Requirements
  • System & Server Requirements:
    • Joomla 3.4+
    • HikaShop 3+
    • PHP 5.5.9+
  • Browser Requirements:
    • Google Chrome 41+
    • Firefox 36+
    • Safari 8+
    • Opera 28+
    • Internet Explorer 11+
    • Microsoft Edge
Installing Explorer Template
  1. Installing Gantry Framework
    1. Download Gantry 5 framework from your download area of RcaTheme.com
    2. Login to your Joomla Administrator
    3. Go to Extension -> Manage -> Install

      documentation

    4. On the Upload Package File tab, select or Drag & drop Gantry 5 (joomla-pkg_gantry5_v5.x.x.zip) zip file

      documentation

  2. Installing Explorer Template:
    1. Now on the Upload Package File tab (see above), select or Drag & drop Explorer Template (Explorer_Template_v.x.zip) zip file
  3. If you have any issue installing above Framework and template, check here for more details.

     

  4. Set Explorer as your default Template
    1. After successfully installing the template, Go to Extensions -> Templates -> Styles
    2. Now select Explorer - Default and Set Default
Installing Explorer Quickstart Package?

What is Quickstart Package?

Quickstart Package is a complete installation of Joomla that includes the core Joomla files together with the template, particles, extensions and sample demo data as shown on the demo site. When you install the quickstart, it creates a copy with all the demo data and configuration, so you can get started with customization.


Installing the Quickstart Package

For installing quickstart package you need to:

  1. Download the Quickstart Package for the template from download area of RcaTheme.com
  2. Upload Quickstart file to your server.
  3. Create database
  4. Start installation.

 

  1. Download the Quickstart Package
    1. Login to your RcaTheme.com account and navigate to download page.
    2. Now download the Quickstart package for the template you want to install.
  2. Upload Quickstart file to your server.

    There are two possibilities for uploading the quickstart file to your server.

    1. The best option is to use the cPanel. If your host has cPanel, you can upload the Quickstart Package archive in your Public HTML folder and to Extract it there. By doing this you will avoid any Joomla file losses.
      1. Login to your cPanel
      2. Click on File Manager

        cpanel goto filemanager

      3. Select Public HTML or any other folder you want to install.

        filemanager p html

      4. Now click Upload

        filemanager p upload

      5. Now select or Drag & drop the Quickstart file

        filemanager upload

      6. After finish go back to File Manager
      7. Now select the Quickstart zip file you just uploaded, and Extract

        cpanel extract

    2. The second option is to upload extracted files using an FTP client.
  3. Create database
    1. Create a database using cPanel MySQL Database Wizard.
    2. For more details about how to create database check here
  4. Start installation

    Now you are ready to install Joomla (Quickstart package).

    Start the Joomla! web installer by opening your favorite browser and browsing to the site's domain name. On host installation you will use http://www.yoursitename.com. If your are installing Joomla! locally, you will use http://localhost/[path to quickstart package files], and you should see the installation screen.

    1. Main Configuration:

      documentation

      Fill in the following information.

      1. Site Name: the name of your website — this can be changed at any point later in the Site Global Configuration page.
      2. Description: enter a description of the website. This is a global fallback meta description used on every page which will be used by search engines. Generally, a maximum of 20 to 25 words is optimal. Again, this can be changed on the Site Global Configuration page at any time.
      3. Admin Email Address: set the email address for the Super Administrator of your site.
      4. Admin Username: set the Super Administrator username.
      5. Admin Password: set the Super Administrator password. Enter it again in the Confirm Admin Password field to ensure your password is correct.
      6. Site Offline: When this option is set to Yes the frontpage will show Offline page, which prevents visitors from seeing the complete site before it’s ready.

      When everything on the first page is completed, click the next button to proceed:

    2. Database Configuration

      documentation

      On this page you’ll need to enter the database details you created earlier

      1. Database Type: MySQLi is the common database used
      2. Hostname: Where is your database located? Common is localhost, but some hosts use a specific database server such as dbserver1.yourhost.com
      3. Username: the username used to connect to the database
      4. Password: the password for the database's username
      5. Database Name: the name of the database
      6. Table Prefix: one is generated automatically, but you can change it. Just don't forget to put the underscore character (_) at the end of the prefix.
      7. Old Database Process: should the installer backup or delete existing tables during the installation of new tables? Click, Yes or No to select the choice.

