Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Trying to remove "Powered by X-Cart" by commenting out the include which points to prnotice.tpl. It doesn't work. I'm using the Admin > Edit Templates page.

After commenting the phrase out, I click the preview button, and see the phrase has disappeared from the preview. But when I reload the store's homepage, the phrase is still there. Why? I'm thinking maybe it's some kind of cache thingy.

I managed to successfully change the text by editing the prnotice.tpl file itself. So I know I can do it that way. I just want to know how this works for future edits.

*Edit: I just realized I'm using 4.3.2. Not 4.4. Oops*

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Check if file is really saved with your changes. BTW you will be better off editing files via FTP instead of using the xcart built in editor.
Clearing the cart cache - www.domain.com/cleanup.php

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

I must have some understanding of the template referencing wrong, and need to do some basic learning first.

From what I read, bottom.tpl is the footer of the whole site. To test, I added some text to bottom.tpl and uploaded it by FTP. No changes. I deleted the file completely from the server. But I still see the footer even though I thought I just deleted it. So I guess the footer is coming from somewhere else.

Anyway, I should work my way through a few tutorials on x-cart/smarty templates. That will probably answer a lot of questions before I ask.

Thanks Steve :D

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

As Steve mentioned above, you need to clear the template cache after you make edits to see the edits.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Sorry guys, I forgot to mention that I did to refresh the template.

I can't see changes made directly to the bottom.tpl file, even if I refresh the template as Steve suggested. I tried adding text, commenting out parts, even deleting the file, and it didn't change anything. Can still see the whole footer, unchanged.

I changed the text in prnotice.tpl. Now my home page is powered by X-Fart. But other pages are powered by X-Cart. I don't know why the change only shows on the home page.

I guess I just don't know what files the data is coming from. Although from what I've read, it shouldn't be this tricky. Hopefully, further study will make this more clear.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Okay turns out I'm a moron. There are two bottom.tpl files and I was editing the wrong one. ](*,)

The wrong one: skin1/bottom.tpl
The right one: skin1/customers/bottom.tpl

I knew it had to be something super simple like. Padraic, Steve, thanks guys.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

I am having the same problem with the Fashion Mosaic (Blue) template. I commented out the prnotice.tpl and copyright.tpl from the skin/common_files/bottom.tpl and cleared the template cache AND cleared my browser cache and still I see the Powered by X-Cart and copyright notice.

I do not see this particular template referencing a different bottom.tpl anywhere, please help before I pull the little hair I have left out!

Tia

P.S. I am using Xcart 4.4.1

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

It turns out that the CORRECT bottom.tpl file to edit is in the common_files/customer directory. It sure would be nice if updated documentation would accompany the product. All of the docs / user manuals I can find reference the 4.3 X-Cart.

It always amazes me how companies these days are in such a hurry to get a product out the door that they ignore the most important part.....DOCUMENTATION!

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

It is best to use webmaster mode to trace templates. Webmaster mode will tell you how most the templates relate to each other and which are being used where: http://help.qtmsoft.com/index.php?title=X-Cart:Customizing_storefront#Using_Webmaster_mode

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Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

I agree, mhoney, the documentation sucks big time. You are required to figure most things out on your own. Documentation doesn't tell you how to do much.

Mhoney, we had the same problem and the same solution. I had already posted the location you needed, the post right above yours :wink:. It is in the customer dir, altough it looks like that dir is in a different dir between x-cart versions.

There are 3 things that are essentail that you need to be using when designing your store:

1) As gb2world said, webmastermode

2) firebug

3) And make sure your OS lets you search the text within tpl files too. I had to enable it on my Win7. That's another way to find stuff. You need to have a copy of your x-cart on your hard drive so you can search within all your tpl files.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

QT will allow now allow us to edit the Knowledge Base - you just need to ask them for access, See: http://forum.x-cart.com/showthread.php?t=56897. If we can add corrections and information to the discussion, and it is indexable - that could help.

