Helix3 v1.5 - fixes and new updates - JoomShaper

Helix3 v1.5 - fixes and new updates

05 October 2016
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3 min read
Helix3 v1.5 - fixes and new updates

After few days from publishing Helix3 version 1.4 we decided to publish a new official update v1.5, which have several changes and fixed all problem discovered since Friday (30 Sep 2016). Current version of template framework have the latest stable version of libraries.

Bootstrap and Bootstrap RTL updated

We are excited to announce that we used the last stable version of Bootstrap v3.3.7 with over 220 commits and 80 closed issues. This version improved template accessibility, it added aria-label. Please note that the previous (older) version of bootstrap.min.css file had 103 kb, now is 118 kb. Of course, we updated Bootstrap RTL (Right To Left Of Twitter Bootstrap For Persian, Arabic, Urdu and etc.) as well, also to a stable version.

New Icons

With the new updated Font Awesome 4.6.3 library, you got 30 shiny new icons and some were updated, which can be used inside template content for pure decoration or visual styling. As you may see, in the collection appeared an instagram, snapchat, glide icon which you asked for.

Preloader background and color changing option

One of our members asked for an option to choose icon color and background color for the preloader screen, we thought it may be a good idea, so we developed it in the current version. So you don't have to touch custom css code to customize colors in the preloader screen. We are happy that we could add this useful option.

We updated and fixed also others discovered problems:

  • Feature and module ordering option
  • Offcanvas menu css issues
  • CSS issues fixed
  • Responsive issues fixed
  • Social share show/hide option in article details
  • SP Page Builder Free updated to 1.4 in QuickStart

Backup, then update

Backups are critical for keeping your web business up and running when any disaster strikes.  There’s nothing worse than making a major change to your website and then finding out that change breaks your design/menu etc. That's why we strongly recommend to make a full backup or at least template backup first. 

How to update

If you have installed previous version of Helix3, for example 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4 - all you have to do is re-install template with new version. Then clean all cache stored in CMS Joomla! and in your browser.

You should also disable all CSS compression options (plugins as well) before the update. Then after you can turn them on again, if the site cache is empty.

Note!  In template settings (tab Advanced): Compile LESS to CSS - must be switched to Yes.

This is an update for Helix3 templates only. If you use other template package (not named Helix3), you will need to wait for an updated package to be released to its package repository.

We hope you will enjoy the new changes in the Helix3 v1.5 template. If you have any questions, problems or suggestion please add them below.
Gocha
Gocha
7 years ago
Hello, there is a small issue in helix template:

