[zen cart] Moving beyond zcg2?!

You've got an AWESOME site! I really like what you have done.

I'm working on something similar. For now I'm looking at the PGtheme but have read that it loads slower. I like the Carbon theme but I haven't yet figured out how to get the sidebar to remain viewable at all times. I think most visitors won't know to click on the little icon, and so it seems unnecessary to hide content they'll likely never see. If I could figure out how to have the sidebar viewable at all times, I would use it.

I'm still at the begining stages in my project, so I can't be of any assistance to you. Sorry. But I am grateful for you taking the time to provide the info that you have.

At the moment I'm working on how to make the image/photo that is purchased to be deliverd as a download (of course, AFTER payment). I've yet to figure out the download purchase process in Zen Cart. If you have any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

PS. For anyone who's receiving errors when adding and moving items in Gallery 2 after installing the zcg2 module: Chmod 'main.php' to 666. That's what worked for me.

Thanks for the kind comment vCarey.

Sidebar in Carbon
The sidebar is an absolute DIV but could quite easily be embedded into the structure. Initially I was going to embed the sidebar so that the information was readily accessable, but then we felt that the information contained within it wasn't crucial information. We felt that viewers would navigate through the site using the album images and photo images. As long as there were purchase options marked then the sidebar was better tucked away.

However, if you do want to change it, here are the template files you would need to change...

album.tpl and photo.tpl both contain the placement reference of the sidebar...

{if !empty($theme.params.sidebarBlocks)}
  {g->theme include="sidebar.tpl"}
{/if}

... and this can be positioned where ever you like within those tpl files.
They also contain navigation code that would need to be deleted...

<div class="buttonShowSidebar">
<a href="javascript: slideIn('sidebar')" title="Show Sidebar"></a>
</div>

sidebar.tpl is the actual sidebar itself and uses a style method to place itself (not in the CSS file). You would need to edit or delete this...

<div id="sidebar" class="gcPopupBackground" 
style="position:absolute; left:-190px; top:{$theme.params.sidebarTop}px; padding:1px;">

There is also javascript navigation code that would need to be deleted.

theme.js contains the slide functions and as long as the navigation references are removed from the the tpl files then it can just sit dormant.

theme.css has formatting instruction for the look of the div...

#gsSidebar {
  border-right-width: 0px;
  width: 175px;
  overflow: hidden;
  margin: 0 5px 0 5px;
}

Digital Download
I'm sorry but I can't help you with this. We aren't offering a digital download facility but if we were I would be not be wanting to use Zen Cart. I think the Cart module within Gallery can handle this quite well (not 100% sure). The only reason we ended up using Zen Cart over the Cart module was for physical shipping, which Zen Cart handles well. Also, we are located in Australia and Zen Cart has a very good Australia Post module.

Security Violation Errors
I have a feeling that these errors may be coming up because Zen Cart isn't setup to receive the gallery items so is rejecting them (just stabbing in the dark here).

In Zen Cart admin, navigate to Catalogue -> Categories/Products.
Ensure you have an actual category to receive the images.

In Gallery admin, go to Site Admin -> Zen Cart -> Setup.
Ensure that 'Category in which to insert Gallery products:' is linked to a specific Zen Cart category and not just 'Top'.

Yes. I am using 2.1.2. It is only zCart that must be the older version.

Zen Cart is version 1.2.7

I am migrating to a new server after 5 years and don't want to bring my current online store, yet rebuilding a new one will take a ridiculous amount of work. My question is...when you integrate zencart with gallery do you have to add each photo in zencart as a product, or does it just grab the item from gallery and checkout with it? Having to add and recaption every photo in Zencart would be a huge amount of work. Does anyone have an actual integrationt hat we can see? Thanks

I think if you change $this->translate('Purchase Options'), in here from Module.inc

    function getItemLinks($items, $wantsDetailedLinks, $permissions) {
	$links = array();
	foreach ($items as $item) {
	    if (GalleryUtilities::isA($item, 'GalleryDataItem')) {
		$links[$item->getId()][] =
		    array('text' => $this->translate('Purchase Options'),
			    'params' => array('controller' => 'zencart.PurchaseOptions',
				'itemId' => $item->getId(), 'return' => true));
	    }
	}

	return array(null, $links);
    }

.
Gallery Version: 2.1.2
Gallery Theme: PGTheme 1.1.0 (RC01)
Web Site: http://dakanji.com

