[Resolved] Buddy Boss Theme and Layouts Bootstrap Question

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[shannaM]

Subject: Request for Guidance on Page Builder Options and Template Design with Toolset and BuddyBoss Theme

Dear Toolset Support,

I am currently using the BuddyBoss Theme for my website and would like to continue doing so due to the specific features and design it offers. However, I've encountered some challenges while trying to customize my page templates.

I understand that Toolset had a feature called "Layouts" which is no longer being actively supported. I've noticed that Layouts had several features that would be beneficial for my site, such as accordions, tabs, and more. I'm interested in knowing how I can access similar features with the latest supported page builder options in Toolset.

Currently, when I create my page templates, they adopt the BuddyBoss theme's site template for blogs. I'm unsure how to modify certain elements, such as removing the sidebar or the title. I would appreciate guidance on how to make these changes.

In the past, I've used Elementor Pro for my template designs and page building. While I find the block editor fairly straightforward, I'm having difficulty with block styling and feel like I might be missing out on some features that were available in the Layouts tool.

Ideally, I would like to continue using Elementor for creating these pages, but I don't want to lose any functionality that Toolset offers. Could you please advise me on the best path for building out my templates while maximizing the features of both Toolset and Buddyboss?

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your guidance.

Also i am reading the Elementor Documentation and this information is what is so concerning, what does this mean, i definatly need to display related posts and what is more? - Using Toolset’s templates provides you with many features that are not available in templates you create using Elementor. This includes:

Assigning Toolset templates conditionally
Displaying related posts
Displaying dynamic maps
And more.

Best regards,

[Waqar]

Hi,

Thank you for contacting us and I'd be happy to assist.

Based on what you've shared and my research online, the best combination that will work for you would be using the the BuddyBoss theme with the Elementor page builder:
hidden link
hidden link

For showing any Toolset elements like views and Toolset fields inside the Elementor environments, you can use Toolset shortcodes and classic/legacy editor views:
https://toolset.com/documentation/customizing-sites-using-php/functions/
https://toolset.com/documentation/programmer-reference/views/views-shortcodes/
https://toolset.com/documentation/legacy-features/views-plugin/

I'll not recommend using Toolset Layouts plugin, because it is no longer under active development. Also the blocks-based views are designed to work within the blocks-based Gutenberg editor. As you'll be using the Elementor builder, you'll be better off using the classic/legacy editor views, when needed.

This combination will maximize your experience of using BuddyBoss, Elementor and Toolset together.

I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any follow-up questions.

regards,
Waqar

[shannaM]

Thank you for your response. I'm pleased to know that I can use Elementor, a tool I'm comfortable with. However, I still have concerns about potential limitations, such as not having full functionality when using Elementor, particularly in terms of establishing relationships.

Are you suggesting that I can achieve this functionality by using the classic editor views alongside Elementor? I should note that I do not write or edit code. Will this method require me to edit PHP? Could you provide specific steps on how to create a relationship post between two custom post types (CPTs)?

For instance, I have 'Designers' and 'Design Firms' where I want to display a view of each on their respective pages. On the 'Designers' listing page, I would like to display the designer's information at the top, followed by a 'view' that shows the related 'Design Firm', and vice versa. I've successfully created this relationship using the block editor, but I'm unsure how to replicate this using Elementor.

I've noticed in your documentation that the ability to create relationships between two CPTs is not available when using Elementor. I need to ensure that I will have all the functionality available to block editing users. If necessary, I'm willing to learn block editing.

After reviewing the links you provided, it seems that the legacy views and page shortcodes are more of a temporary fix and appear to be confusing and convoluted. I'm seeking a simple and easy-to-use setup that I can apply to numerous pages without issue.

Although I've built my site with Buddy Boss and have used Elementor up until now, I'm not committed to Elementor. If I need to switch to Blocks to maximize your system's potential, which I plan to use for the rest of my site, I'm willing to do so. I just need to ensure it will work with the Buddy Boss theme. Does this make sense?

[Waqar]

Thanks for writing back.

> Are you suggesting that I can achieve this functionality by using the classic editor views alongside Elementor? I should note that I do not write or edit code. Will this method require me to edit PHP? Could you provide specific steps on how to create a relationship post between two custom post types (CPTs)?
> For instance, I have 'Designers' and 'Design Firms' where I want to display a view of each on their respective pages. On the 'Designers' listing page, I would like to display the designer's information at the top, followed by a 'view' that shows the related 'Design Firm', and vice versa. I've successfully created this relationship using the block editor, but I'm unsure how to replicate this using Elementor.

- Yes, you can achieve this functionality by using the classic editor views alongside Elementor. There is no change in the process of creating and managing post-relationships, regardless of which page builder or the type of views you decide to use.

And no, this method will not require PHP code edits or customization.

> I've noticed in your documentation that the ability to create relationships between two CPTs is not available when using Elementor. I need to ensure that I will have all the functionality available to block editing users. If necessary, I'm willing to learn block editing.
> After reviewing the links you provided, it seems that the legacy views and page shortcodes are more of a temporary fix and appear to be confusing and convoluted. I'm seeking a simple and easy-to-use setup that I can apply to numerous pages without issue.

- I can understand that the confusion that can arise from that part of the documentation. But you won't be missing out on any functionality, if you decide to go with the Elementor + Classic views combination.