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Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

I've spent an hour replacing the top main logo with same named file, and clearing cache as you've suggested here, and it will not update.
I'm a totally new user, and its very frustrating. I can't seem to manage the web master mode yet, and would prefer simple file replacement for simple updating of template. I can't see why it own't update, as another file worked fine. (the logo). I read somewhere that the template may be locked, and can't work out how to unlock it. Would really appreciate help after 2 hours struggling.
thanks

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Files I am trying to replace are in the Vivid dream (violet) images folder
head-left-flc.gif and head-left.gif
Teh documentation said that it was in this "edit templates" section files could be replaced.
It also says"
If "$admin_safe_mode" is set to "true", the template editor is write-protected. "
I have no idea how to do this.. Thanks in advance

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

(Doesn't work with ftp upload either) So i expect I must make the admin safe mode false. As beginnner teh documentation is not helping me get simple things done here. Its overwhelming. Thanks for any help.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

This may or may not help. I started this topic because changes wouldn't show up. Even I found there were 2 or more files with the same name, and I was changing the wrong one. This may be happening with you. I either searched a copy of x-cart on my harddrive for the file name and found files with that name in several in different directories, or I used webmaster mode to see where x-cart was pulling the file from. You may want to check if you are editing a the wrong file.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Thanks... I'll try your suggestion (should have thought of it.. thanks). I'm trying to figur web master mode. I can't seem to get to a page with the main template on. I don't know why... Im in admin mode.. where can I find the main template page? thanks so much - jen

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

This image only seems to appear in the skins/violet dreams/images folder. Its just the main banner header of the violet dreams template.... I don't think this is the issue. Its just not replacing the image. The logo replaced fine. Doesn't make sense.. and not for users like myself who only want minor customisation, and were told that would be fine for use of x-cart... Is it the admin mode needing to be set false? How do I do that... thanks... jen

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Where can I learn how to edit the template pages themselves with webmaster or any other program? I have dreamweaver, and ahve downloaded a "smarti" editor. Still can't work it out as a beginner.
I just need to change a few graphics and logos, nothing that complicated.
Teh only thing in admin is "edit templates" and thats not working for me so far. Something seems to be wrong that I"ve spent 4 hours on this, and am working extremly hard reading the manual, watching videos, searching the forums, and the web. I appreciate any help, and sorry to take your time. thanks

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

I should also mention I opened every single image file in the violet images folder (in photoshop) to see if anything else could be changed that looked similar. I did change some others, but nothing has worked except the main "violet" logo on the left. I managed to update that, but nothing else.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Another issue, is that in checking my store (which is closed) with the shop key through Firefox browser, none of the changes have updated, including the 2 that worked through the admin (changes taht seem to have worked through admin updates are deleting the main logo, and the girl in the pic) . So now I'm even more confused, but maybe its a clue?
http://www.celticartstudio.com/store/?shopkey=123

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

You are going to have a very difficult time with x-cart working by trial and error.

You really need to learn how to use webmaster mode to trace templates. If the documentation was not enough - maybe some of the advise in this thread will help you - it has links to other helpful "getting started" threads.

You also will need to use Firebug, an addon for Fire fox, to help you trace css and it will also tell you where images are located.

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Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

(and I did clear the browser cache, and the store/cleanup.php)

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

I"ve been following all instructions, not trying by trial and error. I've opened the web master mode... and don't see the templates anywhere. I"ve read the documentation as well as I can as a beginniner. I will continue reading the threads. But just need some simple direction.
in web master mode, where do I see the templates?
What is firebug?
the documentation said the images were in the skins images folder. So is that incorrect?
I'm only tryin gto change the main visual header of the pages... Not redesign teh entire site.
Must be someone who can help steer me without going through all this?
would appreciate that very much.
And will continue to plough through the forums.. but very frustrated...
thanks for all help, jen

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

This section allows you to edit the templates from which you store is built. As the templates engine is very flexible and extremely configurable, you may change the look and feel of your store so that it will fit any design layout.

Ok. Turns out the files "cannot be modified". Teh webmaster tool clicking on the image came up with:
skin/vivid_dreams_violet/images/vivid_dreams

File: /vivid_dreams_violet/images/vivid_dreams/head-bg-flc.gif

Warning: This file cannot be modified.

