First theme that will use xScape framework is almost completed, and is called baseScape.  This theme is now used to develop framework, and is very, very simple. Templates are all without single image, they will load very fast. Most important thing for this theme is clean design, typography and use of BluePrint CSS framework. But we will try to incorporate as many xScape features possible so that you can see what you can expect from the future themes. Anyway, here is what will be part of the xScape framework core:

• Ajax powered theme settings control panel
• Export and import settings
• Centralized upload of images
• Module for SEO optimization
• Controls for the header content
• Integration support for GD Star Rating
• Integration support for GD Affiliate Tools
• Additional Widgets (Twitter, Flickr, Ads and few more)
• Banner ads controls
• Support for multiple color styles
• Superfish based menus
• JavaScript powered menu builder
• Post editor integration widget
• Load control to minimize theme memory footprint
• Localization support
• Different additional page templates
• Auto-sizing images to thumbnails
• Cross browser compatible
• W3C Compliant XHTML & CSS
• Multiple sidebar control and management

I am sure that I have forgot some things in this list, and that it will be expanded over time based on our ideas and your needs to make customization as simple as possible. And if you have any suggestions right now, please leave a comment. By the end of the week I will post first screenshots from the Control Panel, and maybe some examples from the theme frontend.

As for the plans, right now there are several themes in the planning and design stages:

• baseScape
• StarScape II
• photoScape

So stay tuned for more.