Good day, Joomlers! Let us present to you the Alpha 5 release of the most awaited Joomla template framework - Helix Ultimate 2.0. Since our last release, we’ve worked on adding new additional features and making other improvements to your favorite template framework. And we are extremely excited for you to try out what we have built so far!
Today’s (Feb 12) Alpha version is an experimental release and not ready for production sites. We wholeheartedly appreciate your interest in Helix Ultimate 2.0. You are invited to try this Alpha version, but DON’T use it on a production site.
Helix Ultimate 2.0 has come a long way. Have you checked out our last 4 releases? If not, do catch up with the alpha 4 release notes. Use them in a test environment so you can try out the new features and give us feedback. Together, let’s make the Helix Ultimate 2.0 the ultimate frontier of Joomla website development!
Have a look at what the Helix Ultimate Alpha 5 has in store for you:
New: 4 new header variations
New: More control on logo & header heights for different screen sizes
New: Enhanced unit field
New: Search & login modules available into header layout
Update: Revamped 2 existing header variations
New Header Variations
Helix Ultimate 2.0 Alpha 5 comes with 4 new header variations to enrich the scope and versatility of your Joomla site. Now, you have more options to choose the header that best matches your style.
Apart from that, several tweaks have also been performed on 2 existing header variations to deliver optimal performance.
More Control on Logo & Header Heights
With Helix Ultimate 2.0, you have more control over your header heights and logo heights. We've aimed to strike a balance between flexibility and simplicity. It is now more flexible to achieve your header requirements, works at all device sizes, and easy to maintain.
Search & Login Module Into Headers Layout
Two new options have been added to the header's layout - Enable Search & Enable Login. It goes without saying, these are an integral part of the site’s functionality. With Helix Ultimate 2.0, you can easily enable the search and login module into your header's layout for a seamless user experience.
Enhanced Unit Field
Before we only had the number field where you had to manually input the unit if you wanted to use anything other than the default unit px. We have modified it a little bit and added the unit field option. Depending on your goals, you can choose your preferred CSS unit from the drop-down list or just write down the unit after the value and the system will automatically select the unit.
Wrapping Up
Helix Ultimate 2.0 Alpha 5 is now out on GitHub! Do give it a try to get a taste of the ultimate Joomla template framework. Keep your eyes on our blog and our newsletters for more updates on Helix Ultimate 2.0 and releases.
We look forward to your valuable feedback and suggestions. Let us know how you feel about the release in the comments. Happy developing!
Warning: This is an experimental build intended for testing purposes. Please don't use this experimental version in production sites!
There is a problem when sticky header is activated.
When scrolling back to top (with mouse and not with module button) then there is a jumping. This problem also was in Helix 3 and HU 1 i think.
One question will Helix Ultimate 2 also get Metismenu like Joomla 4 Template Cassiopeia?
i love you! thanks for "More Control on Logo & Header Heights" . It would be nice, always in the header, to be able to have it in two rows and not just in one, for example putting the logo in the middle of the first row and then under the whole menu.
Agree 200% with Andrea suggestion and that would be an important update/feature to add bcs many need this set up. Pls pls also test for php 8 compatibility. Thks.
That already exists in the Joomla CMS. The option is simply turned off by default. Turn it on through the Articles options. (Has nothing to do with Helix Ultimate 2.0). Go to Articles, Options, then to Editing Layout, and set the Images and Links Front end to "Yes". Should work for TinyMCE (default Joomla editor)
https://ibb.co/X2vyQHW remove the stroke from the buttons in the template. It's just a pain. You always need to write styles that hide these strokes. This is both on the pagination buttons and on the regular buttons climbs out.
In the next alpha, you can add your own custom css/js files. Just put your files into the `templates/shaper_helixultimate/css/custom/` directory or `templates/shaper_helixultimate/js/custom/` directory for the JS. You can add as many files as you want.
Hi. After developing sites on alternative frameworks I've come back to take another look. Last time I used helix framework I get fed up without being able to totally turn off google fonts, the template would still connect to the google font servers even if google fonts were not used on the site thus slowing the site down. Site speed is now an important metric in google rankings and I don't want/need/use google fonts on my websites, too much off a performace hit for me. Does this latest version correct this and allow you to totally disavow google fonts and now stop connecting in the background? Google fonts on/off switch which totally kills connection to google font servers? Thank you.
I think you are wrong. If all google fonts are disabled in the typography tab, then Google fonts are not loaded. And it has always worked this way, even in helix 3.
For Google Fonts. The new J4 Template has an option to disable Google Font or load Roboto locally and this could be set in the Template as an option.
A good feature would be to implement this also in HU2. This could help to turn on/off Google Font or load locally for fast speed and GDPR!
I think you are wrong. If all google fonts are disabled in the typography tab, then Google fonts are not loaded. And it has always worked this way, even in helix 3.
