Second step in setting up your cart - templates

I am posting this information in order to provide a link that will more easily provide solutions for typical problems faced by most new Zenners. (Devs feel free to edit this for completeness and accuracy.)

Start here to learn just about everything you need to know to get started customizing your site - https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=230
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=143
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=232

Zen Cart is built on a system called ‘overrides.’ When you have worked hard on customizing your site you do not want to lose all that work when a new version or cart update comes along. So, follow the guide for creating a custom template and it will ‘override’ the stock template after any updates.

All of the files you change should go in special folders you create for your template. Something like /custom or /my_template. Your new custom template folder should only contain files that have actually been edited for your site. Copy the files from template_default, edit them, and make sure they are in the correct ’my_custom_template’ folder. Most of the /custom folders will be in directories that also have a /classic folder. The classic folder is a landmark to let you know you are in the right place.

If you are using ver 1.3+ you should use the template default as a basis for your new template and not the Classic template.

Remember to edit template_info.php and turn on the template in admin.

The Wiki also has great information. However, since the forum experienced an emergency reload, the links may not have been updated. Be patient. Some of the information refers to ver 1.2+ and is slightly different in 1.3+ so read carefully.

http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._-_Customizing
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p...on_-_Templates
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._API_Overrides
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Basic_Checklist

If your new template does not work, please double check the following things before having a panic attack, starting to blame the devs, claiming there must be a bug and/or appealing to everyone’s good nature since you ‘are such a newb.’ Before posting a thread needing "emergency attention" ask:

1. Are your edited files in the correct folders?
2. Are you editing the correct files?
3. Have you misspelled a file or folder name?
4. Have you have turned on the template?
5. Have you have used Admin> Tools> Developers Tool Kit? Put the text you want to change in the box at bottom left and select ‘all files.’ You will get a list of files with that text.
6. Have you re-read the tutorials because you missed a step.

I have committed all these sins, and more, so do not think you could not have made a mistake.

Best wishes for your Zen success.

Excellent post Sermonzone, am sure this will be big help to members

Your first link does not appear to work.

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Your first link does not appear to work

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Tested all links.. working fine at time of test

Great post sermonzone, let me add these Wiki links which would be useful to further customize the custom template:

- Top 10 Questions asked by new Zen Cart™ Users

- Useful Tools For Working With Zen Cart™

- Editing PHP

- Making a Local Copy of Your Web Site

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Originally Posted by milkyway

Great post sermonzone, let me add these Wiki links which would be useful to further customize the custom template:
- Top 10 Questions asked by new Zen Cart™ Users

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My # 1 question is: can I use my own website (template) that I already built or do I have to "modify" zen cart to look like my site and scrap my whole site (which I've spent months working on)?

For the shopping part of your site (assuming that shopping is only part of your site) you really need to use ZC for everything, modifying the template to match the rest of your site. This will still cause difficulties if your site is HTML, as if shoppers leave the ZC pages for another page in your site they will lose their session (and cart contents) unless logged in. If your site is PHP, it should be possible with advanced coding to keep the session active. The subject has been discussed here recently.

Zen Cart is capable of acting as a basic CMS (except for forums) and can handle being your entire site.

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Originally Posted by gjh42

For the shopping part of your site (assuming that shopping is only part of your site) you really need to use ZC for everything, modifying the template to match the rest of your site. This will still cause difficulties if your site is HTML, as if shoppers leave the ZC pages for another page in your site they will lose their session (and cart contents) unless logged in. If your site is PHP, it should be possible with advanced coding to keep the session active. The subject has been discussed here recently.

Zen Cart is capable of acting as a basic CMS (except for forums) and can handle being your entire site.

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I had that question too, about should I get rid of the existing pages and start over with zen cart. That makes sense. What is CMS?

CMS = Content Management System

That means we have the ability to manage other web pages within the cart program. You can write articles or add news or whatever other additional imformation pages you need.

I appreciate all your tips and links and have been using lots of them to customize my site. I followed the link:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/faq.ph...late_customize
and tried to add my favicon using the instructions given, but it won't show up. It is on my present web site, so I know to format the icon and put it in the root, etc. I made a copy and put it in the root of the subdomain that I am using to host my store. I tried to follow the instructions, but there are several places with the code "/> and I have used trial and error (all error so far) trying to get the favicon to show.
I wonder if you can be more specific on exactly where I should insert the code in both documents.
Catherine

You don't have to insert code. But in Internet Explorer the favicon will only show for bookmarked pages, and in Firefox, if you have visited the site previously, you have to clear your cache before the favicon will show. I just cleared mine and can see your pinky, purply, flowery thing :smile:

Oh, Thank you! It's always the simplest little thing that can throw things out of whack. Leaving out one comma from the code can wipe the page clean!

Now I just have to figure out how to get my categories on top of the side bar instead of the bottom. This has been quite a learning experience.