So does that mean teh templates are NOT customisable? or I need to know how to make them unlocked?
Which I asked initially, but that was not addressed, so i assumed it was not the issue.
I'm working hard to see how to unlock them.
Any help appreciated.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

head-bg-flc.gif is an image file, not a template. You can't edit an image file with the editor in x-cart. You have to upload image files via ftp.

Most people do not advise you to edit templates with webmaster mode. (Unless you are really skilled and have some method of backing up, there are not many safe-guards if you make an error.) Best to use webmaster mode to trace which templates you need to modify to make changes, then edit with your favorite editor. You can find threads on the forum with recommendations for tools to edit templates.

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Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Jen, if the image is not changing, maybe your browser has cached the old image and it's showing you that. Try clearing your browser cache, or hit CTRL+F5 to refresh the cache on the current page (make sure F Lock is on on your keyboard).

To edit templates, I use a text editor (Notepad+ or UltraEdit). I've been told not to use Dreamweaver and I'm not sure why. You will need basic HTML knowledge, and CSS too. PHP and other languages might help. I don't think there are many options for WYSIWYG editing of smarty x-cart. Just gotta know enough HTML to understand how the code you are playing with works.

Webmaster mode, I remember needing to turn 2 things on to get it working. I can't remember right now and won't have time to check today. Hopefully someone else can answer that one or I can have a look later.

As for your other questions, I don't know. I'm a beginner too and my store is still pretty ugly. Actually, yours looks better. I wish I chose that template :P

BTW, x-cart is not as easy as it appears before you buy it. It's taking me a million years to get my store ready, as i got a ton of normal job stuff to do most of the day.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Thanks gb2world. I have been editing with photoshop and uploading with ftp. I think I have traced the file. I have been finding threads and learning. I just don't know how to change the $admin_safe_mode" to unlock the template.
I have cleared the cache of browsers.
I did find my browser was not showing popups, which was why teh web master thing was not working.
But I still don't know what I'm supposed to look for, and trying to find the $admin_safe_mode".
I was told taht I could use x-cart with some minor changes to images, and I'm having not problem using the rest of the templated system.
I have some experience with Dreamweaver, but this is idiosyncratic without adequate documentation to lead a beginner through some minor customisations.. Like the main banner on the main page. Thats all I want to do.
If someone could just point me in the right direction. I'm wading thorugh forums and not finding what I need. I'd really appreciate it. sorry if I sound frustrated. I am.
thanks so much
jen

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Adn thanks Evan too. I appreciate your encouragment and help.
I'd rather not learn all this just to change teh one graphic on the front page.
Can someone just share with me how they did that? I'm pretty sure there is something wrong as the documentatino says to use edit template and change out the file. Which I've done. Something is wrong here...
thanks
jen

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

If you post a link and tell which image you want to replace, someone will be able to use firebug to tell you where the image is. Then you can ftp your own image with the same name to replace it.

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Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

I spend some money on a consultant, who was very helpful. Jo at redlimeweb.com. I have firebug now, and my firefox browswer is still not responding to the web master, so was very confusing, but I have other ways to work it out now.
I have managed to upload the image, permissions needed to be changed on my server. Its been very frustrating, but I've learned a lot in trying. My hour with Jo helped enormously.
Will continue to follow this forum to learn.
Appreciate everyone's help.
I think would be good to have a page for x-cart for the ultra beginning steps of navigating through everything, as it wasted a lot of my time in not knowing how to learn, when much is assumed.
Even "firebug" doens't tell me much if you dont' know. But now I know, I see what you're all referring to as working strategies in this.
Thanks.... jen

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Hi, I went into the webmaster mode and changed the value for company name, which was actually like this {{Company}}. I replaced company to Carnival. Now, when we go to the home page, it shows Welcome to {{Carnival}}. Now it does nt even open the editor. Please help.

Re: Changes to template not showing in store.
 

Without seeing the code I'm not sure but it sounds like you are using the substitute modifier. Here's how it's used in welcome.tpl to replace {{company}} in the language variable with the store's company name:

Maybe you replaced {{company}} in the language variable with {{Carnival}} which would cause this problem.