How to change Default attribute with category?

I want to "link copy" a single product across two categories, "small" and "large". I want a size attribute, say 6" and 8". What I want is that that identical product to display a different default size, depending on which category (small or large), it is being displayed.

Or maybe their is an easier way to do this? TIA, Rick

Zen Cart 1.38

I think I understand what you would like to do.

You would like to have a product listed 2 times.

One loads be default a particular size

and another loads another size.

Where you add your attributes (Ie sizes) for each product you can click on little square to make that attribute load first when viewing that product.

Just go into each product and view the attributes and select default.

I did that, but the attribute is now selected in BOTH category displays. I want a liked product that selects different default attributes depending on which category the customer is viewing.

Did I do something wrong? Thanks again.

In other words, if my customer is browsing the "Large" category, I want the cart to assume he wants the larger size, and therefore have the larger size attribute checked by default.

As far as I can tell, whatever default that I choose in a linked product, affects BOTH categories.

I hope I'm wrong and just doing something wrong.

I just looked at the URLs of the same product, linked from two categories. Since the cPath is different, then it SHOULD be possible to select different default attributes for the same product across categories.

But I can't figure out how...

It would be a lot of work as the attributes default is based on the one field on the attribute itself and not related to anything other than is it on/off (1 or 0) ...

It can be done ... but you would be really doing quite a bit of work depending on how you have your categories setup and your products arranged ...

I'm working with a unique situation, where the two sizes of a product are qualitatively very different (table top vs floor plants), so they really deserve separate categories, and having to require the customer to click on radio buttons is just wrong.

We'll have to bite the bullet, and duplicate rather than link the products. It's more work and maintenance, but will provide a much better customer experience.

Thanks for your help.

Yes unfortunately you will have to duplicate.

Seeing an URL to your site might trigger some thoughts on this that could work with changing the default but it depends on your Categories and Products ...

I understand what you are trying to do and what you are saying but how the cats/prods are laid out really can affect if there might be a method to control that default despite what the default is set to ...