How to Unlock the Magic of Separate Image Galleries for Product Variants in Shopify's Veena Theme

Once, on a sunlit afternoon when the air hummed with creativity, I decided to venture into the world of online retail. It was all excitement until I faced the peculiar problem of having all my product variant images clumped together like a mischievous band of pixies. Just like our friend seeking help on Shopify’s forum, I wanted each variant to proudly showcase its own lineup of images—each with a distinctly unique flair.

Our Variant Dilemma

But I remember scratching my head over this very same conundrum, a little frustrated yet determined. Imagine offering a vibrant summer dress in different colors, and ambitiously wanting the sunny yellow to shine without the deep blue stealing its thunder. Just as we became friends with our coded creations, so too, each variant deserves its individual carry-through.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Before we dive into the bits and bytes, you'll need some basics at hand: access to your Shopify admin, a sprinkle of patience, and perhaps a steaming mug of your favorite beverage. Are we ready?

Step 1: Enter the Inner Sanctum of Shopify Admin

Begin by navigating to your Shopify Admin. Once there, click on Online Store and then Themes. This is where the magic begins. Imagine it like walking into a treasure cave, only the treasure here is customization options.

Step 2: Duplicate Your Theme

Before you proceed any further, pause and duplicate your theme. Always a wise move in case our adventurous expedition goes awry. This is your safety net. Simply click on "Actions" next to your Veena theme, and select "Duplicate."

Step 3: Open Code Editor

Adventure’s call gets louder! Click on Actions again, and this time select Edit Code. You’ll find yourself on a page with an overwhelming number of files and folders. But fear not, trusty explorer, for we know our destination.

Step 4: Seek Out the Product Template

Now, under the Sections folder, locate the file named product-template.liquid. This piece of code determines how products are displayed. Open it up like you’d open a mysterious, folded map.

Step 5: Unleash the JavaScript Sorcery

Here’s where we introduce some digital wizardry. We’ll use JavaScript to dynamically change the images based on the selected variant. Add this magical piece of code at the bottom of your product-template.liquid file:

<script>
  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
    const variantRadios = document.querySelectorAll('[name="id"]');

    function updateImages(variantId) {
      const imageGalleries = document.querySelectorAll('.variant-gallery');
      imageGalleries.forEach(gallery => {
        if (gallery.dataset.variantId === variantId) {
          gallery.style.display = 'block';
        } else {
          gallery.style.display = 'none';
        }
      });
    }

    variantRadios.forEach(radio => {
      radio.addEventListener('change', function() {
        updateImages(this.value);
      });
    });

    const defaultVariant = document.querySelector('[name="id"]:checked');
    if (defaultVariant) {
      updateImages(defaultVariant.value);
    }
  });
</script>

Step 6: Tweak Your product-template.liquid

Our journey is almost complete! Locate the area in your product-template.liquid where images are loaded - within a loop, usually. You will need to wrap each set of variant images using a div and assign a unique data-variant-id, like so:

<div class="variant-gallery" data-variant-id="VARIANT_ID_1">
  <!-- Gallery images for Variant 1 -->
</div>
<div class="variant-gallery" data-variant-id="VARIANT_ID_2">
  <!-- Gallery images for Variant 2 -->
</div>

Replace VARIANT_ID_X with the actual ID of each variant.

Step 7: Test the Waters

Now it’s time to test our handiwork. Preview your changes, and toggle between different variants. Feel the satisfaction of seeing each variant proudly display its own image gallery, standing tall and distinguished like knights in a grand hall.

Epilogue: Our Triumph

Remember when all those images danced in a clump? Now look at what we've achieved together. Each variant now sings its own song through its images in our Shopify store, much like individual performers in a grand orchestra. And with that, we end our saga on how to create distinct image galleries for each product variant in Shopify’s Veena theme.

Isn’t it rewarding when a problem leads to such a creative journey? Here’s to more discoveries and delightful victories in the land of online retail! Cheers, fellow explorer! 🍵