Image Attachment Changes

[Administrator_JSVN]

I realize that posting images has been at times a chore for members.  I have finally gotten around to taking some time to address the issue. 

I am testing a change to the forum software that will automatically resize images when they are posted.  Please note that this may 1) increase the time for your post to be create because you will be presumably uploading bigger files (which take longer to upload to the server) and then 2) the server must process the image if it is large to resize it appropriately.  The reason for resizing is two-fold.  Most modern digital cameras take images at very high resolutions which is necessary for printing purposes.  However, online that high resolution is not necessary.  The second reason is to reduce file size as we are charge for storage space by our website hosting provider.  All new images that are upload and existing images attached to posts that exceed 1280x1024 pixels will be reduced to these dimensions.  I would request that members notify me if they experience any issues. 

For some reason, I noticed that the forum states that the maximum total size for all attachments must be smaller than 500kb even though I have modified that setting.  So, it can be ignored.  You can now upload up to 20 attachments per post, they must be under 2MB each.  I will be monitoring our storage usage in the coming weeks and may tweak these settings if necessary.

Thanks.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Shane, I thank you for removing the very onerous 500kb and 5 picture limits.

 

[score0matic]

thank you Shane [thumbs up] [thanks] [thumbs up]

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Wow! That's a pretty generous limit on image size. Thanks!!!!!! It will be super handy when detail is needed for some discussions. The only concern I have is if people don't do their own image downsampling to control size, that too many images are going to default to something that needlessly takes up the whole screen. I use a lot of images on the internet, so I keep 3 basic sizes in mind as I process those images before upload.

The basic sizes I use by default are:

For general images: 3.5" @ 150 dpi = 525 pixels wide
For large format: 4.5" @ 150 dpi = 675 pixels wide
For high detail instructions: 6" @ 150 dpi = 900 pixels wide (and these are rare)

I am not looking a gift horse in the mouth. This is something I have asked for in the past, but I was wondering if there was a way to set the default server-side downsampling to 640 pixels, but the user could click a check box if they actually wanted or needed the full 1280 pixels. (kind of like an acknowledgment that they were about to post a very large picture, just in case they didn't realize it--especially because they can't preview the image, which is why I keep editing this same posting.  [big grin])

For example, the default image size I use in manuals is 3.5" @ 300 dpi, and this is how they appear in print or Adobe Acrobat, but if I accidentally upload one of these without dropping it down to the 150 dpi (525 pixels), web browsers do not recognize the image dimension 3.5" and go strictly by pixel count, so the image takes up the whole screen and most people have to scroll horizontally to see the whole thing. This is something I try to avoid, but many people are not accustomed to dealing with images as much as others.

Just to try this out as an example, I will upload one of the Kapex images. This one is 3.75" @300 dpi = 1125 pixels, which is still below the 1280 limit.

It is not so bad when it is a thumbnail, but when they are not thumbnails, it can be cumbersome. P.S. This is not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. With some forum software, a wide image in one posting will force people to scroll horizontally to read the text in the entire thread. At least with the SMF software, you only need to scroll the image, not the whole posting.

[attachimg=#]

 

[AlexThePalex]

I am testing a change to the forum software that will automatically resize images when they are posted. 

Does this happen automatically with all images or only with images that are bigger than a certain threshold? Because I have no problem with making pictures the right size. If the forum's software is now going to resize pictures that are good already, then the image quality will be affected negatively.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I am testing a change to the forum software that will automatically resize images when they are posted. 

Does this happen automatically with all images or only with images that are bigger than a certain threshold? Because I have no problem with making pictures the right size. If the forum's software is now going to resize pictures that are good already, then the image quality will be affected negatively.

Alex, the code was written by someone else but based on my understand it will only resize as needed.  I don't know the default compression setting for JPGs that it resizes but I uploaded several images as tests and I would say the quality was still quite high.

 

[jeffinsgf]

The beauty of Shane's solution is that those who understand pixel size and down-sample their images accordingly will have their images come through just fine.  Those who prefer to focus their energies on woodworking and tools can contribute just as well, without annoying everyone or costing the forum administrators a fortune.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Wow! That's a pretty generous limit on image size. Thanks!!!!!! It will be super handy when detail is needed for some discussions.
...
Just to try this out as an example, I will upload one of the Kapex images. This one is 3.75" @300 dpi = 1125 pixels, which is still below the 1280 limit.
...

