Tabbed Products Pro (TPP) Contrib - Official Thread

[DivaVocals]

Please help me. I installed TPP.

I added Description tab and CustomTabb with "Add to Cart" as sub-addcart. How come when guest enter 20 units under Description or CustomerTab (Feature) it Add to Cart shows only 1 unit? If I entered 20 units under "AddtoCart" Tab then it is ok.
Could someone please help me?
http://digulu.x10hosting.com/store/i...&products_id=6

Thank you

Hate to break you this bad news, but the issues you are having have very little to do with this module and a LOT to do with your template..

I know that there are a LOT of providers of Zen Cart templates, but many of them hack the core Zen code so that modules don't install they way they should and sometimes they wreak havoc with default Zen Cart functions.. I always recommend that folks always to start with one of the "endorsed" templates that are supported here on this forum..

Even better??? Create your own template from scratch. I know most folks like templates because they "think" it saves them time..(Instant pretty look and feel) But the tradeoff is a boatload of issues that cause issues.. I have seen more posts related to template issues than I care to shake a stick at.. IMO most of the time unless it's a properly constructed template, most folks spend more time trying to get their template to work than they would have if they had constructed the template from scratch themselves..

All the templates out there (yes including the dreaded Template Monster templates) can EASILY be re-created following Zen standards without all of the hacks and junk many of these plug-n-play templates offer..

I'm pretty sure this is not what you want to hear or you will decide that I am full of it.. (earlier today another user told me that my advice was BS..), but I promise you that the underlying structure of your template is at the heart of the issues you are having getting this module to integrate cleanly.. You can easily prove or disprove my advice by installing this mod to work with the classic template and switching to the classic template..

This is an install of TPP using a generic template: http://zen138.overthehillweb.com/Lig...oremIpsumDolor
(please note that I did not have to create an "Add to Cart" tab just to add te add to cart button)

[gaffettape]

These instructions are for TPP 1.05 since TPP 1.06 kept crashing the site and/or conflicting with other hacks/mods. I imagine 1.06 does not differ much if at all for simple, custom content.

1. OPEN includes\modules\tabbed_products_pro.php
2. FIND [FONT="Courier New"]$fmtDOT = '<div style="width:100%;">' . "\n";[/FONT]
3. EDIT*

*For each line of code you want to add, simply insert a new line containing [FONT="Courier New"]$fmtDOT .= '';[/FONT] (after/before the other appropriate fmtDOT lines of code) and put your new HTML content between the single quotes. Skills sets will vary, of course, but it should be pretty self explanatory.

If you have custom data and tabs to add, the hacks necessary are way too numerous to go into detail, but it can be done.

Thanks for that guide cartguin, i will have a go in the morning and let you know how i get on

[molywerks]

digilu, this doesn't answer your question* but why not keep Zen Cart's default Add To Cart function so it is omnipresent?

*...because I have no clue how you coded the Description tab.

Looking at the ReadMe/Help doc, I imagine you used [FONT="Courier New"]<!--*sub_AddToCart(1)*-->[/FONT] in the product description? If yes, then I too probably had your problem along with several others when testing TPP and in the end -- because I found TPP's requirement of using its tags in the product description rather cumbersome -- I overhauled the mod, making it truly, 100% dynamic.

Rather than having "Tabs [that] are created dynamically from the use of tags in the product description", my tabs are created dynamically without relying upon any user input whatsoever. Meaning, staff did not need to learn and use TPP's tags system when adding/editing product descriptions. The staff continues to behave as if the mod was never installed.

[digulu]

Thank you cartguin for confirming that others may had same issue. I mean I am hoping someone else is having similar issue and have an answer. From what I understand from you that this happended to you and other zencart owner (Yes I have added <!--*sub_AddToCart(1)*--> to Product Description)

When you please be more specific when you said "why not keep Zen Cart's default Add To Cart function so it is omnipresent?"
Do you mean bring AddToCart Tab as the default tab?

>"Tabs [that] are created dynamically from the use of tags in the product description"'s

How do you do that? Do you have an example? Your web url? Could you please show me how you made it dynamic? Maybe some zen-cart forum links?

Is there any way workaround? I mean Add to Cart Tab is the only place that work fine when adding more than one items any of other Tab do not work.

I really need help .. I have spent money on my Template and 3 months for building the site. I need to have my store running in 2 weeks.
Help..!


Thank you very much

[DivaVocals]

digilu, this doesn't answer your question* but why not keep Zen Cart's default Add To Cart function so it is omnipresent?

*...because I have no clue how you coded the Description tab.

