Docs

How to Use the Features Section

[edit] Please Note

These docs are now deprecated, we have a new Support area located here

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The key to smart strategic Web design is finding an appropriate and interactive way to display information. One comes upon endless possibilities when searching for ways to display information. One solution, the feature section, is an excellent way to display information such as images in an organized and compact manner. Features are excellent for organizing content into a nice clean module and a variety of media and content can be delivered in a manner that calls your visitors to action.
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There are many reasons to use the Feature Section Slider. The Feature Section is a common tool, and often it is the first thing your visitors will see. Therefore, they are very usable and convenient for any user, and they can be used almost anywhere with the drag & drop ability of Platform Pro.
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This article focuses on how to implement the several feature section techniques correctly. We will cover when you should use it as a slider and how to make a good slideshow, and we will showcase good feature section uses  and the use of the feature section as a featured posts slider.
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Many blogs use a feature slider to feature top posts (featured posts). It is a great way to show many top posts and not take up too much space. By fitting numerous featured posts into a smaller element, you are allowing more space for other content and focusing your reader's attention to your message.
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=Activating the Feature Slider=
 
=Activating the Feature Slider=
 
There are different ways to set up the Feature Slider.
 
There are different ways to set up the Feature Slider.
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* If you do not assign a Feature Set to a page that has an active Feature Slider, the Feature Slider will display all of your Features.
 
* If you do not assign a Feature Set to a page that has an active Feature Slider, the Feature Slider will display all of your Features.
  
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==Feature Meta==
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=Feature Meta=
 
These settings will further customize the Feature Slider.
 
These settings will further customize the Feature Slider.
 
# Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
 
# Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
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# Click to edit the Page that you want to update.
 
# Click to edit the Page that you want to update.
 
# On the MetaPanel, click "Feature Meta."
 
# On the MetaPanel, click "Feature Meta."
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===Number of Feature Slides===
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==Number of Feature Slides==
 
This will limit the number of Features that will appear in the Feature Slider, regardless of the number of Features assigned to the Feature Set.
 
This will limit the number of Features that will appear in the Feature Slider, regardless of the number of Features assigned to the Feature Set.
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===Select Feature Set To Show===
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==Select Feature Set To Show==
 
Click the drop down to select a Feature Set.
 
Click the drop down to select a Feature Set.
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===Feature Navigation Mode===
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==Feature Navigation Mode==
 
This controls what the buttons for each Feature slide will look like.
 
This controls what the buttons for each Feature slide will look like.
 
* If you select "No Navigation," you must set the Feature Slider to "auto mode." (using the Feature Viewing Time setting.)Otherwise your users will have no way to go to the next Feature and the Feature Slider will stay parked on the first one.
 
* If you select "No Navigation," you must set the Feature Slider to "auto mode." (using the Feature Viewing Time setting.)Otherwise your users will have no way to go to the next Feature and the Feature Slider will stay parked on the first one.
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===Feature Viewing Time (Timeout)===
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==Feature Viewing Time (Timeout)==
 
This controls whether or not the Feature Slider will be manual or automatic.  
 
This controls whether or not the Feature Slider will be manual or automatic.  
 
* By default, the Feature Slider is set to manual mode and has a Timeout value of 0. To change to automatic, enter a value in milliseconds to control how long each Feature slide will appear before transitioning to the next one.
 
* By default, the Feature Slider is set to manual mode and has a Timeout value of 0. To change to automatic, enter a value in milliseconds to control how long each Feature slide will appear before transitioning to the next one.
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===Feature Transition Time (Timeout)===
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==Feature Transition Time (Timeout)==
 
This controls the amount of time in milliseconds that it takes for a Feature to transition to the next one.
 
This controls the amount of time in milliseconds that it takes for a Feature to transition to the next one.
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===Transition Effect===
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==Transition Effect==
 
Click the drop down to choose from 28 different transition effects.
 
