The Gallery Manager > Add Images to the Gallery Manager

In this section we will explain how to add images to the Gallery Manager. Later we will explain how to add the gallery to the page. Here we will also explain how to manage the images in the gallery. 

Opening the Gallery Manager
The gallery Manager is accessible from the Management area on the right of the SoftPage Application. The Image below indicates the location of the Gallery Manager. Click the Gallery Manager icon.

Adding a Photo Album
The Gallery Manager is best used with Photo Albums. Photo Albums are used to organize your photos. It also allows you to add different galleries to different sections of your web site. To add an Album to your Gallery, click the Add New Photo Album from the option on the left. (As indicated below)

When you click the Add New Photo Album, you will be asked to enter an Album Name. Enter a suitable name here and click OK to add the album. You will see above I already have a test Album in the list of Albums.  

Using the Gallery Manager
Lets take a look at some of the features of the Gallery Manager before we continue. You will notice that the tool bar allows you to navigate "Up". This is used when you have selected an album from the list on the left. Albums can be nested within each other so the up option can be useful to navigate your way back to the root Gallery. The Refresh Icon refreshes the list of photo's in the album. The Print Icon prints out the list of photos.

On the left of the window is the list of albums, click the plus icon to expand the Albums within the albums. Click the album names displays the contents of the album.

Uploading Images to an Album
First select the album you wish to add the photos to from the album list on the left. From the tool bar click the Upload Photos icon.

At this point the Upload Images window will open. If you have not uploaded images before you will be required to install the ActiveX uploader. This uploader allows you to upload multiple images at one time. It does however require you to install the ActiveX application. This is a relatively easy thing to do.

In a little while (depending on you bandwidth speed) you will get a security warning. Like the window below:

Click on the Install button. This will install the ActiveX application and allow you to upload images.

This application is safe to install. It is used throughout the SoftPage application. If you have uploaded images to the Images section of SoftPage before you may have already installed this application, so you will not see this warning. If you install the application you will be faced with the contents of your local computer in a windows browser style. (See below)

Use the folder selector on the left the same way you browse your own computer. Use the plus sign to find the folder that contains the Images you wish to upload. If your photos are located on a digital camera. Make sure you plug it in now so that you can browse the contents of that device from within the My Computer section.

Selecting & Uploading
Once you have found the folder that contains the photos you would like to upload. You will see a list of thumbnails of the photos. Use the tick box to select the photos as indicated in the image above.

Now click the Upload button in the bottom right corner of the window. You will see a progress bar showing the status of the upload. Once the upload is complete, the window will close, allowing you to upload some more photos or to close the window, click "Cancel"

Editing the Photos
Now that the photos you have selected are uploaded, you can edit the properties of the photo by clicking on any of them. (You only need to click once.) The Photo Properties open and show you a preview of the photo with the extended properties. (Below)

The Photo Title is automatically taken from the file name, but can be changed to display anything. So enter a new name for the Photo Title. If you know the date that the photo was taken or would like to set the Photo Date click the calendar icon to chose any date. (Note: The date of the photo determines the order of the list.) The Photo Caption allows you to enter written text as a description for the photo.

This window also contains some extra tools in the tool bar, but the most important tool is the save icon. Please remember that any changes you make in this window must be saved before to click next or close. If the orientation of the photo is wrong, simply click the Rotate Left or Rotate Right icon. If the Image needs to be edited or cropped click the Edit Image icon.

Once you are happy with the photo, click the Back or Next Icon to to move on.

Now that you are happy with the Album  and all the photos in it, its time to insert the Album or Gallery into the page.