This release introduces a wholly new concept for FW Gallery architecture. A change in FW Gallery architecture triggered a butch of new features and updates. Let’s have a look at all changes below:

New:

• One component instead of two. Now there is no separate Light and Grand versions. We merged Light and Grand versions into a single FW Gallery component available in two packages - basic package (former Light) and basic package with add-ons (former Grand). Add-on is a separate tool extending FW Gallery functionality. Each add-on has its own functionalities, configuration specifics, icon, and banner. 
• Add-ons section. All add-ons can be managed via Add-ons section. You can add, remove, filter the add-ons by types such as design, plugin, module, component, and data type. 
• Front-end manager add-on. If you want to enable galleries management directly via the front-end,  you can use FW Gallery Front-end Manager add-on of the component type. Front-end manager should be configured separately by assigning FW Gallery Front-end Manager layout to a menu item. 
• FW Gallery Carousel add-on. A new add-on of the module type adds a carousel slider on your gallery page. The module is perfect for showcasing multiple images in a slider with or without scroll buttons. You can choose from two layout positions - vertical and horizontal as well as set various display options such as gallery name, image name, dates, etc.
• Grid display effects. We added new grid display effects set in gallery settings and applied to gallery listing view. You have a choice of 4 grids - Standard, Waterfall, Justified, and Custom. Each grid will help you create a visually attractive gallery listing.
• File details display effects. We added 7 stylish file details display effects adding a creative touch to your photos. 
• On hover effect. Added beautiful on hover effects for images previews. Choose between Ken Burns and Linear effects to add a playful touch to your images
• Meta Data section for a file/gallery. We added a new Meta Data section to file/gallery settings allowing to specify meta keywords and meta description for better search engine optimization. 
• Tag alias parameter for a new tag. Specify a URL-friendly name for a new tag within Tags management section to replace unnecessary elements in the URL string like IDs, slashes, colons, etc. 

Updates:

• Facebook Import add-on. Facebook Import is available as a separate add-on of the plugin type and can be installed/removed via Add-ons section. Once installed, link to your Facebook account in order to start importing.
• Google import add-on. Google import add-on of the plugin type enables importing Google albums to your gallery website. Once installed, you should link to your Google account in order to start importing.
• Documentation reference: Google images import tutorial (https://fastw3b.com/documentation/fw-gallery/23-google-import-plugin)
• FW Gallery File Meta Data add-on. A data type add-on allows importing all file meta data such as tags, locations, titles, watermarks, descriptions, etc. along with a file. Once installed all meta data coming along with a file get automatically imported upon upload to your gallery website.
• FW Gallery Social plugin. Social add-on of the plugin type adds attractive social sharing buttons to your gallery files. Once enabled, you can easily share your galleries on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, Pinterest.
• FW Gallery Video add-on. Video add-on of the plugin type allows displaying Vimeo/Youtube/MP4 videos on your gallery website. Once enabled, you will be able to create video and mixed content galleries. 
• FW Gallery Search plugin. Search add-on of the plugin type extends the standard Joomla search by displaying images in the search results.
• FW Gallery Tag add-on. We created Tag add-on of the plugin type adding Tags management section to your website. Add, edit, and remove tags using this section. All tags assigned to a gallery or file hit the tags list where a usage frequency can be monitored. 
• FW Gallery Vote add-on. Enable simple voting for public and authorized users with Vote add-on of the plugin type. The plugin adds cool-looking voting buttons on your gallery website.
• FW Gallery add-on. Gallery add-on of the module type adds images and galleries anywhere on your gallery website - in top/bottom content position, gallery/file description, etc.
• FW Gallery Map add-on. Map add-on of the module type adds a map with galleries or images on your website. Just enter Google Map key, set map height, and assign a required position to the module. 
• FW Gallery Slideshow add-on. Slideshow add-on of the module type allows auto playing galleries in an eye-catching slideshow module. Display recently-added or random images, enable/disable thumbnails, choose slideshow effects, set a custom slideshow size.
• FW Gallery Latest add-on. Latest add-on of the module type allows displaying some latest or random images in the module.
• We separated designs from the core system. Now each design is a software add-on working independently from the main component and other add-ons. 
• FW Gallery Bootstrap add-on. Bootstrap add-on of the design type adds a distinct look to your gallery. 
• FW Gallery Classic add-on. Classic add-on of the design type adds an elegant and bold look to your gallery. 
• FW Gallery Fancy add-on. Fancy add-on of the design type gives your website a unique look and feel.
• FW Gallery Pinterest add-on. Create stylish and responsive images grids in Pinterest style with  Pinterest add-on of the design type. 
• FW Gallery Polaroid add-on. Present your gallery with awesome Polaroid add-on of the design type. 
• FW Gallery Beauty add-on. Give your beauty website a bold style with Beauty add-on of the design type.  
• Moved gallery layout settings to gallery level. Now gallery layout settings are configured at the gallery level, not menu item level. This feature adds flexibility to gallery configuration. Now each gallery can be configured differently even though being assigned to one and the same menu item. 
• Parent gallery settings priority. All settings of the parent gallery get automatically applied to a child gallery. At the same time, child gallery settings can be manually changed if it is needed.
• Configuration section update. Re-arranged global gallery settings into General, Galleries, Items, and Add-ons tabs for better usability and navigation. 
• Custom image sizes. Updated Image sizes section. Now you can set custom sizes for different images formats - cover, listing image, lightbox, and single file format. 

