Control meta-box(es) for custom fields

[GoogleCodeExporter]

When you add custom fields for a custom post type, they all get grouped into 
one meta-box that has the label 'Custom Fields'. It would be nice if the user 
has the ability to control the meta-boxes also, so he can split his custom 
fields into different meta-boxes with custom labels.

By the away, I really see a great future for this plugin. It combines a lot 
must-have CMS functionalities in a clean and feature-rich way. Currently it's 
one plugin that does the job of about five plugins.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by mamoun.d...@gmail.com on 27 Apr 2011 at 2:25

• Merged into: #34

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Thanks for the kind words!   Yeah, I'm really trying to make this thing put WP 
on the map as a CMS and take over some of the crufty plugins out there that 
cause so many headaches (e.g. eCommerce plugins).  I'm bummed that problems 
with the WP repo caused some headaches for early adopters of the plugin, so it 
got some bad ratings, but I think all that repo stuff has been ironed out -- 
still lots to do before version 1 though.  I'm guessing that realistically 
there probably are 800+ active users, and that's not too bad.  I'm hoping the 
import/export feature will help get the word out and make it easy for people to 
share what they're doing with their sites.

Yes, I've been stroking my beard on how to best handle custom formatting of the 
entire post edit/create pages, including the "Custom Field" meta box wrapper... 
there are a couple other tickets related to formatting that I'd like to address 
at the same time (e.g. issue 53, 65, and issue 34).  I'm merging this issue 
into number 34 to help me keep the requests organized. 

Here's what I'm thinking (your comments are welcome):

1. Fix issue 65 so users can provide custom templates again using 
[+placeholders+] for various form components.  I want to avoid having users 
write any PHP code.  The MODx-stuff chunk formatting is brilliant for this 
stuff... so you could do something like <div id="my_id">[+my_field_here+]</div> 
or get more granular with [+my_field.label+], etc.

2. Add an attribute for each custom field definition that would describe which 
meta box it belonged to.  The default one would be the standard "Custom 
Fields".  I'm guessing that this would require another menu item that would 
allow users to manage different types of meta boxes... define whether they 
display below the post or on the right-hand column, and I think WP 3.1.1 now 
has that hidden control @ the top of the page that allows you to show/hide 
various meta boxes.  Or... perhaps more simply, just a checkbox that would 
determine if the custom field displays in its own meta box or not.  That would 
be much easier to export.

3. Provide another template that describes each meta box.  This would allow you 
to format the "Custom Fields" meta box, for example... use your own html and 
labels, etc.

Original comment by fireproofsocks on 27 Apr 2011 at 2:50

• Changed title: Control meta-box(es) for custom fields
• Changed state: Duplicate

[GoogleCodeExporter]

2. As for the interface part, I would suggest taking a look at More Fields 
plugin for inspiration.

Original comment by mamoun.d...@gmail.com on 27 Apr 2011 at 11:02

[GoogleCodeExporter]

In short, More Fields way to handle it is to provide them in two-level. To add 
any custom field, you SHOULD first have at least one meta-box. So you first add 
meta-box, configuring some options for it like its label, and then add as many 
custom fields as you want inside it.

Original comment by mamoun.d...@gmail.com on 27 Apr 2011 at 11:06

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Thanks, that answers my question.  That is a better architecture because it 
normalizes the meta box data.  I just have to figure out the best way to store 
that data... 

Original comment by fireproofsocks on 27 Apr 2011 at 11:55