How to use a layout for emails in Zend Framework

Question

I would like to use a layout for the emails I'm sending out. I'm currently usine Zend Layout for the web pages, but would like to theme my emails as well.

Here is what I've tried.

This is my function that sends the email

    $layout = Zend_Layout::getMvcInstance();
    $this->_view->render($template);
    $html = $layout->render('email');
    $this->setBodyHtml($html,$this->getCharset(), $encoding);
    $this->send();

The email layout is simply

    The email content
    <?php echo $this->layout()->content; ?>

When it comes through as an email it just has...

    The email content

Answer 1

Have you considered just using Zend_View to generate your email template?