Serious design help needed

[Nick_Sonick]

Hey guys,

I just do not know where to start. I want to make my own template, something very simple (I love the layout of this demo avactis store: http://demo.avactis.com/1.7.1/flowers/ ). I just want it to be clear, and easy to use and follow.

But I don't know where to start! I downloaded this template from template monster (http://www.templatemonster.com/zen-c...tes/15120.html) but it's nothing but trouble. It's not clear, and breaks constantly, especially in IE.

I don't know what the stylesheet does, and dont know how I would begin to create something along the line of the avactis template linked to above.

I know HTML and also have Dreamweaver.

Someone please help!

Thanks so much.

[gjh42]

The first thing to do is use your Zen Cart admin to set the overall layout - right column disabled, arrange desired sideboxes on the left, etc.
Then you can start setting fonts, colors, etc with your stylesheet. Getting rounded corners like the demo will probably require adding some wrapper divs in template files.

Get started, and then ask for help with specific tasks as necessary.

Oh, and be sure to read the FAQ and other info on creating your own template. Don't just edit the /classic/ files in place; copy anything you need to your own custom template folder and edit there.

[Nick_Sonick]

Thanks for your help - I realise my question may have been a tad vague!

I'm in the middle now of arranging sideboxes and the general layout of the site.

One of the things that I do not how to do at all on the avactis template, is how to display the shopping cart contents in the way that it does. I have the source code, they have used a table with an image as the backgound, and the shopping cart code inside the table (obviously the code is different for their software however) - how would I make that?

Thanks!

[gjh42]

There is a mod in Downloads - Shopping Cart Totals In Header - designed for that purpose. It could be adapted for other locations, like the top of the center column for you.

[Nick_Sonick]

Wow!

Cool. Can I add currencies to the header in a similar way? And if I wanted them at the top of the centre column, do I control that from the boxes controller or do I have to add some code somewhere?

Thanks so much.

[gjh42]

Try looking through the downloads (unfortunately there is not yet a search facility there) just to see what all is available.

Also, search the forum on specific keywords like "currencies header" or the like. People have done this before and posted about it.

[gjh42]

To get currencies or shopping cart totals at the top of the center column, you would probably add the code to tpl_main_page.php near the breadcrumbs code.

[Nick_Sonick]

Thanks so much for your help so far.

I downloaded the shopping cart code and have put it into the tpl main page file. It displays the information, but how would I make the information a link to the cart so that the customer may checkout?

[gjh42]

Look at the code for the standard shopping cart sidebox. Its heading is a link to the cart page, and you should be able to use that. You may need to trace from a tpl_ file back to a module file, not sure...

[Nick_Sonick]

Thanks for your help so far again!

I've been working tirelessly on the layout. The left hand column has a kinda peachy colour background, that runs all the way down the left of the page (and the sideboxes sit on top of this) - I need to change this to white. How can I do this?

Thanks!