With version 17, Salient takes a bold step forward, introducing modern transitions powered by new browser APIs, major new builder capabilities, expanded customization options, and entirely new tools for branding, navigation, animation, and portfolio storytelling. Whether you build for clients, craft interactive case studies, or simply want more visual control, this update brings a huge wave of features designed to elevate flexibility and polish across your entire site.
Branding & White-Labeling
New Salient Custom Branding Plugin
A major addition for agencies and client developers. Customize the WP dashboard with your own branding to professionally hand off websites to your clients. You can now customize:
- Theme Name
- Author / Author URI
- Theme Description
- Theme Image & Logo
- Toggle various theme features
- WordPress Login Branding
This makes delivering polished, white-labeled client sites easier than ever.
New Portfolio Demos
Two brand-new portfolio demos showcase modern design patterns and advanced interactions.
Modern Page Transitions
Salient 17 introduces next-generation page transitions using modern browser technology. Choose from:
- Fade
- Gradient Wipe
- Reveal From Bottom
These transitions create smoother, more immersive page-to-page experiences—no frameworks or hacks required.
Smooth Scrolling (Lenis)
Let your animations shine and give all your users the same smooth experience whether they’re using trackpads, mouse wheels, or otherwise.
Post Loop Builder Gets Major Power-Ups
Salient’s custom loop builder has evolved significantly.
- “Stack” Layout with animation effects (Overlapping, Scale, Blurred Scale)
- Custom Meta Fields (Repeater Support)
- Choose from any custom meta key
- Add before/after text
- Create your own display formats
- Project Video Rendering Support
- Exclude Current Post Option
- New Masonry Options (when using a 2-column layout)
This turns Post Loop Builder into a true dynamic content powerhouse.
Sticky Content Section Enhancements
- Sticky Scroll Pinned Sections
- Sticky Media
- Scrolling Content
Plus new animation effects including Scale, Blurred Scale, and Stacking, along with new link indicators and section navigation.
New Page Builder Elements
- Horizontal List Item (with border animation, responsive column control)
- Project Categories
- Expanded “Icon” element options (Custom class, Hover color, Circle Pulse + Pulsating Circle, Off-Canvas trigger style)
Upgraded Element Controls
- Text with Inline Media → Roundness control + image size control
- Carousel → Autorotate Ticker Direction
- Icon List → Font size + color
- Call To Action → Min/Max font sizing
- Nectar Slider → Screen Reader text
These improvements provide deeper granularity and accessibility support across the board.
Custom Single Project Global Section Points
New Global Sections locations for project pages:
- Before Single Project Content
- After Single Project Content
This makes creating custom project templates dramatically easier.
Navigation, Menus & UI Polish
Version 17 brings several upgrades to the menu system.
Mega Menus via Global Sections
Build full custom mega menus using Global Sections—perfect for large sites, ecommerce catalogs, agencies, and content-heavy navigation.
New “Body Border” Theme Options
Enhance your site’s frame with:
- Fixed vs. Scrolling Vignette
- Mobile persistence
A subtle but powerful visual detail for premium-feeling sites.
Header Link Hover → “Text Reveal” Animation
A new hover animation elevates link interactions with a sleek reveal effect.
Salient 17 isn’t just an incremental update — it’s a large leap forward in customization and gives you a toolkit that’s more capable than ever.
