Easily swap-able skins (mod_skinswap)
 

Ok, so I had an idea while in the shower one day:
:idea: mod_skinswap.

http://www.cart-lab.com/xcart/files/images/detailed/d_47_01.gif

Create a method that would allow x-cart users the ability to swap skin directories dynamically, the main thing it requires is editing every single php file, swapping the requires for the smarty.php and config.php. Along with some modifications to both files, the database, and templates.

Such would allow x-cart administrators an easy way to keep a "fresh" or "dynamic" look, their customers are experiencing. Seasonal skins would defiantly work in favor as well ;) Or even making a separate config value that would allow the option of "Random" skins, from a range.

I'd also like to add a separate window that will show a directory listing so that it is easy to identify skin directories. OR create a base skin directory similar to how winamp does it, one skin directory, each subfolder being the skin's "theme name". Either way it needs more modifications that would need to be made to make it more "idiot proof" 8O

Anyhow, I've got this working with 3.1.3a gold (no randomness, or file selectors) but its easily controlable from the admin area. If anyone wants to take a peek, no different skin yet, but i'm working on it :mrgreen:

Great Idea! I actually thought of this as well, but have no clue how to implement it. This will be perfect for my site since it is currently in a Fantasyland state. I would then be able to offer sellers and potentially users the ability to select what theme they would like (eg Tomorrowland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square (Pirates, Haunted Mansion), etc.). Please let me know when this is available so I won't have to pay you 10+ consulting hours.... kidding :wink:

disneyana, if you want to take a peek, PM me. I'm all up for additions to the idea. Hopefully such a feature could exist in the next x-cart release? If not i'll have to make another mod, but its all fun. *hint*hint*to*x-cart :) The only deal that I'm curious (by looking at the changelog) I noticed:

Thu Sep 5 16:40:58 (MSD) - zorg - moved variables from skin1.conf to database

I'm curious if this may effect the system I have setup, but time will tell.
kudos! :wink:

UPDATED: I took a look at version 3.2.0 and it seems this mod will still work the same with slight adjustments. woohoo! :mrgreen:

Keep me posted
 

I am very interested in this feature...

Can you keep me posted as this progresses. I too saw the 3.2.0 use of the similar skinning idea... it could have used a better variety of design elements but still got the point across... did it allow you to change the skin after installation?

good day,
Hyperdelicious

Right now its still in a beta form, as I was just curious if it was possible, and Ive not really extended the features much, eventually I would like to add more features if I can find the time or if someone requests this mod.

The new skin install is defiantly nice, although all it does is replace home.tpl for the layout and the colors are just different style sheets with a few replaced graphics on install. As this is a very good idea, however I am wanting it easy to download, copy a new skin to your x-cart directory, log into the admin and specify the new skin, and boom its running, no modifications made to the default, this is more for people who want to offer pre-built x-cart skins a method of easily installing and swapping the skins out.

anyhow... thanks for the interest. :wink:

Darn
 

I would be very interested in this feature as well. I am currently trying to get the images from http://www.silverstoneit.com/temp/mojo integrated into my current x-cart which has been modified heavily by the x-cart staff.

And to have a system that would easily allow for the swap of a whole extremely customized skin would be terrific.

Paul Stephenson

ps. I might be contacting you soon for some possible skin integrations as I am curious how much it would cost to have you create a custom skin and integrate it.

This is somewhat similar to what we would like to do. If anybody wants to design this for free :) or make us a quote feel free (intenetonpoint@hotmail.com)

What we would like to do, is allow the "vendors" in the Pro version of the cart, be able to customize the look of the store. This doesn't have to be done via the admin or vendor management sections, as I can customize templates for each of the vendors.

For example:

The main store: http://www.domain.com/xcart/store.php
Vendor 1's store: http://www.domain.com/xcart/store.php?template=vendor1
Vendor 2's store: http://www.domain.com/xcart/store.php?template=vendor2
Vendor 3's store: http://www.domain.com/xcart/store.php?template=vendor3

All of the above links would have different template looks to them, though it is only one store, with a central database, one merchant account, etc. We want ONE store with MULTIPLE templates.

The linking doesn't need to be as stated above, as long as the final outcome of multiple templates is accomplished.

This could be further advanced by allowing the vendors to choose which products they want to display within their templates.

Jon, what your refering too is what the mod_skinswap would allow you to do ;)

Was even thinking of making the customer be able to "choose" a skin of their own choice as well, kind of like phpBB does :D

Any idea when this might be ready, this is an absolute for what we want to do. Thanks.

Jon, if you would like I can setup the beta version of it now, as there are no critical bugs only features I still want to add. Please get in touch with me offline if you wish. :wink:

Just sent you an email. Not sure if it matters but we are using the Pro version, whatever the latest is, just bought it, still waiting for our license key :)

haven't heard back from you yet

Still not yet :(

Great idea
 

Definitely would be interested .....just what X-Cart needs ......can we get hold of a beta?

Cheers !! :D

Jon, my apologizes for not getting back to you sooner, ive been a bit pre-occupied with weddings and a honeymoon.

If you are wanting to see a beta or get a working copy please fill out:
http://www.molotovbliss.com/ and I will be in contact with you shortly. :wink:

This would be great to have like the phpBB with the ability to change it from the admin area. The idea of offering a fresh look every so often is a great idea. Did this ever progress to a release or where there issues trying to implement it?

