Downloadable Product

[signature16]

MODERATOR NOTE:
There is a more detailed FAQ on this topic, available here:
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=71
and
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=57

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Original post:

Ok this is just not documented anywhere convenient. How do I setup a virtual product?



I think this topics deserves some documentation.


Here is the best advice I have seen on the forums so far....and I still wasn't able to figure it out:

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had the document-info product already created. (you can see my link hack at the top of the page, but it's not elegant.)

Procedure I used:

admin > catalog > option name manager

inserted:
option name: free download
option type: file

admin > catalog > attributes controller

selected my product, hit display.

Selected option name (Free download) and option value.
The only option value that made sense was TEXT (RESERVED FOR TEXT/FILES ONLY ATTRIBUTES).

Set up the download in admin > catalog > downloads manager.

I did not see any place in admin > catalog > options values to define the text value, but I could add text in option name text attributes. I put the filename in there for now, hoping it would show in the file download browse window, but it does not, it seems to be for description purposes.

I've been reading the thread in the archive subject Attributes HOW-TO but I'm still befuddled. Any clarification is welcome.


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[blind1]

Hi there
If it is any help. This topic is covered in detail in the Zen Cart book.
About 6 pages dedicated to it.

[blind1]

Having a quick read. You set up option names and values. Say you want a product that is available in different file formats (pdf, doc,mp3,wma) or available in different languages for download.

• Create a product based on what best matches your products generally.
• Set Product is Virtual: No Shipping address required
• Always shipping free: Yes Always shipping free
  OR
  Set to special, Product/Download Combo Requires a Shipping Address (if available as a pysical good as well)
• Products Qty Box Shows: No, Do not show qty Box
  AND
  Product Qty Minimum: 1 (if download product only)
• Prepare files (Zip into compressed format)
• Configuration > Attribute settings > Enable Downloads :True
  
  
• Configuration > Attribute settings > Download by Redirect: true (if Unix/Linux/Mac)
  Configuration > Attribute settings > Download by Redirect: false (if Windows operating system)
  
  
• Download by Streaming: False
  
  
• Set <zc-home>/pub directory on server to fully read-able and write-able / permission (chmod 777) (if Unix/Linux/Mac operating system)
  
  
• Upload zipped files to <zc-home>/download directory (don’t use a subdirectory in downloads directory)
• Now go and create your attributes to allow specific downloads, file formats etc in Catalog>Attribute controller.
• After that specify when downloads are available with Order status in Attribute settings & Module > Payments
• Using a test customer account – Check your downloadable product.

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I hope that makes it easier.
[/FONT]

[Ajeh]

NOTE: Downloads are NOT marked as Always Free Shipping ...

just as they are NOT marked as Virtual Products ...

Downloads know there are no shipping costs automatically due to the Download file added to the Attribute ...

[blind1]

Whoops I got that out of the book. Is it an error?

[Ajeh]

It is a common mistake in that there is a counter for Products that are Downloads and depending on your shipping methods this could offset the counts if you mark it as an Always Free Shipping or Virtual Product and there is a Download attached ...

This will show itself most on sites that have physical, virtual and downloads mixed amongst the products ...

But on Download sites, this is not a major problem ... it is just good practice to configure the Products specifically ...

[signature16]

I still can't get it working. I think I got everything setup properly but when I test an order submission, I never get a link to download the product.

Thanks for the help so far!

[winky3d]

I'm also having trouble with this... and I have the book.

I'm getting the same result as signature16.

I'm trying to test an mp3 product.

Questions:

1. Does it have to be in a zip file? Currently is not.

2. Does the "Attributes Controller > Downloadable products: Filename" need the file extension, ie test.mp3. Currently does not.
also - just tried setting it to 'test.zip' -- still no download link on 'Success'

3. If the product is only available as an mp3, then is there any need for an Attribute Option Name / Value?

[blind1]

I am only basing my knowledge on reading but I hope it still of value.

The book recommends you do compress the files so I would zip them
Filenames are just that and I would also put the full file name and extention.
When naming your files, aviod spaces, special characters, extra periods, quote marks etc - can cause problems.

You said you tried setting the Attributes Controller to zip but your product wasn't zipped? Or did you zip it first?

[winky3d]

Got thi8s working... not sure how... sorry.

I deleted the product and started from scratch after reading some other threads in this forum.