Template system users guide

[macallf]

I'm working on a user manual for VM's template system and I want to know what you think and if I should continue.

Obviously this won't be finished overnight but the attached pdf should give you an idea of what I'm working on and the layout.

It's not a guide to writing html, css or php. It also won't help with general Joomla templates.

But it will indicate which templates are used by each page, which fields are available, which file creates the page. For the more complex pages I will also detail the sub templates and which fields are used there.

[macallf]

Well I've just done a bit of an update which should give a better idea of the overall look of the pdf.

As I have said this is by no means finished and is still work in progress.

I have deliberately not made the information to detailed. Most people do not need to know what each line in a template does. But an explanation on how the fields are referenced and a description of each field used is more appropriate.

Some of the required php in each file is given and a mention of what it does. For most all you need to do is to ensure that these lines are within your template files in the correct places.

Comments would be appreciated as to layout, content etc. 

[attachment cleanup by admin]

[PhoenixGB]

Hi Mark

This is a great idea, I really struggle with the flypages

[mommomami]

This is exactly what I have been looking for.  I am new to web development after a 16 year hiatus from systems development.  I am trying to get in to the freelance business and have someone with an established business who is helping me out--and he wants me to become his Virtuemart guru. The learning curve is steep, since I am still learning html, css, php as I go.  Browsing through the forums is helpful, but this manual is exactly what I need to learn quickly.  thanks for taking the time to do it.

[bulesz]

Many thanks! This guide is awesome!

B.

[bulesz]

Mark, does it mean that you are back?

[macallf]

For the moment, yes!

The guide will get updated as and when time permits. But I have had some bug fixes and improvements to be implemented as well.

I just hope the guide helps people to work on their themes.

[bulesz]

Thanks and congrat for this great guide! It helps a lot!

[martinb1]

Great work! I was hoping it would help but it seems that the file locations in VM 1.1.3 seem to have changed from that listed in your manual.

[macallf]

no, they are correct

I state that i will use your-site/components/com_virtuemart/themes/default

then each template is from that position e.g. ../templates/browse/includes/browse_listtable.tpl.php

which would mean a complete path of your-site/components/com_virtuemart/themes/default/templates/browse/includes/browse_listtable.tpl.php

and these are the correct paths. But I am not going to duplicate the full path to each template.

[martinb1]

Sorry my apologies - you're correct.

Crappy windoze search is at fault once again.

[McKnight]

Nice work Mark!

[morktron]

Excellent work! without this kind of documentation I'd have to go elsewhere for an shopping cart solution but VM is the best!

Keep up the good work we all appreciate your valiant efforts.

[GTWillemsen]

I think you help out many people with this, great work!

Thumbs up!

[tcherno]

Thank you!