Converting PSD files into other formats is an elementary skill which drives the daily workflow of every designer.
Photoshop is undoubtedly amazing software that lets you play with graphics, colors, images and designs, but unfortunately it doesn't have any web functionality.
This is why CMS technologies like Joomla have gained such huge fanfare, and being acquainted with tricks of converting PSD to Joomla has become a necessity for web designers.
But, how do you go about converting PSD files to Joomla? When dealing with PSD to Joomla conversion, you have three main options to choose from- manual coding or hand coding, automated coding and hiring professional conversion services.
Let us understand the core difference between them.
Manual or Hand Coding: This means manually converting your PSD file into a Joomla template.
It may sound complex, but it is indeed a simple process.
The web is flooded with numerous tutorials which can walk you through this process.
All you need to pay heed to in manual coding are essential details.
And since both HTML and CSS coding are involved in the process, having a technical background gives an added advantage.
Automated Coding: As the name suggests, in automated coding everything takes place automatically.
You just need to download conversion software and it will take care of the entire process for you.
This means you get optimum result with minimum effort.
Hiring Professional Services: The final option is to hire a professional who can carry out the conversion on your behalf.
You will get qualitative results without exhausting your own resources.
Which is the best option? If you can't afford professional services as well, manual coding is the best suited alternate for you.
Automated coding may look and sound easier, but it can be riskier.
During automated PSD to Joomla Conversion, chances of getting errors are higher, which can have an adverse impact on the functionality of your website.
What the benefits of Manual Coding? W3C Validated Markups: Joomla is to install on most web hosts, but still it is essential to test your converted Joomla templates for being W3C compliant so that they function equally well across all major web browsers.
Manual coding involves a crucial step wherein all templates are tested across all browser and operating systems.
This ensures that users can access your Joomla site across all browsers including Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera and Chrome.
Clean, Error-Free and Semantic Coding: The biggest advantage rendered by manual coding is semantic and clean code.
Hand coding ensures that the code of the resultant template is 100 per cent error free and semantic code.
This ensures that your site remains light-weight and loads faster.
During automated conversion, some tags are left open or some layers are not attended to.
Chances of such errors are minimal in case of manual coding.
Ease of Editing: As you carry out the conversion process manually, you have complete control over the quality of the resultant template.
Automated software gives a final outcome, which cannot be reversed or edited by any means.
On other hand, manual coding lets evaluate your design in detail.
You slice and design each layer of the PSD file on your own.
Most designers reevaluate their designs at this stage in order to make it more cohesive and fluid.
Enhanced Usability: Above all, the main benefit of opting for manual conversion is- it makes your Joomla template highly usable.
Being light in weight and compatible with all major browsers, your Joomla site can be accessed by more people, which enhances its usability.
Manual coding undoubtedly renders the best results and with the plethora of tutorials available online, learning hand coding is cinch.