Looking at the ReadMe/Help doc, I imagine you used [FONT=Courier New]<!--*sub_AddToCart(1)*-->[/FONT] in the product description? If yes, then I too probably had your problem along with several others when testing TPP and in the end -- because I found TPP's requirement of using its tags in the product description rather cumbersome -- I overhauled the mod, making it truly, 100% dynamic.

Rather than having "Tabs [that] are created dynamically from the use of tags in the product description", my tabs are created dynamically without relying upon any user input whatsoever. Meaning, staff did not need to learn and use TPP's tags system when adding/editing product descriptions. The staff continues to behave as if the mod was never installed.

The issue unfortunately is this is a Template Monster template, and these templates are ALWAYS a hacked mess.. (sorry.. had to say it)

These templates LOOK good, and are usually constructed using hacked code which does NOT follow Zen standards AT ALL. I suspect that digilu's main product page is constructed in some non standard way to accommodate the design that the Template Monster hacks were trying to achieve. Try merging this modules code with a hacked product page, and you get he issues he is having..

I am 100% positive, that he would not be having ANY of these issues if he were to try testing this mod on the Classic template..

Thanks DivaVocals.
Will it there be any to fix it? I am not a programmer or php expertise. Can I put add to cart on the top of the tab and will this fix it?
Thank you

It is hard for any of us to really help because your TM template is NOT constructed using standard Zen Code, rather it is the Zen Cart code hacked up by Template Monster.

Unfortunately your Template Monster template will likely not have a QUICK fix. They (Template Monster) tend to use their own style classes and IDs, divs nested to hell, and other un-orthodox crap.. The RIGHT way to fix your problem IMO is to ditch the product page that came with the template, and rebuild it by starting with the default product page and properly applying the look and feel using Zen Cart standards versus hacking the code into submission like Template Monster does..

I know that's not what you want to hear, and based on your posts you are clearly looking for a different answer (quick fix).. I wish you luck, but IMO the time you are spending on trying to fix this hacked code could be better spent re-building this page the right way and be done with it..

Like I said, people use templates because they THINK it's an INSTANT design solution.. and they can be if the template is properly constructed.. However, NONE of the Template Monster templates are properly constructed.. Truthfully, Template Monster promised you a working Zen Cart template.. THEY should provide the correct product page code to work with TPP..

[digulu]

Thanks for replying me.

Could someone please tell me how you make AddToCart Box Dynamic next to Product Image (under product detail) ?
This way, I don't need to use AddCart Tab nor the AdCart Box of Description Tab
Please give me some guideline..

Thank you very much.

[molywerks]

When you please be more specific when you said "why not keep Zen Cart's default Add To Cart function so it is omnipresent?"
Do you mean bring AddToCart Tab as the default tab?

No, I mean having the Add to Cart stuff above or below the tabs. Why haven't in the product description only to have it disappear when somebody clicks another tab? I think it confuses customers to have it in another tab besides the Add to Cart tab. It is better to include it in all tabs, above or below the tabs (the "omnipresent" solution), or only in the Add To Cart tab.

To make it omnipresent, find and open \templates\template_default\templates\tpl_product_info_display.php, which is Zen Cart's default file for creating an individual product's page. Find and copy the code beginning with [FONT="Courier New"]<!--bof Add to Cart Box -->[/FONT] through [FONT="Courier New"]<!--eof Add to Cart Box-->[/FONT]. Then open your custom template's tpl_product_info_display.php file and paste it in an appropriate place, above or below:

<?php
//BOF :: Tabbed Products Pro ::
echo '<div id="tpptabBlock" style="display:none;">' . $tabData . '</div>';
//EOF :: Tabbed Products Pro ::
?>

For the discount table, follow the procedure open, copying and pasting the code beginning with [FONT="Courier New"]<!--bof Quantity Discounts table -->[/FONT] through [FONT="Courier New"]<!--eof Quantity Discounts table -->[/FONT].

>"Tabs [that] are created dynamically from the use of tags in the product description"

How do you do that?

The quote is from TPP's documentation. Open readme_tabbed.html and click How To Use for further info.

This site is an example of truly dynamic TPP that doesn't require TPP tags in each product's product description data field. If you require extended development, contact me privately.

----

The above was written while Diva responded and you asked for assistance in another post. I do not have the experience Diva does, but I agree with those parts that I understand in her replies. Custom templates cut out a lot and often make it harder to learn or troubleshoot. FWIW, how I learned was by starting with an approved template and comparing it with the Zen Cart default files. And then from there whenever I needed something my custom template didn't do, I asked questions here, I played Sherlock Holmes, and I learned eventually what file I needed from the Zen Cart core or default template files. Then I hacked my way to a solution through trial and error and browsing the forum.