when I use navigation font in typography from admin panel here is an option to change font size, but in template.css .sp-megamenu-parent >li >a font size is default 12 px and here is no way to add important feature in admin panel to show font size. - See more at: https://www.joomshaper.com/blog/helix3-v1-4-improvements-and-new-features#sthash.xu73haRR.dpuf
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
you had this issue in older version of helix3 (1.3) as well, or only in new one (1.5) ?
But you can use custom.css right, one line, no scary.
Gocha
Gocha
7 years ago
Yes I know I can use custom.css but it is not logicaly.
Gocha
Gocha
7 years ago
Also When I turn on social share there is no og options in the source why? eg: og image og title og description
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
because they are related?
Gocha
Gocha
7 years ago
I mean here is no facebook og options
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
But In default core joomla there is no such a feature. So if you need ..install a plugin.
pepperstreet
pepperstreet
7 years ago
[quote]"This is update for Helix3 templates only. If you use other template package (not named Helix3), you will need to wait for an updated package to be released to its package repository."[/quote]
This is really confusing and needs to be a big warning on top of the article and free Helix3 download page. Why: The 1.5 update for AJAX & FRAMEWORK shows up in Joomla update manager. For sure, people are encouraged to update ANY joomshaper template. Which obviously leads to issues. For instance: I have installed the updates on a MACRO v1.4 quickstart package. It messed up the header div structure and main menu display. Funnily a parallel HELIX3 template shows the same issues!
Any clues or solutions for it?
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
Probably tomorrow will be silent update, yes, we noticed that only with Macro there is a problem. Please here is a solution for Macro :: https://www.joomshaper.com/forums/update-of-helix3-framework-breaks-menu-on-all-sites-with-macro-template
pepperstreet
pepperstreet
7 years ago
Thank you. Ah, I see. Actually my first thought was to blame an /HTML override, but was confused by the same issue in the free template... I totally forgot that Alt-Layouts are picked up from the initial template folder *face palm*. So the search module configuration applies to all other installed templates. Which makes total sense *rolling eyes* ;) Sorry for the panic. File attachment in forum works and fixes the problem :)
HH
Heidi H
7 years ago
I can't hide section#sp-top-bar area anymore after update. This is important! I don't need it at all but what ever I do to hide it, it makes big empty area on top of the site and logo-mainmedu area goes in front of site content. Also I did not use the update instructions above because at the time, I could not find eny instructions. Is my installation failed and what to do?
WS
Wolfgang Starrost
7 years ago
What is with the sticky-header function to scroll smoothly from up in the top of the screen? Was this cancelled again?
I believe it was in the first update to 1.5, but now it isn´t. That´s a pity, because it was a very nice function :-(
L
Lukman
7 years ago
I also like this feature.
hope this feature is presented again, it is to tell how to activate it?
WS
Wolfgang Starrost
7 years ago
Another issue since Version 1.4 / 1.5:
With the new template.css the page does not fit in the viewport of the iPhone. 6, tested with http://seorch.de/#mobile_seo.
Temporary I used the template.css of the 1.3 Version and this point is OK.
Do you know this issue and can you fix it?
Cristian Iordache
Cristian Iordache
7 years ago
It would be very helpful if we had the possibility to split a submenu in multiple columns.
Eg. Menu: Blog /Articles categories/and here a lot of categories splited in 2,3 or more columns
If we can split it without adding another menu, the path remains the same. Something like this is made by T3 Framework Megamenu
Do you have in plan to create something like this or similar?
Great job ... i can't wait the Page builder 2.0 release
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
Good idea, we have to think about it in upcoming versions.
G
Grego
7 years ago
The "sp-header" has now a fixed position. This doesn't work i have other columns above "sp-header". For example put the "Page Title" above the "Header" in the Layout.

If i set the
#sp-header { position: relative;}
Then the page jumps as soon as the header gets sticky.

A possible solution would be:
Set the "sp-header" into a div container with "position: relative;" and the same height as the "sp-header" (like you had it on the earlier version "sp-header-sticky-wrapper")
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
check today silent update of helix3, this was fixed
HH
Heidi H
7 years ago
Hi! Contact form is not responsive at all in Helix.
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
Please use: [code type="xml"] @media (max-width: 640px){
.form-horizontal .control-label {width: 60px;}
.form-horizontal .controls {margin-left: 90px;}
}[/code]
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
In next update it will be fixed -- v1.6
L
Lukman
7 years ago
what smooth scroll for sticky-header present again?
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
Yes, smooth scrolling was removed. Sorry. You have to use addcional script for that.
L
Lukman
7 years ago
when helix 1.6 release?
K
ks
7 years ago
How to add the module above or below component area Helix3 v.1.5?
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
you still have to use this method: https://www.joomshaper.com/documentation/helix3/custom-module-above-and-below-component
K
ks
7 years ago
Yes, I saw it. But in version 1.5 there are no such lines.
K
ks
7 years ago
In the helix3.php file the line 448 has an appearance: $column->settings->column_type = (!empty($column->settings->column_type)) ? $column->settings->column_type : 0;
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
upss, right. Now all inside templates\shaper_helix3\component.php
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
manual updated
G
Grego
7 years ago
In the offcanvas menu only parent menu items are displayed. and "Menu Heading" have a different styling.
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
Please add topic on forum. But before clean CMS cache.
G
Grego
7 years ago
I can't add a topic on the forum because i am not a subscriber.
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
so add here: URL to your site.
G
Grego
7 years ago
I am very confused.
I have installation with older versions of Helix3.
But on all sites with older versions like 1.2 or 1.3 there is something different with the header and offcanvas menu.
How is that possible? I didn't make any updates at all.
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
There may be small differences, that's why we call it template update,came with improvements. Legacy is not always good way. If you decided to update you have to spend few minutes to check if all works and make some small changes. In most cases few lines of css. Thanks.
P
Pablo
7 years ago
Hello:
First: thank for your great work!
One question: Helix 3 template has overrides inside html folder. If I modify some of them, how can I avoid to lose this overrides with template updates?
Thank you and best regards
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
Thanks. It's how joomla work, we cannot change that. But there is one trick! Change for those folder(s) permissions from 755 to 555 (or lower)
G
George
7 years ago
Hi
Just join your Helix3 project and looks very promising with a lot "out of the box" elements.
About overrides I was looking for that and I think you must find a way (in next updates) to have another directory to keep overrides of the already existed template overrides.
I think it is crucial.
Thanks
G
George
7 years ago
Hi again
I think that there is a bug, or I am not aware for the Layout function. When you "Save as Copy" a layout, a new .json created, and then choose that new layout and save, you see that you have again the "default" layout. In fact you can use a different layout in different template style, but the dropdown layout menu shows always "default".
Can you please take a look as I think that it is a bug.
Regards
Quaverlove Studio
Quaverlove Studio
7 years ago
[img]http://playground.quaverlovestudio.net/gallery/index.php/JoomShaper-Schtuff/replace-anchor-text[/img]
Worth considering, I think.

