Display Model Number on Category Page

[briandoakes]

Why didn't YOU develop the site. Looks like you know the protocol...

HA! Thanks.. because this site was done long before I even got here. Like I said.. my profusion I am a creative guy, but I understand framework and logic of sites and can manipulate code once I know how it works. I couldnt write PHP from scratch, but if I saw how a piece worked, I could figure out how to edit it and duplicate it with changes.

[briandoakes]

Let me ask one final question...

As someone relatively new to ZenCart.. if I wanted to start a theme from scratch and built it out on my own, what would be the best way to start?

I know someone mentioned Template Monster. are they bad to use as a starting point for ZC Templates?

Id like to get a basic Template and then just stylize and theme the heck out of it, but im not sure where to start nor do i know how to install a new theme.

if you could point me in the direction of some good starting points, I might just look to redo our site from scratch properly so that it will be easier to manage moving forward.

thanks again for all the help today!

[schoolboy]

Don't touch Template Monster... if you think you have problems now, they are nothing compared to those that Template Monster will give you.

Because the TEMPLATE system in zencart is so flexible, you can try a number of templates without affecting the sites CORE behaviour.

In YOUR case, this is now not possible, because your developer has tampered with the CORE files...

... so whatever "template" you try to introduce now, will NOT WORK AS DESIGNED, because your site will FORCE elements of your (now modified) CORE system into that template's CUSTOM system.

Your first step will be to "extract" all customised core files, put them where they should be (in a proper over-ride system) and then re-load the original core files to the DEFAULT system.

You DO NOT WANT to simply "overwrite" those core files now... if you do, you will overwrite your developer's work - and in effect break the entire site.

[briandoakes]

Ok, so in short.. any thoughts on how to extract all of these customized core files and put them where they need to be?

While responding. I have downloaded ZenCart to my local machine and have a fresh, running version of it running locally. by doing this I was able to turn on and off the Model Number on Product Listings and hopefully will be able to figure out how to get the functionality from there and place it into my live site.

However, moving forward I want to do this the right way. I want to use this fresh and local copy (and I will even upgrade to 1.50) and want to learn how to add a new theme to it. So aside from Template Monster, could you point me in the direction of where I could get themes to try and install? I just want to learn how the theme / template installation process works so that when Im ready, I will be able to install my own custom theme.

If you're familiar with Wordpress, that process is super easy, you make your theme, drop it in the themes directory and hit "Apply Theme" so I want to learn ZC's version of this.

[schoolboy]

Choose any of the templates by picaflor azul in the zencart addons section. Anne's templates are neat and clean, and the vast majority have been upgraded to work with Zc1.5

We use the all_business template quite a lot...

There are also a lot of other very good templates. The PURE series by 12leaves (see Google) are also good.

[schoolboy]

Ok, so in short.. any thoughts on how to extract all of these customized core files and put them where they need to be?

A file compare program (WINMERGE) will give you a very quick LISTING of files in DIRECTORY "A" that are different from their comparative files in DIRECTORY "B"

In your case, your MODIFIED files are all likely to be in the main "includes" folder (not admin/includes)... just the main includes folder.

So...

In winmerge,

in the first location selector option... navigate to the location on your hard drive where you have FTP's your site to, and drill down to that "includes" folder

in the second location selector option... navigate to the location on your hard drive where you have unzipped the same version of ZC, and drill down to the "includes" folder.

Then do the comparison...

This will LIST all files that are UNCHANGED and CHANGED..

You can reasonably assume that all the CHANGED files are those customised by your developer.

It is likely that CHANGED files will appear in:
/includes/languages/
/includes/modules/
/includes/templates/

BUT THERE COULD BE OTHERS IN OTHER DIRECTORIES TOO...

These now need to be MOVED into a CUSTOM (over-ride) structure, that meets the directory arrangement of such override structure (viz: your "custom" template system.)

In effect, you will be EXTRACTING all CORE files that were edited, and will be putting them into their appropriate OVER-RIDE folder.

When you have extracted EVERY SINGLE FILE in this way - and MADE SURE they are in the proper override folder, you have the basis of your custom template.

Then.... you will be able to RESTORE the CORE system to the way it is meant to be... by overwriting it with the original files... it will be safe to do this now, because the customised files will be in their over-ride folders

(OVER-RIDE and CUSTOM folders essentially means the same thing).

You could then LOAD your "new" custom template in the same way that you would load any new template. Your site will be very confused at first as it is "expecting" certain settings. You will need to reset various settings - the first being the LAYOUT BOXES CONTROLLER RESET, and possibly several others in various admin areas.

[briandoakes]

Thanks... it almost sounds like it would be easier to start from scratch with ZenCart 1.50 and just make a new fresh and properly installed Template.

Quick question: I downloaded a sample template to install on my local fresh ZC Install, but im not sure where these files are supposed to go and I don't want to over-write the classic files.

You know how in Wordpress you have a Themes folder and you drop everything in there, is ZenCart the same way or do I have to move files to a whole bunch of different directories?

[schoolboy]

No... zencart does not work like WP.

You need to FTP the new template to the server.

In your FTP program,
for your LOCAL machine, navigate to the level in the new template, where you see the "includes" folder.
for your REMOTE SERVER, navigate to the level in the zencart installation, where you see the "includes" folder.

Then start the FTP.

This will not "overwrite" the folders on the server... it will just send the template files to their correct positions on the server.

When the FTP is complete, login to admin, and go to TOOLS >>> TEMPLATE SELECTION... Click EDIT and from the dropdown, select the new template and UPDATE.

Then, under TOOLS >>> LAYOUT BOXES CONTROLLER... scroll to the bottom of the screen and click RESET button/link

[schoolboy]

Bear in mind that your developer MIGHT have changed core files elsewhere - possibly even in the ADMIN area of the site... We don't know... so it might be necessary to "WINMERGE INSPECT" Every single folder...