Help a newbie configure Hikashop Essential?

-- url of the page with the problem -- : Localhost
-- HikaShop version -- : 2.2.3
-- Joomla version -- : 3.2

I have just purchased and installed Hikashop Essential on Localhost. I have gone through the documentation but am finding the concepts a bit confusing. Let me explain my need.

I have a couple of hundred of photographic images (products) I want to add to the shop. Each of these prints will be one of 4 shapes : landscape, portrait, panaramic or square. The size of panaramic and square images are fixed. However landscape and portrait are available in 3 sizes : A4, A3 and A2. The finish of each print has two options : gloss or matt. Finally, for each print there is the option to have it framed or not, but of course, the frame size (& price) will be dependent on the print size. Also there are three frame colour choices (black, dark oak and light oak).

Price is determined as a combination of the print, the size and whether it is framed or not. The finish (gloss/matt) of the print does not affect price, nor does the colour of the frame.

How best is this need accommodated?.
I am not clear of the distinction between 'options' and 'characteristics'?
If the customer selects a print of size A3, can the size (and price) of the frame be defaulted to the size of an A3 frame?.

Any pointers on how best to achieve this welcome?.

Update - I've now managed to configure this scenerio. Thanks

Hi,
Note that reading the documentation will probably help you to understand how to use options and characteristics .

Thanks Mohamed. I could see what options and characteristics were meant to do but I struggled to see how to configure them, and in what order. When I found the documentation you referenced, it became clear. But a "quick start roadmap" would help newbies to Hikashop. On checking the "Reviews" of Hikashop on the JED, I'm not the first person to hit this barrier. Hikashop seems to be powerful and flexible, but if you haven't seen it before, you need to invest some concerted effort.