Omega Intro Part 2: Using the Delta module for contextual layouts

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Background on Delta

For quite some time, the Omega theme has been my passion, and furthering my ability to quickly theme out advanced sites based on the 960.gs.

Since November of 2009, I've had the concept for the Delta module. That original post now is quite outdated, and in several of my presentations over the last year, I've discussed what it would do when the time came that Delta was built. Delta essentially gives you the ability for Omega subthemes, to duplicate your theme settings, which control everything from the title display, breadcrumb settings AND the layout of all the zones/regions in page.tpl.php, and their sizing based on the 960 grid. By creating "templates", or simply these copies of your theme settings, by using the Context module, you can then set whatever conditions you like for a reaction, and apply the templated settings.

Use cases for this include, but will definitely not be limited to:

  • Different layout for content/sidebars on the home page.
  • Disable certain zones/regions when on taxonomy term pages.
  • Make your administrative pages (only if powered by the Omega theme) fluid width rather than fixed width 960gs.
  • Pretty much anything you can imagine wanting to adjust region placement and sizing throughout your site based on ANY condition from the Context module!!

Screencast - Delta Introduction & Demonstration

The following screencast (17min) gives the initial introduction and demonstration of the first alpha release of the Delta module.

Related Projects

Conclusion

There ARE a lot more things to integrate like a method to use default (in code)/overwritten/normal storage methods, which then obviously supports import/export, features export, and much more...

Please be sure to test out the Delta module and Omega theme paired with the Context module for Drupal 7, and submit any issues you may encounter to help further both Delta and Omega!

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