Admin > Tools > Layout Box Controller and adjust the sort orders for your sideboxes

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Originally Posted by kuroi

Admin > Tools > Layout Box Controller and adjust the sort orders for your sideboxes

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Thanks, Kuroi, I had tried that before, but I just tried it again and it doesn't seem to change the boxes. I put Categories as 1 and Information as 3, but nothing changed. I cleared the cache and refreshed the page, etc. I can't get them to move.

Are you changing the left/right column or single column sort orders (it should be the those for the left/right)? Are you clicking on update after you have changed the sort order? Do your changes show up on the main Layout Boxes Controller after you have made them?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kuroi

Are you changing the left/right column or single column sort orders (it should be the those for the left/right)? Are you clicking on update after you have changed the sort order? Do your changes show up on the main Layout Boxes Controller after you have made them?

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I thought using only one row of side boxes was single column, so I had selected left and single column. I changed that and tried again. I do click update. A couple times it moved up a few spaces, but not to the top and didn't show on my site. Since changing to left/right and selecting left without the single column, I can't get it to move at all.

Can you post a screenshot of your settings?

I just got the search box to move down, but somehow I got 2 new search boxes where I don't want them. I'll have to work on this a bit and I will probably figure it out. thanks.
Catherine

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Originally Posted by kuroi

Can you post a screenshot of your settings?

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They are kind of messed up because many of them are set to single column as well as to left, so I need to check all of them in their "edit" screens. thanks for the help.

Do not check the single column option for anything except the Header search box. Use only Left or Right for position and the sort order for that position.

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Originally Posted by Sermonzone

Remember to edit template_info.php and turn on the template in admin.
Best wishes for your Zen success.

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Question on edit the template_info.php.
I made some changes for the following and assigned them to the proper folders. Note jus the basic updates, change the text for my company.
index.php
meta_tags.php
header.php
new logo for the header.php
english.php
css

What do I need to modify for the template_info.php

and I also read some where that I might need to modify any of the files in
/includes/templates/template_default/templates/

Can you please help me
thanks
nomad

You do not want to modify any files in /template_default/. What you want to do is copy any file you want to edit into /your_template/, and edit the copy.

All you really need to edit in template_info.php is your template's name - essentially personalize the info.

Thanks for the info.

With the help of the good people here, I'm well on my way to building my cart and I'm working on adding the content (3400 items or so) daily.

I have the main page looking like I want (except for the color scheme but I'll tackle that when I get a good CSS editor) but now seem to have a similar issue for the product pages.

If you go to www.robertensing.com you see that the main page is set to display 3 columns of products. When you select one of the categories in the left column, those products are listed 1 above the other and I would like to have them showing as 3 in a row also.

I can't find the page to change that setting on. :-(

Also, is it possible to put a link inside the description? For example, a few items have a picture that shows 2 or 3 different items, each sold seperately but using the same picture. Currently I have "item suchandsuch sold seperately - see item xxx" can I link the xxx directly to the correct item and save the customer having to look for it?


I also haven't heard back from my post in the IH 2 support forum more than a day ago, is that not monitored anymore?

Get the Column Layout Grid mod from Downloads.

You can add a link to the product description, but what you really want is something like the Better Together mod - see testuser's sig for a link to that.

There is nobody "assigned" to monitor any one thread - if someone who can answer questions wants to monitor one, they can. I believe the IH2 mod author is no longer active, but others sometimes answer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kdgjevre

Your first link does not appear to work.

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Originally Posted by misty

Tested all links.. working fine at time of test

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The first link in your first post, which you recommend that everyone read, takes you to a page that says:

Invalid FAQ Item specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator

Hope this helps.

- Scott

The bad links have been updated.

PLEASE PLUK OUT MY EYES! :blink:

I have been moderately successful at damaging my new installation and am ready to cry. I promise ALL of you that I have read post after post about changing the page title in meta_tags.php and STILL, IE does not change (I know, boo! ie...). I've used dev tools and searched "title" as suggested and, I SEE the original "zen..." commented <//> and mine accepted - BUT THE CONFUNDED THING...doesn't change. I see some changes were successful: copyright notice, more info (tho links dont work), i added header/footer links just to see if I could - not my index.php ovrd tho, that doesn't show.

I have really put off posting because it just is too easy to be missing it!
Along my journey i've come up with a few ???s:

1) Where's MY title?? (oh, you know that one...)
2) Can there be more that one /CUSTOM folder? and...
2a) Does /CUSTOM >have to< appear everywhere that classic is?
My understanding from reading the past 14 hours is "not if I have made no changes"

I hereby PROMISE to become a valuable member to the zen society in the future as I learn in exchange for a hamburger today...no, that's Wimpy's line, make that HELP today?

Thanks for your time!

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Originally Posted by topaward

1) Where's MY title?? (oh, you know that one...)

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Do yopu mean the one in your includes/languages/english/CUSTOM/meta_tags.php file?