But now it can be loaded locally instead. "has an option to disable Google Font or load Roboto locally and this could be set in the Template as an option."
Hi guys,
very good! I'm going to test it... Been an alpha release, I hope to see soon added/fixed these three issues:
- menu-toggler https://github.com/JoomShaper/helix-ultimate/issues/99
- Cookie consent https://github.com/JoomShaper/helix-ultimate/issues/93
- Privacy & Terms modals popups https://github.com/JoomShaper/helix-ultimate/issues/80
Maybe you can also bring a on/off feature for offcanvas toggler.
I saw this feature in T4 Framework (by Joomlart) and it is great.
That Framework also has a few good features that would be nice in HU2 (like light/dark mode of the Template editing, they have a great feature with palette colors for the template, set breakpoints, choose with on/off FontAwesome 4,5 and Icomoon (or maybe the new bootstrap Icons would be good). Just a few ideas which could make Helix Ultimate 2 better.
I would like to use Javascript Async & Defer also that could improve speed like this free great Joomla plg http://www.daycounts.com/shop/free-stuff/javascript-async-defer
What you think is there any improvement and small update possible for HU & SP Pagebuilder without this plg ?
https://youtu.be/cscVWiDTnFM ???? Review de la Plantilla Helix Ultimate versión 2.0 Alpha 5, nuevas opciones de encabezado, login, etc. Aun faltan muchos aspectos que mejorar en cuanto a otras plataformas. aqui en este video dejo mis observaciones sobre la plantilla.
Trying to set a blog on two columns, (4 articles, no leading articles) I tried also the blog class "columns-2" in Joomla blog layout, but the blog is still on one column.
Don't know if is a problem of Joomla 4 or o Helix 2.alpha.5
I think it would blow up the template to include K2, J2store and so on. In my opinion this should be included in the extended templates that are based later on Helix Ultimate 2 Framework but shouldn't be in the blank framework.
I think the blank Framework should be with a lot of options but shouldn't be too blown up and messy so it isn't fast anymore!
@Tobias. Why dont you create a top menu row with three columns where you have column 1 Menu 1 Column 2 Logo and Column 3 Menu 2 ? For me its a mess to have more than one menu to handle especially if you have a multilangugae site say 5 languages then you have a lot of work :) and mess..
Hello, Excellent updates and features you are making. Question, with the preset headers. Is there a way to edit the Login Module? For example the default profile goes to Joomla's User Profile. I have a shopping cart hikashop and I have it as a menu link, but how could I add like a Dashboard Link, Edit Profile (for shopping cart) and maybe "Submit a ticket"
Testing this with Joomla 4 Beta 7, when you add the Search option to the top bar, it displays with the word "search" above the box as well as inside the box, however there does not appear to be anywhere to edit this or remove it as it pushes it out of the header bar onto the page. The search module is not in the site modules list? is it somewhere else
When scrolling back to top (with mouse and not with module button) then there is a jumping. This problem also was in Helix 3 and HU 1 i think.
One question will Helix Ultimate 2 also get Metismenu like Joomla 4 Template Cassiopeia?
Great work Joomshaper Team!
Thanks
.page-link.focus, .page-link:focus {
box-shadow: none !important;
}
input.focus, input:focus {
box-shadow: none !important;
}
.btn.focus, .btn:focus {
box-shadow: none !important;
}
A good feature would be to implement this also in HU2. This could help to turn on/off Google Font or load locally for fast speed and GDPR!
very good! I'm going to test it... Been an alpha release, I hope to see soon added/fixed these three issues:
- menu-toggler https://github.com/JoomShaper/helix-ultimate/issues/99
- Cookie consent https://github.com/JoomShaper/helix-ultimate/issues/93
- Privacy & Terms modals popups https://github.com/JoomShaper/helix-ultimate/issues/80
I saw this feature in T4 Framework (by Joomlart) and it is great.
That Framework also has a few good features that would be nice in HU2 (like light/dark mode of the Template editing, they have a great feature with palette colors for the template, set breakpoints, choose with on/off FontAwesome 4,5 and Icomoon (or maybe the new bootstrap Icons would be good). Just a few ideas which could make Helix Ultimate 2 better.
See this article from Mozilla how it can work to implemented
http://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Preloading_content
I would like to use Javascript Async & Defer also that could improve speed like this free great Joomla plg http://www.daycounts.com/shop/free-stuff/javascript-async-defer
What you think is there any improvement and small update possible for HU & SP Pagebuilder without this plg ?
Thks.
Don't know if is a problem of Joomla 4 or o Helix 2.alpha.5
This helps us to set up an online store easily.
Otherwise we will need coding to design the J2Store.
I think the blank Framework should be with a lot of options but shouldn't be too blown up and messy so it isn't fast anymore!
will there be more header versions? For example a logo in the middle and space for menus on the left and right at the same height?
greeting
Tobias