Template help please!

[guv]

I installed Zen cart earlier today and have set about attempting to customise. I have had a brief browse to find the answers, but some are a little vague!

Site is located here:

I have made a few changes to the layout from the tpl files, but need a little help on locations! With so many files with same names etc, it would be too easy to edit files that I should be. (Not really sure why there is a default and classic template. Are they not the same thing?)

OK, firstly, I would like to remove the "Sales Message Goes Here" item.

Also the initial "Welcome" on the index page as it seems pointless with the welcome guest message underneath!

Lastly, are there any good reference tutorials? The only ones I've source are a bit too basic - or just dont cover areas Id like to learn a little more on.

Any help appreciated.

[guv]

A little fumbling around and I think I have solved both of the above questions!

Still need lots of help though!

The Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional message below the footer.... any idea where this is located? I'd like to remove that also!

Another change I would like to make, would be to move the top bar (with login etc), to below the header image. Is it just a case or renaming that nav or more than that (eg the css)?

Cheers

[gjh42]

My first advice is to look in the wiki (link at top of page). It is a work in progress, but much good info is in there already. The FAQs are still being reconstructed after an emergency forced migration of the support site, but there is some good current info there.

The classic and template_default templates are very much not the same thing! Classic is there mostly for backward compatibility with old/upgraded sites, and should not be used for building new sites. Kuroi has just developed a new "ultra lightweight" template based on template_default. See The Stylesheet forum for his post. I haven't looked at it yet, but my guess is it will be a good place for you to start your customization.

The validator bit can be found at the bottom of tpl_main_page.php.

The navbar can be relocated by carefully moving the code in tpl_header.php - the section is clearly marked by <!--bof-navigation display--> and <!--eof-navigation display--> comments. Move it to below the branding display section.

[Sermonzone]

Not sure what you mean by "a little too basic" but here are some things that might help.

Zen Cart is built on a system call ‘overrides.’ This means that as new versions and updates of the cart arrive your custom template that you have worked so hard on will not be lost and will ‘override’ the stock template.

These thread will help you learn not only which files to edit but how to arrange them in the proper folders so the override will work. Read, comprehend and apply these threads and you will be blessed by the Zen Cart wonder.

The Wiki is a great place to start. However, since the forum experienced an emergency reload, many links have not been updated. Be patient.

http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._-_Customizing
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p...on_-_Templates
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._API_Overrides
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Basic_Checklist

This thread is from the previous forum but has great info.

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7263

Good Luck!