Learn how easy it is to create a custom column layout for Magento. The tutorial is based on the Magento Enterprise Edition but also applies to the MagentoTM Community Edition. A custom column layout is helpful if you want for instance a "left" column to only appear on certain pages.
To create a new custom column layout, you need to place a new file in the Magento theme. With the Magento default theme, you could use the folder app/design/frontend/default/default/template/page, but ofcourse - when building your own site - it is recommended to have your own theme-directory.
In the tutorial, the file 1column.phtml is copied to the file 1columnfp.phtml (where "fp" stands for the front page). To make this new page reckognizable you wll need to add a new XML-definition. In the tutorial the following code is added to the file app/code/core/Mage/Page/etc/config.xml.
<one_column_fp module="page" translate="label"> <label>1 column (frontpage)</label> <template>page/1columnfp.phtml</template> <layout_handle>page_one_column_fp</layout_handle> </one_column_fp>
However, with a Magento upgrade this change could be gone. The same XML could also be added to your app/etc/local.xml file instead:
<config>
<global>
<page>
<layouts>
<one_column_fp module="page" translate="label">
<label>1 column (frontpage)</label>
<template>page/1columnfp.phtml</template>
<layout_handle>page_one_column_fp</layout_handle>
</one_column_fp>
</layouts>
</page>
</global>
</config>
Tutorials on Magento theming
- Video: Magento Developer Toolbar
- Video: Add CSS to a single Magento CMS page
- Video: Dynamic product image to Static Page
- Video: Modify the Magento Default Theme
- Video: Replace Magento Checkout Button image with CSS
- Build your own Magento override-module
- Set the default direction or ordering for Magento category-pages
Tutorials on MageBridgeTM theming
- MageBridge Design Guide
- MageBridge, RHUK Milkyway and the Magento default theme
- Creating template overrides to support MageBridge
- MageBridge and module chromes
- Working with JavaScript in MageBridge
- Theming-options in MageBridge
- Template override of fixes.php
- Working with JoomlArt templates
- MageBridge combined theming
- MageBridge template helper
- Using RocketTheme add-ons for MageBridge
- Video: MageBridge addon Rockettheme theme
- Applying XML Layout Updates in MageBridge - (1) Overview
- Applying XML Layout Updates in MageBridge - (2) CMS Page
- Adding custom Magento scripts to the Joomla! page
- Switch between Magento theme and Joomla! template
- Using YOOtheme patches for MageBridge
- MageBridge template overrides
- MageBridge FAQ: Theming