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Originally Posted by topaward

2) Can there be more that one /CUSTOM folder? and...

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Yes. It would be a very rare (or badly constructed) site where there wan't.

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Originally Posted by topaward

2a) Does /CUSTOM >have to< appear everywhere that classic is?
My understanding from reading the past 14 hours is "not if I have made no changes"

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Your understanding is correct.

...er...yep. :yes:

Thank you! I knew it was gonna be something i just wasn't seeing!

I have a much more basic question than this.

How do I edit the main page that comes up for the Catalogue? Right now it shows a big advertisement for the ZEN manual and stuff like "Your sales comment goes here"

How do I edit this thing just to get started?

You do the actual editing using a plain text editor. As to what to edit - perhaps start by reading this thread and the FAQs on setting up your custom template.

What is the best way to copy the override files/create the override folders? Can I use cpanel to do that?

Is there a better way than downloading zencart, unzipping it, renaming everything called "classic" to "CUSTOM" then ftp'ing the CUSTOM directories with the files inside to the website?

I have found the "step by step" instructions I think. I have found the folders template default etc, created my CUSTOM folder and copied the css files, but now it says to copy

Then you copy the file called includes/templates/template_default/template_info.php and put it inside includes/templates/CUSTOM/. Next, open includes/templates/CUSTOM/template_info.php in your


When I open includes/templates/template_default I see alot of choices which appear to open with Broderband. The only template_info I have says shopping cart. Also the "template_info.php" is in blue lettering. Is this to mean something?

I have been at this project for 4 months. I am bound and determined to figure it out. I understand the trees and ftp uploads etc but it always appears there is a missing step.

PLEASE HELP:frusty:

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Originally Posted by ttb

What is the best way to copy the override files/create the override folders? Can I use cpanel to do that?

Is there a better way than downloading zencart, unzipping it, renaming everything called "classic" to "CUSTOM" then ftp'ing the CUSTOM directories with the files inside to the website?

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If you're using a good FTP tool then it will typically allow you to create new folders in your hosted space, drag and drop files for editing to a folder on your desktop/laptop and return the amended files to your hosted space as though this was all taking place locally.

You can use CPanel, but I wouldn't advise using it for editing and it's a much more clunky approach.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KRahall

When I open includes/templates/template_default I see alot of choices which appear to open with Broderband. The only template_info I have says shopping cart. Also the "template_info.php" is in blue lettering. Is this to mean something?

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This isn't very clear. template_info.php should be the only file in your template_default folder (everything else in there is a folder). What is Broderband? As far as I can see it's a package intended for either for CAD or calendar-making rather than web design. Could that be the problem?

Windows picks a program if it's not sure what program to open a file with
if you try to open the file from the hard drive by clicking on it. There's also
a box that's checked by default that says "always open this type of file with
this program". Once you click OK, it'll associate all files with that extension
with that program. My computer also chose Broderbund's The Print Shop
to open *.php files. It's changeable though, to your preferred .php editor.

So are you saying everything in the folder are the .php files? this is what is so unclear about all these "so called" steps and instructions, they are too vague.

Does the blue print mean everything in the folder?

What is the best text editor program to Use?

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Originally Posted by KRahall

What is the best text editor program to Use?

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There are several great choices. One good free one for Windows is Notepad++ available via http://notepad-plus.sf.net

In an excellent article posted here:

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=230

Sermonzone advises:

Extra Data Files

* Custom file names - /includes/filenames.php

You've created a custom page (about_us) and need to reference the filename.
Create a new file (about_us_filenames.php) which would include the following:
<?php
// About Us Filename Define
define('FILENAME_ABOUT_US', 'about_us');
?>
Save the file to /includes/extra_datafiles/about_us_filenames.php and upload it to your server.

My question is why? Why create a new file (about_us_filenames.php) instead of just editing the existing file (filenames.php)?

As a newb, this is where I get into trouble - I make mistakes because I follow what I think is obvious based on previous rules, only to find those rules don't always apply.

In this particular case, because all of my changes have involved editing existing files, had I not found this article, I would have just gone ahead and edited the existing file. :oops:

Can someone please help me understand what the advantage and disadvantage of both methods is, and why the general rule re: editing existing files wouldn't seem to apply here?

Thanks much :smile:

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Originally Posted by ScriptJunkie

Can someone please help me understand what the advantage and disadvantage of both methods is, and why the general rule re: editing existing files wouldn't seem to apply here?

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In so far as there is a general rule about editing existing files in Zen Cart, it is "Don't".

For most changes you would create an over-ride file and place it in a template folder. As you get deeper into the code, slightly different methods are needed, especially if your changes may be applicable to more than one template. SermonZone is explaining one of them.

The reason for this is that if you change the original files, then there is a good chance that your changes will get get over-written and lost when you upgrade to later versions of Zen Cart.

