SetTemplate on specific pages for logged in customers? - magento

Question

I've got an issue with Magento xml layouts. I've been trying to change the page template when a customer is logged in, but only for specific pages in the layout. I've tried using the <customer_logged_in> handle in my xml but I can't get it to reference another handle specifically.
Non-working example of what I'd like it to do:
<catalog_product_view>
<customer_logged_in>
<reference name="root">
<action method="setTemplate"><template>page/3columns.html</template></action>
</reference>
</customer_logged_in>
<customer_logged_out>
<reference name="root">
<action method="setTemplate"><template>page/2columns-left.html</template></action>
</reference>
</customer_logged_out>
</catalog_product_view>
Is this possible to accomplish with the XML layout system or should I be looking at another approach?

Answer 1

Unfortunately with Magento layouts, there is no way to filter between two layout handles.
What I would recommend is slightly different and more complex, but I believe that it will give you the flexibility that you need.
You will need to create a module to do this. I am including all code necessary to do this.
Module Definition:
app/etc/Your_Module.xml
<config>
<modules>
<Your_Module>
<codePool>local</codePool>
<active>true</active>
</Your_Module>
</modules>
</config>
Config XML:
app/code/local/Your/Module/etc/config.xml:
<config>
<global>
<modules>
<Your_Module>
<version>1.0</version>
</Your_Module>
</modules>
</global>
<frontend>
<controller_action_layout_generate_blocks_after>
<observers>
<your_module_name>
<type>singleton</type>
<class>Your_Module/Observer</class>
<method> controllerActionLayoutGenerateBlocksAfter</method>
</your_module_name>
</observers>
</controller_action_layout_generate_blocks_after>
</frontend>
</config>
The code that makes it work
Then at this path app/code/local/Your/Module/Model/Observer.php:
<?php
class Your_Module_Model_Observer
{
public function controllerActionLayoutGenerateBlocksAfter ($observer)
{
$controller = $observer->getAction();
if ($controller->getFullActionName() == 'catalog_product_view') {
$layout = $controller->getLayout();
$rootBlock = $layout->getBlock('root');
if (Mage::getSingleton('customer/session')->isLoggedIn()) {
$rootBlock->setTemplate('page/1-column.html');
} else {
$rootBlock->setTemplate('page/2-columns.html');
}
}
}
}
(I took a few tips from: update layout programatically in magento event observer)