Now that I understand the template system, it's an amazingly easy thing to do.

Just pass a variable, session register it, and use it to call a scheme in an if statement.

100 shops one database!
 

we do this for the past 14 months, i don't understand why you all make a problem out of this. The reason we chose x-cart is because of the smarty template engine!

PM me for the list.

Dennis,

What's with the attitude ?

btw, your site is broken. :wink:

Its a little bit more complex than just passing a variable to smarty.php, unless your telling smarty to recompile tpls EVERY page load. :lol:

Full production release at:

:arrow: http://www.cart-lab.com

Just a note that version 2 is now up and available for purchase and download! 8)

New Features: Admin Configurable, Enable/Disable skinswapping, Swap by custom variable or Store Lanague or Affiliate partner ID, Default skin to choose if none is specified (Fallback method), Easily switch between debug_templates.tpl and debug.tpl while Debug Console is enabled, Skin repository directory to hold all skins that are swapable.

:arrow: http://www.cart-lab.com/

SkinSwap demo not working
 

Boomer,
I just went to look at your SkinSwap module and am getting a DB error. Also, I'm running a modded out version of 3.1.3 with parts of newer releases and I'm wondering how the install works. Will I need to modify all my files or have you managed to come up with an easy install method?

Re: SkinSwap demo not working
 

:!: Make sure your looking at www.cart-lab.com not cartlab.net.

As for the smarty skin working with 3.1.3, should work without much modification, maybe upgrading smarty class to the latest and some minor changes to the configuration sql file.

Anyhow, checkout the readme.txt for install instructions. :wink:

Ahhh...that was the problem. Nice work by the way. I should have PM-d you that question instead of posting it on the forum. Sorry.

Re: SkinSwap demo not working
 

B00MER, is possible to change skins trought list menu/skin choser?

Re: SkinSwap demo not working
 

Could you be a bit more specific? :?

Re: SkinSwap demo not working
 

Can you replace text links to new skin with form selector/list menu?

http://www.7dana.com/images/theme_changer.jpg

But of course, its not a dynamic thing that is included but you can easily setup a <FORM> using a GET request, and setup a select list of known installed skins/templates directories. Just be sure and specify the variable name you have configured in the skin swap options in the x-cart admin.

Example: www.example.com/xcart/customer/home.php?skin=mynewskin1

hth. ;)

Thanks Boomer, i will buy this mod. :lol:

BOOMER, sorry for posting on the forum but your shop is unaccessible temporarily.
I'm ready to buy....is possible to use Skin Swap mod with x-cart v 4.0.2?

Currently I've been moving servers, hopefully to a better, more stable server. Cart-Lab should be now back up, however product images are still a work in progress, feel free to place an order without troubles.

Thanks.

Received this error when trying to submit on 2checkout .. "Reason For Failure: Networking Error (ENETLP), please try back later if the problem persists"....you will find 3 not finished order in admin area , soory for that..delete it please.

Can you send me (zaja@7dana.com) simple 2checkout pay-link ?

btw. Your answer about v4.0.2 compatibility is yes?

Zaja, Sorry about that, seems something was misconfigured with 2checkout at the time you tried to checkout, please try one more time if you still experience problems please feel free to email me at info@cart-lab.com

...And to answer your question yes, Skinswap comes with a 4.0.x compatible version.

Thanks.

Well... this is absolutely awesome mod :wink: ...just installed and works 100% on my demo site ( running XCart 4.02.).
Definitely must-have mod for any X-Cart template makers/seller.

I created simple theme-changer (form selector), take a look: http://www.7dana.com/xcart_demo

Thanks Boomer =D>

I need to understand something
in order to have different skins ...
you need the whole new skin directory ???

My point is, the only changing files between different skins is
- dialog.tpl
- home.tpl
- head.tpl
- rectangle_top.top
- rectangle_bottom.top

I think that's all ...
so would be easier and faster for the templates_c to have those files in a new directory ...

I don't know if you get what I am asking ...

e1front, you could easily configure skinswap to have a fall back skin directory if a specific file isn't found in the current, this way you could just use X number of .tpl's for each new skin and leave a base skin for the rest of the .tpl's.

X-Cart doesn't use any caching features of Smarty by default so your not gonna notice too big of a speed difference as far as compiling is concerned.

great ...
thanks a lot boomer
is configuring the "fall back skin directory" done from general setting >> swap skins, or it has to be hard coded ??

One more question ...
Can swap skin works for affiliates
like assigning a header.tpl for different affiliates ???

thanks

What I mean by "configure" is you would need to custom code skinswap to do such. This isn't a out-of-box feature, as It was more convient to swap all files vs selecting certain and configuring for such.

Yes, skinswap can use the &partner= variable to create different skins for different affiliates.

example:
skin1/
partner1/
partner2/

using &partner=partner2 would use the partner2/ subdirectory for the skin .tpl's. Take a look at the readme.txt for details on how it works.

Does the manual pulling of the database info and connecting to the database to retrieve info on each load add any significant overhead?

Nothing to large, I've tried to optimize it as much as possible. It shouldn't add any significant load time, the only reason I have to do such is because smarty.php is called before config.php is included so I don't have access to mysql info from the file.