Hi Kuroi, thanks for the explanation :smile:

I should have been more clear. When I said "editing existing files", what I really meant was that so far, I've been editing the copies made of existing files using the override system.

Is the reason SermonZone is suggesting this method due to the fact that the override system isn't applicable in this case (since the files in question aren't over-ridable due to location)?

and

That by using this method (creating a new file instead of editing an existing file or a copy of an existing file), I am, in essence, creating a kind of "quasi-override" by creating an original file that won't be replaced during an upgrade?

Do I understand that correctly?

In any event, I'm grateful that the article is out there and available, and to have run across it, because I've been so focused on the override system, that I hadn't given much thought to how to manage files that it doesn't apply to. :blush:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScriptJunkie

Is the reason SermonZone is suggesting this method due to the fact that the override system isn't applicable in this case (since the files in question aren't over-ridable due to location)?

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Yes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScriptJunkie

That by using this method (creating a new file instead of editing an existing file or a copy of an existing file), I am, in essence, creating a kind of "quasi-override" by creating an original file that won't be replaced during an upgrade?

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and sort of. You're not actually over-riding the file in this case, more creating an extension of it. But overall you've got it.

:thumbsup:

:clap: Woo hooo! :clap:

Thanks Kuroi!

As suggested by SermonZone, I followed article 142 (https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=142) to make a custom template, went to tools/template selection, updated my new custom folder, clicked to preview my new template, and received the 403 Forbidden error message "You don't have permission to access /catalog/includes/templates/custom/images/ on this server.".

I didn't expect to see anything as I didn't have any images in place (nor have I done ANY customizing), but didn't expect this error either. Checked my permissions on my custom directory and custom/image directory and everything is set to 755. Copied the images from the classic/images directory and still got 403. Deleted the whole image directory, tried again, got a 404 (Not Found) error message (which pleased me), then made a new images folder and got the old 403 again.

I haven't even started to customize my new template. Will this error go away when I do? (I'm asking because I find that unlikely.)

The "preview" button only works if you've supplied a screenshot image to view when the preview is clicked.
It's not a "live" preview ... it's only a link to an image supplied by whomever built the template in the first place.
If you want to see your template in action, change your site to use that template specifically.

How do I go about dropping the 3rd column on my product pages?

What I would like to do is have the ez pages and product pages dump the 3rd column and expand the middle column, is this possible without having to change templates?

Beth-katherine

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Originally Posted by Beth-katherine

How do I go about dropping the 3rd column on my product pages?

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It's explained in this FAQ entry.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kuroi

It's explained in this FAQ entry.

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Thank you. I tried that and yes it does turn off the 3rd column but the width of the center column remains the same, how do I adjust that to include the width of the 3rd column? Should I take it out all together?

Beth-Katherine

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beth-katherine

Thank you. I tried that and yes it does turn off the 3rd column but the width of the center column remains the same, how do I adjust that to include the width of the 3rd column? Should I take it out all together?

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A normal Zen Cart template should automatically expand the center column to fill the space available. Makes me wonder about your template. Do you have a link to your site?

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Originally Posted by kuroi

A normal Zen Cart template should automatically expand the center column to fill the space available. Makes me wonder about your template. Do you have a link to your site?

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I'm using Cherry Zen 1.3.7 (have to figure out how to upgrade in between filling orders)

www.smockingbooks.com

What do you call the product display page and product description? (ok I can figure out the last one). Click on the EZ pages links to see what I mean.

Beth-katherine

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beth-katherine

I'm using Cherry Zen 1.3.7 (have to figure out how to upgrade in between filling orders)

www.smockingbooks.com

What do you call the product display page and product description? (ok I can figure out the last one). Click on the EZ pages links to see what I mean.

Beth-katherine

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The product display page would more accurately be called the product info page (the one that lists details for just one product.

The column issue is because Cherry Zen uses a non-standard structure. Your question is answered in its support thread (posts 1762-3)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ttb

What is the best way to copy the override files/create the override folders? Can I use cpanel to do that?

Is there a better way than downloading zencart, unzipping it, renaming everything called "classic" to "CUSTOM" then ftp'ing the CUSTOM directories with the files inside to the website?

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Just a quick note. You NEVER RENAME OR TOUCH THE CLASSIC FOLDERS to "CUSTOM" or anything else for that matter. You CREATE a custom folder and name it to whatever you want, or whatever your new template is called anywhere there is a Classic folder located, and usually only when you need to make file changes in the same directory that contains a Classic folder.

For instance, using an ftp prgram, if you navigate to includes->modules directory, you will see a "classic" folder there. DON'T TOUCH IT! If you have to change a file inside of includes->modules, then you create a "CUSTOM" folder that has the same name as your custom template. Copy the file you need to change into that folder, then change it (the one inside the custom folder) to your hearts content.

I hope this help clear up any fog around the mysterious Classic Folder!:smartalec:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kuroi

The product display page would more accurately be called the product info page (the one that lists details for just one product.

