How To Make Professional Joomla Templates
by Daniel Dimitrov on February 11, 2010
Biggie Smalls created a lot of buzz throughout the community on arrival. It led to vast amounts of enquiries regarding details on the creation of Joomla Templates.
Many enquiries were similar to others, So I thought it might be an idea to sum up details as best I can, to a presentation concerning the main features on how to make professional Joomla Templates.
A knowledge base like this packs the needed information into a learning curve that should get you up and running in hours, rather than months from self teaching methods....
To get things underway here's my first intriductory video.Take a look and let me know what you think(do you like my accent, etc :))
Full workshop content:
- General template information
- What is the purpose of a template?
- Why does Joomla! use templates?
- How are templates executed?
- Installing a template
- Working with the template manager
- Create your own template
- Setting up a directory structure
- Creating a basic templateDetails.xml file
- Creating a basic index.php file
- jdoc statements
- the type attribute
- the style attribute
- Packaging the template for installation
- Overriding the system output
- a little theory about MVC
- Template vs. Layout
- Output types
- Layouts
- Create or copy layout files
- Overriding sub-layouts
- Module overrides
- Module chrome
- Pagination links overrides
- Template params
- Defining a parameter in templateDetails.xml
- Storing template parameters values
- Retrieving paramater data in a template file
- Creating custom template parameter types
- Location of standard parameter type codes
- Starting a new custom parameter type
- changes to the XML file for custom parameters types
- coding a custom parameter type
- Multilingual templates
- Location of template language definition files
- Print version
- Customizing the print pop-up
- Pop-up only Styles
- Pop-up only Modules
- Favicon
- Changing the site favicon
- 30 minutes for questions and answers
Bonus
You also get get the developer version of the Biggie Smalls template which retails for $147. I'm doing this so that you can not only learn how to do it yourself but also have something as a reference point so that for sake of convinence, you can even model on it.
Full money back guarantee

Note
Because there are only so many people that can be trained at a time, the live training is restricted to 20 people.
For the webinar we will use: http://dimdim.com
P.S. If you have any questions or suggestions what the workshop should also cover don't hesitate to leave a comment!
The webinar will start at exactly 16:00 Berlin time.
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2010-02-15 17:00:18 | Ginette

Hello, If I take this webinar will there be a recording of it that I would be able to refer to after the webinar? Thanks!
Ginette
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2010-02-15 17:09:42 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-15 17:36:50 | Kevin - What if?

I have the same question as Ginette?
Also how will this be of any real value with the up coming release of 1.6?
Will these skills be able to be used with the new template system in Joomla 1.6?
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2010-02-15 18:01:02 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-15 19:34:01 | Mike

Looks useful Daniel - would also be interested to know what tools are generally used for joomla development and some tips on making sites secure - would you be able to find 10 minutes to cover these in the session?
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2010-02-15 20:41:48 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-15 22:05:21 | Bob

The fact that you will be recording the webinar is amazing! I look forward to this...
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2010-02-16 09:03:41 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-16 03:41:25 | Mark

Daniel, another question - if I have questions - will you be personally looking into them or will there be additional consulting fees for those sessions?..
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2010-02-16 09:05:46 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-16 16:21:10 | Mick Graham - Biggie Smalls Developer Template

Quote
You also get get the developer version of the Biggie Smalls template which retails for $147. I'm doing this so that you can not only learn how to do it yourself but also have something as a reference point so that for sake of convinence, you can even model on it.
UnQuoteHi Daneil
I just signed up for the webinar. When do we get the Biggie Smalls Template?rgds
Mick
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2010-02-16 16:28:23 | Daniel Dimitrov

Haha, Mike did you sign only for the template
I thought that the knowledge you are going to get from the webinar is with priority 
During the workshop I will also show you what design (design as in coding) mistakes I made and how you can make even better templates

If you want the template I can send it to you immediately.
Cheers!
Daniel
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2010-02-16 20:07:59 | connor - Very interested

I am very interested in this as i have been studying php to figure this out. When is the webinar? and you will be showing us how to create a joomla template with html/css and php?
and showing us some ways to secure joomla? I am really excited but not sure if its worth the money. If what i asked is correct i will be signing up.
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2010-02-16 22:01:50 | Daniel Dimitrov

I'm not going to teach you any html/css or php. You should know this. (and from your comment I have the feeling you know them). In the webinar I will teach you how to create a joomla template from scratch. Looking in every detail - how to make backend params, what is module chrome, how layout overrides work etc.
I'm sure that the webinar is worth the money for everyone, who wants to know how to make templates. I'm even so sure that this is worth the money, that I'm offering 100% money back guarantee - if you think that the webinar didn't show you anything good and useful - then you get your money back.But I'm pretty sure that 0 people will ask for their money back, cause this thing is going to be awesome: Satisfaction guaranteed

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2010-02-16 20:08:58 | connor - also can i see the template?

Could you link me to the site where the template is live? thank you
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2010-02-16 21:21:52 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-17 03:17:36 | Bobby

Daniel, I was notified about this two days back i.e 15; so shouldn't the first 5 days be over on the 20th? (I still need some time to decide.)
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2010-02-17 07:09:32 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-17 08:49:10 | connor - Im signing up

Everything sounds great i will be signing up, When will the seminar be held and when can we download a copy of the seminar? Thanks for the quick responses
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2010-02-17 09:16:06 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-17 18:43:24 | Guilherme - Just to know

I really like what you are offering, but I wanted to be sure you will record the webinar and get it available for download.
Thanks a lot, Guilherme
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2010-02-17 19:24:06 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-18 02:17:23 | Ken Lyle - Looking Forward to it!

