For most CommerceCM Implementations, the Manage Variants functionality provides a mechanism to allow for one image to map to different images (or variants). A classic example is with product images. When a product is listed on a department page, the shopper typically sees a thumbnail image of the product. However, when the shopper becomes interested in the product and clicks on it, the product detail page is displayed. In most CommerceCM implementations, the product image used on the product detail page will be larger (sometimes much larger) than the product image on the department page. For this reason, it may make sense to use a different image for the product image on the product detail page. The Manage Variants functionality provides a tool to support this requirement.
The figure below shows the Manage Variants interface.
We can now carry forward our example of using a different image (variant) on the product detail page. To accomplish this, use the Browse button to find the image for the product detail page (ensuring the source image is larger than the dimensions for which it will be used!).
Select the appropriate checkboxes to apply the variant to. In our case, we might select Large (primary image used on the product detail page) and Extra Large (the zoom image used on the product detail page).
To complete the upload of the variant(s), click the Upload More Variants button.