The column issue is because Cherry Zen uses a non-standard structure. Your question is answered in its support thread (posts 1762-3)

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Thank you for your help, now I have to figure out HOW to do what she says as I tried putting the lines into the CSS but nothing happened. Must be putting it in the wrong spot. Someday I'll figure out PHP (finally got the abbreviation correct, it's PHP not PCP).
:oops:
Beth-katherine

Since I personally wasted quite a bit of my newbie time doing something the WRONG way, I thought I might share my error, and the correction, for other newbies:

When you are trying to customize the files, and you see in the instructions to edit a file and put it in a new directory named something like...

includes/languages/english/CUSTOM

... you do NOT use the literal word CUSTOM as the folder name when you create the new directory. The word CUSTOM is double-speak for your-template_directory.

In my case, I am using the very nice "ZJ Silver Wide" template. When I look at ADMIN/TOOLS/TEMPLATE SELECTION, I see that the Template Directory is

zj_silver_wide

Thus, any time I see the word /CUSTOM in a path name, I know (NOW!!!) that I must replace it with /zj_silver_wide:

includes/languages/english/zj_silver_wide

HINT from one of the project documents: Wherever you see a folder named "classic" you can safely add your own /CUSTOM folder. Or, in my case, my own /zj_silver_wide folder.

Here is a nice tree diagram of the folder structure, showing the places where you can add a /CUSTOM (/zj_silver_wide) folder.

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=143

Hi,
I'm so glad this thread was brought to my attention by Zen Cart support! Thank you! Thank you!

I understood I was to leave the classic folder alone, and do my customization to a template with the name I chose. However, I chose "custom" because it was what I planned anyway, and it was short.

These files are located in "custom" folders throughout the site.
I had a webdesigner upload another site for me who has had her own zencart site for years, and she used "custom" so I thought I was OK.

Of the two zen cart sites, my kachinadirect.com which is on an approved zencart host appears just fine.

However, the kachinaoutpost.com site which is not on an approved zencart host, was there two weeks ago and has disappeared. The browsers say they cannot locate it. I've been in contact with them constantly. They claim they can see it, but no one else I know of can access it. I'd appreciate it if you
could try it and let me know if you are successful.

Do I have to go in to both sites and change my choice of "custom" in my custom folders?

Thanks so much!
Sandy:unsure:

You must have fixed it! YEAH!

Tina

i have install zen cart via Fantastico and follow the instructions to upload the templates to ftp includes/templates..but couldn't find the new upload templates in zen cart admin area >tool> template selection.. there was default classic templates only
did i miss something??:flex:

I have just downloaded the Zen cart to my server and I can not find where the admin page is so that I can get started with doing my store. Can anyone help?
Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lori67

I have just downloaded the Zen cart to my server and I can not find where the admin page is so that I can get started with doing my store. Can anyone help?
Thanks

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After you downloaded the files, did you install Zen Cart?

OK....I started by reading https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=230.

This is too advanced for my current knowledge level.... Is there a Zen for Dummies out there some place? I need more basic instruction that does not assume I am already knowledgeable.... In other words...I'm just getting started....is there something for a newby to use that is a more basic...step by step approach?

Hi i am a newby. having some real trouble setting up zen cart. can someone please mail me at [email protected] for some help. Many thanks. Dan

Just gettinf started and had a question. I am using xamp as a local server to get familiar with everything. couple of questions come up.

1. when i set up MySql through xampp how do I upload to the web?
2. how do I upload the finished cart to my site.
3. If I have to work from my domian for each cart, How do I unzip the templates I use form the Zencart site properly?

Okay mor then wo questions but i am trying to head off spending a bunch of time on a local serve only to find out i have to start over and work diretly for the hosting site.

Hi,

I'm very new. I have installed ZC here:
www.rehomeonline.com/cart/.

I want to keep the "clean" look of my site. I've noticed that there are two "Home" links, one with the "Log In" link at the very top and one indented a little bit and further south on the page.

Is there any way to condense these navigational elements into one horizontal line so that they don't take up as much screen real estate and also cause some confusion?

Also, when you click on one of my products, there is third set of links, "Live Workshops" and "Webinars". Do you know how I could better display these headings to let people know that they are product categories? I don't think that it is obvious that they are product categories.

Sorry for the very not-so-advanced-but-still-perplexing-to-me questions.

Best,
P

Oh, I also forgot to ask the question that I came in here to ask in the first place which is...

I can't figure out how to make my products sort in the sorting order that I designate. They seem to sort randomly, at least on the new products page which is the first page you see.

I don't think my customers understand that this first page is only a new products page and that there are more pages to be seen than this.

Any pointers are VERY MUCH appreciated! Thank you!!!

P

Heeelppp!

I want to install the template, "bluezenfish", but when I upload the files to the template directory, and then go into admin and select template selection, the template doesnt show in the list? I've tried with two other templates but cannot seem to make it work...