      When all the information has been filled in, click the next button to proceed:

    3. Finalise

      documentation

      It is now time to finalise the Joomla! installation. The last page of the web browser installation contains all the information about the installation. This includes the options(at the top) for installing sample data and the installation's configurations(at the bottom).

      1. Install Sample Data: This area mentions that your template’s demo content will be installed.
      2. Overview: You can at this time choose to have the configuration settings emailed to you. If the Email Configuration choice is selected, the Email Password choice will appear. The email password is off by default for security. You can choose to have the password included, just click Yes.
      3. Main Configuration: all the website specific information, such as the website name, description, admin username, etc.
      4. Database Configuration: contains the information about the database Joomla! will use.
      5. Pre-Installation Check: these requirements must all be shown as Yes, otherwise you will not be able to install Joomla! With the exception of the PHP Version, the rest are usually controlled in the php.ini. You may need assistance from your host in correcting these settings or checking to see if it is possible to adjust them.
      6. Recommended Settings: these are settings are recommended in your PHP configuration, but will not prevent Joomla! from being installed. You can refer to the above instructions on how they may be changed.

      After you click the Install button, you should see a progress bar with additional information of the installation. Once the installation completes, you should see the success page!

    4. Success and Finishing Up the Installation

      documentation

      Congratulations! Joomla! is now installed. You can choose to install additional language packs by clicking on the Extra Steps – Install Languages button. Once done, there is one last step to complete the installation. You must delete the Installation Folder. Click on Remove Installation folder and a success message will appear. Now you can navigate to the Administrator log in by clicking Administrator or go right to your site by clicking Site.

Accessing Gantry Admin Development and Production Modes
Changing Template Styles

The Styles administrative panel gives you the ability to quickly and easily configure settings related to the appearance of this template. This includes being able to switch between pre-configured presets, body and sections colors, font sizes as well as to refine the look of an outline using a set of style settings linked to this template.

  1. Go to Gantry Admin
  2. Switch to Base Outline for global Styles settings

    documentation

  3. Now click on Styles tab and configure.
  4. Check this video for more details-

     

Configuring Page Settings

The Page Settings administrative panel allows you to extend the output of the page by letting you include additional elements. This includes elements such as the favicon, Facebook and Twitter meta tags, and even JavaScript and/or CSS files. All of these elements are meant to be shared across the entire site and Page Settings is what lets you do so.

  1. Go to Gantry Admin
  2. Switch to Base Outline

    documentation

  3. Click on Page Settings and Check here for details.
Configuring Template Layout

The Layout Manager in the template administration interface provides several options for setting up the layout of the theme's Outlines.

  1. Go to Gantry Admin
  2. Switch to Base Outline for global Layout settings or switch to your desired Outline for desired Layout.

    documentation

  3. Now click on Layout tab and configure.
  4. Check this video for more details-

     

More Configuration
Required Atoms

Atoms are Particles that do not appear visually on the front end, but do serve an important purpose. They can be assigned on a per-page basis, or as a default which automatically applies to all of the pages on the site.

Required Atoms:

  1. JavaScript Frameworks
  2. RcaTheme Elements
  3. Lightcase (Optional- enable if you use lighbox/popup image with Particles or others.)

 

How to add and Configure Atoms

  1. Go to Gantry Admin
  2. Switch to Base Outline

    documentation

  3. Click on Page Settings
  4. Scroll to bottom and you will see Atoms area.

Required Atoms

Required Atoms Settings

  1. JavaScript Frameworks

    documentation

  2. RcaTheme Elements

    From the RcaTheme Elements Atom, disable unnecessary options you're not using except listed below. It will avoid loading unnecessary files you're not using.