How do we get notified/reminded about the DimDim details?
Best,
Ken
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2010-02-18 07:50:57 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-18 23:52:35 | Michael Pignataro - Looks like a great class

This looks like a great class to be part of just as a refresher and as a novice. Great intro video as you brought some simple key components to the table. Looking forward to the complete course.
Best,
Michael Pignataro
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2010-02-19 04:57:31 | tedavi rehberi - RE:

was a great expression. enriched with supported video content. people who want to make the theme work is a pioneering book.
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2010-02-23 17:30:38 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-02-24 02:55:20 | Guilherme - Oops

Hey Daniel,
I'm really willing to watch the webinar but unfortunatelly I had to travel last weekend and did not register with the discount. Is there a way to get the discount? Hope so.
If you need, my e-mail is guilherme.fonseca@gmail.comThanks a lot!
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2010-02-28 23:01:14 | Michael Shelley - any news

Hi Daniel
have you managed to confirm the time yet?
Also can you send me a copy of the template. It would be useful to have a look at it beforehandcheers
Mike
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2010-03-02 00:37:21 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-03-05 15:36:32 | dv310p3r - Sold Out?

It's sold out? I just got the email that there were four spaces left. Is there a plan for another event?
Thanks,
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2010-03-05 17:34:14 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-03-05 15:38:16 | Webmaster Resource Indonesia - Webmaster Resource Indonesia

Thanks for sharing, good job & nice good for design your templates
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2010-03-05 15:38:58 | dv310p3r - Question

Daniel, I've created many of my own templates in the past for clients needing custom work done. It takes me about 20 hours from cutting up a psd from a designer to where the layout with all the modules is configured. I really want to speed that up a bit. Do you think the webinar can help me with that?
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2010-03-05 17:32:23 | Daniel Dimitrov

dv310p3r well I'm not quite sure that it will help you in any way.
In the workshop I will talk about things like the jdoc:include, how to store params, how to load params. how to override the component and module output. If those are things you are familiar with, then I don't think you need to visit the webinar.
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2010-03-05 16:03:43 | Mike

hopefully there will be a podcast or something like that - I really wanted to join, but I'm not aviable at this date
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2010-03-05 16:21:33 | Anonymous

This may be a whole separate workshop but some insight on how to modify virtuemart aesthetically to match your template. Also customize some of the joomla modules like the login to work with virtuemart. I have come into issues with pre-made templates that have the login position in a certain position, like top, but I can't get the virtuemart login to look and position the same way.
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2010-03-05 17:48:25 | Kevin M - Post a payment

I am not going to be available to attend this seminar. Can I pay and then have access to the information when I get time?
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2010-03-05 17:53:46 | Daniel Dimitrov

Hey Kevin,
Yea sure you can do this, but perhaps you could also wait for another webinar on the same subject next month?I'm somehow having the good feeling that everyone tomorrow will be extremely happy with the things I'm going to teach them and if this is the case, then I will make another webinar with the same content

Although I can not stop you from paying (you will get a recording after the webinar) I would prefer to have you live there!
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2010-03-06 18:41:23 | Daniel Dimitrov
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2010-03-06 18:39:04 | Ken Lyle - Great Webinar!

Daniel did a great webinar that tied together a lot of loose ends in my understanding of templating, especially overrides.
The on the fly development of a template was great!
Thanks!
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2010-03-06 18:53:22 | Ron - Thanks Daniel

Exactly as promised and more.
This is fast paced, well organized and well structured.
Prerequisites really only includes having some good experience with Joomla, a basic understanding of php and html is of course an asset. I do not think it is required however. For those that are serious beginners, this also has a lot to offer as a broad view of how templates are created, structured, and tied into the advanced functions Joomla offers.
Thanks for you insights Daniel.
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2010-03-07 00:15:58 | Dan

Hello,
I think I'm to late to register.
could i pay the $147.00 anyway and receive the Biggie Smalls (Template) and whatever other material you may have.
I'm basically self taught and this is very interesting
Thanks in advance
Dan- from Colorado
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2010-03-27 00:54:37 | Connor Brostek - Webinar was great!

I attended the first webinar and would have to conclude I am 100% satisfied. Getting into the webinar was very easy and everything worked perfect as in sound and video. He teaches you everything to make a template and you can ask as many questions as you want. Even after the webinar Daniel replied to my emails and helped me out a lot. I would highly recommend this webinar.
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I don't really leave as many reviews as I should, but the support provided by Daniel is on par with the other leading extensions support groups.
I bought the component and installed it, and had questions about some customization (support for JomSocial + Avatars). I posted my questions on the forum, and within a couple of hours I had a very helpful response. I used to use the free !JoomlaComment extension, but when I saw that they went "pro" I definitely trusted their work on my site....
Professional coded..
Easy and quick install, a lot of features (antispam protection, quoting previous comments, reply to comments, rss and e-mail subscription...). I've tested some other comment modules for joomla and compojoom is one of the best because of the features and I've found no bug at all during testing...
Read all testimonials >>
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It is look like good template exclusively for blog, but need to change colors for their own purpose, if you going to start business, education, coaching blog it is perfect. but if you go to sports, entertainment you need to change the colors etc….