The classic views have been around for longer period than the blocks views and many customers who use third-party page builders (like Elementor) or don't use the blocks-based Gutenberg editor, still prefer them over the blocks-based views.

If you haven't used them before, the classic views can come with a learning curve. But it is totally worth it because, certain complicated tasks like nesting of views, can in fact only be achieved using the classic views.

In summary, someone who is using the classic views will have more control and will be able to accomplish more, compared to the blocks ones.

> Although I've built my site with Buddy Boss and have used Elementor up until now, I'm not committed to Elementor. If I need to switch to Blocks to maximize your system's potential, which I plan to use for the rest of my site, I'm willing to do so. I just need to ensure it will work with the Buddy Boss theme. Does this make sense?

- This is more of a personal choice. I'll recommend playing around with the classic views on a test website and let us know through a new ticket, if some questions arise around the usage.
( you can include a link to this ticket in that new ticket for the context )

If you like the workflow, you can go with the Elementor + Classic views combination. If it turns out too complicated, you can choose the path of using blocks-based Gutenberg editor.

I hope this explanation, makes it more clear.

[shannaM]

Thank you, I am much more comfortable using Elementor. So i have created a template for one of my CPTs "Design Firms" In elementor templates and assigned it to Design Firms. And all is working as expected. But Now I am trying to add a View to show the related "Designers" from a related Post type. This is wher i am stuck. When i was using blocks creating the view was super easy, but I am not sure how to create a view now? Can you provide me instructions? Thank you.

[shannaM]

So I loved the views creation process with blocks... I am so confused now that I am in Elementor... on even how to create a View for a related post? It seems very confusing and not at all visual, also it looks like i need to add CSS etc.. in order to style? Is there any way to use the block editor for creating the related post views? I see that i can bring in views that i created wtiht the block editor but I cant figure out how to make a view for a related post since when i created it previously I did it from the actual post that it was connected to and I was given the option to choose the posts connected to it. Now that I am in Elementor when i go to add a View I can not add a new one i can only add one that is already created... and if i do try to create a new one it is a long confusing form that I cant figure out how to work... and requires CSS etc. Looks very dated compared to the simplicity of the Block Editor for Views... then I was reading somewhere that if i want to use the Block views and Elementor I need to use the Views Plugin? I thought that was being phased out? I am so confused.

[Waqar]

If you could share temporary admin login details of your website, I can create a sample classic view that shows the related posts.

I'll also share the basic steps on how I created it and how you can add further style customization.

And if you still feel it is too complicated, you can opt for blocks based views in the Gutenberg environment, without Elementor.

Note: Your next reply will be private and making a complete backup copy is recommended before sharing the access details.

[Waqar]

Sure, please take your time and let me know if you need any further assistance.

[shannaM]

Thank you, I have decided to stick with the blocks, there were to many steps involved with using Elementor, and I really like the Blocks View Builder, the other way was too convoluted for me. I am struggling with another issue, I am trying to create a Hero Image or full width banar at the top of one of my Single Listing Template Pages.... but despite choosing full width for the container in blocks it is not showing full width. I have checked my Buddy Boss Themes settings and the only thing i found was some settings for the blog which i changed to include the full width header image (see attached screenshot). I also reached out to them for support and they said they could not duplicate the issue on their end. I am not sure they really understood what i am trying to do.

[shannaM]

Hi can you watch this video? I am struggling with the Containers in Block Editor. I think it may be a conflict with my Theme? Or I am be doing something wrong. Maybe you can show me a step by step way to create views in Elementor? Maybe it isnt as hard as I was thinking. A video would be amazing. Or can you help me explain to BB Theme how to update thier part to support your Containters in Block editor? Or both! hidden link

[Waqar]

Thank you for sharing this screencast.

I understand the challenges that you're having with the design/formatting. But, to troubleshoot them effectively, I'll need access to the website's admin area, to see how these elements are configured in the back-end.

Can you please share temporary admin login details in reply to this message?

Note: Based on your observation and feedback, I'm going to lead this support ticket, in the direction of making the blocks (Gutenberg) editor work since the classic views don't offer the same level of visual customization features.

[shannaM]

Hi can you provide me an update? wondering if you are working on my site, I had an issue come up today... not sure if it is related to what we are working on or separate, watch this short clip, Thanks! - hidden link

[Waqar]

Thank you for waiting, as I was away for a couple of days and then had a busy queue after the weekend.

The admin access details don't seem to work and I'm getting an 'incorrect username/password' message.

1. The communication error that you observed can be recorded if there is a temporary connection issue between the website's server and the Toolset's server.
(this function is periodically used to check for the plugin updates)

Unless there is a site key or registration issue, an error message like this goes away on its own.
( the installer support log in your video shows no error )

2. For the content not vertically aligning to the center, you can control it at the individual 'Column' block level. You'll see the option for that in that block's context menu, as shown in the attached screenshot.

3. For the container block and banner widths, I'll need to see how they are set up in the admin area and are shown on the front end. This will allow me to suggest the next steps accordingly.

I'm setting your next reply as private, again so that you can share temporary admin login details.

Note: I can share some step-by-step screenshots or screencast/video to explain how different sections of classic views work. But, I'll be able to do that over the weekend, since my forum queue is quite busy at the moment.

[shannaM]

I am going to start a new ticket. Fresh