Simon @ QLS
Quaverlove Studio
Quaverlove Studio
7 years ago
So, evidently the[i] insert image url[/i] facility doesn't work. Here's the link, instead:
[url="http://playground.quaverlovestudio.net/gallery/index.php/JoomShaper-Schtuff/replace-anchor-text"]Replace anchor text in back-end for Contact Information[/url]
BD
Bolot Design
7 years ago
Paul Frankowski ks about 1 week ago
upss, right. Now all inside templates\shaper_helix3\component.php (not work for me) please help. i cant add new module
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
please check our manual again, yes there was a mistake, sorry. Now is all ok. Do not touch component.php anymore.
https://www.joomshaper.com/documentation/helix3/custom-module-above-and-below-component
BD
Bolot Design
7 years ago
thanks for answer but nothing happen after add this line in component.php located in templates\shaper_helix3\component.php
plaese help.really need to add module to component area.thanks
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
Did you read manual? There no info about component.php edition anymore since many days !!
G
George
7 years ago
Hi
I downloaded and made a fresh Helix3 1.6 installation.
I did not find these lines:
$output .= '';
$output .= '';
inside this file: plugins/system/helix3/core/helix3.php
as the manual describes.
Instead of that the file with these lines is :
plugins/system/helix3/layouts/frontend
I entered there the:
$output .= '';
$output .= '';
$output .= '';
$output .= '';

but I am receiving at frontend this message:
"500 Unable to load renderer class"

Can you please review this?
Thanks
G
George
7 years ago
OK I found the final solution and it works:

here: plugins/system/helix3/layouts/frontend
enter these lines:
$output .= '';
$output .= '';
$output .= '';
$output .= '';

And it works.
Please update your manual

Thank you
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
yes, in v1.6 we moved it. Thanks for comment.
Updated.
G
George
7 years ago
Please update the code also, not only the file path.
Code must be:
$output .= '';
$output .= '';
$output .= '';
$output .= '';
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
yes, you're right, thanks. I done fix too fast without 100% focus on it. Fixed, checked.
G
George
7 years ago
Again I like to point out a very important bug.
When you create a new layout with "Save as copy" and you call it and save the template style, the layout indication returns again to" default".
So you have different name layout, and you see that you have the "default"
The correct is to indicate the layout in use, so you know the next time you open the template style what layout you are using.

Regards
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
thanks, redirected to our developer.
WS
Wolfgang Starrost
7 years ago
Another issue:
Since version 1.5 the website can be moved horizontally with the arrow keys of the keyboard, which was still in order with version 1.3.
I guess this is also the reason that the page since then no longer fit into the viewport as described several times.
Greeting Wolfgang
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
7 years ago
If I remember well that was a bootstrap issue.
A
arthur
5 years ago
Hello!!!

I've installed you're framework but I can't use PHP functions :(:( You know why??

Example:

holaMundo();

function holaMundo() {
echo "Hola mundo";
}
?>

The errors are the next:
Fatal error: Cannot redeclare holaMundo()


Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
5 years ago
Write your own module or component.
A
arthur
5 years ago
What's you mean ??
I need to create a new article module or what??

The code is in a php directory, and I use Jumi Plugin to call it, if I change the template for default ones (Protostar), the PHP code works, but if I back to helix template doesn't work
Paul Frankowski
Paul Frankowski
5 years ago
Sorry I cannot help. The custom PHP code is not supported by us.
Maybe instead Jumpi Plugin use HD AnyCode module.

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