In light of the coming new version :)

[scrambler]

@weaver, given you are preparing the next version, Here are the items on my list (in the thread below) I a m still hoping for 🙂

http://forum-archive.weavertheme.com/discussion/10435/weaver-xtreme-and-plus-suggestions

#1 is still at the top of my list. If we could get a full set of widget area option (like for primary, secondary, header, footer) for every per page widget area created, people would not need to use any of these page layout plugins.
They would simply create a per page widget area, insert that widget area with a shortcode in their page content, and style it including all the widget layout sizes with its own set of options.

Little things:

#4-a

#11

[Bobthearch]

It would be difficult to enact the complete function of a page builder with individual widget areas, even per-page areas.  If it my choice, I’d prefer to have a page builder integrated into the theme.
In fact I’m disappointed that WordPress doesn’t have this basic functionality.  Although considering their tendency to favor “blogging” features over website design flexibility, I’m not surprised.

I don’t think I could put together something like this page by merely adding more widget areas.  This page is done with SiteOrigins Page Builder (which has limitations) and drag-and-drop widgets.  No short codes and no pre-determined or fixed widget areas,    http://placesandpics.com/

[Weaver]

@scrambler – so for #1, do you really mean a whole new set of widget options for each per page area? This would only work in the per page option box, and not on the main options.

And a shortcode really won’t work. They need to replace an existing widget area – way too much logic in placing widget areas: where, mobile layout, etc etc – at least for sidebars.

But this is a pretty big thing to do, I think. Might be able to add a shortcode, but not for sidebars.

[scrambler]

Actually a single widget area with the custom widget width feature would have allowed you to do that and control different layouts on desktop, small tablet and phones.

With the benefit of being able to use the responsive height equalization for boxes which none of the page builders offer 🙂

The benefit of the page builder is still the UI as it has a more interactive user interface, but in terms of layout functionality it is all there.

If not familiar with the custom widget width layout feature of Xtreme widget areas, read

http://forum.weavertheme.com/discussion/10342/weaver-xtreme-tips-and-tutorials-part-1

In your page example, your page widget area would have included the following widgets

w1: Places and Pics A photo-centric travelogue of unique places….Featured Locations

W2 to W5: The posts boxes

W6: Location by state…

W7 and W8 Australia and United states

W9 Full list of locations—Featured Photo Tours

W10 and W11: The two large boxes

W12 All photo tours

Then the layout would have been
Desktop: 100;25,25,25,25;100;50,50;100;50,50;100;

For small tablet you could have had w2 to w5 on two columns with
smalltablet: 100;50,50;50,50;100;50,50;100;50,50;100;

and phones: 100;100;100;100;100;100;100;100;100;100;100;100;

[Bobthearch]

>>>  The benefit of the page builder is still the UI as it has a more interactive user interface

Yep, it’s entirely drag-and-drop; the widget widths are click-and-drag.  Here are the screenshots:
https://wordpress.org/plugins/siteorigin-panels/screenshots/

Some limitations I’ve noticed with this plugin:
1)  the widgets can only be added in rows.
2)  you cannot have main content and the pagebuilder layout on same page.
3)  no option for equalizing heights of widgets in a row

[scrambler]

Xtreme widget area has the same #1 limitation

but solves #2 as you could mix regular content and several widget areas in a single page.

And of course it has #3 🙂

So I feel strongly that having individual set of styling options for each per page widget area would considerably enhance the page design capability of the theme !

[Bobthearch]

>>>  but solves #2 as you could mix regular content and several widget areas in a single page.

My choice would be to insert the main content at the top of the PageBuilder construction.  That way all of the content is visible simultaneously and anything entered into “main content” is available for cutting and pasting into PageBuilder widgets.  Or it could simply be left as-is.
It’s quite frustrating to first create a page by entering photos and text into the main content box and then decide later to convert to a PageBuilder page.

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I guess what I really want is an Open Source WYSIWYG website builder with tons of customizable themes and options, that utilizes WordPress’s CMS features, is entirely GUI-driven, and is availability to install through my hosts cPanel.
WordPress + Weaver Xtreme + SiteOrigins Page Builder is the closest thing I’ve found.  🙂 

[scrambler]

“I guess what I really want is an Open Source WYSIWYG website builder with tons of customizable themes and options, that utilizes WordPress’s CMS features, is entirely GUI-driven, and is availability to install through my hosts cPanel.
WordPress + Weaver Xtreme + SiteOrigins Page Builder is the closest thing I’ve found. “

I think we would all like that, but developing an Interactive User Interface requires a very specific set of skills, and merging the extensive feature set of Xtreme with such an interface would represent a significant development effort.

So getting that in a product that is free with one developer might be just wishful thinking 🙂

Depending how WordPress evolves the customizer, we may be able to get progressively closer though.

[Author]

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