Click the drop down to choose from 28 different transition effects.
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===Show Play/Pause Button===
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==Show Play/Pause Button==
 
When the Feature Slider is set to Automatic Mode, check this box to add a play/pause button to the Feature Slider. That way users can pause the automatic transitioning in order to watch a video, read a feature, etc..
 
When the Feature Slider is set to Automatic Mode, check this box to add a play/pause button to the Feature Slider. That way users can pause the automatic transitioning in order to watch a video, read a feature, etc..
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===Feature Post Source===
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==Feature Post Source==
 
The Feature Slider will by default use "Feature Post (custom post type)" slides that you create. As an alternative, you can set the Feature Post Source to show a category of regular Blog Posts instead of Feature Posts.
 
The Feature Slider will by default use "Feature Post (custom post type)" slides that you create. As an alternative, you can set the Feature Post Source to show a category of regular Blog Posts instead of Feature Posts.
 
* Click the drop down menu to select "Use Post Category"
 
* Click the drop down menu to select "Use Post Category"
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===Post Category===
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==Post Category==
 
If your Feature Post Source is set to "Use Post Category," click the drop down to select the post category that you want to use.
 
If your Feature Post Source is set to "Use Post Category," click the drop down to select the post category that you want to use.
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===Feature Area Height===
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==Feature Area Height==
 
To change the height of the Feature Slider, enter the height (in pixels) into the text box.
 
To change the height of the Feature Slider, enter the height (in pixels) into the text box.
 
* The default height of the Feature Slider is 380 pixels.
 
* The default height of the Feature Slider is 380 pixels.
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===Remove Transition Syncing===
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==Remove Transition Syncing==
 
This controls whether features can move on to the screen while another is transitioning off. If checked, features will have to leave the screen before the next can transition on to it.
 
This controls whether features can move on to the screen while another is transitioning off. If checked, features will have to leave the screen before the next can transition on to it.
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==Feature Sort Order==
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=Feature Sort Order=
 
By default, the Feature Slider will display the Features chronologically, with the newest Features displayed first. To change the order of the Features, or any post type for that matter (features, banners, or boxes), you must install the [http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/post-types-order Post Types Order] plugin. It will allow you drag and drop control over the order.
 
By default, the Feature Slider will display the Features chronologically, with the newest Features displayed first. To change the order of the Features, or any post type for that matter (features, banners, or boxes), you must install the [http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/post-types-order Post Types Order] plugin. It will allow you drag and drop control over the order.
  

Revision as of 17:33, 8 September 2011

Contents

Activating the Feature Slider

There are different ways to set up the Feature Slider.

Create a new page using the "Feature Page" template

  1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  2. Select the "Pages" panel, then "Add New."
  3. Enter a title for your new page.
  4. Under "Page Attributes" click the "Template" dropdown.
  5. Select "Feature Page."
  6. Click "Publish."
  7. Click "View Page."

You will now see the Feature Slider with the two default Features on your new page. (By default, you will also see the PageLines Boxes underneath the Feature Slider. This is because the Feature Page template also has the PageLines Boxes section turned on by default.)

Activate the Pagelines Carousel on existing pages

  1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  2. Select the "PageLines" panel, then "Settings."
  3. Select the "Template Setup" tab.
  4. Select the Template Area that you want the Feature Slider to go.
    • If you select the "Page Template area, by default the Feature Slider will be displayed on every page that is assigned to the Page Template you choose
    • If you select "Header" or "Morefoot," by default the Carousel will be displayed on every page regardless of the Page Template.
  5. Drag the "Pagelines Features" section from the "Available/Disabled Sections" over to the "Displayed Default Page Sections."
  6. The Section Order will save automatically.

You will now see the Feature Slider on every page that it is active on.

Hide the Feature Slider on individual pages

  1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  2. Select the "Pages" panel, then "All Pages."
  3. Click to edit the page that you wish to hide the Feature Slider.
  4. On the "Meta Panel," click the "Page Setup" tab.
  5. Under "Individual Page Section Control," click "Hide PageLines Features."
  6. Click "Save Meta Settings."