    1. Core Features - CSS3 Animation and Icon List (Material Icons)
    2. Basic Features - Owl Carousel, Transition, Dropdown, Accordion, Player, Dimmer and Modal.
    3. Particles - Tabs
    4. Typography - Message
    5. Note - If you use other features and particles, you need to enable them in the RcaTheme Elements atom to work properly.
Using Icons
  1. Material Icons
    1. Go to https://material.io/icons
    2. Click on your desired icon and copy the code. For example - <i class="material-icons">sentiment_satisfied</i> for sentiment_satisfied and paste on your Particle, Joomla article and module editor by switching Code editor (HTML).
  2. FontAwesome Icons
    1. Go to http://fontawesome.io/icons
    2. Click on your desired icon and copy the code. For example - <i class="fa fa-smile-o"></i> for and paste on your Particle, Joomla article and module editor by switching Code editor (HTML).
Adding Custom SCSS/CSS or Overriding Styles with SCSS/CSS
Header Section
Header Section
  1. Adding Email & Phone No.
    1. Go to Gantry Admin
    2. Click on Layout tab
    3. Scroll to the Header section and click (config icon) next to the Top Toolbar particle.

      documentation

    4. Now follow on-screen instructions to add your email address and phone no.
  2. Creating Language Switcher Module
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Language Switcher
    4. Show Title : Hide
    5. Position : top-lang
    6. Menu Assignment : On all pages
    7. Language Switcher Module Settings

      documentation

  3. Creating Hikashop Currency Switcher Module
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : HikaShop Currency Switcher Module
    4. Show Title : Hide
    5. Position : top-currency
    6. Menu Assignment : On all pages
    7. Language Switcher Module Settings

      documentation

  4. Creating Hikashop Cart Module
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Hikashop Cart Module
    4. Show Title : Hide
    5. Position : top-cart
    6. Menu Assignment : On all pages
    7. Hikashop Options

      documentation

    8. Editing Cart & Item(s) Text

      Follow Translating Hikashop Filters and Sorts Text below

  5. Creating Login Module
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Login
    4. Show Title : Hide
    5. Position : top-login
    6. Menu Assignment : On all pages
    7. Editing Login Text
      1. Go to Gantry Admin
      2. Click on Layout tab
      3. Scroll to the Header section and click (config icon) next to the Top Toolbar particle
      4. Now edit Login Text and Greetings Text
Navigation Section
  1. Adding Logo
    1. Go to Gantry Admin
    2. Click on Layout tab
    3. Scroll to the Navigation section and click (config icon) next to the Logo / Image particle

      documentation

    4. Now follow on-screen instructions
  2. Adding Menu
    1. Go to Gantry Admin
    2. Click on Layout tab
    3. Scroll to the Navigation section and click (config icon) next to the Menu particle

      documentation

    4. Now follow on-screen instructions
Home page - Slideshow
Home page - Slideshow
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
  4. Pick a Particle : Slideshow; and then follow on-screen instructions to create your slider.
  5. Slideshow Settings

    documentation

  6. Show Title : Hide
  7. Position : subheader-a
  8. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Home page
Home page - CTA
Home page - CTA
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
  4. Pick a Particle : Call To Action; and then follow on-screen instructions
  5. Call To Action Settings

    documentation

  6. Show Title : Hide
  7. Position : showcase-a
  8. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Home page
Home page - Latest Projects
Home page - Latest Projects

We will use Article Features particle for this section. Article Features particle will show Joomla default article with 5 beautiful styles. If you want to add content manually, choose Image Features particle instead.

  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
  4. Pick a Particle : Article Features; and then follow on-screen instructions. Or, select Image Features Particle to add contents manually.
  5. Article Features Settings

    documentation

    documentation

  6. Show Title : Hide
  7. Position : intro-a
  8. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Home page
Home page - Product Features
Home page - Product Features
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
  4. Pick a Particle : Video Player; and then follow on-screen instructions
  5. Show Title : Hide
  6. Position : about-a
  7. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Home page
Home page - Popular Products
Home page - Popular Products
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : HikaShop Content Module
  4. Module Class Suffix : title-center
  5. Show Title : Show
  6. Position : feature-a
  7. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Home page
  8. HikaShop Options

    documentation

Home page - Easy Pricing
Home page - Easy Pricing
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
  4. Pick a Particle : Pricing Table; and then follow on-screen instructions
  5. Show Title : Hide
  6. Position : utility-a
  7. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Home page
Home page - More Features
Home page - More Features
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
  4. Pick a Particle : Icon Features; and then follow on-screen instructions
  5. Icon Features Settings

