What are the roles of CSS, Admin, and tpl_ files in design?

[jbalcony]

Hi everyone - Ideally, we’d like to use DIV-based CSS for the entire layout of my ZC site, but after reading this post - http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...s+divs+tables* - I gather that this is coming in version 1.4 (any idea when that’s coming out?)
So, from what I understand, for design purposes, Zencart site design is created using a combination of CSS, Admin, and Templates (the tpl_ files). What I am trying to figure out is what is the role that each of these plays?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jason

[fairestcape]

Most of your design elements can be controlled by the css files (stylesheet.css)

The Admin Panel also influences design, such as whether an element is displayed (used) or not. Also, image dimensions are controlled here.

You can make adjustments to tpl_xxxxxxxxxxx.php files to re-arrange elements (such as in tpl_product_info_display.php).

For the most part, the design (aesthetics) is managed by the CSS.

[jbalcony]

Thanks!

Can we get rid of the left and right colums and just work within the center column to mimic a completely DIV-based layout?

Jason

[fairestcape]

You can disable the left and/or right columns in Admin>>>Layout Settings

Column Left Status - Global
Column Right Status - Global

Be aware, however, that this will also affect the display of sideboxes - some of which display essential links (categories, site information, etc).

I generally disable either right or left, then configure whatever sideboxes I need to display in the available column. This gives me a wider, cleaner space for the display of product info, etc.

[fairestcape]

You can also disable column display by page-specific limitations, and these are governed by editing:

tpl_main_page.php (in the COMMON folder of your template directory).

Instructions on how to do this are embedded within that php file.

For ezpages, limiting left and right column displays are controlled in admin>>>configuration>>>ezpages settings