classic template vs other

Hi

I am new to Zen Cart and I'm hoping that the answer to my question below will make the penny drop for me. (If this has been discussed before, please point me in the right direction)

My understanding of an override system is that Zen Cart should use all the default stuff except where I created an overrde. However, if I just create a directory 'bob' under templates with a template_info.php file and set 'bob as my template, most things just vanish and I get a strange looking website.

I had a look at the classic template and 90% of the directories have empty.txt in them. So I went and created my own template called 'bob' and in every directory where there is a classic directory, I created a 'bob' directory by copying the classic directory. That also did not give the desired result.

So the question is this. If I wanted to create a copy of the classic template and call it 'bob', what files do I need to copy/create. That way I can use the classic template as my starting point to create a new template.

Thanks in advance
O

Your site looked strange probably because you didn't copy the 'classic' CSS stylesheet to 'bob', so you were seeing the default stylesheet.

Your understanding seems to be right. You've created 'bob' folders in all the right places, so copy the files from classic/css and classic/images to 'bob' and you'll be on your way.

After switching to your CUSTOM Template did you remember to:

Admin > Tools > Layout Boxes Controller - use the Reset button at page bottom?

Thanks "stevesh" and "Website Rob".

Just one more question - why the need to reset "Layout Boxes Controller"?

I also notice that this only has to be done once. If I load a new template called 'orange', the side boxes are all missing. Resetting "Layout Boxes Controller" fixes that but any subsequest switching to another template and back to the 'orange' template does not require a reset - the side boxes are there right away.

Thanks again
O.

Just one more question - why the need to reset "Layout Boxes Controller"?

Because that is part of the process for installing a new Template. :smile:

Most, but not all, changes you make from within the Admin section are recorded within your database. Thus, once a Template is fully setup those settings are recorded and available, whenever that Template is used.