    documentation

  6. Show Title : Hide
  7. Position : showcase-2-a
  8. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Home page
Home page - Our Process
Home page - Our Process
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
  4. Pick a Particle : Process; and then follow on-screen instructions
  5. Show Title : Hide
  6. Position : intro-2-a
  7. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Home page
Home page - What Our Custom Say
Home page - What Our Custom Say
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
  4. Pick a Particle : Testimonials; and then follow on-screen instructions
  5. Testimonials Settings

    documentation

  6. Show Title : Hide
  7. Position : about-2-a
  8. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Home page
HikaShop view switcher, sort and search
Bottom Section
Bottom Section
  1. About Us
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
    4. Pick a Particle : About Us; and then follow on-screen instructions
    5. Show Title : Show
    6. Position : bottom-a
    7. Menu Assignment : On all pages
  2. Bottom Menu
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
    4. Pick a Particle : Bottom Menu; and then follow on-screen instructions
    5. Show Title : Show
    6. Position : bottom-b
    7. Menu Assignment : On all pages
  3. Latest Tweets
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
    4. Pick a Particle : Twitter Posts; and then follow on-screen instructions
    5. Show Title : Show
    6. Position : bottom-c
    7. Menu Assignment : On all pages
Copyright Section
Copyright Section
  1. Copyright Info
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
    4. Pick a Particle : Copyright; and then follow on-screen instructions
    5. Show Title : Hide
    6. Position : copyright-a
    7. Menu Assignment : On all pages
  2. Horizontal Menu
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
    4. Pick a Particle : Top Menu; and then follow on-screen instructions
    5. Show Title : Hide
    6. Position : copyright-b
    7. Menu Assignment : On all pages
Hikashop Settings

Hikashop settings

Hikashop settings

Hikashop settings

Translating Hikashop Filters and Sorts Text
  1. Go to Extensions -> Templates -> Templates
  2. Click on R_explorer Details and Files
  3. Go to language/en-GB/en-GB.tpl_r_explorer.ini
  4. Now edit text within double quote (" ") from below lines:

    TPL_R_EXPLORER_PRODUCT_FILTER_SORT_BY="Sort by"
    TPL_R_EXPLORER_PRODUCT_FILTER_NAME_ASC="Name: Ascending"
    TPL_R_EXPLORER_PRODUCT_FILTER_NAME_DESC="Name: Descending"
    TPL_R_EXPLORER_PRODUCT_FILTER_PRICE_LOW="Price: low to high"
    TPL_R_EXPLORER_PRODUCT_FILTER_PRICE_HIGH="Price: high to low"
    TPL_R_EXPLORER_PRODUCT_FILTER_DATE="Date Added"
    TPL_R_EXPLORER_PRODUCT_FILTER_SEARCH="Search products..."
    TPL_R_EXPLORER_PRODUCT_FILTER_EMPTY_RESULT="No result"
    TPL_R_EXPLORER_CART_TITLE="Cart:"
    TPL_R_EXPLORER_CART_ITEMS_TITLE="Item(s)"

  5. After done, click on Save & Close
Shop - Products Categories
Shop - Products Categories
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Hikashop Content Module
  4. Show Title : Show
  5. Position : aside
  6. Hikashop Options

    documentation

Shop - Featured, New, On Sale Products
Shop - Featured, New, On Sale Products
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Hikashop Content Module
  4. Module Class Suffix : hikashop-listing-mini

    documentation

  5. Show Title : Show
  6. Position : aside
  7. Hikashop Options

    documentation

Blog
Blog

You can write Blog posts easily with powerful Joomla! default Article and RcaTheme Post Plugin. By installing RcaTheme Post Plugin, you will have extra tab on Joomla! Article Editor which by using you can add Image gallery, YouTube or Vimeo Video with beautiful and custom video player, Audio iFrame (for example- Soundcloud) and Social share buttons.

  1. Installing RcaTheme Post Plugin
    1. Download plg_RcaThemePost_v.x.zip from your download area of RcaTheme.com
    2. Go to Extensions -> Manage -> Install

      documentation

    3. On the Upload Package File tab, select or Drag & drop RcaTheme Post Plugin zip file

      documentation

    4. Now Go to Extensions -> Plugins and search RcaTheme Post
    5. Now Enable this plugin.
  2. Creating Blog Categories

    We will use an specific Joomla! article category for blogging. Lets call it Blog and you can create any sub categories under Blog category.

