick to respond. The support forum is well organized with a general inquiry forum and separate forums for each premium WP theme from StudioPress. Here you will also find tutorials for specific themes, for setting up and customizing your theme. With thousands of customers, this forum is a dynamic and perfect WordPress learning center, whether you have general WordPress questions or theme-specific questions.
Pricing
Standard pricing of the Genesis Theme Framework from StudioPress is as follows :
- Genesis Theme Framework Package: $59.95
- Pro Plus All-Theme Package: $249.95 (one-time fee, includes ALL current & to be released themes from StudioPress
Check out the StudioPress page on WPwebshop for special discounts and to see all premium WP themes from StudioPress, or click here to go directly to the StudioPress website.
