Hi,

Is it possible to create the layout for a page and change it like settings for a module?

So for example, I might create a page and set it to have a 2 column layout where the widths are 33% and 66%, then later add a 3 column layout (of 33% width for each column) underneath the 2 column layout and so on. I would like the site administror to be able to do this without editing skin files or stylesheets.

I know there are a lot of skins that offer a multitude of layouts but I already have my skin design.

I've looked at this video series, but this means editing stylesheets:
http://www.dnncreative.com/Training...fault.aspx

Is there anyway to do this in DNN?

Steve

As you have seen, the standard approach is to create skin files with multiple sets of "content panes." The administrator can move modules from pane to pane and could move from the set of two columns to the set of 3 columns.

The other approach is to have pages that differ only in pane layouts. The administrator can change the skin used on a page.

The is a module (perhaps several) that may be more what you are looking to use: Flexible Module Wrapper from ZNDNN.com. I have used it on several sites to solve some special design problems. Take a look a their websites and demos.

Hi Joe,

Thankyou for your reply.

I was thinking about this, and see the problem of never being able to create the right sequence of content panes, for example one page might want 1 column followed by a 2 column followed a 3 column, another page may want some other combination. So the best idea I have is to create a page with content panes arranged as follows:
1 Col
2 Col
3 Col
4 Col
1 Col
2 Col
3 Col
4 Col
And so on.

This way I can pick the order that I need an simply miss out the parts of the sequence that aren't required.
For most cases, I guess this will do.

But that brings me to my next challenge, how to implement this.
I can't find any reference to the contentpanes in the stylesheets at all.
If I search my whole directory structure for 'contentpane' for example, I don't pick up a stylesheet at all.
So can you tell me where they are defined?

I assume I simply create new content panes, by editing the page.ascx file and copying and renaming the existing panes. Then creating ids in the stylesheet to match.

Is there a tutorial on how to do this?

Steve

I think you should take a look at Flexible Module Wrapper.

The styles for the content panes normally are in skin.css, because those panes are part of the skin.

OK thankyou Joe, will do, was trying to avoid depending on yet another module.

Steve

I just remembered that Aggregator and LiveWrapper are similars modules.

On a slightly different topic, I believe it was you who wanted to have a "back end" for editing content. It dawns on me that you really can do this in DotNetNuke, at least for most modules. Create a set of hidden pages -- not in the menu and set to not be indexed by search engines. Then, you can put a single module on each page and do your editing there. You can use the "add an existing module" function to get them on pages where you want them to appear.

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the update.

I will see if I can use the DNNStuff Aggregator for layouts, I'm already using it as an Accordion control.

Yes that was me wanting to add modules to modules, good memory!
That was this thread : http://www.dnncreative.com/Forum/ta...fault.aspx
I was thinking about writing a module in asp.net until I found the Aggregator, which works except introduces another complication.
You can see here, the Aggregator configured as an Accordion: http://www.netmonics.co.uk/Home/New...ails6.aspx
But the footer is displayed immediately after the page content, not at the bottom.
Now it's getting complicated as I used Artisteer to create the skin, the aggregator to create the Accodion and XMod Pro to create the modules on the accordion's tabs.
I am still waiting on a support request to Artisteer to resolve this, I hope they can.

Anyway that's the reason I'd prefer not to add yet another module into the mix.

Is it really that difficult to add extra panes split into columns?
I will look at this too as it's preferable in my mind than adding another module.

Steve

Hi Joe,

Assume you accidently entered your reply of 04:57 PM again at 07:29 PM?

Steve

Yes ... Whoops! I've deleted the duplicate.

No it isn't difficult at all to add panes to a skin. If you can add one pane, you can add another one, and another, and another ...