This is a spree extension that solves two use cases related to variants. I call them Ad Hoc Options and Product Customizations.

Use these when have numerous (possibly price-altering) product options and you don't want to create variants for each combination.

You can also restrict certain combinations of options from coexisting. These are called Ad Hoc Exclusions and are described in more detail in the wiki.

Use these when you want the ability to provide a highly customized product e.g. "Cut to length 5.82cm", "Engrave 'thanks for the memories, Sarah'". Full control over pricing is provided by the Spree calculator mechanism.

rails new myapp
cd myapp

Add to Gemfile:

# Important! - see disclaimer about edge code in the spree groups announce: http://groups.google.com/group/spree-user/browse_thread/thread/2002a5a8e38d71aa#
gem 'spree', :git => 'git://github.com/spree/spree.git'
gem 'spree_flexi_variants', :git=>'[email protected]:jsqu99/spree_flexi_variants.git'

bundle install

rake db:create && rails g spree:site && rake spree:install && rake spree_flexi_variants:install && rake db:bootstrap

Build a 'Cake' product using Ad Hoc Options and Product Customizations

Build a 'Necklace' product using Ad Hoc Options and Product Customizations

Build a 'Pizza' product using Ad Hoc Options. Note that the 'multi' option checkboxes come from a partial named after the option name (see app/views/products/ad_hoc_options/_toppings.html.erb)

See the wiki for more detail.

Many, many thanks to Brian Quinn for selflessly volunteering his time to mentor me throughout the development process.

Copyright (c) 2011 Jeff Squires, released under the New BSD License