Version: 2.1
By: Leonard Blauhorn
Contact: e-mail me
(considered as quote requests)
Thank you for downloading my contribution. If you have any questions that are beyond the scope of this help file, please visit the official contribution thread.
Before you proceed, make a backup of your database. Installation is done at your own risk.
Unzip the files from "files" directory to your computer. Connect to your server via FTP. Check your admin directory name and rename the one in this package accordingly. Next, check your template directory. You can do that by going into your Zen Cart admin section and go to Tools->Template Selection and check what it says under Template Directory. Of course, you're interested in the one you're currently using. Now, browse the files you just unzipped and go to includes/templates directory. Rename "YOUR_TEMPLATE" to the actual template name. Now, upload your files using your FTP client (I recommend using Filezilla) to the store root. Be careful, the store root directory on the server is where your store is installed, not necessarily domain root.
There are two files that might get overwritten:
In case you have made any changes to those files, make sure you merge it carefully. Otherwise, you can simply overwrite.
After you have finished uploading the files, go to your Zen Cart admin section and go to Tools->Install SQL Patches. Use the provided sql file, copy/paste the content and click the Submit button. Make sure you use the appropriate file that matches your Zen Cart version. If you're not sure which version you're using, go to Tools->Server/Version Info.
To configure the module, go to Admin->Configuration->ZX Slideshow
The module is disabled by default, you should enable it if you want to use it.
All options are self-explanatory. For more information about each option, you can simply click on it.
Banner Display Groups - you can edit the groups if you must, but I suggest leaving it as is.
This module utilizes the native Zen Cart banner management system. Go to Admin->Tools->Banner Manager and click New Banner.
Enter Banner title (that will be used as caption on the frontend, you can disable it in the configuration options).
If you wish for the image to be a link, enter Banner URL.
Banner Group - this is the most important setting. You need to manually type the group you want to asign the banner to. This is directly related to Banner Display Groups found in the configuration options. The default is slide1, slide2, slide3...slide10. If you want to have 5 sliding images, you must assign each banner a different group.
Image - browse your computer and upload an image. I recommend you resize your images to the same dimensions
before uploading. This is not necessary since the module is responsive, but it looks better if it doesn't change dimensions with each image loading...
Click Insert button and your banner is added. Repeat the same steps for each banner you wish to add. Make sure you add banners to different Banner Groups for the slideshow to work.
HINT: you can add several banners to the same banner group - Zen Cart will randomly select just one image from the same group and display it in the slideshow. Next time the user visits the home page, he/she will get a different slideshow since the images are selected randomly.
If you want to change the look of your slider, you can edit the includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/css/index_home.css file - that's just about everything you'll need to edit.
Some people want to disable showing captions - you'll have to edit includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/index_home.css at line 438 and change opacity settings to 0. Make sure you change all 3 opacity lines (opacity, -moz-opacity and filter:alpha).
If you want to display the slider in the header instead of center area: Step 1. open your includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_index_default.php and REMOVE all code for ZX Slideshow. Step 2: explained in this post.
I tested the plugin many times and it was also checked by other people, so it should work when you are using a well coded template and plugins. Here is a list of common issues and how to solve them:
jQuery.nivoSlider is not a functionIf you find this module useful, please consider donating via PayPal to leo@zenexpert.com to ensure this module is supported and improved ($5 - $10 recommended).
Please note that I don't provide support for this module via email for free. Any private support means there's no benefit for the community but only for the person asking the question(s). If you want free support, please post a question in the official thread and wait for the answer. Make sure you include a URL to your site!
AGAIN, make sure you include a LINK to your site when asking a question - all problems are usually very simple, but I can't go guessing what happened in YOUR case.
Most of the questions have already been answered in the official thread - try reading or searching for the answer before posting your question. Thank you.
If you want private support or installation help, you're welcome to contact me via email. I charge symbolic... :)
Stay up-to-date: you can always find the most recent version here. Of course, I will do my best to have the same version available in the official Plugins section.
Once again, thank you for downloading this file. As I said at the beginning, I'd be glad to help you if you have any questions relating to this file. No guarantees, but I'll do my best to assist.
Leonard