The Core Settings panel, available from Uncode 2.5.0, lays the foundation on which Uncode will grow in the future. In fact, the Core Settings will present from the following updates switches to enable new features or disable old features. Thanks to this panel, it is possible to activate or deactivate significant features at the user's choice. Some enthusiasts users always want to use the latest features, still, others built their site years ago, and they are only interested in updating the theme without encountering possible problems when dealing with a substantial update of the theme's features. Moreover, this panel will allow the user to decide, in the future, which features to activate when replacement features are introduced. This solution meets both needs.

In a few words, the Core Settings panel has both the function to improve usability over time and disable or replace functions that have become obsolete with new ones. All of this leaves the user the possibility to decide, thus avoiding possible problems if everything had been automatic at a hypothetical theme update.

In the following updates, we will insert other fundamental switches that will allow the theme to evolve. For example, many users have asked to change the Lightbox plugin, so it is possible to assume a switch to select a different lightbox plugin for the future. We can, for example, decide to activate a potential Header Builder, use another Page Builder, or a new Theme Options system. The crucial part is that the user will decide everything based on his needs, ensuring maximum compatibility for old installations simultaneously.

To get started the Uncode 2.5.0 update introduces the possibility of disabling the Default Header (or previously called Basic Header) and disabling unnecessary functions of the Single block tab.

New Lightbox

From Uncode 2.6.0 version, it is possible to use a new lightweight, modular, JavaScript image and video Lightbox gallery plugin. In fact, we have received over the years requests to update the old Lightbox plugin with a new plugin with touch events on mobile and new modern options. So we are proud to present to all users and especially to all photographers who use Uncode the new Lightbox based on LightGallery.

The new Lightbox is based on the most modern technologies to achieve the best performance and quality.

Modular: The new Lightbox is built with a modular architecture. Advanced transitions, options such as share, thumbnails, and others are added if requested.

Mobile: The new Lightbox is highly optimized for mobile and tablets to get a native look and feel with the Pitch and Zoom gesture options.

Disable Default Header

The Default Header, the native method for making headers in the first versions of Uncode (about 2015), was later replaced in users' preferences by headers created with the Page Builder through the Dynamic modules. These make it possible to create the exact layouts of the Default Header and add many more possibilities (thanks to the Page Builder, you can create any header design). So during times, the Default Header had become a limited and cumbersome option.

In addition, the Default Header creates numerous settings for each group of Theme Options Single and Archive. Some installations that did not meet the minimum server Max Vars 3000 could create problems such as Setting loss. Deactivating the Default Header, the variables drop needed from 1100 to 730, thus falling below the minimum of 1000 vars supported by any server.

Simplify Single Block Tab

On the Posts and Media Gallery modules, the Single Block tab is used to create thumbnails diversifications. Using the Single Block tab makes it possible to create advanced variations that can be repeated in a pattern with the Matrix. All the 40 options of the Block tab are repeated in the Single Block tab to style each thumbnail independently. So on a Query of 10 items, the Single Block tab features 400 options. These were often redundant and made, depending on the Query, loading on less performing servers problematic.

Activating the new Simplify Single Block Tab option, only the most essential options are created for single thumbnail diversification. Anyway, these options are the same we used on our demo to create some creative layouts, such as Metro. So you can rest assured that creativity is not compromised. The Simplify Single Block Tab option reduces the available settings to a selection of the 8 most important settings. This results in improved loading times and improved user usability.

• Width;
• Height (only with Metro);
• Aspect Radio;
• Media Postion (only with Lateral);
• Content Padding;
• Title Size;
• Custom Link;
• Animation (and sub-settings).