Template question

[maperr55]

Hi,
I see these different very artistic design templates on the web for sale.
I was wondering what software programs are used to create them?
Which language is Zencart written in I see a mixture of different types?
Do the take the basic installation and modify certain files to get such a drastic change in look compaired to the standard white and green. I would like to design some of these templates but unlike web pages not sure where to start.

[afo]

Beware of the templates that are for sale. Many of them disable Zen Cart functions and are difficult to modify/maintain.

Zen Cart is written in PHP which generates HTML pages on the fly depending on what the user has selected.

Most of the changes you'll need to make will involve the stylesheet (css).

There's a nice selection of free Zen Cart templates available. You can see them in action at http://(sorry, site offline)/. You might want to consider choosing one that's close to the look you want and using it as a guide to create your own.

If you want more infomation on PHP and stylesheets, check out http://www.w3schools.com/.

[maperr55]

HI,
Thank you for your reply. I am currently using PS CS3, Fw CS3, DW CS3 for design of my web pages. I know DW will work with PHP files ans CSS Files.
What would I need to do to make a PS or FW layout and make it so zencart will work with it as the template. I guess the layout is so spread out I just cant see it.
I take it then there is a difference between the e-comers, os-comers and the zen-cart templates, (not interchangeable.) I already have some of the other templates downloaded. I also had bought a bunch of different templates and seen a few that might work for a nice interface but was not sure how to tie them in.

[afo]

That's not really how templates are done. You can mock up an image of what you'd like the layout to look like (I know some people do that), but you're going to have to edit the stylesheet and change settings in the admin (at minimum) to achieve the look you want. You're not going to be able to design an image and upload it as a template.

[maperr55]

Hi,
Thank you again.
So the template can not be treated like a web template and uploaded. Bummer that would be to easy. Is the Stylesheet the document that gives the complete layout of the template web page. What way can I view and test while building the new template?

[afo]

Use the FireFox browser with the web developer addon (there are other nifty addons as well, but I'm familiar with web developer). It'll allow you to play with the stylesheet and see the changes immediately, but you'll have to save the changes separately and upload them to the site in order for them to take effect.

You'd probably benefit from downloading one of the free templates and seeing how they're constructed.

Also, check out these tutorials:
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=232
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=142
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=133

[maperr55]

HI,
I currently use Firefox for my we browser most of the time. Is this a module I need to download for it to add on? If so, Where? I could find reference to it but no where to obtain it.

[stevesh]

Web Developer - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/60

Fire Bug - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1843