Introductory Guide to Gantry 5 Framework

The Gantry Theme Framework (For Jooma 3.4 and above versions) can be installed just like any extension. it is independent of any theme. So, you also need to install Gantry-enabled theme.

Gantry 5 uses Particles as content blocks tha can be easily configured under layouts. An Atom is a type of Particle that does not render visually on the frontend. Here, you can add custom JavaScript or Google Analytics code.

There is new Menu editor to insert particles or modules, rearrange menu items and add icons. The Gantry menu system grabs information from the Joomla menu system, and creates an override that enables you to rearrange items and configure it the way you would like it to appear on the front end.

Outline system enables to easily create and manage layouts, settings and styles.

Styles

The styles panel makes it easy to quickly adjust visual bits and pieces related to the Gantry-powered theme. These include color-coded presets, favicon, fonts, accent colors and colors for specific portions of the page, as well as custom elements such as colors, block styles, and backgrounds.

If you are changing any of settings, the settings themselves will appear faded out until these settings are changed from their defaults. You can check the box to the right of the setting to indicate that you wish to make a change from the default before making your changes. If you wish to have the setting for the outline revert back to defaults, simply uncheck the checkbox and save the style.

Settings

The Settings panel allows you to quickly toggle Particles (Branding, Copyright, Social, Menu Logo, Custom HTML, Date, To Top, Google Analytics, etc.) on and off, as well as configure their global settings.

Turning particle off will disable the particle for any assigned pages, even if you have already set in the Layout Manager. 

Layout

Layout Manager panel enables you to arrange Particles, content, and module positions for your theme.

You can drag positions, particles and atoms that you would like to apply to the layout. You have to enable these particles in the settings panel before thay become draggable. These items will apply based on their default settings as set in the Settings administrative panel. You can override these settings and apply a unique, specific set of settings on each individual particle from the main Layout area of this panel.

Grids

Grids are the horizontal rows in which Blocks live. In a Grid, you can place positions and particles, but not atoms. The atoms can be only added to the specific Atoms Section at the bottom of the Layout.

Blocks

Blocks are individual pieces which make up the individual parts of your page. A grid (horizontal row) can have one or more blocks.

Offcanvas Section

The Offcanvas section is intended to enable you to place modules and positions in a special hidden-until-opened sidebar. This sidebar houses the Mobile Menu Particle. Any Particle or Module other than the Mobile Menu will be available on both mobile and desktop devices.

Atoms Section

It is only available for Atoms, and it is the only section in which Atoms can reside.

Assignments

The Assignments panel is used to assign Outlines to specific pages.

Extras

The Extras dropdown gives you quick access to a few options that are handy to have instant access to throughout the administrator. This includes the Development Mode toggle switch, a Clear Cache shortcut, and a shortcut to Platform Settings.