Hey Rick, that's a great picture and I don't mind scrolling it in order to see the detail.

By the way, I am looking at it on a small netbook computer with a 10 inch screen.

 

[Dan Clark]

If using a PC and a mouse with a scroll wheel, you can have it both ways.  Press and hold the key, and rotate the mouse wheel.  This will zoom the text and images.  To see the whole picture, simply zoom out with your mouse wheel.  To make the text easier to read or to examine detail in a pic, just zoom in.

This works in Firefox and IE for most web sites, including talkFestool and Festool Owners Group. 

Regards,

Dan.

 

[erikfsn]

Thanks! I also appreciate the photo because I've had the Kapex for some time now and it never occurred to me that that groove could take a clamp!

Wonder what else I've missed  ???

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Thanks! I also appreciate the photo because I've had the Kapex for some time now and it never occurred to me that that groove could take a clamp!

Wonder what else I've missed  ???

It's a system, man!  [big grin]  It's a system!

Edit: The crown stops fit on the MFT/3 profiles, the Kapex extensions can then connect to the MFT/3 or MFT/3 Kapex.  When the Kapex is on the MFT/3 Kapex, you can use the MFT/3 to support your longer materials (that's what I use instead of the extensions).  A SYS1 is the same height as the Kapex deck, so when you're not on the table, you can use a SYS1 systainer to support your longer materials on the floor.  Our clamps can be used to secure the Kapex to the table instead of using the optional Clamping Kit.

 

[JJ Wavra]

Shane,

Thanks for making this change.  There has been a few times when I wanted to post a picture but did not know how to resize.  Computers and cameras are just not something that I have learned very much, as of yet.

JJ

 

[peter halle]

Thanks! I also appreciate the photo because I've had the Kapex for some time now and it never occurred to me that that groove could take a clamp!

Wonder what else I've missed  ???

A picture is worth a thousand words.  But just wanted to point out that in the picture of the Kapex on the MFT/ ? posted earlier - the extrusions on the outside edges are not what is on the MFT/3 Kapex offered here according to the online catalog.  I believe Shane alluded to that in his description of the system attributes earlier.  Just pointing this out in case the creative juices get flowing.

OLD MFT PROFILE

[attachimg=#]

CURRENT MFT/3 KAPEX PROFILE

[attachimg=#]

Peter

 

[jeffinsgf]

... that in the picture of the Kapex on the MFT/ ? posted earlier -

Peter

MFT/800.  It's square.

 

[Mac]

Just wanted to add my thanks to Shane for increasing the attachment sizes for us; just made a post with 15 good quality images and didn't have to worry about resizing at all. Made life much faster, easier and, well, simpler!

[thanks]

Rick

 

[mastercabman]

I have been trying to post some pictures but it says that my files are too large.
Why is that?

 

[peter halle]

Shane has posted recently that while working on transitioning the forum to the new server he discovered a problem with the automatic imaging script ( I believe) and it is disabled at this point.

That means that members will have to manually resize / resample their images prior to posting.  The digital cameras now create huge files that frankly can not be appreciated on the monitor.  When resizing if you can get the file size down below 100kb that is great.  Image size below 800 pixels wide make it easier to view without scrolling side to side.

If members need help,  there are numerous threads here and even recommendations on free software.

If I can help, let me know.

Peter

 

[mastercabman]

Shane has posted recently that while working on transitioning the forum to the new server he discovered a problem with the automatic imaging script ( I believe) and it is disabled at this point.

That means that members will have to manually resize / resample their images prior to posting.  The digital cameras now create huge files that frankly can not be appreciated on the monitor.  When resizing if you can get the file size down below 100kb that is great.  Image size below 800 pixels wide make it easier to view without scrolling side to side.

If members need help,  there are numerous threads here and even recommendations on free software.

If I can help, let me know.

Peter

Yeah, i'm going to need help on this,because i just can not figure that one out!

 

[bellnarak66]

thanks [thanks] [thanks]