can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

cpk · 2005-08-22 23:31:43

This is more of a “how do I…” or “is it possible to…” but specific to the use of the zem_article_image plugin.

So far, I am very pleased with how the plug works. I have successfully created product listing pages which displays an article excerpt along with the first of the thumbnail images indicated in the article image field by setting it to: <code><txp:permlink><txp:zem_article_thumb /></txp:permlink><txp:excerpt /></code>. When a visitor clicks on either the thumbnail or the title, they are taken to a single product (article) page that displays that first thumbnail in full size along with several other alternate images as small thumnails e.g. <code><txp:zem_article_image /> </code> and <code><txp:zem_article_thumb limit=8 /></code>.

Essentially, I want to create something that is similar to a portfolio page displaying a single large view and multiple thumbnail choices that will link to their full size images counterparts either within the same page or open a new browser window. Is it possible to make the thumbnails link to their full size images through something like: <code><a href=”…” target=”_blank”></code>? I haven’t quite found a working example of what I am looking for.

I have looked at rss_thumbpop but I am not sure that this is the right solution for what I need and would prefer not to have to switch since the input method for images using zem_article_image would be much easier for the client.

Thanks

cpk

Last edited by cpk (2005-08-22 23:41:37)

rajo · 2005-08-23 00:46:47

I am trying to do exactly the same thing, no luck yet unfortunately

cpk · 2005-08-23 01:14:37

rss_thumpop seems to have the right features but appears to require the creation and use of a specific category for each of the articles. I like the simplicity of zem_article_image since I am able to call the images in a general way through a form and it will be easy enough for my client to implement themselves by simply inputting the image numbers in the article image text field.

Another reason I don’t think that rss_thumbpop is the right solution is that it creates divs around each of the images solely for the purpose of controlling page display and really offers no other semantic structure with those divs. It would be much better if rss_thumbpop would wrap all of the thumbs in one div per grouping of images, otherwise you end up with unneccessary page bloat due to divitis.

Certainly, rss_thumbpop looks to be a great plugin feature-wise but lacks the simplicity of zem_article_image for calling the images related to a specific article in a form. I guesss I need to learn PHP sooner than I had planned ;-\

Perhaps, I do not properly understand how to implement rss_thumbpop to do what I need so I am being unduly harsh. If anyone has any suggestions about overcoming the category requirement and the excessive divs using the float mode using rss_thumbpop I am all ears

It just seems like both of these plugins are sooooo close but not quite what I need. I only hope that it’s me that’s just not getting it so that someone smarter than me will post with a solution ;-)

cpk

hakjoon · 2005-08-23 02:23:42

It almost seems like what you need is some way to interface zem_article_image with txp:image_display . Basically make zem_article_image output a link pointing to /section-with-image_display-tag/?p=image_id.

cpk · 2005-08-23 03:37:26

I appreciate the suggestion hakjoon but it seems the txp:image_display link has no information. I have found examples of what I want but the end result is either incomplete, has an overly complex workflow for non-technical people, or semantically incorrect xhtml.

An example of what i need is what this does. This one is great but it uses rss_thumbpop which I believe requires me to assign a specific category for each article. With zem_article_image, all I have to do is type in the number of each uploaded image in the article image text field and it displays what I want since the plugin is placed inside a form that does all the work without the need for assigning a unique category to that article. Unfortunately, there is no way that I can see to make each of the thumbs linked to a larger version of the image either in a new window or in the article itself.

If I were the only person to create and manage content for this site I could manage by hard coding things in etc. but since I won’t be involved in the day to day content creation, I need to keep this as simple as possible. Categories won’t work since every article will need a unique category name. My intent is to keep the client from ever messing with txp code in a forms or pages and only interact with the article form and image upload. I would like the xhtml semantically correct without the excessive use of classes and IDs applied to divs, using divs only for logical structure. I think that this can be done but I fear it will require me to modify the PHP of one or both of these plugs to get what I need and I don’t know any PHP.