Because the Feature Slider is displayed by default when you activate it, you will need to use this method for every page that you do not want the Feature Slider displayed.

Show the Feature Slider on individual pages

You can also hide the Feature Slider by default, and choose the pages you want to show it on.

  1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  2. Select the "PageLines" panel, then "Settings."
  3. Select the "Template Setup" tab.
  4. Make sure you have the correct Template Area selected for the type of pages you want to hide.
  5. On the "Meta Panel," click the "Page Setup" tab.
  6. Under the "Displayed Default Page Sections," click "Pagelines Features Options."
  7. Click "Hide This By Default."
  8. Click "Save Options."

Now the Feature Slider will be hidden by default until you select to show it on the individual page.

  1. Select the "Pages" panel, then "All Pages."
  2. Click to edit the page that you wish to show the Feature Slider.
  3. Under "Individual Page Section Control," click "Show PageLines Features."
  4. Click "Save Meta Settings."

Add New Features

  1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  2. Select the "Features" panel, then "Add New Feature."
  3. Enter a title for your Feature. By default this will be displayed as a Heading on your Feature Slide.
  4. Enter text to be displayed on the Feature Slider.
  5. Click "Publish."

Feature Setup Options

Feature Text Position

  • This option will control the position of the Feature's title & any text that you wrote.

Feature Background Image

Upload an image for the feature background.

  1. Click "Upload Image."
  2. Browse your computer for your background image & click "Open."
    • If you already uploaded a background image to your server, simply type the full URL of the image & click "Save Meta Settings."

Tips For Creating a Background Image

  • The default image width & height is 930x380 pixels.
  • The width of the Feature Slider is determined by the "Content Area" width in the "Layout Editor" settings.
    • There is a padding of 15 pixels on the right & left side of the Feature Slider.
    • If the total "Content Area" width is 960 pixels, the width of the Feature Slider will be 930 pixels.
    • If the image you created is wider than the Feature Slider, the ends of the image will cropped, not squished.
  • To change the height of the Feature Slider, go to the MetaPanel settings for the page that will display the Feature Slider & enter the new height in pixels.
  • Supports .png, .jpg, & .gif

Feature Design Style

Select the design style you would like this feature to have (e.g. default background color, text color, overlay? etc...)

  1. Choose from the Drop Down options
  • The Background Color will appear behind any background image you use.
  • Using the default "Transparent Text Overlay" will help distinguish your text if there is a background image behind it.

Feature Media Image

Upload an image of the appropriate size for the feature media area.

  1. Click "Upload Image."
  2. Browse your computer for your image & click "Open."
    • If you already uploaded an image to your server, simply type the full URL of the image & click "Save Meta Settings."
  • The position of the Feature Media Image will depend on the "Feature Text Position" setting.
  • Supports .png, .jpg, & .gif

Feature Media HTML

Insert HTML, Embed Code From YouTube, Flash, etc...

  • NOTE: To use this you must not use a Feature Page Image.
  • If you are embedding an iframe and are having issues with drop-down menus dropping behind your video, try adding "?wmode=opaque" to the end of your embed code.

Feature Thumb

When your Feature Navigation Mode is set to "Thumb Navigation," create an image 50px wide by 30px tall and upload here.

  • Supports .png, .jpg, & .gif

Feature Link URL

Adding a URL here will add a link to your feature slide

Link Text

Enter the text you would like in your Feature Link URL

Navigation Label

When your Feature Navigation Mode is set to "Feature Names," enter the title you would like to appear.

Feature Sets

A Feature Set is what controls which Features are displayed on certain pages.

Create New Feature Sets

  1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  2. Select the "Features" panel, then "Feature Sets."
  3. Type a Name for the Feature Set.
    • This name is how it will appear on your site.
  4. Type a Slug for the Feature Set.
    • The “Slug” is the URL-friendly version of the Feature Set Name. It is usually all lowercase and contains only letters, numbers, and hyphens.
  5. Click "Add New Category."

