AS the unofficial tech support person, I occasionally have the pleasure of being asked to help explain various "how to stuff" on AR. The following is an email I received awhile back...hope you find my response helpful.
"Hope all is going well for you. I was reading your blog on adding photos -- It is excellent. If you have a moment, I am having trouble finding out how to get the text to near or wrap around the photo. Can you point me in the right direction. Every time I upload a photo there is a lot of space and I don't know who to get the text next to or around the photo. Thanks and I look forward to reading more of your blogs."
Funny, I see blogs where the photo is surrounded by white space and the text doesn't wrap. I suspect the reason for that is in the way the photos are added. I've never tried to add photos that way, so I really don't know how or why that happens.
I know how I add photos and it looks OK, so I'll share my method.
First I write the blog, from start to finish, then I go back and add the photos. Take the cursor and place it where the photo where it should go.
The next step is one I have found is frequently forgotten. Many people haven't noticed there are actually TWO tabs on top of the photo insertion box. Both of these tabs need to be opened. NOT ALL of the settings are necessary, but some are:
- Alignment & dimensions are both critical
- Vertical and horizontal space are optional
- Border can be used if you want a border around your photo
- Class & Style are not features I use. In fact someone else will need to explain what they are. I haven't got a clue!
It is not necessary to set the vertical/horizontal space.
Setting the Alignment is very important. If it is not set the photo doesn't know where to go.
Playing around with the vertical/horizontal settings here is easy to do. As you change the number the example to the right will reflect the setting you use. This is great for people like me who get vertical and horizontal mixed up. :)
Once you have configured the settings in both tabs of the box you can input the photo. If it doesn't look right, you can "right click" on it and "cut" to remove it. Then start over. The biggest mistake I make is not setting the "alignment" for right or left.
When adding mulitple photos, I tend to look at the text and judge how much space (text) is needed for the photo to look good. Usually a paragraph or two will consume the area around a 300-400 pixel photo, Try it out and see how you like it. If it doesn't look good, cut the photo out and do it again.
Like most things this takes a little bit of practice. After a few tries you will be placing photos like a pro!
Kristal Kraft's Active Rain Toots
If you are having trouble with the various aspects of Active Rain Blogging I have written other tutorials. Perhaps you can find the answer you are looking for here;
The Active Rain Dummies Guide for Boosting your Points
The Official Unofficial Guide to Creating a Blog
How to Add Pictures to Your Blog
Blogging for fun or profit? How about both?
Getting started on the active Rain Community
Think About the Future...ADD VALUE
Hello Seattle someone has me confused with Tech Support (or how to add clip art)
DISCLAIMER~ I am not assoicated with the OFFICIAL ACTIVE RAIN Tech Support. I provide this information as a public service, occasionally I am rewarded by Active Rain via Genuis Bonus Points...points we all know are redeemable for ......
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Colorado Licensed Broker
ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative
CIPS - Certified International Property Specialist
CRS - Certified Residential Specialist
The Berkshire Group Realtors
3801 E. Florida Ave. Suite 400
Denver, Colorado, 80210 USA |
Mobile: 303-589-2022
Fax: 303-953-5362
kristal@tbgdenver.com
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Selling Denver and the 'burbs
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Broker Associate, ABR, CRS, GRI, ePRO, PMN, PNG
The Berkshire Group, REALTORS
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80210
720-279-4599 ~ direct 303-953-5362 ~ fax
Selling Colorado Since 1984, Serving the Following Areas:
For ALL of your ACTIVERAIN TECH SUPPORT ISSUES, CALL (303) 589-2022. Operators are standing by!
I have been waiting for this one...Thanks
Yup, I don't mind. I just ordered my Active Rain Company Car. My contract with the AR Gods precludes me from announcing exactly what it is, but I can say this, it's fast and red. :)
kk
P.S. Hey Rich what kind did you get?
uh...ummm....I only got the button.....
So we've graduated from shoes to a company car now?
Yes, well the shoes are a given. Points=shoes. The car is for tech support. They are too busy to do it...
