I have a new client that creates custom artwork and would like the option to choose the matte color (only has one frame choice, but several pieces of art). They need it to be interative --choose the matte for each piece -- preview it and add to cart. Any suggestions on the best way to approach this project for the best coding would be welcome and appreciated very much!

They included a web site for an example of how they would like the matte feature to behave...

http://www.bestart.com/detail.cgi?PID=197&PSID=183&FID=144&MID=532&type=m at&mtype=top

Thanks

to simplify matters I'd suggest using js to change the style atribute and thereby change the background-color for the image.

I can tell you haw it could be done in php but not in JS.

Does all the art have the same viewable area and total size? How many colors to choose from for the matte - any color? Is it going to need to be expandable, if they want to change sizes later?

They will be offering 5 or 6 mat colors and there will be 10 or 11 styles. All the style samples will be the same size and oriented the same, landscape layout.

You can always modify this from stu nicholls for a pure css alternative.