Assign Features to a Feature Set

  1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  2. Select the "Features" panel, then "Features."
  3. Click to edit the Feature that you want to assign.
    • You can also select multiple Features by checking the box next to the Title and under "Bulk Action," select "Edit," then click "Apply."
  4. Check the box next to the Feature Set that you want to assign the Feature to.
  5. Click "Update."
  • You can assign a Feature to more than one Feature Set.
  • You can also assign a new Feature to a Feature Set as soon as you create it.

Assign a Feature Set to the Feature Slider

  1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  2. Select the "Pages" panel, then "All Pages."
  3. Click to edit the Page that you want to assign the Feature Set to.
  4. On the MetaPanel, click "Feature Meta."
  5. Under "Select Feature Set To Show," click the drop down to select a Feature Set.
  6. Click "Save Meta Settings."
  • If you do not assign a Feature Set to a page that has an active Feature Slider, the Feature Slider will display all of your Features.

Feature Meta

These settings will further customize the Feature Slider.

  1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  2. Select the "Pages" panel, then "All Pages."
  3. Click to edit the Page that you want to update.
  4. On the MetaPanel, click "Feature Meta."

Number of Feature Slides

This will limit the number of Features that will appear in the Feature Slider, regardless of the number of Features assigned to the Feature Set.

Select Feature Set To Show

Click the drop down to select a Feature Set.

Feature Navigation Mode

This controls what the buttons for each Feature slide will look like.

  • If you select "No Navigation," you must set the Feature Slider to "auto mode." (using the Feature Viewing Time setting.)Otherwise your users will have no way to go to the next Feature and the Feature Slider will stay parked on the first one.

Feature Viewing Time (Timeout)

This controls whether or not the Feature Slider will be manual or automatic.

  • By default, the Feature Slider is set to manual mode and has a Timeout value of 0. To change to automatic, enter a value in milliseconds to control how long each Feature slide will appear before transitioning to the next one.

Feature Transition Time (Timeout)

This controls the amount of time in milliseconds that it takes for a Feature to transition to the next one.

Transition Effect

Click the drop down to choose from 28 different transition effects.

Show Play/Pause Button

When the Feature Slider is set to Automatic Mode, check this box to add a play/pause button to the Feature Slider. That way users can pause the automatic transitioning in order to watch a video, read a feature, etc..

Feature Post Source

The Feature Slider will by default use "Feature Post (custom post type)" slides that you create. As an alternative, you can set the Feature Post Source to show a category of regular Blog Posts instead of Feature Posts.

  • Click the drop down menu to select "Use Post Category"

Post Category

If your Feature Post Source is set to "Use Post Category," click the drop down to select the post category that you want to use.

Feature Area Height

To change the height of the Feature Slider, enter the height (in pixels) into the text box.

  • The default height of the Feature Slider is 380 pixels.

Remove Transition Syncing

This controls whether features can move on to the screen while another is transitioning off. If checked, features will have to leave the screen before the next can transition on to it.

Feature Sort Order

By default, the Feature Slider will display the Features chronologically, with the newest Features displayed first. To change the order of the Features, or any post type for that matter (features, banners, or boxes), you must install the Post Types Order plugin. It will allow you drag and drop control over the order.

  1. Download the Post Types Order plugin
  2. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
  3. Select the "Plugins" panel, then "Add New."
  4. Click "Upload," then "Choose File."
  5. Locate the "post-types-order.zip" file that you downloaded and click "Open"
  6. Click "Install Now."
  7. After the plugin successfully installs, click "Activate Plugin."
  8. Select the "Features" panel, then "Re-Order."
  9. Click and drag to rearrange the order of the Features.
  10. Click "Update."
  • When you first install & activate the Post Types Order Plugin, you will see a message that the plugin must be configured.
    1. Login to your WordPress Administration Panel.
    2. Select the "Settings" panel, then "Post Types Order."
    3. Choose the settings you desire. If you are unsure what these setting mean, leave them alone.
    4. Click "Save Settings."
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