Question

What is the code to pull in a custom view.phtml file via custom layout update (in admin > catalog > manage products > specific product) with magento? I would really like to do this in local.xml for specific products.

I found this:

<PRODUCT_ATTRIBUTE_SET_shirts>
<reference name="product.info">
  <action method="setTemplate"><template>my/custom/product/view.phtml</template></action>
</reference>

But this code is for attributes.

Answer 1

Well, I don’t think you can do that in local.xml. But Custom Layout Updates were made for situation like that. Just write there your XML:

<reference name="product.info">
  <action method="setTemplate"><template>my/custom/product/view.phtml</template></action>
</reference>

Or if you need to apply the same view.phtml for several products, you can create a new theme containing just one catalog/prodcut/view.phtml and make it extend your current theme. Then apply this theme only for products you need.