NOOB Having some layout problems with Template Monster template

OK, this is my first ZenCart install/customization and I'm having a few issues getting things to look like I want.

I purchased a template off of TemplateMonster.com and followed the instructions (and went over them a few times) but I can't seem to resolve the problem.

The main issues are:

1. Top navigation bar does not show up
2. Featured products section (only the one on home page) doesn't display properly
3. Width of center column could be a little bigger

The completed site should look like this for the most part:
osc3.template-help.com/zencart_20401/

Here's the site i'm having problems with:
http://mohrcreations.com/

So....

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance,

Chris

Would suggest you do a quick search on this forum for template monster,

their templates are not built well

they are pretty but not functional,
they have removed a bunch of switches,

and the center column is a fixed width,
IF you widen it you will break the layout

Thanks.

I did do some searching before I posted and noticed that most of the people were having issues when trying to change things from the default look of the template.

I'm having the problem of the template not looking like it should. Thier template seems to work fine, if you look at the sample site, which is an actual zen-cart site.

I'm looking for help for things I need to be looking for in the admin that would

Turn off the top navigation bar
Let me modify the Featured Products display in the home page

If someone can help point me to those areas, that would be great.

I'm completely at ease with editing HTML and any CSS you can throw at me, so if I need to look at some layout issues, just point me where to look. I'm sure there is a container or something that these things use to start with and then the data is populated.

Chris

I'm having the problem of the template not looking like it should. Thier template seems to work fine, if you look at the sample site, which is an actual zen-cart site.
This is the problem with TM templates...template will not look as it should because it is coded incorrectly, and whilst may look fine on their demo site, when actually installed into latest zencart, it will not work unless completely recoded.
Html is not used with template coding...php required.

Also, the Web Developer plugin for the Firefox browser is invaluable for finding id and class names in the maze of stylesheets TM inserts into its templates.

Maybe it's easier to tackle one thing at a time.

Where do I need to look to find out how Zen Cart lays out or how I can customize the layout of the featured products section on the home page?

For instance. I know that to change the look of the special's layout, I go into the admin and under a certain menu, I can edit some basic layout parameters.

Is there something like this for the featured products on the home page? If not, where is the code I need to look at that controls the layout of that section?

Thanks,

Chris

It is very difficult for anyone here to answer your questions because of how TM codes their templates. Their coding breaks the standard zen-cart code. So while we could give you the steps to do what you are asking, there is no guarantee it will work. You will have to contact TM Support to get the answer.

You can turn stuff on and off and move some stuff around in Admin - Configuration - Featured Listing (maybe - if TM hasn't recoded that).

The template file is includes/templates/template_default/tpl_featured_products_default.php.

For Templatemonster templates to function properly, you have to go through each php file in the template directory and replace every instance of "<?=" with "<?php echo ". Notice the final space after echo. I recommend using a search and replace text program (the one I use is Search and Replace Master, knowlesys.com/software/search-and-replace-master which is free and it will replace text in all the php files within the main and all sub directories. If you decide to do it manually, grab a couple of drinks cause you'll be in for a long night!!!) Also, if you see any php code where website content should be it is because they have a "<?" tag where they should have a "<?php" tag. Just copy the beginning of the coding text that appears on your webpage to the clipboard and search for it within the php file (generally the tpl_header.php file in the \includes\templates\yourtheme\common directory, but I've seen them make the same mistake in the tpl_main_page.php file also - just thoroughly test your site before going live in case the error is present elsewhere). The whole fix can be done in a couple of minutes. Hope this helps.