Multi level attribute hierarchy question

[ktomas]

I'm beginning to get my feet wet with Zen Cart for a jewelry website I'm constructing for a client. I have a progression that I want to follow, but am unsure how to take options and attributes to further levels. I'm looking to have options that, when selected, bring up attributes, but once the attribute is selected, it will have some of it's own attributes -- like sub attributes.

For example:
•The customer chooses the category of RINGS
•They must then chose GOLD or SILVER
•They must chose a CENTER STONE, consisting of SWAROVSKI PEARL or CRYSTAL
•Each stone has options for 6MM or 8MM
•There are then COLOR options depending on the chosen size
•They then move on to the category of ENDPIECE
•This has the categories BEAD-CAPS or DONUTS
•Each has a size
•Each size has color options
•The next category is FINISHING BEADS
•These options include BALLS or CRYSTAL
•Each brings up a set of color options

I could make a linear hierarchy with categories and sub categories until I got to the bottom level, but I feel that that would be an extraordinary amount of work for something that seems pretty commonplace. Also, How would I control how each stage effects the price if they are categories or sub categories (you can't adjust the price for a category, can you?)?

Is there a way to have an attribute then become an option? As in, if someone selects a Gold ring with a 6mm stone, the 6mm selection will trigger a set of colors only available within that variable...etc.

I know this is confusing to type, but if anyone thinks they need more info to help, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

[ipollen]

Hi ktomas,

Did you find a solution to this.
I have exactly the same issue

[ktomas]

No, unfortunately I have not. It's still a big problem actually. Please let me know if you find an answer as well.

[ahaynes106]

It's been a while now. Did you find a method?

[gjh42]

It would require a bunch of custom coding, probably javascript. If it was an easy problem to solve, there would be a ton of solutions floating around by now, as so many people have requested such things ("dependent attributes").

[schoolboy]

Dependant attributes - (options given under "B" are governed by options first chosen under "A") - are not possible in the current version of zencart.

I have also heard that they will not be a standard feature in version 2.

However, as version 2 will support things like Ajax, someone will probably write a module that enables this important feature once V2 is released.