    1. Go to Content -> Categories -> Add New Category
    2. On the next screen, add a Title, for example - Blog or any
    3. Now Save & Close
    4. You can create other sub categories under Blog category.
  3. Creating Blog Posts
    1. Go to Content -> Articles -> Add New Article
    2. Now add a blog post Title -> Write your article -> Select Category Blog or sub category under Blog.

      documentation

    3. Adding Intro Image : Click on Images & Links tab -> Select an image on Intro Image . For listing your posts beautifully, add same size (width = 450 * height = 302) images for all posts Thumbnail/Intro image.

      documentation

    4. Standard Post/ Image Post : Click on Images & Links tab -> Select an image on Full Article Image

      documentation

    5. Image Gallery, Video & Audio Posts:

      Note: If you add an image on Full Article Image as followed previous Standard Post/ Image Post; Image Gallery, Video & Audio Posts: options will not work. So, you need to remove Full Article Image if you already added.

       

      Now click on RcaTheme Post Options tab and see below-

      documentation

      1. Post Type : Image Gallery; Add your images with Image Gallery - Add Images options.
      2. Post Type : YouTube Video; Add YouTube video ID, for example- bLBIrnx6BF8 from full URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLBIrnx6BF8 using YouTube Video ID option.
      3. Post Type : Vimeo Video; Add Vimeo video ID, for example- 186351925 from full URL https://vimeo.com/186351925 using Vimeo Video ID option.
      4. Post Type : Audio; copy/paste full iframe code for your Audio from Soundcloud using Audio Iframe Code option.
Blog - Latest Posts
Blog - Latest Posts
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Articles - Category
  4. Show Title : Show
  5. Position : aside
  6. Articles - Category Settings

    documentation

    documentation

Blog - Categories
Blog - Categories
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Articles - Categories
  4. Show Title : Show
  5. Position : aside
  6. Articles - Categories Settings

    documentation

Blog - Latest Post Slider
Blog - Latest Post Slider
  1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
  2. Click on New button to create new module
  3. Select a Module Type : Articles - Category
  4. Show Title : Show
  5. Position : content-bottom-a
  6. Articles - Category Settings

    documentation

    documentation

    documentation

Contact Page
Contact Page
  1. Creating Contact Form
    1. Go to Menus -> Main Menu -> Add New Menu Item
    2. Select Menu Item Type * -> Contacts -> Single Contact

      documentation

    3. Click on Create button to create new contact form or select your existing form

      documentation

    4. Form Settings

      documentation

      documentation

  2. Adding Google Map
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
    4. Pick a Particle : Google Map; and then follow on-screen instructions
    5. Show Title : Hide
    6. Position : showcase-2-a
    7. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Contact page
  3. Adding Contact Details
    1. Go to Extensions -> Modules
    2. Click on New button to create new module
    3. Select a Module Type : Gantry 5 Particle
    4. Pick a Particle : Contact Details; and then follow on-screen instructions
    5. Show Title : Show
    6. Position : aside
    7. Menu Assignment : Only on the pages selected -> Contact page
Customizing 404 Error Page

404 error page will get configurations from Base outline, although you can add more information or customize 404 page by following -

  • Go to Gantry Admin
  • Switch to Error

    documentation

  • Click on Layout tab and configure as you want.
Customizing Offline Page

Offline page will get configurations from Base outline, although you can add more information or customize Offline page by following -

  • Go to Gantry Admin
  • Switch to Offline

    documentation

  • Click on Layout tab and configure as you want.
Other Particles

All other particles are documented well inside. If you need help, please post your questions on Support Forum

Optimizing for best performance

After done configuration and customization,

  1. activate Production mode, check above Development and Production Modes
  2. Recompile CSS from Styles tab
  3. Use JCH Optimize plugin to compress CSS and JavaScript.
Support

If you have any questions, got a bug or need help configuring the template, please post your questions on our Support Forum. If you need more customization, check out Custom Services and get your job done by professionals who developed this Template and Particles.