How to Install the NBDesigner WooCommerce Plugin (2.17.0)

Applies to Cmsmart Product Designer (NBDesigner) 2.17.0 — updated October 2026. Requirements below are read from the plugin README and header.

In short

  • You need WordPress 5.6+, PHP 8.0+, WooCommerce 8.0+ with WooCommerce active.
  • Upload the .zip, activate, then follow the setup wizard (General setup › NBD Pages › Overview).
  • Connect a license in step one, tick Enable Design on a product, and click Start Design to test.

The NBDesigner plugin (Cmsmart Product Designer) adds an online design editor to WooCommerce so shoppers can personalise products before ordering. This page is the install guide for version 2.17.0. If you only want the trial download, start with the free trial guide.

What do I need before installing?

RequirementMinimum
WordPress5.6
PHP8.0
WooCommerce8.0.0
MySQL5.7
Plugin dependencyWooCommerce must be active

Back up your site first, as with any plugin install. If you are on a release older than 2.15.0, update now: version 2.16.1 (and later) closes an image-import hole that let an unauthenticated visitor upload an executable file on those versions.

How do I install NBDesigner step by step?

  1. Upload. WordPress admin › Plugins › Add New › Upload Plugin, choose the plugin .zip, click Install Now.
  2. Activate. Click Activate Plugin. A new Cmsmart menu appears and a fresh install opens the setup wizard.
  3. Connect your Cmsmart license. Enter your store email and click Activate my license to start the free 30-day trial, or paste a license key you already have.
  4. General setup. Pick the Dimension unit (cm, in, mm, ft or px) used to calculate the design area, and the Font subset for your language.
  5. NBD Pages. Keep Create default NBDesigner pages ticked: Create your own page, Designer page, Gallery and Redirect login.
  6. Overview. Finish and open the Cmsmart overview.
WordPress Plugins screen with the active Cmsmart plugin, version 2.17.0, requiring WooCommerce
After activation: the Cmsmart plugin row shows the version and the WooCommerce requirement.

If you skip the wizard you can activate later under Cmsmart › License: paste the key from your Cmsmart account and click Activate.

How do I enable the designer on my first product?

  1. Go to Products and edit a product.
  2. In the Setting Cmsmart box tick Enable Design. Optionally tick Enable Upload Design and Enable Upload Without Design.
  3. Set the Product area and Design area (width, height, top, left) and the Design editor layout: Modern (recommended), Visual or Classic (deprecated).
  4. Update the product and open it on the storefront: a Start Design button opens the editor.
WooCommerce Edit product screen with the NBD options box and the Setting Cmsmart box showing Enable Design and Enable Upload Design ticked
The NBD options and Setting Cmsmart boxes at the bottom of a WooCommerce product edit screen.
Men t-shirt product page on the NBDesigner demo with colour swatches and the design button
A product with design enabled on the NBDesigner demo store.
NBDesigner modern layout editor on a t-shirt with the left tool bar: Product, Templates, Text, Cliparts, Photos, Elements, Layers
The modern editor: left tool bar, Preflight Check and the Process button at the top.

Inside the editor customers get Templates, Text, Cliparts, Photos (Upload, Image url, Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, Webcam, Pixabay, Unsplash, Pexels, Freepik), Elements and Layers. Which sources appear depends on your plan and your API keys in Cmsmart › Settings.

What if something does not work?

  • Warning about PHP max_input_vars on the Printing Options screen: raise max_input_vars in your PHP settings so large option groups save.
  • Warning about max_file_uploads in the product box: raise max_file_uploads so multi-side designs save.
  • JPG export needs the PHP Imagick extension; CMYK/ICC conversion needs Imagemagick with lcms2.
  • Nginx servers ignore .htaccess. The plugin writes script-blocking rules into its upload folders, so add an equivalent server rule on Nginx.
  • Status stuck on Expired or LITE after renewing: use Re-sync licence on the License page.

Frequently asked questions

Does NBDesigner work without WooCommerce?

No. WooCommerce is a declared required plugin, and the designer attaches to WooCommerce products.

Does it support HPOS order storage?

Yes. The order queries handle both High-Performance Order Storage and the legacy post store, and the Customer Design box loads on the WooCommerce Orders screen (fixed in 2.17.0).

Where do I find my license key?

In the email sent when you start the trial or buy, and in your Cmsmart Dashboard under Downloads & license key.

Which layout should I choose?

Modern. The plugin marks it recommended and has stopped adding features to Classic.

Try it on your store

Start the free 30-day trial from your Cmsmart Dashboard, see the WooCommerce product designer plugin page, or open the live demo. For custom print-shop projects, request a quote.