Template question

[A Hot Mess]

Total noob. First post.

I've been meaning to get started working on a Zen Cart install for quite a while now. I keep putting it off as it just looks to be an overwhelming task each time I start to breakdown what I need to do. It seems so much less straightforward than something like Wordpress, where templating and customization is very user-friendly.

I've decided to finally bite the bullet though. I'm going to customize this cart, even if it kills me.

Ok.

As barco57 mentioned, ZenCart pages do seem to be "cobbled together" from many various files and stylesheets. Is there (possibly) a map or grid identifying where sections of various pages (mainly the home/main/index page) can be edited? Ya know... "this section is edited in file 'x'"... "this blurb can be edited in the admin area"... etc. An example would be like the attached image.

Does something like this exist? Or.. is it not even that simple?

Thanks.

[stevesh]

The Web Developer plugin for Firefox will give you a lot of that information, especially regarding stylesheets.

There's an 'override chart' in Downloads that gives you a visual aid for that.

The tutorials/FAQ, and this forum should help with anything else.

I've been doing a lot of work with the stylesheet for the last couple of weeks, and it's not nearly as convoluted as it seems at first. Pretty simple once you dig into it.

[A Hot Mess]

Oh hey... got my own thread!?! That wasn't necessary. But I'll take it...

I've been doing a lot of work with the stylesheet for the last couple of weeks, and it's not nearly as convoluted as it seems at first. Pretty simple once you dig into it.

Thanks for the response steve. That's been my problem. Every time I start to read up on this thing, my eyes start to roll into the back of my head, and I suddenly find a project that's of greater importance.

I think part of it is that there is just so much information scattered around this site, and no real logical order to any of it. Oh, I'm sure it makes sense to people who've been immersed in it for a number of months or years, but to someone who's new and trying to break through the clutter, it's pretty intimidating. I mean, there's over 50 sub-forums on the main message board page alone. Pile the faq/tutorial and the wiki on top of that and it's a pretty big bite to swallow.

I think I'm just going to have to tear it apart (the ZC files) and see what happens. Then when I get it back together, hope that I have enough understanding of it (or know where to find the answers) to make sure it's stable and secure to open up to customers.

I'd love to hear anyone else's suggestions or stories about how they dove headfirst into customizing Zen Cart. Things that helped you. Things that you did and would advise others against making the same mistake. Whatever. I'll take anything I can get.

Thanks.

[stevesh]

I know I don't need to say that every one of us was, at one time, where you are now.

[Kim]

First - DO NOT start hacking away at files. Many, many things can be altered from the Admin.

Second, break your template idea down into smaller pieces - e.g. Do the header (top of the page) or decide what the body background should be.

Third, don't try to learn everything at once - it will make your head explode.

[TShooters]

And ... keep you up until the ungodliest wee early early morning hours.

To get started, familiarize yourself with the Zen Cart file structure, especially
the includes folder. And read everything you can about overrides.

[A Hot Mess]

Thanks for the responses. I'm really gonna get after it this week (notice how I avoided doing anything with it over the weekend).

If anyone else has anything to add, I'd be glad to hear it. Especially if it results in reducing the likelihood that I'll cap myself at some point in the next several days. I'm sure it will feel great when I get it set-up the way I want and look back on all the work it took, but honestly, this is gonna be a b***h.