I'm such a newb, please help (template customization)

I have recently completed a 3 month program in Web Design, and have been tasked with an online store as my first (underpaid) project.:blush:

Upon exhaustive research, I have finally decided on Zen Cart and have chosen a template that I wish to customize.

The template i purchased came the way most do, with 3 folders....("screenshots" "theme_#xxx" and "sources")

The "sources" folder came with Photoshop files which the help section said to customize.

My questions start here;

Is the process to

• modify the files in Photoshop, save/optimize the slices as HTML and images...then
• open and edit the newly created HTML file(s) in Dreamweaver...then
• upload them to some file in Zen Cart?

OR....

Am I limited to somehow only modifying the CSS file in Dreamweaver and uploading it to some file in Zen Cart, with no HTML files?

OR....

Do I Simply try to manage what the template has given me through the admin panel?

If someone, anyone can give me some/any advice, I would be eternally indebted. I so wish to make this a career and become a contributing part of this community.

Thank you in advance,

BOB

Bob,

Is this a Template Monster template?

My suggestion is to use on of the templates available from the Free Software Add Ons tab, become familiar with the nuances of designing/styling a zen cart, and then tackle a Template Monster template.

Tina

You will find that while Dreamweaver is a great html WYSIWYG tool it is almost usless for a php application such as ZenCart.

Hi Tina,

Yes, it is.

I downloaded the "free" sample of a Zen Cart Template from Template Monster and had a chance to quickly look through its files.

I was confused that there don't seem to be any HTML files.

I have installed the Zen Cart engine successfully into one of my subdomains, but have yet to install the demo template.

I think I am just confused as to the general processes involved in its customization....

Thanks for your quick reply and any help..

BOB

The tutorial/FAQ's link at the top of this page contains assistance for the many often asked questions to altering the many things contained in ZenCart. You will find answers to most of your issues there and for those you do not the forum is open 24/7

Hi Kobra,

I honestly have read countless pages and watched countless tutorials, but I just can't seem to break through this brick wall.

I have even purchased "E-start your web store with Zen Cart"
but to no avail as to why any template would include Photoshop files, when there appears to be no method of converting them to a format used by Zen Cart.

I am on the verge of a mental breakthrough or breakdown...
I just can't understand the process

Thank you again

BOB

You're overthinking it.

Zencart builds the HTML your browser sees on the fly using PHP. There are almost no static HTML pages.

Modifying the look of Zencart involves:

Making changes in the settings in Admin (spend some time browsing there).

Editing the CSS stylesheet(s) in the template you're using.

Editing template PHP files in your template.

Editing the actual PHP which controls the operation of your site (usually not necessary).

Tina's advice is right on - get rid of the Template Monster template, and install one you like from the link she provided.

The Photoshop files are just images. Zencart uses images in the header, logo and for categories and products, but you can't 'slice' an image to template Zencart.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...

The dark shadow that has been sitting over my head is finally beginning to lift.

I've been banging my head on my keyboard for days trying to figure this out.

Any other advice is wholeheartedly and genuinely appreciated.

Thank you again....really!

BOB

You're well on your way to being Zenned! :smile: