xScape Framework: Preview of features list

First theme and xScape framework are now completed. Second theme is in development, and is expected that another week will be needed to complete it. But, current work will be available before then and many changes are to be expected on Dev4Press before themes became available.

Here is the list of features in xScape theme framework that will be part of the initial 1.0.0 release. Features marked as PRO will not be available with free themes:

• Settings panels: for theme and framework settings, ajax powered and easy to use
• Basic Tools panel: clear cached data, export and import of settings,
• PRO: Extra Tools panel: existing images custom fields conversion
• PRO: Layouts panel: advanced management for theme templates and sidebars
• Menus panel: advanced menu designer with many customization options
• SEO controls: search engine optimization for titles, meta tags and much more
• GD Star Rating: direct integration for standard and multi ratings into comments for review websites
• jQuery powered: breadcrumbs, comments forms validation, contact form, featured posts slider
• Visual elements: paged navigation for posts and comments, author and related posts blocks
• WP Integration: post and page panel integration for additional options and images upload
• Custom Taxonomies: template support with page integration and navigation
• Extra Templates: twitter statuses, archives and website site-map
• Actions & Filters: expanding theme using actions and filters, same way the WordPress works

Additional elements included with framework include widgets and modules. Modules are similar to WordPress plugins, but integrated into the theme with own settings and controls:

• Widgets: Flickr, Twitter, Recent Posts, Single Ad, Networks Social Links
• PRO: Modules: Share This (Submit to social websites), Translate This (Google Translate support)

As for the requirements, theme will require PHP5, and will work with different versions of WordPress:

• WordPress 2.8.x
• WordPress 2.9.x
• WordPressMU 2.9.x
• WordPress 3

Free themes will have no support (apart from reporting and fixing bugs and access to some basic tutorials). Pro themes will be sold for one time fee that will include premium support (forum, premium tutorials), critical and regular updates.

For Pro theme, there will be two different editions: Standard and Developer. Developer edition will include Photoshop PSD files and 2 email support tickets. Single Pro theme will cost 35 EUR (46 USD) for Standard edition and 55 EUR (75 USD) for Developer edition. When you purchase 3 same editions themes, you get one additional theme for free. Once the number of themes is increased, we will offer subscription based model (both standard and developer) to cover all themes and add some additional support elements like SVN access and more email support tickets.

In the next 24 hours, GD Star Rating website will be the first website to get new baseScape theme. By the end of this week, WPMU website will be activated on xscape.info domain where everyone can sign up for a 24 hours blog that will allow you to test drive each theme before deciding if you want to buy it.

Stay tuned and feel free to ask anything you want to know more. xScape will be unleashed very soon…