[DivaVocals]

Based on digilu's earlier posts, he has the "Add to Cart" button in a tab becasue that's the only way he can get it to work.. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TEMPLATE MONSTER code for the tpl_product_info_display.php page.. PERIOD..

While it's nice that you included code from the default tpl_product_info_display.php, it is VERY likely that digilu's Template Monster equivalent has been re-written to accommodate the LOOK of the template (as all Template Monster templates do). This means that his tpl_product_info_display.php will likely NOT resemble the default file in MANY ways. THIS is how Template Monster creates ALL it's templates, and it is the likely root cause of his issues with integrating TPP..

I really am not trying to be a naysayer, but this is the reason why the senior members of the forum will ignore or refuse to assist with issues when there is a Template Monster template involved.. These templates REALLY ARE that bad.. (Search this forum for Template Monster if you do not believe this)

What digilu needs to do is to get his tpl_product_info_display.php back to the default state, apply the changes required for TPP, and THEN apply any style changes needed to make the tpl_product_info_display.php page look like the rest of his Template Monster page.. There are no shortcuts for this.. This is what needs to be done.. Un-hack this page to fix it..

No, I mean having the Add to Cart stuff above or below the tabs. Why haven't in the product description only to have it disappear when somebody clicks another tab? I think it confuses customers to have it in another tab besides the Add to Cart tab. It is better to include it in all tabs, above or below the tabs (the "omnipresent" solution), or only in the Add To Cart tab.

To make it omnipresent, find and open \templates\template_default\templates\tpl_product_info_display.php, which is Zen Cart's default file for creating an individual product's page. Find and copy the code beginning with [FONT=Courier New]<!--bof Add to Cart Box -->[/FONT] through [FONT=Courier New]<!--eof Add to Cart Box-->[/FONT]. Then open your custom template's tpl_product_info_display.php file and paste it in an appropriate place, above or below:

<?php
//BOF :: Tabbed Products Pro ::
echo '<div id="tpptabBlock" style="display:none;">' . $tabData . '</div>';
//EOF :: Tabbed Products Pro ::
?>

For the discount table, follow the procedure open, copying and pasting the code beginning with [FONT=Courier New]<!--bof Quantity Discounts table -->[/FONT] through [FONT=Courier New]<!--eof Quantity Discounts table -->[/FONT].


The quote is from TPP's documentation. Open readme_tabbed.html and click How To Use for further info.

This site is an example of truly dynamic TPP that doesn't require TPP tags in each product's product description data field. If you require extended development, contact me privately.

----

The above was written while Diva responded and you asked for assistance in another post. I do not have the experience Diva does, but I agree with those parts that I understand in her replies. Custom templates cut out a lot and often make it harder to learn or troubleshoot. FWIW, how I learned was by starting with an approved template and comparing it with the Zen Cart default files. And then from there whenever I needed something my custom template didn't do, I asked questions here, I played Sherlock Holmes, and I learned eventually what file I needed from the Zen Cart core or default template files. Then I hacked my way to a solution through trial and error and browsing the forum.

[molywerks]

Is there a way to rearrange the tabs?

Yes, you are on the right path editing the calculation and content sections. However, first, let's make sure you're in the right areas.

For the calculating section, search for the first (and only) instance of [FONT="Courier New"]//Create a tab for each zen tag[/FONT].

For the content section, search for the SECOND instance of [FONT="Courier New"]Zen Tag - Tab Contents[/FONT]. IOW, you do not want to be in the "Zen Tag - Tab Contents Pre-load" section.

Second, IIRC, depending upon TPP Config settings, the first tab may be required to be either at least the description or details tab regardless of what you do with the calculations and contents sections AND it may be immovable. I write "at least" because I do not use attributes although I did with this mod for initial testing purposes.* That revealed I know I had some issues with moving the description tab out of first position as well as the details tab out of first position when the description tab was disabled in TPP Config. Regardless, there was something fishy with re-ordering the "first" tab.

Plus, there may also be an issue with empty product description fields. You may need to ensure every pd.products_description field has some generic content so tabs are re-ordered properly for all products.

*I had to abandon my usual note taking process because 1) the sheer number of TPP's variables to test could not be covered properly in the time I had, and 2) TPP was the most finicky mod I had run across that I also had to test against many permutations of already installed mods before I got even their basic hacks to work.

[digulu]

Thank to cartguin for his great help.
I took his advice. I compared Zencart Original tpl_product_info.php and TM tpl_product_info.php. You then add components that is for TPP script to it. Move Add to Cart (what cartguin said) to before TPP then worked.
Thanks.