default template cloning

[skaterschoice]

Good day to all,

I currently have a clean non customized install of ZC 1.3.9c
HTTP Server: Apache/2.2.15 (CentOS)
In researching this installation I wanted to use a template supported by ZC, it apperars that due to the newness of 1.3.9.c that most templates have either not been configured or updated to use ZC 1.3.9c. I have come to the conclusion that I am better off just using the base and reworking it to my specific needs.

My questions lies around the search fro clear instructions on cloning the Classic Contemporary Green. I would like the exact same option capabilities and setting options that are embedded in the default template - Classic Contemporary Green

What specific files would I need to copy into my CUSTOM folder to accomplish this?

I just want a mirror copy of the default Classic Contemporary Green template that I can customize. I have tried copying into my CUSTOM folder just the items that I was instructed to in the How to create a new CUSTOM template, and reset boxes, in Admin etc.

It will load but not a exact copy of the Classic Contemporary Green template.

skaterchoicecolorado.com

Thanks in advance
The OLD guy

[schoolboy]

Yes... you are right when you say an existing (older) template may not be compatible with zc 1.3.9c ...

Upgrading templates is not usually that difficult because most consist only of TPL and LANGUAGE files (with a few having some module files too).

However... to your question.

This is what I would do...

On your LOCAL MACHINE...

Open up a fresh copy of zencart 1.3.9c

navigate to:

includes/templates/classic/template_info.php , and open it for editing in a plain text editor:

You will see:

<?php
/**
 * Template Information File
 *
 * @package templateSystem
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2006 Zen Cart Development Team
 * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @version $Id: template_info.php 4226 2006-08-24 02:23:25Z drbyte $
 */
$template_name = 'Classic Contemporary Green';
$template_version = 'Version 1.3.5';
$template_author = 'Zen Cart Team (c) 2006';
$template_description = 'This template set is designed to be easily modified using only the style sheet to change colors, fonts, and the store logo. Three images are required; logo.jpg, header_bg.jpg, and tile_back.gif.';
$template_screenshot = 'scr_template_default.jpg';
?>

Change it thus:

<?php
/**
 * Template Information File
 *
 * @package templateSystem
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2006 Zen Cart Development Team
 * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @version $Id: template_info.php 4226 2006-08-24 02:23:25Z drbyte $
 */
$template_name = 'My Template';
$template_version = 'Version 1.3.9';
$template_author = 'My name - 2010';
$template_description = 'This is my new template';
$template_screenshot = '';
?>

SAVE it

Then, go through ALL the folders, SUB-folders and even the SUB-SUB-folders in:

templates
languages
modules

... and wherever you see a folder called "classic"...

... change that folder's name to my_template

You now have your exact clone of classic (called my_template) which you can FTP to your server.

So you just ftp all those my_template folders and the new template_info.php file to their respective forlders and sub/folders

[skaterschoice]

Schoolboy

Thank you very much, I will implement and share with you and forum.

I appreciate the help, I hope to return the favor in the future.

The OLD guy

[schoolboy]

remember that when you "invoke" that template, you will see an IDENTICAL screen as you would, had you invoked CLASSIC...

One of the first things I do is create a new header image... so at least I know what template is actually active!

[skaterschoice]

OK, rechecked all changes twice, uploaded via fillazilla, was able to login to admin, able to see all option, when I went to Tools, template selection - I had the following:

Windows error page come up. in URL bar: https://www.skaterschoicecolorado.co...ate_select.php

The website cannot display the page
HTTP 500
Most likely causes:
The website is under maintenance.
The website has a programming error.
What you can try:
Refresh the page.
Go back to the previous page.
More information
This error (HTTP 500 Internal Server Error) means that the website you are visiting had a server problem which prevented the webpage from displaying.
For more information about HTTP errors, see Help.

www.skaterschoicecolorado.com

[skaterschoice]

Update:

Uninstalled changes, went back to known good includes files ,went into admin reset from test clone, reset back to original contemporary green reset boxes, system admin login worked, site was up with classic contemporary green. Also I am keeping close eye on permissions.

obviously I missed something in the new changes, I will review all changes and start from scratch again and provide update.

[skaterschoice]

schoolboy You ARE DA MAN!

User interface issues as usual, a short between the floor and keyboard.

After double checking all edits, re uploaded, I realized that the classic folder needed to be removed from the server side.

Thanks much, now the fun begins.

Again a big thanks and I owe you at least one COLD ONE!

The OLD guy

[schoolboy]

I realized that the classic folder needed to be removed from the server side.

Er... not as such...

The classic folder is an important component of CORE. You should not remove it.

Are you sure you re-naned ALL folders to my_template on your LOCAL machine... especially the one that houses template_info.php ?

If you want me to take a quick look at whether you have done this correctly send me a Provate Message with your server FTP login details.

[Athens Collectibles]

Hi schoolboy,

I want to do the same as skaterschoice but:

1) I am on v1.3.9d (I don't suppose it matters)

2) I have already done some customisation although it wouldn't be that bad if I lost it.

3) I don't have a local copy of Zen Cart.

4) My configuration is dual-language, Greek and English. I had some initial problems with Greek but everything seems to work fine at the moment.

Your reply #2 to this topic was:

Then, go through ALL the folders, SUB-folders and even the SUB-SUB-folders in:
templates
languages
modules


... and wherever you see a folder called "classic"...

... change that folder's name to my_template

You now have your exact clone of classic (called my_template) which you can FTP to your server.

What if I did it like this directly on the server:

Go through ALL the folders, SUB-folders and even the SUB-SUB-folders in:

templates
languages
modules

... and wherever I see a folder called "classic" ...
... copy it (and its contents) to a new folder called my_template

If the above action is correct, I assume that the file includes/templates/classic/template_info.php will be cloned as includes/templates/my_template/template_info.php and I can do the changes as described in your reply above (template name, author etc).

What I'm not sure about is what cloning of language files (if any) will be required. If it doesn't work, I believe that I can always revert to the Classic Contemporary Green until problems are solved.

May I have your expert opinion please before I proceed? I will really appreciate it and thank you in advance. In case you want to have a look on the present appearance in Greek and English, my URL is http://athenscollectibles.info

Have a nice evening and kind regards from a hot Athens (nearly 40º).

[schoolboy]

George...

If you have been making changes to CORE files, then you have some extra work to do.

It's not just about re-naming folders...

You say that you have already made some customizations to some files.

When you customized these files, did you send the EDITED file to its CLASSIC folder... or did you just send it back to its original location after you edited it?

What I am asking is this... Did you follow the over-ride principles (after editing a CORE file, you sent it to its appropriate "classic" override folder)?

If you DID follow the over-ride procedure with ALL the files you have edited so far, then just re-naming the "classic" folders on your server will be OK. (NOTE: you will, however lose your sidebox settings when the template changes).

After you rename "classic" folders on your server, then you MUST ftp a fresh copy of "classic" template to the server. (You must ALWAYS have the classic template on the server).

If you DID NOT follow override principles, then your task is a little harder because you will need to:

1. MOVE all edited files that are still in their CORE locations, into your over-rides folders.
2. FTP fresh CORE copies of the files that you have moved, so that they REPLACE the ones you just moved. (In this way, you are returning the core files to their original, un-edited state).

When you have all your core files back as their originals, and the edited files in the proper over-ride location (probably classic folders in your case), you can do the folder re-naming.