CSS, Html, Zen Cart intergration relationship

[Spot]

Hi, first post here.

Ive been reading the forum for a couple of days now and have installed Wamp and Zen Cart and have the demo site running on my machine.

I know a little html/css (the basics) and nothing more.

I am trying to understand the relationship between how the different elements intergrate with one and other.

For example, If I go into Zen Carts Admin panel I can change the column widths.

My question is this, by changing the columns in the admin panel, does this over-ride any Css already present in a shop template ?

In other words, we can change "some" of the basic page layout in the Admin but if we want to change the look a lot more then we have to go directly to the style sheets and change them there (after all we should be able to perform exactly the same using the Css sheets).

So for instance, I wanted to move the page elements around, I would do this in the Css docs but the Admin panel could still change the widths etc if I wanted a quick fix for altering some dimensions.

Hope Ive explained myself well enough.

This is not a specific question as such but a generall one in trying to understand how everything works with each other.

Is there a simple explanation of this anywhere ?

Thanks, Spot.

[afo]

Zen Cart is driven by php which uses various settings and information to generate the HTML pages you see. The ZC team can explain the settings used more fully than I can, but that's the basics. Some things are just easier to set in the admin instead of having to go to the CSS all the time.

[stevesh]

My question is this, by changing the columns in the admin panel, does this over-ride any Css already present in a shop template ?

In other words, we can change "some" of the basic page layout in the Admin but if we want to change the look a lot more then we have to go directly to the style sheets and change them there (after all we should be able to perform exactly the same using the Css sheets).

So for instance, I wanted to move the page elements around, I would do this in the Css docs but the Admin panel could still change the widths etc if I wanted a quick fix for altering some dimensions.


Thanks, Spot.

The first is a good question. If you change the column width in admin, then in the stylesheet, which rules? I'll test that and let you know.


Yes. Some of the layout can be changed via admin settings, and some by editing stylesheets, and some by editing overridable (and core) php files, especially template files.


Go through the tutorials/FAQ items, especially those that deal with templating and the override system, then come on back with specific questions. Also go to Downloads and browse through what's there, so you don't end up re-inventing some wheel.


Also check out http://(sorry, site offline) for some examples of what's possible.

[Spot]

Ok,

Thank you, will check the link and the CZ posts more thoroughly.

Once I understand the mechanics better I can start customizing with greater confidence.

[gjh42]

Admin settings will generally override stylesheet settings, because admin setting info is embedded inline in the HTML output. Inline styling has priority over stylesheet styling, unless the stylesheet property has !important added to it.

[Spot]

So to change the layout in a "brand new" template to anything other than the 3 column layout we must use the "important" feature, otherwise we would still have the 3 column layout ?

Everything in the Admin panel is to be considered in-line.


I think Im slowly getting the jist of this now.

So with my limited knowledge, the Admin panel is like the core Html/css/php page with its own rules, then we have the exterior style sheet to add some colour etc (our own template) which takes secondary place over the admin unless specifically stated to do so.
So its just a question of how much styling has been done in the admin and how much has been left for the external sheets.

[afo]

Seriously, I would let the admin handle what it can and leave the rest to the stylesheet. You can turn on/off the left and right columns in the admin.

[gjh42]

There is still a bunch of legacy styling code in the PHP files, but this is bit by bit being moved to the stylesheet.
The ideal arrangement would be to have the admin styling functions as is, backed up by stylesheet styling. The code would check if the admin has been changed from default and use that if so, and otherwise use the stylesheet settings for more advanced users to have more complete control.

Left & right columns are properly an admin function, enabling or disabling the code that creates them.

[Spot]

Have to say this is an excellent piece of kit, Im just starting to find my way around and this looks highly promising.

Must admit I was a bit overwhelmed when first looking at it but even from just this afternoon after having a chat with you guys/gals its now starting to look very customizable. Having a play around here and Ive got the site looking totally different to the test site that I installed, it looks very flexible.
I can see myself having some fun around here.

Thank you Zen !

Zen Me

[afo]

Definitely on the road to being Zenned.