[Resolved] GB local template as custom field or shortcode

[George]

I am creating a header for each post category. Each header will have the category title, a subheading (different than the taxonomy description), and a GB grid different for each category. Right now, I am using a block element using the hero hook for each category which I think is a bit of an overkill. I considered this approach because of the fact that the grid is different for each category. I can have the title as a dynamic element and the subheading as a custom field but I would like to be able to only have one hero element that displays each grid dynamically depending on the category. If I was to create local templates that house each GB grid, would there be a way to display each local template grid conditionally and in a certain position inside the hero element?

[David]

Hi George,

i am not sure its possible – any chance we can see the current category pages ? May give us some ideas for options.

Documentation: http://docs.generatepress.com/
Adding CSS: http://docs.generatepress.com/article/adding-css/

[George]

Attached is the site URL. Each category has a set of infoboxes at the top. It’s those infoboxes that I want to be dynamic.

[David]

First off – apologies for the late reply, this slipped through our system.
If I understand correctly you will need:

a) 1 x global dynamic hero
b) a big bunch of templates for each of the grids.

One thing that comes to mind would be:

1. Create a Hook inside a Shortcode by adding this PHP Snippet:

function db_hook_inside_shortcode($atts, $content = null) {
      ob_start();
      do_action('inside_hero_hook');
      return ob_get_clean();
}
add_shortcode('hooky_shortcode', 'db_hook_inside_shortcode');

You can then add the ‘[hooky_shortcode]’ shortcode inside your current hero where the grids are to be displayed.
This will provide you a hook named: inside_hero_hook.

2. You can now create other Block Elements for your Grids and Hook them into inside_hero_hook

Documentation: http://docs.generatepress.com/
Adding CSS: http://docs.generatepress.com/article/adding-css/

[George]

Ah, yeah, that snippet! Unfortunately, that defeats the purpose of what I am trying to avoid. I already have separate category header elements that contain the separate icon boxes so the solution would not be an improvement. Was hoping I could hook reusable blocks or GB local template blocks instead to keep things organized. I am happy to leave as is if it’s complicated.

[David]

My view was, you would either have:

a. A Global Block Element + x Number of Local Templates – lets say 10 for arguments sake. So in total we have 1 + 10 ‘templates’

b. A Global Block Element + 10 specific Elements – so thats still a total of 11 ‘templates’

Which in comparision would be 1 more then you have today.
So what am i missing – why would option a) be an improvement ?

The Only other alternative i can think of is to use the Remove container condition on the container blocks and use the Post Meta option. You can then use a Custom Field to determine wether that container is displayed or not. But that will only work on Posts and Pages.

Documentation: http://docs.generatepress.com/
Adding CSS: http://docs.generatepress.com/article/adding-css/

[George]

Yeah, I get you. It’s just that option a. would have the blocks separated in their own custom post types instead and not mixed with the elements. Anyway, I think I am going to leave it like that. The better option would be to have ACF repeaters for each archive that would dynamically display the icon boxes. I dream that GB with the upcoming query loop would be able to achieve that in the future!

[David]

Yeah the ACF repeater method sounds like the better way to go and, not on initial release, but looping through meta is something we have planned for GB 🙂

Documentation: http://docs.generatepress.com/
Adding CSS: http://docs.generatepress.com/article/adding-css/

[Author]

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