How to Save Template Changes?

[SALAGR]

Hello,
I am a new user and have made many changes to the existing template that Zen Cart comes with. (Green One). I see now that if I want to keep these changes etc. that I have to save them elsewhere or I will lose the information if I upgrade in the future. Since I have already made many changes what is the best way to save them for the future?


Thanks for your Help

[afo]

Use the information in the Tutorials/FAQ as a guide and create folders for your custom template. You can call you custom template whatever you wish. Just be consistant.

Copy the files you changed into those folders.

Anywhere you see a /classic/ folder, you can create a folder for your custom template. You can copy the necessary files from either the /classic/ folder, the /template_default/ folder or the parent folder.

Edit includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/template_info.php to give your template identifying information so you'll recognize it in the admin under tools->template selection.

[SALAGR]

Thanks for the quick answer.

I am still a little bit mixed up on it being new to this, so I appreciate your patience. When you say copy the files, do you mean physically copy and paste the ones from the "default_template" folder into a new folder of my creation.? Ex: copy all files etc from "default_template" such as: "buttons" folder, common, css, images ETC.? and put them into a new folder (I'm calling customtemplate) on the same level. Will I need to rename the files themselves differently or am I just changing locations and folders?

Sorry to sound so basic, but I have made many changes and additions that I would hate to lose by not asking questions. I really appreciate your help

[afo]

There's no need to copy all the files. You only need to copy files you want to modify (or in your case the files you already modified).

This list is a bit outdated, but it'll give you an idea where to start to create a very basic custom template (you can build from there):

• includes/languages/YOUR_TEMPLATE/english.php
• includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/index.php
• includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/meta_tags.php
• includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/header.php (to change the logo and header text)
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/template_info.php
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_header.php <- may not be necessary
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_footer.php <- may not be necessary
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/images/logo.gif (or .jpg or .png)
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/css/stylesheet.css

Anywhere you see a /classic/ folder, you can create a folder for your custom template. You can copy the necessary files from either the /classic/ folder, the /template_default/ folder or the parent folder.

Edit includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/template_info.php to give your template identifying information so you'll recognize it in the admin under tools->template selection.

Note: if you've changed the height of the logo in header.php, you may need to change it in your stylesheet as well:

#logoWrapper{
background-image: url(../images/header_bg.jpg);
background-repeat: repeat-x;
background-color: #ffffff;
height:75px; <-adjust this line if necessary
}

[SALAGR]

Thanks again. I will be working on that later today. Your help is greatly appreciated!

[SALAGR]

Hello Again,
I did everything as described and when I finished with the folders and files, when I tried to use my link to login to the admin page, the page came up completely blank to login. Did I change something that I shouldn't have/


Thanks!

[afo]

I'd say yes since there is no override for the admin. Changing the template shouldn't be an issue. Double check what you changed and where you put the changes.

[SALAGR]

O.K. One more question and then I will try to quit buggin you. I saved things as stated and most of the original info is there when I change the template, but I am missing all of the side boxes and such. What file did I miss that would put them back?


Thanks so much

[afo]

admin>tools>layout boxes controller
press reset at the bottom of the screen.

[SALAGR]

I would just like to say thanks again. You helped me get a grasp on what works! I think I saved everything correctly this time around.