Maybe my approach is wrong and someone has successfully created something like this and can provide a different method.

cpk

Last edited by cpk (2005-08-23 03:42:37)

Mary · 2005-08-23 03:47:36

upm_image that comes with upm_img_popper. Use it with a custom form.

hakjoon · 2005-08-23 13:47:05

I modified a version of zem_article_image to create pop up links to the larger image. I’d be glad to send you the code. here’s an example of it

Although I would definitely take a look at upm_img_popper. It does so much stuff.

EDIT: Actually I don’t think upm_image will do what you want. Since it won’t handle the multiple article images which seems to be the basis of how you are setting it all up. Mary correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s the impression I got from this post.

Last edited by hakjoon (2005-08-23 14:15:31)

Mary · 2005-08-23 14:22:02

Ah I missed the ‘multiple’ part – yes, mine doesn’t handle those. Carry on…

hakjoon · 2005-08-23 14:47:26

mary wrote:
Ah I missed the ‘multiple’ part – yes, mine doesn’t handle those. Carry on…

Which is too bad. The ability to loop through a series of article images and spit them back using the custom_form capability in upm_image would be incredibly powerful.

cpk · 2005-08-23 17:53:41

First off, I gotta say that I am sooooo happy I have found TextPattern. This blog/cms app is awesome and the user community is absolutely the best and certainly part of what makes txp so great. I have rarely seen such great and enthusiastic support and I am very appreciative to everyone who has helped (and will in the future) with my awkward attempts at learning how to make txp fly.

Mary,

Thanks for the great suggestion. Your plugin in looks great and I have been messing around with it and I like many of the features but I am not yet sure if this will work for this site. I can definately see uses for this in future projects but I do need multiple thumbs for each article.

hakjoon,

Your example is essentially what I am trying to accomplish but I need a single, full-size, “feature” image and several thumbs which can be clicked to open up in a new window as you have shown on your site. I am definitely interested in your mod of zem_article_image. What I would like to know is what is the process you use in setting up your article with the image(s)? The process I currently have for this site is:

Client will have to upload images(taking note of the image ID #s)
Create an article with excerpt
Fill out custom article fields (e.g. make, model, stock ID, etc.)
Type in comma delimited image ID’s in the article image text field (making sure the first in the list is the “feature image”
Select proper category and section
Publish

While this is not a perfect workflow and there are steps that could be confusing to the client, this is a singular process that does not deviate when creating “product description pages” (articles). The output is entirely automated(of course). the product listing pages are generated using a custom form that displays the feature image thumb with the excerpt text. The individual product page is created showing the featured image and several thumbs along with a text list of similar category items using the rss_suparchive plugin.

The only thing I haven’t been able to get to work with this process is to have each thumb linked to open up its full size image in a new window in exactly the manner hakjoon has provided in his(?) example. I am not opposed to the idea of altering the workflow to accommodate an easier process for the client but I don’t want them to have to alter any pages or forms. They should only have to deal with uploading images and creating articles.

I do, however, like the idea of the upm_image_popper dropdown menu since this would probably be easier for a client to deal with but it places the tags in the body of the article, which I don’t want since the custom form is handling the placement of the images. Although, if I am unable to come up with an solution, I may be able to use a combination of zem_article_image and upm_image_popper to accomplish my goals or just jump right in and attempt to decipher the PHP for modification.

Thanks,

cpk

Last edited by cpk (2005-08-23 18:45:33)

rajo · 2005-08-23 18:44:09

> hakjoon wrote:

> I modified a version of zem_article_image to create pop up links to the larger image. I’d be glad to send you the code. here’s an example of it

this seems like exactly what I’ve been looking for, does it work with multiple article images? Could you send me the code or post it in this thread? thanks in advance.

cpk · 2005-08-23 18:47:53

maybe it would be easier if hakjoon could post the code on his web site for download

cpk

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#1 2005-08-22 23:31:43

can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#2 2005-08-23 00:46:47

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#3 2005-08-23 01:14:37

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#4 2005-08-23 02:23:42

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#5 2005-08-23 03:37:26

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#6 2005-08-23 03:47:36

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#7 2005-08-23 13:47:05

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#8 2005-08-23 14:22:02

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#9 2005-08-23 14:47:26

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#10 2005-08-23 17:53:41

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#11 2005-08-23 18:44:09

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

#12 2005-08-23 18:47:53

Re: can zem_article_image be used to make linked thumbs?

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