Any ideas?

J

As long as there are 'new kids on the block' the forum will be full of silly questions, like this one.....

WHERE is "includes/templates" ????????

following the instruction on this page https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=142

I did as suggested, making the new folders, files, re-naming... (Inside my server)

THEN - I get to the end & read the instruction

Quote:

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Upload your /CUSTOM folder to your server.

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:frusty: I just did ALL of the previous steps IN my server.

From Admin home - tools - template selection; I only had the default template. SO, I deleted all of the folders & files I had just put into my server. Went back to Admin home - LOOKING for "includes/templates" I am unable to find any such thing from the Admin home :shocking:

There has to be a SIMPLE answer to WHERE (via my server files? or in the Admin home) do I go to make a custom template. If it IS done in my server - why the instruction

Quote:

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When you've finished, your new file structure should look as follows:

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list of folders/files followed by

Quote:

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Upload your /CUSTOM folder to your server.

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:dontgetit
I'll keep looking to try and figure this out - any suggestions would be appreciated - as well as any imput on the e-Start Your Web Store with Zen Cart - is it going to help a non-code person as myself?
THANKS!!!!!

I have tried to use the same method of adding an image to the header to: #navColumnOne { hopeing to get an image behind my left side boxes. I've gone through the FAQ's and there doesn't seem to be anything on this, any ideas?
cheers.

I did get the cart installed! BUT - - I was having a really hard time with this cart :dontgetit It's probably a great program, for people that know how to read and write HTML. Not me. I am currently using one that has an admin, kinda like Zen - but has a WYSIWYG site builder. Well, it's actually a WYSIWYG program I already had - with the Web Shop built in. I didn't try it first, because it looked complicated - UNTIL, I tried this cart - ha! I need MUCH more code training before I can use this cart to it's fullest :(

HOPEFULLY - one of the "Zen Masters" will help you out with this :smile:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sermonzone

I am posting this information in order to provide a link that will more easily provide solutions for typical problems faced by most new Zenners. (Devs feel free to edit this for completeness and accuracy.)

Start here to learn just about everything you need to know to get started customizing your site - https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=230
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=143
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=232

Zen Cart is built on a system called ‘overrides.’ When you have worked hard on customizing your site you do not want to lose all that work when a new version or cart update comes along. So, follow the guide for creating a custom template and it will ‘override’ the stock template after any updates.

All of the files you change should go in special folders you create for your template. Something like /custom or /my_template. Your new custom template folder should only contain files that have actually been edited for your site. Copy the files from template_default, edit them, and make sure they are in the correct ’my_custom_template’ folder. Most of the /custom folders will be in directories that also have a /classic folder. The classic folder is a landmark to let you know you are in the right place.

If you are using ver 1.3+ you should use the template default as a basis for your new template and not the Classic template.

Remember to edit template_info.php and turn on the template in admin.

The Wiki also has great information. However, since the forum experienced an emergency reload, the links may not have been updated. Be patient. Some of the information refers to ver 1.2+ and is slightly different in 1.3+ so read carefully.

http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._-_Customizing
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p...on_-_Templates
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._API_Overrides
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Basic_Checklist

If your new template does not work, please double check the following things before having a panic attack, starting to blame the devs, claiming there must be a bug and/or appealing to everyone’s good nature since you ‘are such a newb.’ Before posting a thread needing "emergency attention" ask:

1. Are your edited files in the correct folders?
2. Are you editing the correct files?
3. Have you misspelled a file or folder name?
4. Have you have turned on the template?
5. Have you have used Admin> Tools> Developers Tool Kit? Put the text you want to change in the box at bottom left and select ‘all files.’ You will get a list of files with that text.
6. Have you re-read the tutorials because you missed a step.

I have committed all these sins, and more, so do not think you could not have made a mistake.

Best wishes for your Zen success.

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can you help me out to Get rid of text next to logo.gif on main page of Apple-zen template....{To change any of the site colors, open up includes/templates/apple_zen/css/stylesheet.css. To overwrite your own logo, upload your logo.gif to includes/templates/apple_zen/images/}

I changed the green color of the classic theme in the stylesheet file. The only box I couldn't find to change the green color is left side "Sponsors" under "More Information", which shows now blue. What I am missing?

can i ask how to add new functionalities, zencart provide left and right positions, can i ask to add center positions? so that we can move it to anywhere we want?

is that possible?

thanks master zenner

I am having some trouble applying a template to my zen cart. I followed all the steps in the tutorial and used a template for my version, but for some reason when I apply the template, my zen cart shows up blank. It will only show up using the classic green template. Is there something I am missing??? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have been working at this all day.

A completely blank page (if that's what you're seeing) usually means an error in the source code, or a corruption during uploading. But since you haven't told us anything about the template that you're trying to build or use, how you installed it, or given us a link to see how far it gets in its display, it's not really possible to be more specific.