Yes, I changed the purchase options text last night, and I also realized that you can configure module.inc to pass along options from the beginning such as print size, framing, etc. I just changed the existing options and added new lines:

/* Print Size option and choices. */
	    list ($ret, $optionId) =
		$zenCart->addOption(array(1 => $this->translate('Print Size')), 0);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    list ($ret) =
		$zenCart->addOptionValue($optionId, array(1 => $this->translate('a. 11"x14" unframed')), 199,
			0.00);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    list ($ret) =
		$zenCart->addOptionValue($optionId, array(1 => $this->translate('b. 11"x14" framed')),
			349, 0.00);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }

You can add an unlimited number of lines and options it seems...however, there is no way to control what order they appear in...which is a mahor pain. I resorted to lettering the options a, b, c, d, etc. I still can't get "Print Size" option to come before "signing" though...does anyone know how to control the option order? Sorry Dayo, I have no idea about assigning permissions in module.inc.

***Warning: You are able to change product options, pricing, etc through ZenCart admin itself...but if you disable the module in gallery for any reason you will lose all of your options and pricing! Seeing that it is sometimes necessary to reload the module if it is best to hard-wire as many options up front in module.inc rather than making changes through ZenCart admin.***

I have a nightly build of gallery 2.2 v 1.1.6 and the module is working fine so far with zen cart. If you have MySql 5.x.x installed on your server you will have to install the necessary patches for the ZenCart application files (not ZenCart gallery module) to get it to work. The patches can be found on the ZenCart site.

New York Architectural photos Rockefeller Center photos, Radio City Music Hall photos, Brooklyn Bridge photos, Grand Central Station photos, Statue of Liberty photos, Chrysler Building photos, Empire State Building photos, Time Warner Center photos, United Nations photos

Both of your points frustrated me as well. In the end I just got rid of the whole navigation panel within the cart and put up with returning to the gallery home. Would be interested if someone finds a solution. This wasn't such a problem for us because at this stage we only have one album.

jeffhugh2

You need to configure before activating.

.
Gallery Version: 2.1.2
Gallery Theme: PGTheme 1.1.0 (RC01)
Web Site: http://dakanji.com

It appears as though PGTheme sets up the cart buttons in its parameters, so I would suggest trying there before editing template files. If it doesn't work, make sure you get Gallery working visually the way you want it to using its in-built cart, then activate zencart to see what changes. If the buttons disappear then search through the theme.inc file to manually change parameters. This is possibly also where you can change 'purchase options' text.

i was having the same problem there, that did the trick - thanks

Thanks Nugar, I went back in and reset the image sizes and it's a dramatic improvement...now all of the photos are proportionate!

Andrew

Washington DC Photography
New York Photography
Black and White Photography

Richard King

You might want to take another look at the Checkout Module which has been significantly upgraded.

If you find that ZC offers you more,

Issue 1: your-path-to-zc/includes/languages/english/shippinginfo.php (This is where php files for such text are held)
Issue 2: Setting this is a real pain although once you have it up and running, it runs fine.
One option is to use the module setup to do it.

a) Back up your DB
b) write out your categories and prices
c) uninstall the G2 module
d) save a copy of module.inc
e) edit module.inc as in this example