Get familiar with FW Gallery documentation to find more information about our product. Please use the comments section at the bottom of each documentation page to comment and suggest improvements that will make the product experience better.

FW Gallery 5.0.0 is a major release focused on the new component architecture. It serves as a basic model for all subsequent FW Gallery releases and works as a single platform with a set of add-ons that are allocated into two packages corresponding to the former Light and Grand versions. Add-ons are FW Gallery specific Joomla extensions (modules, plugins, data type, and design).

The first package (former Light version) includes the component with a  limited number of add-ons and second package (former Grand) includes the component with all available add-ons. Earlier there were separate structures and databases for Light and Grand versions, now FW Gallery has the same structure and database and comes in two packages.

FW Gallery v5.0.0 represents a transition point to the main platform (main component) with independent add-ons. Soon, all add-ons will be independent of the platform. Consequently, you will be able to choose as many add-ons as you like to create a gallery with a desired set of functionalities.

Critical Steps to upgrade

As a result of the structural change, make sure to follow the recommendations below:

• Upgrade to the latest major v4.x.x version before upgrading to v5.0.0.

Feel free to ask for installation file using General question form of your Client section on fastw3b.com.

• Note that when a basic package (former Light) is updated, it is NOT installed over the previous Light version. For that reason, along with FW Gallery Light, you will see FW Gallery component next to it in the Components dropdown. When an extended package (former Grand) is updated, it is installed over the previous Grand version. For that reason, you will see a familiar FW Gallery menu item within Components dropdown. This comes as a result of the structural change outlined above.
• Make sure to import your gallery data to the new FW Gallery.

Go to your Dashboard in Admin panel and find green Import data on top. Import functionality allows importing all galleries and files to a new FW Gallery.

• Revise your layouts on front-end for both Grand and Light versions.

Make sure you select correct layouts for all FW Gallery menu items after the extension is installed.

• Revise gallery settings on the front-end for both Grand and Light versions.

As now gallery settings moved from Menu item parameters to gallery settings (Admin Panel -> Galleries -> Edit), you will need to set all settings again to have it all working if you had any specific settings on particular menu items. Global settings will get imported though.

• Please note that downgrade from version 5.x.x to 4.x.x is NOT possible.

Please use our Documentation section and Ticket Support on fastw3b.com if you need more information on upgrade and a new release.

Changes in FW Gallery that may affect current layouts and settings

Along with the component structure, we have implemented a lot of valuable and helpful changes. Let’s take a look at them below:

• Add-ons section.


All add-ons are displayed and managed via this section. Make sure they are activated to ensure that all needed functionalities are up and running. 

Reference materials: New FW Gallery concept: platform with add-ons article.

• Gallery display settings moved to gallery level.


Now gallery settings are available at the gallery level, not menu item level. Just locate your gallery settings and switch to the Design tab to configure multiple display settings for galleries, gallery listing, and files/file listing. 

• Gallery settings priority.


Gallery settings priority has been changed. Now local gallery settings have priority over parent settings while parent settings have priority over global configuration.

• Configuration section. 


We have redesigned Configuration section. There are 4 tabs available:

• General. You can set image sizes, watermark, gallery designs, date format, and comments via this section.

• Galleries. All settings associated with galleries are set via this section.

• Files. All settings associated with files are set via this section.

• Add-ons. All settings of the activated add-ons hit this section.


• FW Gallery plugin instead of FW Gallery Content Plugin.

FW Gallery Content Plugin was limited to articles only. A new FW Gallery module allows inserting galleries and files anywhere on your website via different module positions or within the articles as well. The gallery within the module can be customized just like any other gallery. Thus, you can set design, grids, files rows, etc.  

Reference materials: How do you put a module inside an article 

• Data Management section.

Use this section for backing up and restoring your gallery data before every update or as a tool to prevent data loss. This section is also used for all import procedures. Thus, Facebook, Instagram, and Google import settings are located in this section.

Need more information on the topic?

Get familiar with How to migrate to FW Gallery 5.0.0 tutorial to find more information about upgrading procedure.

Please use the comments section at the bottom of each documentation page to comment and suggest improvements that will make the product experience better.

If you need more information on the topic, use Support page in Client section on fastw3b.com. Feel free to submit your feedback on our new concept and architecture using Suggest an Idea form. Use General Question or other forms to get more information on the topic.