Why can't I show multiple images?

**rstevenson** · 2 Apr 2012, 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by DivaVocals

For anyone who doesn't want to HAVE to create three different sized images, you CAN simply load your largest image into the "default" ("images") folder and Zen Cart will take care of displaying the proper sizes in your store based on your Configuration > Images settings.

The purpose of the medium and large folders is if you want to create three distinct image sizes yourself OR if you want the medium or large images to be different images than your thumbnail image.

You might lead someone astray with that. They may think Zen Cart actually creates the right size images on the fly. But all it does is serve the image you've given it, and then the browser (not Zen Cart) squishes the image to fit the space available. Note that the image isn't remade in a new size, it just gets shrunk to fit. Most importantly, it is still its original size on disk (in terms of MB or KB), so each page of your store will draw more slowly than it would if you were using properly sized images.

So the purpose of the Medium and Large folders could be as you state, but also they are used to hold your manually re-sized images. That way the server isn't being stressed serving large images when only small ones are needed, and your browser isn't squishing the large images to fit small spaces, and your site isn't slower than it should be.

One other point most people are unaware of... when the browser reformats an image to fit the available space, there is no image optimization going on. The image will be whatever the browser can manage. You can do a much better job yourself using an image editing program.

Final thought: all of this can be avoided if you use Image Handler. It does create new sizes of images on the fly, and it does an excellent job of it. Now if only it worked with ZC v1.5.0.

Rob

**DivaVocals** · 2 Apr 2012, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by rstevenson

You might lead someone astray with that. They may think Zen Cart actually creates the right size images on the fly. But all it does is serve the image you've given it, and then the browser (not Zen Cart) squishes the image to fit the space available. Note that the image isn't remade in a new size, it just gets shrunk to fit. Most importantly, it is still its original size on disk (in terms of MB or KB), so each page of your store will draw more slowly than it would if you were using properly sized images.

So the purpose of the Medium and Large folders could be as you state, but also they are used to hold your manually re-sized images. That way the server isn't being stressed serving large images when only small ones are needed, and your browser isn't squishing the large images to fit small spaces, and your site isn't slower than it should be.

One other point most people are unaware of... when the browser reformats an image to fit the available space, there is no image optimization going on. The image will be whatever the browser can manage. You can do a much better job yourself using an image editing program.

You make a good point, but I don't think I implied that images were actually being resized or optimized using only the default location.. My BIGGER point was that you MUST have an image in the default location or Zen Cart will not be able to find your additional images.. And for those who don't want to HAVE to create three distinct images sizes that they could get away with simple putting one image in the default location. That does not imply best practice or optimization, just simply wanted to explain default image behavior.. What you say is certainly true about how Zen Cart DISPLAYS images when there is only one image in the default location.

Originally Posted by rstevenson

Final thought: all of this can be avoided if you use Image Handler. It does create new sizes of images on the fly, and it does an excellent job of it. Now if only it worked with ZC v1.5.0.

Yeah.. Indeed.. If only the people who are working on the Zen Cart v1.5 ready version didn't have personal family priorities come up this weekend that take precedence over getting the release out..

**rstevenson** · 2 Apr 2012, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by DivaVocals

Yeah.. Indeed.. If only the people who are working on the Zen Cart v1.5 ready version didn't have personal family priorities come up this weekend that take precedence over getting the release out..

No criticism was intended, of course. All mod authors are saints who deserve only high praise.

Rob

**DivaVocals** · 2 Apr 2012, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by rstevenson

No criticism was intended, of course. All mod authors are saints who deserve only high praise.

Rob

I know.. But there is a BRIGHT light at the end of the Image Handler tunnel.. The volunteer QA team is reviewing what I HOPE is the final install package and readme files.. (Got it out to them LATE last night FINALLY!!!)

If I get thumbs up from them (should be a day or two) then it's gonna be submitted to the free downloads ASAP!!!

I already posted updates to Zen Lightbox and Fual Slimbox to support the new IH4 release.. The new version is pretty darned cool too everyone who contributed really did a GREAT job top make this one of the best Image Handler releases IMHO!!

**algerdes** · 3 Apr 2012, 01:25 AM

First of all - thanks to all that contributed to this thread. I learned a lot of stuff just following it.

Secondly, if you need an absolute beginner to test it (IH4), let me know when it is ready. I had to hunt hi-and-low to just find out what "Image Handler" did!

**Ousel** · 28 May 2012, 09:49 AM

I'm having a problem enlarging additional images.

I have imported a database into v1.5, copied small images into /images, _MED images into /images/medium and _LRG images into /images/large.

When I click on the product image it enlarges correctly, but when I click on the additional images I get a popup box showing a small image of the original product image.

It all works correctly in v1.3.8, and I have re-uploaded all sizes of images in case there was a problem, but still not working.

Any ideas?

**gilby** · 28 May 2012, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Ousel

I'm having a problem enlarging additional images.

I have imported a database into v1.5, copied small images into /images, _MED images into /images/medium and _LRG images into /images/large.

When I click on the product image it enlarges correctly, but when I click on the additional images I get a popup box showing a small image of the original product image.

It all works correctly in v1.3.8, and I have re-uploaded all sizes of images in case there was a problem, but still not working.

Any ideas?

Link to a problem image please!

**Ousel** · 28 May 2012, 10:38 AM

http://www.tarotandoraclecards.com/d...products_id=10

The main image works, but not the additional ones.

**gilby** · 28 May 2012, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Ousel

http://www.tarotandoraclecards.com/d...products_id=10

The main image works, but not the additional ones.

In view source the additional image is shown as
images%2Flarge%2FDa+Vinci+Enigma+Tarot_04_LRG.jpg

wheras it should be
images%2Flarge%2FDa+Vinci%20Enigma%20Tarot_04_LRG.jpg

The spaces "%20" are being converted to "+"

Solution...
DON'T name images with spaces, or any other punctuation for that matter.
It will always come back at sometime to bite you.

**joyjoy** · 6 Jun 2012, 11:36 AM

Can anyone take a look at my site. I can't figure it out. My additional pictures aren't showing up and I'm not seeing any errors in my debut files. I've installed Zen Lightbox and Image Handler. I'm on version 1.3.8

Thank you.

www.dayblueclothing.com

Nevermind I figured it out. Sorry. It's late.