I have just installed the 1.3.8. So far I have renamed my admin page and now I'm working on setting up my custom template from the following instructions: https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=142

My front page is hideous so I must have done something wrong. My site is The Manicured Bonsai. I didn't try to customize in any way before this so the look is not intentional. It should only look like the default template. Trying to correct I added all of the files from the template default into my custom template folder figuring I don't need to but hoping it won't hurt.

Can someone help? Thank you!

You named your templates and overrides directory with caps and spaces ...

You would do better without the spaces ... and as a general rule, caps are best not to be used ...

Try it without the spaces and see if that naming works better ...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ajeh

You named your templates and overrides directory with caps and spaces ...

You would do better without the spaces ... and as a general rule, caps are best not to be used ...

Try it without the spaces and see if that naming works better ...

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Thankyou!....I've changed the template name. The only place I needed to change within a file was includes/templates/CUSTOM/template_info.php?? Just want to be sure I didn't miss changing reference to the template somewhere.

Any other suggestions?

The name in the template_info.php can be anything ...

What is the name of the directories that you are using for your templates and overrides files?

If you look at the Classic Template ... the name is called:
$template_name = 'Classic Contemporary Green';

But ... all of its directories are called:
classic

and you will see that it contains the directories:
/css
/images

then, in any place that templates and overrides can exist ... you will see:
/classic

Only files that are changed get places in template and override directories ...

What is the name that you are using for your templates and override directories?

If you copied the:
/css
/images

from the /template_default then you will look like you do ...

If you copied them from /classic then you would look like the Classic template ...

That's it!!! I was copying files from the default template rather than classic. THANK YOU!!!!!! I went ahead and deleted the files I hadn't altered as well. Thank you so much!!!!!:clap:

You are most welcome ... glad that you got your custom template sorted out and thanks for posting the cause of the problem and how you fixed it ... :smile:

Thank you for all the information. I am new to zen cart and am incredibly overwhelmed right now. I have a million questions which i'm sure will be answered in time. For now, I have a simple inquiry - can you install addons if they are in an earlier version than the one you have installed. For example, can I install an addon that was designed for version 1.3.6 if I'm running version 1.3.8?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

You can, though there are risks. Some mods because of a combination of their features and good design can continue being used unchanged through many versions of Zen Cart after the one for which they were designed and tested. Others need to be updated for each release of Zen Cart.

Best place to find out about compatibility issues is the mod's support thread (though not all have one).

Thank you Kuroi!

Sorry I didn't have a chance to read every post.

Well I pretty much got my store basically setup with a custom template. Besides the css file and I think 2 images, that's all I've added to my custom folder template. Now I have edited the default files, before knowing that they should be copied into a custom folder.

Now let's say I go to .\includes\languages\english and I want to edit create_account.php.
So after I edit the file, I should upload it to .\includes\languages\english\custom\.
This part I understand now. Any directory that has a classic folder, you should create your custom folder and put the edited file(s) in there.

But could I just put the file in my template folder under the proper folder structure so it would be like: .\includes\templates\custom\includes\languages\english\custom\?
It's be nice to have the edited files in one folder, instead of multiple places.

And is there any files that you may edit, that may not have a classic folder in that directory? Or is it basically any file that you edit, will have a classic folder?

Thanks.

Files have to be placed in the correct locations or else they will not be recognised. So language files must go in the languages area, not the templates folder.

As Zen Cart is open source software you can edit any file. The template, module and language overrides are commonly changed and so have template-related overrides. However other areas can be overridden in different ways (e.g. the init_system files) where there is an override folder, or extended by use of notifiers/observers. Other areas that are very unlikely to need to be overridden so don't have an override system.

So as changes get more sophisticated and go deeper into the code there's less chance that there will be a classic folder associated with them, or even that that would be the right approach to overriding anyway.

Thanks for the info. Now if I could just remeber which ones I edited.

:oops:

What am I missing here?

Ok, I found how to change the size of the left column to be a little larger as we have some category names that are longer. But I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to make the whole page wider. While the column did adjust in width, the page itself did not....

http://wholesale.reddevildistributing.com

I changed all my classic folder name to something else, based on experts' advice. But then I found information were missing under the "layout box controller" under the tool-admin, what did I do wrong?

where is template_info.php? which folder?

Hi There

You seem incredibly knowledable!
We inherited our site last year and it needs a good tidy up, graphically and font wise, the actual working of the cart are fine, we have version 1.3.7.1 do you suggest we upgrade, if so how do we do this, can we start a new version whilst the old is still running? or could we just tidy up what we have some how, we would really appreciate your advice, we are complete technophobics, if you need to view to see what I mean www.alphafactor.co.uk

Kind Regards

Clare XX

I just dowloaded Zencart. I am trying to create a custom template. I created a custom folder in:
includes, templates. I added folders: templates, template_info.php, header.php, images, sideboxes, CSS.
I see my folder on the server, but when in the admin section, I do not see if in the drop down box to select a new template.
Why is this?

