Re: help, please: I need box for attribute images
If I'm understanding what you want -- you can assign specific thumbnails using attributes on a product-by-product basis. You don't have to use all of the option values you create on every product.
Create an option name of "Fabric" (or color or whatever) and assign to it the different option values for each type of fabric.
Then, in attributes, set up the match of the option name to the option values applicable to that product.
Hope that made sense.
You can use the admin panel Configuration --> Attribute Settings to enable attribute images. (If you don't, they won't show no matter what.)
Under Catalog --> Option Name Manager you can edit how the thumbnails display and in how many columns, a row, etc.
HTH,
Lesli in SW Florida ~ writer, teacher, and dodging hurricanes!