I hear moderators are going to get their photos on dart boards. The Codgers will be adding them to The Collection. Soon the Codgers will be retiring (again) to a very nice expensive island they plan to purchase.
kk
Hey UTSP! Glad they finally came up with the company car for you. You are deserving.
P.S. Carnac likes the dart board prediction. :-)
Krystal,
Incredibly informative & helpful ... thanks! Really appreciate the links to other tutorial posts too, and have Bookmarked for future use.
Thank you!
Thanks, Kristal, for the advice. While I know how to do this I sometimes forget the alignment and need to go back. Have never done anything with borders so need to check this out. Good advice for new folks.
So what kind of shoes do you drive the company car in? Matching red?
Jeff
KK.... this was well done and no. not the steak. Your tutorials turn out much prettier than mine. Nice post.
On another note, I thought you were given a contract that had a clause that you received shoes of your choice for a whole year? Or maybe you don't need the shoes now, if they give you a car. ;o)
Kristal: Thanks so much for answering my question. Your tutorial is very clear and easy to understand. I also will check out the other links you have provided. Hope your main computer is back from vacation!
Hi Kristal,
What a universal blog - this is great information for EVERYONE!
Well, first of all, I have never checked off 'constrain proportions', so that might have something to do with the problems I often encounter when adding images to blogs! I actually spent 2 days trying to get photos lined up side by side (for that "Before" and "After" effect) in a recent blog! I had problems trying to get them sized properly and uniformly, but then started playing around with the 'dimensions' and that helped. I actually got 3 sets posted and then did something wrong with the last photo on the last set and sent everything out of register! I worked it out, but don't remember how...so do you know of a good way to post Before and After pictures on a blog?
VAL
Kristal-
As always, a very helpful post. I think you should be on the payroll, you do such a great job of explaining it all. Thanks again : )
We'll see how well the tutorial is when this moron tries it :)
My text is NEVER wrapped. The photos are inserted using the icon above...browses my puter, inserts....and the text is above or below or both....never next to....
I'll try this at 2:00 am sometime so no one laughs.
THks Kristal.
Kristal:
Your post was invaluable! I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share this information...and for sharing all of the information you've passed along via AR.
You Da Best!
It's a beautiful evening here in Lyon, France...hope it's a wonderful evening for you in Denver!
Great Tech Post! I sure could have used it a few months back. . . I had to figure it out on my own. My question now is, what program are you using that captures the screen shots and also gives them the wavy edge? I always like how creative your pictures look! Congrats on the shine, red and fast car. lol
My God Kristal !
I've been doing it backwards all along. I just assumed you put the photos in first & couldn't figure out why the text never looked as good as other peoples.
Question: How did you do the red text thing? Yes, subject for another Blog.
Hey KK....
Is you about to PUBLISH the Active Rain for Dummies Guide?
Me
Kristal,
What can I say. Posts from the Master or should I say Mistress? Arrggh, not sure what words to use anymore:)
Dick & Sandy ~ Glad to help, hope we see lots of your pics here in the Rain.
Linda ~ Oh, I hope Carnac can use that, do you need some samples to show?
Scott ~ Bookmarking is good. Hopefully you will find the info useful.
Jon ~ you are most welcome!
MF ~ Yes, my grandkids look good in the car. To bad it doesn't have a backseat for the babyseats...
David ~ glad to hear you are helping a newbie. I hope you aren't trying to cut in on my car deal. :)
Thesa ~ Oh good, now that you know how to do it, there will be one less crazy person around. (it makes me crazy too!)
Mary Ann ~ You are welcome!
Jeff ~ Actually I wear the shoes you sent me in a few blogs ago. They are totally cool and do go well with my car. (both are imaginary!)
Jeff B. ~ Shoes always work for me. The car is an accessory too. A girl has to look good!
Dena ~ come to Denver, I'll take you for a ride in my new car! You can wear some of my shoes too. You don't need no stickin' points when you have a friend in the Mile HIgh!
Joan ~ Sorry it took me so long. My computer is back from CompUSA vacation. I can operate like a normal blogger now. Is that an oxymoron? Normal Blogger? :)
Rich ~ Just like you to get "24" into the conversation. Sorry about the Target thing. My account is at Nordstroms. Tech support pays better...must be a brain job. :)
Val ~ Thank you may dear! You have given me the topic for tomorrow's tech support topic. Guess now I'll have to join the Stagers group. Hope that wierd guy with the red nose doesn't notice. He's always accusing me of stealing his silly red nose...I'll sneak it quietly...look for the answer tomorrow.
