Creating 2-Column Panels Within Views [#478904]

I'm trying to create 2-column views blocks that dynamically populate from articles written by users. Currently, I have my views style at "Grid" with a 2-column setting, with nodes populating in a vertical manner. This almost works, but the articles that populate the page are different lengths, and do not line up well from left to right. i.e. if the article on the left is short and the article on the right is long, there is ungainly white space above and below the article on the left. Ideally, I'd like to have each node simply populate a column, and stack right up against the node above it, so this white space is eliminated.

In searching for a solution through the Drupal forums, I've been lead to the Views Bonus Pack via similar posts. I went and got the Views Bonus Pack module 6.x-1.0-beta2, which is the latest version available as of 6/01/09. The description of the module claims Export and Panels features, but after installation of the module, only the Export feature is available -- no Panels. I investigated the files within the module itself, and discovered that there are no panels files of any kind; only export-related files.

I feel like I'm missing something (other than the Panels files, hehe). There are no panels options in styles or displays in my views admin. So I hope some kind Drupaller can help me out to answer:

1) How does one implement 2-column panels inside views using the Bonus Pack, so I can create views blocks displaying articles as described above?

OR:

2) The best option to do this not involving Views Bonus Pack, if this is no longer a viable option.

Please forgive me if I've missed some obvious info that makes this post ridiculous, and thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out!

~ Net Mystic

Comments

Comment #1

Net Mystic commented 2 June 2009 at 20:02

Status:

Closed (fixed)

» Active

Ahh, I figured it out!

The latest dev version (6.x-1.0-dev) has the bonus panels included. Though not an official release version, I'm using it and it seems to work fine so far.

I was so frustrated with trying to solve my problem that I wasn't thorough in trying the different versions available! I feel a bit dumb, but I hope this post enlightens anyone who is also confused by the lack of panels in this release version of the Views Bonus Pack module.

I don't know why the beta2 version lacks panels, but it is beta, after all. A bit misleading, as it is the recommended version currently. But I'm not knocking this module! It elegantly solves my problem, and creates some great column layouts within views. Great module! Thanks for all your development efforts!

That being said, I now have a minor issue with the column layout: the columns populate horizontally instead of vertically. Ideally, I'd like the left column to fill up before the right column begins to populate with nodes. Is there any way to change this to a vertical method? I'm relatively new to Drupal, but I'm decent with code if someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks to anyone who can help me!

~ Net Mystic