ZC photo store

[jhbs]

hi there, used 1.3.8 to make a store and really loved it.

I have a customer that wants a store to sell photos online. My question is, is there a way to

• upload a folder of pictures (say 100) each one becomes a new product
• when it uploads images say the originals were 500*500px it would create a thumbnail and when a user clicked on it they can see the larger picture
• have a product attribute, for different picture sizes e.g. 10x8, 20x16 each with a differnt price
• those photos uploaded would go into a category

is this possible, is there some kind of add on that could be written?

[kuroi]

All this could be done, but it would be a rather complex mod with enough specific features that it's unlikely that somebody would create this as a mod. Its much more likely to be created for a specific site and its needs.

[jhbs]

I understand that it could be complex. I thought it could be quite a good mod as it could put a whole new spin on zen cart. As this is for a customer I would be willing to pay somebody to write the mod if there is anybody out there who would do it?

[kuroi]

It certainly would have a number of interesting components, and would probably be of most general use if broken out into several pieces that segregate the specificities of photos from the more generic and re-usable content.

Not sure about the wisdom of developing this much new code just prior to a major shift in Zen Cart's architecture though.

[jhbs]

oh rite i didnt know about the major changes. When is that due for realease? My client needs his site up by the end of may. How long do you think this code would take to develop?

It has to be build and seeing as Zen cart is such a good site, it seems a shame to build something from scratch + the code would be there for others.

[jhbs]

just thinking as well if i was going to have this built, it would be good to try and have a digital download part build, like encrypted files held on the server and decrypted when they pay. Would mean that ZC could be used for song and digital download sites.

[bigbadboy]

Apart from 'upload a folder of pictures (say 100) each one becomes a new product' all these features you've mentioned are built in.

# when it uploads images say the originals were 500*500px it would create a thumbnail and when a user clicked on it they can see the larger picture - built in and also as free mods

# have a product attribute, for different picture sizes e.g. 10x8, 20x16 each with a differnt price - built in

# those photos uploaded would go into a category - built in, once you've created the category you simply add to that category.

# digital download part build - built in

[kuroi]

@bigbadboy

Unless I'm misunderstanding, what's being suggested here is a much higher level of automation of the product creation process than Zen Cart currently offers. But i agree with your assessment that a lot of the basics are in place, and that it would be easier to start with Zen Cart than to start from scratch.

[jhbs]

Ah well that sounds like a lot of my problems could already be solved then! I just need this automated product creation. Just choose a category for it to be inserted into > predefine any attributes (cost text etc) then choose source folder for pictures > hit the go button and make it all happen!

How would i go about doing that?! I know a little php (mainly do .net) so i dont know if there is anyone out there who could help?

[bigbadboy]

Let's take 1 element and assume you have a load of photos all with the same attributes.

This is just an example:
Item:
Photo of a rose

Category:
Flowers

Attributes:
5 x 8
10 x 12
14 x 20

First - Create the category - Flowers
Within that category create a new product - Photo of a rose
The create the attributes - Print size/ Sizes
Add attributes to item

Then all you have to is add the rest of the items.
Then instead of assigning attributes individually simply duplicate the attributes to the relevant category.