images/large, etc. directories and file suffixes, e.g., _lrg

There's a sticky in this section which discusses the images/large, images/medium directories and the use of file name suffixes _lrg, etc. Where in the FAQs is such information discussed; certainly not in the "customizing templates" sections. Does there have to be an image with designated suffix in the images/large etc. directories in addition to the user_template/images folder? Is it possible that no background image can possibly be defined for the splash page, the first page loaded, that originates at lulu.com?

cyberbaffled:

There's a sticky in this section which discusses the images/large, images/medium directories and the use of file name suffixes _lrg, etc. Where in the FAQs is such information discussed; certainly not in the "customizing templates" sections. Does there have to be an image with designated suffix in the images/large etc. directories in addition to the user_template/images folder?I just did a search in the FAQs (by clicking the "Search FAQs" link) for "images" and this came up: http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?100-how-do-i-add-multiple-images-to-a-product

cyberbaffled:

Is it possible that no background image can possibly be defined for the splash page, the first page loaded, that originates at lulu.com?Not sure how that relates to product images. Also not sure how lulu.com relates to the discussion of images here, let alone background images.

Where lulu.com comes into the discussion is that the first page which loads -which has the source code which begins:

is the page I'm trying to give a background image to. I can change colors on this page changing my stylesheet.css file but nothing I change in that file yields a background image. I assume the aforementioned source code originates with lulu.com because it certainly isn't served from my hosted site. It originates external to any site that I have any influence over.

I'll look deeper into the FAQs for an answer, but frankly nowhere can I find any effort to systematically lead a user step by step through the process of changing the appearance of their Zen Cart site. All the information is atomized and distributed associatively, not systematically and inclusively. I suppose the manual that's being sold for appx. $50 accomplishes this, but for the time being I'm trying to achieve an equilibrium whereby I earn more from a product than spend attempting to market it.

The ad for the book that's sold on lulu.com is coded into define_main_page.php by default. You can edit the define pages at Admin - Tools - Define Page Editor (which is mentioned directly below the ad, for your convenience), or by manually downloading them and doing your edits in your text editor. Either way, you want the edited file to end up in your custom template's override folder.

Thanks for your prompt reply stevesh. I'll keep this post discussion informed of my solution to this issue.

changing the appearance of their Zen Cart site. ... I suppose the manual that's being sold for appx. $50 accomplishes this, Actually, the book is an owner/operator's manual (an excellent one), not a designer/customizer's manual. It will be most useful to you precisely now, as it walks you through most steps you would want to take in setting up a functional store.

The image suffix (unless you change it in admin) is _LRG, not _lrg; they are two different names and not interchangeable. Filenames are case sensitive, and it is recommended that you use all lowercase to avoid capitalization errors in your work. (The _LRG was set up that way to make it stand out that it is a large version of the file.)

A stylesheet rule with background-image: url(../images/yourimage.jpg); will find the image only in /includes/templates/your_template/images/, never in the base /images/ folder.

Also, there is no such thing as a "large" image for backgrounds - all of them go in the one /your_template/images/ folder.
Product images go only in the base /images/ folder and its subfolders.

Thanks. Seems I have no choice but to sort my way through a ton of documentation.

cyberbaffled:

Is it possible that no background image can possibly be defined for the splash page, the first page loaded, that originates at lulu.com?

If we take that having a background image display "only on your Home page" to be the problem you are trying to solve, this is the solution.

Open: includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/css/stylesheet.css

Add at the very bottom for easy finding, something like:

#indexHomeBody {
background: grey url("../images/bg_body.jpg") repeat;
}

Upload your "bg_body.jpg" image to:
includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/images/

Now whenever your Home page loads and only your Home page, the above will display.

A background colour is used first as that will show if the image is not available or people have images turned off. If the image is available it will then display over-top of the colour.