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 has evolved into a multiple add-ons concept. Now there are no Light and Grand versions. It is the only FW Gallery component with extra add-ons split into free and paid which corresponds to former Light and Grand versions.

Add-ons are different types of Joomla extensions designed to work and adding extra functionality to FW Gallery. Each addon has its own configuration specifics, icon, and banner. You can see add-ons in action on FW Gallery demo website.

Add-ons section

All add-ons can be managed there. You can enable/disable and filter them by type using this section. There are the following add-ons types available - plugins, modules, designs, components, and data type.

Separate designs

Big news is that we separated all designs from the core system and each other. Now each design can be enhanced and improved independently from the others.

Benefits of the new concept

Check key benefits of the conceptual and structural change below:

• All functions are clearly visible. Now features are listed in the Add-ons section and you can turn them on and off as you wish. Disabling unwanted features reduces memory footprint and improves performance as a result.
• Quick and easy support.  Since the add-ons are independent from the core system and each other, they need much less interaction, testing and become less “buggy”. This eliminates the need for handling multiple failures as a result. Now we can directly address the issue points without wasting time on spotting them. Consequently, the new structure eliminates testing of the entire code, just a small piece of it.  
• Quick response to customers’ suggestions. Now we can quickly implement customer’s ideas without applying time-consuming modifications to the core system and cross-test the new functionality with other existing features. 

Backup/restore functionality

This solution will secure your data against loss before migrating to the latest version. Backup your existing galleries before migrating to a new version. After the upgrade, you will be able to easily restore the files.

As you can see, the nature of a new FW Gallery concept comes with sustainable advantages such as enhanced flexibility, simplicity, and maintainability. Help us to improve by sharing your experience with our product. Feel free to submit your feedback on our new concept and architecture using Suggest an Idea form in your client section. 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.