I think my php is 4

ok, I am stuck. I have done well so far, going step by step with your instructions on setting up my own customized cart. I have gotten to

Quote:

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Extra Data Files
Custom file names - /includes/filenames.php
You've created a custom page (about_us) and need to reference the filename.
Create a new file (about_us_filenames.php) which would include the following:
<?php
// About Us Filename Define
define('FILENAME_ABOUT_US', 'about_us');
?>
Save the file to /includes/extra_datafiles/about_us_filenames.php and upload it to your server.
Note: These files will be called automatically, as would any other file in this directory, thereby telling the system what your custom filenames are.

---

and have been unable to find my about_us file. I named it about_us.php, as I thought that's what it should have been named. Problem is, when I refresh my site, it don't show, and I can't find where to put a link called "About Us" on the main page.

my site link is http://squeakeycat.net/shop. so far you can see the changes I have made to the template itself, while doing step by step with your tutorial pages. I am very very very "stupid" when it comes to php and how to code it properly, as I have never ever ever worked with php before now.

the about page that I made, I followed exactly the above direction, but nothing showed up anywhere.

I have a great working system for doing all my editing. I have my main site through doteasy.com and with using google chrome browser, I am able to edit my pages without having to put any of them on my computer.

if anyone can help with maybe what I could have done wrong for this not to show up, it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Kim

I do know how to connect to the directories everyone is talking about. I've installed Zen Cart and configured it but I don't know where the folders are. How do I establish the connection to these directories?

You must use your computer's FTP program to connect to the files on your website's webserver. Using an FTP program is a basic skill everyone needs to learn in order to manage a self-hosted website, and as such there are countless number of tutorials around the web for learning how to use FTP.
For some suggestions on available FTP programs and other tools you'll need for managing your website, see http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Useful_Tools

Cool post here. Thanks

Ugh. Okay, I've done a whole lot of work...backwards...after installing zencart, using the official zen cart manual for version 1.5.0. Didn't realize until now that I needed to install my own template to get the look I want for my site BEFORE doing anything else.

I've been trying for two weeks now to install the following, free template, using this thread, the manual, and the instructions provided the template's maker...and I still can't get it installed correctly so it looks like the screenshots provided here...

http://tinyurl.com/cvvqcu9

I've jumped through all the hoops in the manual for creating a set of 'custom' folders to override the classic setup. At this point I'm quite frustrated and have decided to finally throw in the towel and ask for HELP!

The manual describes how to create your own custom template from scratch. A third-party template, free or commercial, already has all of the custom folders it needs; if well built as most are, all you have to do is unzip the template package on your home computer and FTP the /includes/ folder with all its contents to the root of your Zen Cart installation (where the ZC /images/, /includes/, etc. folders are). The template files will drop into their correct places without disturbing anything else. If you are separately creating new folders for your picaflor-azul template, you are probably messing things up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gjh42

The manual describes how to create your own custom template from scratch. A third-party template, free or commercial, already has all of the custom folders it needs; if well built as most are, all you have to do is unzip the template package on your home computer and FTP the /includes/ folder with all its contents to the root of your Zen Cart installation (where the ZC /images/, /includes/, etc. folders are). The template files will drop into their correct places without disturbing anything else. If you are separately creating new folders for your picaflor-azul template, you are probably messing things up.

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Via the first, small document I was using to install z-cart, I had already created numerous "custom" folders copied from zen cart's "classic" folders, and was trying to install the pica-flor inside the custom folders (duh!) Finally decided to uninstall zen cart and begin again, which is okay because this time I installed the latest version.

The new installation was smooth and seamless, and just as you mention...it dropped folders where needed. The files are now in two places, in the root and in a directory I created when installing zen cart.

I also messed up the small amount of code I had to add to tpl_main_page.php but once I got that sorted it worked, I've now got the basic template installed and am ready to begin customizing it.

Out of curiosity, which version is being called to do the work?...the root version (includes/folder) or the created (directory/includes/templates/folder)?

Do you have two complete sets of ZC files, one in the root and one in a subfolder? Or just one ZC, with two sets of template files in the locations you described? Where is your ZC installed?
If the latter, only the template folders/files directly in the ZC structure are relevant. They should appear in the same place as the /template_default/ or /classic/ folders.

I just installed zen cart and I cannot get the template for the front page to change. I uploaded 2 free templates to the includes/templates directory where the default way, and they show up in my admin as choices. However, no matter which one I pick it does not seem to go to my choice. It stays on the same one. I even went to the tools, layout layout boxes and hit reset but it doesn't seem to change the page.
Any one with advice is greatly appreciated, I am not a programmer and only have the basics.

Also along those lines I do not see a place to change the text on the front page, where would that be?

Thank you,
Steven

Did you upload all the files for both packages? When you set a template via the admin what exactly shows on the front end?