Arras 1.5.5 is now officially available for download.
This version is the first re-release of the Arras Theme since restarting development from Arras 1.5.3-RC1. It includes all the features that were present in version 1.5.3.
ARRAS 2.0 is known to be unstable with WordPress 3.9. If you’re using Arras 2.0, I highly recommend rolling back to version 1.5.5 for now. Many of the 2.0 features will return in future releases.
In this release I’ve focused on fixing various JavaScript conflicts that have developed since the last release 2 years ago. Unconventional loading of scripts has been cleaned up to minimize scripting conflict with plugins.
Overall, you should find that things are much more stable, and the slideshow issues that have plagued Arras users since WP 3.8 have been cleared up. Specifically, I’ve addressed the following issues:
Bug Fixes:
- Fix Admin bar search background css bug
- Fix wp_reset_query() issue in arras_document_description() – library/template.php
- Fix Sidebar registration to properly fire on wp_init – functions.php
- Remove unused actions and constants – functions.php
- Add initial content_width global – functions.php
- Fix js loading from all over. JS now loads via wp_enqueue_scripts()
- Eliminate outdated jQuery and use jQuery and migrate (1.11.0 / 1.2.1) packaged with WP
- Eliminate outdated jQuery HoverIntent and use r7 packaged with WP
- Remove outdated/unnecessary scripts (jQuery Validator and jQuery superslight)
- Fix tabbed sidebar widget script loading
- Add dynamic sizing to default thumbnail image
Other Changes:
- Convert form input backgrounds from image to css3 gradient
- Move Arras Theme Admin Pages to an Appearance submenu
- Remove Donate Button from Admin sidebar
- Set “About Arras Theme” URL in footer to new website
- Update Superfish menu to latest version (1.7.4)
Milestones and Priorities
My immediate priorities for development are to start re-integrating some of the HTML5/CSS3 features that were part of Arras 2.0.
Features proposed for implementation in future versions include:
* Conversion to HTML5/CSS3 (the previous developer did this in Arras 2.0. The redevelopment will follow a similar track to maintain as much consistency as possible.)
* Make search bar in header optional
* Allow custom color settings in the header
* Make page meta info (author, time and date info, etc) configurable separately from single post meta info
* Add Theme support for custom posts types
* Make the theme mobile-ready
If you have an idea for future development or new features, I’m open to suggestions.
If you’re using the theme with your own modifications, please use a child theme to avoid losing your customizations.
Download Arras 1.5.5
(Photo by Napafloma-Photographe, by permission Creative Commons.)
Since I’d seen that the theme had been discontinued, I was begrudgingly looking for new WP themes when I came across this page. Thanks for picking up the ball and running with it!
I’m currently on version 1.5.2. Can I install this theme and use the export theme settings text file from the old tools menu to carry over the previous settings? Or is there another better way?
The “Export Theme Settings” in the Arras Tools was a “Beta” feature in 1.5.2. It should work, but I haven’t gotten into that feature yet.
Here’s how I’d do it:
First, export the theme settings, “just in case.”
Second, if you have any custom CSS in your user.css file, make a local copy of that file.
Third, install the “Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades” plugin by Chris Jean.
Fourth, download the Arras 1.5.5 version, then install from WordPress: Appearance>Themes>Add New>Upload Theme. The upgrade plugin will give you an option to “Upgrade Existing Theme.” Select yes.
Now you should have the new version installed with all the settings already in place.
If you have a custom copy of the user.css file you saved earlier, copy it back to your Arras Theme folder, and you should be good to go.
Hope it works out!
Excellent, thank you!
Hi,
First of all I want to say Thank you! for continuing develop of arras theme on your own, already have install 1.5.5. on two of my sites, all working good so far. Great job!
So, I am using arras theme for about 3 years now, and I was an active member of original arras forum, so now I’m looking for a way to remove nav menu and just go with top menu. Can you please explain to me how to do that if you can? I looked up at codes and I can change much of it but my knowledge is just not good enough to accomplish that issue. If you can explain to me how you do it that would be of great help.
Thank you in advance,
Sag
Sagitarrius,
You’re welcome. Good to know Arras 1.5.5 is working for you.
The main nav menu is found in the
header.phpfile.To remove it, you could delete the following lines:
<div id="nav"> <div id="nav-content" class="clearfix"> <?php if ( function_exists('wp_nav_menu') ) { wp_nav_menu( array( 'sort_column' => 'menu_order', 'menu_class' => 'sf-menu menu clearfix', 'theme_location' => 'main-menu', 'fallback_cb' => 'arras_nav_fallback_cb' ) ); } arras_beside_nav(); ?> </div><!-- #nav-content --> </div><!-- #nav -->Please note, however, that this will be a temporary solution, since the change to this file will be overwritten with any future Arras updates.
Technically, the “correct” way to do this would be to make a child theme and put a copy of the
header.phpfile into the child theme folder. Then delete the lines mentioned above from the child theme version of the file. This will prevent the file from being overwritten with future updates. The drawback to this method is that (spoiler alert!)header.phpwill be updated with the next release, and if your child theme uses the old version, you’ll still have to update the file from the new header.php with your modification to have everything work correctly.So, you’re looking at re-fixing this with the next update in any case. Take your pick.
Meanwhile, however, I’ll add making use of the top menu as the main menu to the list of “feature requests.” (It probably won’t happen with the next release, which is already well in progress, but possibly with the following one.)
Hi,
thanks for quick reply!
I have kind of solve that one
with easy temp solution, as well not the best one, but it kinda work for me. I use simple line in user.css
/* main navigation */
#nav { display: none; }
LOL although I will use your method now, for which I assume is better.
Anyways, I am looking forward to see improvements in future versions and I very much enjoy using Arras theme because of it’s customisation possabilities.
Here is the link where I am using trials and error method and the main is also Arras customized by me, hope you’ll like to see more options 😉
http://proba.tarte-flambee.com
tarte-flambee.com
Also now I know who to ask if I get into trouble
Keep the great work Caspar!