	if (!$hasBeenActivated) {
	    $gallery->guaranteeTimeLimit(5);
	    /* Print Size option and choices. */
	    list ($ret, $optionId) =
		$zenCart->addOption(array(1 => $this->translate('Print  Size')), 0);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    list ($ret) =
		$zenCart->addOptionValue($optionId, array(1 => $this->translate('A6 Size (4x6")')), 2,
			10);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    list ($ret) =
		$zenCart->addOptionValue($optionId, array(1 => $this->translate('A5 Size (6x8")')), 5,
			10);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    list ($ret) =
		$zenCart->addOptionValue($optionId, array(1 => $this->translate('A4 Size (8x12")')),
			10, 20);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    /* Print Finish option and choices. */
	    list ($ret, $optionId) =
		$zenCart->addOption(array('1' => $this->translate('Print Finish')), 0);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    list ($ret) =
		$zenCart->addOptionValue($optionId, array('1' => $this->translate('Matte')),
			0, 0);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    list ($ret) =
		$zenCart->addOptionValue($optionId, array('1' => $this->translate('Glossy')),
			0, 0);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    list ($ret) =
		$zenCart->addOptionValue($optionId, array('1' => $this->translate('Canvas')),
			0, 0);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	    $ret = GalleryCoreApi::setPluginParameter('module', 'zencart',
		    'hasBeenActivated', 1);
	    if ($ret) {
		return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	    }
	}

	list ($ret, $redirect) = parent::activate();
	if ($ret) {
	    return array($ret->wrap(__FILE__, __LINE__), null);
	}

	$zenCart->destroy();
	return array(null, $redirect);
    } 

This will create two categories: print size & print finish and will populate them with the options. The two numbers after each option e.g this->translate('A5 Size (6x8")')), 5,10); are price and weight.
f) Install the G2 module

Notes:
1) If this fails, roll back and you will be none the worse off
2) It is illegal to offer items for sale using imperial weights (lbs) in the UK. There is a how-to on the ZC site on how to change this.
3) There is a Royal Mail module for ZC that will allow your site to get real time postage prices and for buyers to select shipping modes. You might want to check whether this requires grams or kg and adjust your installation accordingly. I think it is kg
4) There are some useful ZC modules here including the Royal Mail Shipping Module. Take a look at the Mass Update & Edit Orders Modules as well.
5) Be aware that G2 integrates into an older version of ZC which may pose some issues.

.
Gallery version = 2.2.2 core 1.2.0.4
PHP version = 4.3.9
Operating system = Linux (CentOS 4)
Default theme = PGtheme
Web Site: dakanji.com

Thanks once again, You saved me hours. I udated all those shipping files etc. today

I have also sorted the Lbs Kgs issue. Thanks for pointing this out to me I popped in the Royal Mail shipping module. I was caught out by the extra 3KG's thing, but I resolved that.

I think I have sussed out the part of the database I need to change when I alter pricing on the fly so essentially I can set the pricing for each new album without too much stress

What I will do is save a notepad copy locally for each job. This lets me have differential pricing for different types of image. I am sure most of them will be set up in 1 of 3 ways, and the odd catagory will need a different price structure. What I will do is just update the database field with my saved "wedding pricing" before I upload wedding pictures, and then say an "event pricing mask" for events etc

I need to crowbar gallery into my main site now, and also fluff the gallery up with a little web polish, and then I will be a very happy photographer

kingstog

Since you are just starting along the ZC path, you may wish to follow the way set out here.
.
Gallery version = 2.2.2
Default theme = PGtheme 1.3.0
Web Site: dakanji.com

Hello Dayo,

We've communicated here and on another site while drilling down in ZC + G2. Have been outta pocket for a bit with some horrendous medical issues for my missus. Getting back in the saddle.

Question, and I believe I broached this once before: I'm working to create a TLD name that accesses a site setup e.g. www.xyz.com

I do not want to run a splash page and wish to redirect to the www.xyz.com/gallery2 directory. No problem as .htaccess can easily do this.

However, ZenCart wants to reside 'above' G2. I am struggling with how to evolve this because the URLs not only get ugly, like www.xyz.com/zencart/gallery2, but I've tried mucking around with some URL Rewrites to redirect from www.xyz,com down two directories to the G2, but then have G2 and ZC interact properly.
Ideally, I'd like to have www.xyz.com as the TLD that goes directly to G2, but ZC doesn't like that. I have seen an example in Trekviews.com where there is a splash page answering to www.xyc.com and the two references that are maintained are www.xyz.com/gallery and www.xyz.com/zencart that is at least clean, but am scratching my head as to how that works given ZC needs to sit on top of G2.

Thought on how to solve the above. Not sure it makes sense, but it is causing some heartburn on this side.

tx, and I am looking forward to getting into the latest ZC/G2 bridge.

drhiii