is X-cart Crazy

roblen · #1 02-13-2010, 05:56 PM

I just started to edit the skins in 4.3.1 for a new customer and notice that the .tpl file now has div tags. Is this a joke? It was hard enough to manipulate the web of tpl files to produce aesthetically pleasing results as it is or was? As I am simply trying to change the head.tpl file to use the new logo and header artwork and I am finding that i now have to fight a barrage of *.css files and absolute defined div tags to allow the logos to display correctlya and not overlapping the crap below it.

With every release i am finding it harder to create the final result without seeking help from the man.

whats up with this.

cflsystems · #2 02-13-2010, 07:04 PM

Were you expecting tables? CSS based design is so much better and is the standard nowdays. It is a must actually. It is another question how well QT put it to work in 4.2/4.3

Steel · #3 02-13-2010, 08:59 PM

I look at the X-Cart design as a compilation of examples of what can be done. It is not too bad once you get the hang of it.

For others that are trying to understand the V4.3 head area, have a look at this page: http://www.w3schools.com/CSS/css_positioning.asp

ARW VISIONS · #4 02-13-2010, 11:49 PM

just edit, # header and #center-main not difficult

ARW VISIONS · #5 02-13-2010, 11:50 PM

oh and maybe #header lin1 line 2 and line 3

gizmo · #6 02-14-2010, 08:13 AM

The only Thing I would say is this:
The header setup is the most stupid css I have seen, as when you go to cart checkout, from Light and Lucid anyway, it's calling a different Head, but also adds other bits. This being said, a little css and html skills you can make it so that your using all the same. (You also have to be careful if using fast cart checkout).

As for overall design, yep maybe one day they will really clean it up, and also not add so much different elements, as it's really not needed, but as x-cart offers I think 8 designs I suppose this is why....

roblen · #7 02-15-2010, 06:10 AM

Hello, My issue is that after 6 x-cart in production. I now have to figure out something new. I am over that now. But, need a push to find which *.css to look at . I see that we went from a single *.css to what seems many.
###
altskin.css install.css main.FF.css main.IE7.css main.popup.IE6.css
altskin.IE6.css main.css main.GC.css main.Opera.css
altskin.IE7.css main.FF2.css main.IE6.css main.popup.css
####
Where to start and where to find which sheet is loaded.
thanks
rob

pauldodman · #8 02-15-2010, 06:38 AM

Agreed - this altskin.css business is confusing many people.

cflsystems · #9 02-15-2010, 07:22 AM

Firebug for FF will help you a lot. Agree with you about the number of css files - I guess not easy to go with just one because of all the different browsers. The size of main.css is also huge. And I found lots of styles repeating in main.css, exactly the same definitions.

jdiehl · #10 02-15-2010, 07:58 AM

Firebug is helpful, and I've also found Google Chrome to be very helpful without any plugins. Just highlight the area you want to change, right click, "Inspect Element", the new window that pops up lets you see all the elements on the page, and the one you've selected shows you all the css that affects it on the right side. Everything that is overwritten by additional css files is crossed out but still visable, and you can see exactly what css files the attributes were set in. Kind of handy, but yes I also definitely see your frustration.