X-Cart forums

[gb2world]

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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[jen@jendelythart.com]

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

[jen@jendelythart.com]

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

[jen@jendelythart.com]

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.

[gb2world]

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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[Onion Ninja]

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.

[jen@jendelythart.com]

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

[jen@jendelythart.com]

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

[gb2world]

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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[jen@jendelythart.com]

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