I’ve tried to theming a cck node type with image filed, but failed display the image with them(‘imagecache’,'thumbnail’) hook.

Struggling for more than 4 hours, searching, reading,trying and again and again. At least, I learned more about how to theming Drupal node.

I found several questions related my situation, but not exactly. Some solutions look like hitting the point, and give great tips on using CCK and ImageCache.

1. ImageCache module creates preset file just on requesting, that means, the files will not be created until a request to that file.

2. Always check folders’ permissions related to uploading.

3.Devel module is great tool for themers.

4. Don’t forget clear cache after tpl.php files modfied.

At last, I figured out my way to the problem: I just knew little  about how to use imagecache module and point #1 above.

ImageCache works on “preset”, and each “preset” contains some actions such as re-size, crop, saturation, etc. A preset without any action can’t work properly. I didn’t know that and just added a preset named “thumbnail” then waiting magics.

So the trick to my problem is just create actions in the preset and ImageCache will do the others.

Drupal is great, the contributors are great, but it’s too heavy for small-mid sites, the learning curve is too long for normal ppl.

For small to middle sized sites, I will suggest ModX or WordPress, maybe Joomla is ok too.