X-Cart forums

[Alan]

Hi everyone.

We've created a section for custom clothings, adding 14 measurement fields to some of our products using {if/else} rules. They display correctly in the template. The problem for me now is, how do I bring these extra values into the order form, and succeedngly the emails sent to us and the customers?

Any insights to this problem is greatly appreciated!

[B00MER]

Wouldn't product options be used for such?

[Alan]

Hello Boomer.

We only have about 20 custom-tailored items in 1 category, so I didn't really want to run extra sql queries to lag out the site. Once customers gos into .php mode, our site will feel a little bit sluggish.

But still, would product options be better for it anyway?

If it's not too complicated to pass extra "non-param" "non product options" to the cart, then email notifications, I'd like to try it out.
But I'm open to suggestions!

*EDIT* I remember why I would want to do that now, because we have 16 fields for the page, and for each field, we have 10-36 dropdown options(eg 6'0", 6'1", ...6'5"...6'11"...). That would result in a very big sql data for us, even if it's only for 20 items. I guess I'm a minimalist, trying to keep things tight and tidy....
Unless if we can store smarty codes in the product options field itself? Then I can store a section loop to generate those numbers and save space..

[Alan]

Just looking for pointers to pass self-created form fields to the check out process if possible. Do I have to use {assign var=xxx}, cache it, and pass it to the checkout process? If anyone can give me some pointers, I'd be grateful!

[B00MER]

You'll need to add additional fields to the orders_details table in your database, then make adjustments accordingly to your php files mainly include/func.php func_place_order(); As well as to your TPL files to reflect the new additions.

hth.

[minorgod]

Sounds like you just want to add a product options pull-down menu under the specific product options. This would be way easier, more efficient (no extra sql calls) and it will automatically pass the options to your order data so it's included in the email receipt. It's very easy if you just follow the javascript example included in the admin product modification interface. We did this with some state-specific products to allow users to specify which version/state they need. You can see this here:

http://www.realestate-school.com/online-store/customer/product.php?productid=40

Just try adding to cart without selecting a state and see what happens. This javascript was all added as a product option for the specific product and is stored in the database with the product. Works great for us and required no cart mods.

[Alan]

Well actually, I didn't really want to use product options at all, because the x-cart team did a mod for us for multi-options. I really don't want to coplicate the provider team in my company with modification hassle, and to reduce the load on the SQL, since those <select> options will forever not change.

Right now I'm doing it with product options. It's a lot more work for the provider lads, but at the moment I can't think of a better way. Boomer's logic sounds logical, but with my amount of workload, I'll have to push it down my to-do list. If I do get it to work in the future, I'll definitely post it!

BTW your method would have been fantastic too MinorGod. Wish I'd thought of that earlier.

P.S. here's a link to how ours work atm.
http://goodorient.he.net/~jameslam/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=24627&cat=431&page=1

Thanks for all your help everyone. Got this sorted out at the short moment.