RapidWeaver
| RapidWeaver | |
|---|---|
| Basic data
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| developer | Realmac Software Ltd |
| Current version | 8.5.1 (January 28, 2020) |
| operating system | Mac OS X from 10.11 |
| category | Web engineering |
| License | Proprietary |
| www.realmacsoftware.com/rapidweaver | |
RapidWeaver is a template-based Web Engineering - Software of RealMacSoftware that it exclusively for Mac OS X is.
At the time of its publication in 2004, RapidWeaver was the first program that used user-selectable and editable templates ("themes") to create websites, so that even users without programming knowledge could easily create visually appealing websites. The program creates different page types with integrated plug-ins , which are integrated into the layout templates and with the help of which u. a. HTML documents and CSS can be exported. Additional third-party plug-ins are also available. When creating a page, RapidWeaver can directly access the images in the Photos.app from Apple .
The websites are stored locally in a proprietary document package. The actual web pages are only created during the local export or when publishing with the help of an internal FTP upload to a server .
Working method
The program creates an rw file in which all content (text, images, videos and photos) of the website is saved. Independent of this, the purchased design templates are stored as rwtheme files in a user directory, the templates supplied with RapidWeaver are located in the program file. The rw files contain information about the assigned page type, the content, the navigation structure and the design templates. The website created in a work mode can be viewed by the user in a preview function that is rendered by the Apple Safari web browser . The preview function simulates the display of the website on different device classes. In addition, a single page can be output directly from RapidWeaver in a browser installed on the respective computer.
The website can be exported to a local directory or uploaded to an FTP server. When exporting locally or uploading to a server, the HTML, CSS and Javascript files required for displaying the website and the directory structures of the website are created. Integrated assets (images, videos, PDF files, etc.) are either stored centrally in a separate “resources” folder or in a “files” folder for specific pages.
The design of all pages of a project is defined by one or more CSS style sheets. During the export, RapidWeaver stores these together with other files that control certain functions in a directory called "rw_commons". Style sheets and functions depend on the design template selected, but also on the plugins selected. The basic look of a page can only be changed by switching to a different design template. Most templates offer a limited selection of style options for detailed changes, but detailed changes are also possible using user-defined code (CSS, Javascript, PHP).
A page design that is more independent of design templates is possible through solutions based on the Stacks plug-in. These solutions are based on certain frameworks and only use design templates to link the individual elements:
- FreeStacks
- BootSnap
- Foundation
- Pure
Design templates / "Themes"
RapidWeaver enables the creation of websites based on design templates. 52 templates are supplied with the program, and numerous templates from third-party providers can also be used. The templates are organized in a template library and accessible via an internal add-on manager. The templates are structured as file packages with the extension .rwtheme and contain the following documents or directories:
- colour_tags.css: A stylesheet that links the index.html with the color specifications of the template (this document is not available in all templates)
- index.html : Variables as placeholders for the page content to be integrated as well as information about external files used (e.g. JavaScript )
- info.plist : A preferences file that provides information about the theme version and developer
- javascript.js : centrally defined JavaScript program routines for different parts of the website (e.g. photo slideshows); Specific Javascript documents for the browser or device-specific output of the website can be stored on the root level of the template package
- styles.css : central CSS layout formatting; Further stylesheets can be defined in the template, for example for optional color settings or the browser- or device-specific output of the website, etc.
- Theme.plist : This preferences file links the documents and elements in the template and is responsible for creating an uploadable website
- The stylesheets used by the template, some of which are arranged in subfolders, are located in an optional "css" folder : These stylesheets are linked to a configuration area in the program interface ("Style Options") and are combined during export depending on the user-defined configuration
- In an optional “Javascript” or “js” folder, there can be additional scripts for different functions of the website
- Image files for displaying the template in the template library are located in a “Resources” folder . The image files "preview_large.jpg" and "preview.png" on the root level of the template package are used for display in the template library of older RapidWeaver versions
- Image files are stored in an optional “images” folder . B. is used to display header graphics or page backgrounds. These image files can be exchanged by the user.
- In some templates there is a "fonts" folder , this is where the web fonts integrated in the template are located.