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Themes
Artisteer 2.5 RELEASED
Artisteer 2.5 has been released for download and, thank goodness, is ‘focused on WordPress 3.0 compatibility’. It has taken awhile for Artisteer to release a WordPress 3 compatible version. I haven’t reviewed or tested Artisteer 2.5 but here is what Artisteer themselves have to say about the new version:
August 4, 2010
Artisteer 2.5 update focused on WordPress 3.0 compatibility is now available.
Here is a general summary of WordPress related changes, including WP 3.0 compatibility:
- Custom Menu support
- Multi-column widgetized footer area
- Additional top and bottom widget areas
- Post thumbnail / featured image support
- Settings -> General -> Date Format option now works with Artisteer themes (previously the date format was retrieved from translations)
Version 2.5 also includes fixes for minor issues reported to product support, including product stability improvements.
We are continuing to work on supporting fluid layouts and content editing for the upcoming product version.
NOTE: The Mac version is considered stable by most of our Mac users, however, we continue receiving occasional reports of crashes and performance issues, which makes it reasonable to keep this version labeled as Release Candidate. A purchased license key can be used on either Windows or Mac.
Artisteer 2.4 for WordPress Review
Artisteer is a simple to use software application that creates design templates for Websites, Content Management Systems and Blog software. All one needs do is purchase a license, download and install the software and get creative with the menu and ribbon based GUI.
Once the required design has been created, the template may be exported for simple use with HTML or popular software and development platforms such as Drupal, Blogger, Joomla, DotNetNuke, WordPress, ASP.NET etc.
In the review below, Artisteer 2.4 (the latest release) is reviewed in light of integration with WordPress.
Artisteer 2.4 for WordPress Theme design
Jul 18, 2010 by Gary
Although offering fairly simple ‘look and feel’ theme changes, Artisteer does this with no technical knowledge being required. This software is inexpensive, simple to install and incredibly easy to use with its familiar ribbon based menu system (similar to the Microsoft Office ribbon). The software is available for both Windows and MAC OS X 10.5 and 10.6 (Intel based computers).
If you want to create a WordPress theme that is totally unique then Artisteer may be a bit of a disappointment. Unfortunately, even with the myriad of options that the Artisteer software brings, the templates still have that ‘generic’ ‘box-like’ WordPress layout.
The three biggest criticisms of Artisteer, from a WordPress perspective, are:
1. Extensoft (the ‘makers/developers’ of Artisteer) don’t provide any roadmap of future releases and capabilities. Customers pay to use Artisteer therefore should be getting an idea of the future of Artisteer.
2. WordPress menu hack needed: Artisteer 2.4 is not fully compatible with WordPress 3 such as the new WordPress menu system and Artisteer not being compatible. A large proportion of Artisteer customers are WordPress users therefore this capability delay by Artisteer is unacceptable.
3. Widgets and Sidebars: Widgets don’t only below in the sidebar anymore and unfortunately Artisteer still sticks to the sidebar concept. There are non-Artisteer hacks needed to enable Widgets in more places within WordPress.
In summary, Artisteer is excellent at creating slightly different looking WordPress themes with ease. The developers and distributors of Artisteer do however need to communicate better with customers and be quicker to align their software with the likes of advances to WordPress.
Here is how Artisteer describe their product:
Artisteer is the first and only Web design automation product that instantly creates fantastic looking website and Blog templates. It is a powerful software suite that makes YOU a professional designer of websites, WordPress themes, and blog templates. Artisteer lets you create fantastic looking website designs and templates in just minutes; without having to know anything about editing graphics or HTML.
With Artisteer YOU immediately become a web design expert; editing and slicing graphics, coding XHTML and CSS, and creating CMS templates and WordPress themes – all in minutes and without Photoshop, Dreamweaver, or technical skills.
Use Artisteer to generate cool Web design ideas, adjust the generated designs using many included elements, backgrounds, photo objects and buttons, create professional, table-free, cross browser compatible and fully compliant HTML and CSS code, and export your design to create great looking Web and Blog templates.
Creating great designs has never been easier!