Jacqulyn (who we all know as Charles) ~ thanks for bringing that up. I forgot... :)
Ines ~ I don't know what is funny about my car. I think maybe you Ms. Apprentice are jealous. hahaha My car is much to small and too fast for you and the 3 beautiful boys. Only you and Rick could fit. I'll take the boys! :)
Teresa ~ I'm learning. :)
Kelli ~ Thanks so much for your kind words. I will be forwarding them to the payroll person. :)
Rob ~ so you are the moron now? I think not...just follow the instructions. Have a kid show you...2:00 a.m. is not a good time.
Allen ~ Thanks for your compliment! That means a lot to me coming from the Guru of tech. Glad you are enjoying your time in Lyon. I've been there, it's a charming place. I rode through on my way to Geneva, to sleep in a bomb shelter (on purpose!). Drink a glass of wine for me!
Cynthia ~ the program is SnagIt. It is awesome, go buy it! Sorry my post was not in time to help you :( We all have much to learn...just not at the same time.
Joe ~ Glad to help Joe. Can I call you Backwards Joe? The red thingee comes from the program mentioned above (see Cynthia's message).
George ~ You have NO problems George! You be awesome!
Monika ~ you are welcome teacherlady!
Craig (me) The Dummies Guide should be ready for publication soon. Do we have enough Dummies for it? I think most folks are helping out these days! Critical mass has arrived.
Jeff ~ Thank you Jeff.
Sharon ~ I am familiar with the delete and repeat routine. :)
Karen ~ As I recall you have the Mistress moniker. I seem to remember a Halloween Costume! :)
Cyndee ~ Sorry to hear you are wrestling. If you want I can talk you through the routine. Sometimes it's easier to do it that way, so I can determine where you are having issues. It really isn't that hard.
kk
John ~ the program is SnagIt. You can order it online, the cost is about $39 from TechSmith. I love it!
kk
Ines ~ I love being called Grammy. In fact my Grandson Cody greeted me last week. He said, "Hi, Grammy!" just like he'd been talking all his life. My heart stopped with joy!
kk
Randy ~ It really isn't hard to do at all. I just hope folks will take the time to learn and do it right.
Thanks for stopping by.
kk
Keith ~ Horizontal/vertical/left/right/front/back/north/south/east/west/... At least I live in Denver. If the mountains are on your left you are going north....
I'm really not that bad! Thanks for thanking me! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by!
kk
I just did a search and I FOUND my answer! Love it when that happens...YEAH!!!
Thank you so much for posting this!! Great job.
Joanne ~ don't have a heck of a time. just call me. Really! It's the least I can do for a neighbor!
kk
Kristal,
This is a post that keeps on giving...I've bookmarked it months ago and learned so much from it. Thank you!
Kristal - thank you for posting this blog. This is very helpful!
Can you write another one about how to insert your signatures at the end of the blogs?
Thanks - Sharon
Howdy Kristal
You are always coming up with
very helpful post's to help folks out
with things they are wanting to do.
I really enjoyed reading your very helpful tip's.
Is there a post about adding a signature
to your blog ?
Kristal, Good advice, the question I have for you is how do you copy the screen print and tear the edges? My computer has never let me do a screen print, why do you think that is. I have to do it the long way of using a word document. I have the keys on both the office, laptop and office keyboard and have tried several ways. I know when an ilustrator like yourself post a blog with screen print photos you just do a screen print, I have talked to computer newbies and they have been able to do a screen print.
I know this isn't what you blogged out, but I am sure there are others out in cyberworld that need your assistance.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Kristal I am new to ar and just found you site--I wiah I would have found it earlier. Tahnk you for sharing
Kristal, I had seen the boxes but didn't know exactly how to use them. Thank you for your help.
Kristal, I had seen the boxes but didn't know exactly how to use them. Thank you for your help.
I had to bookmark your post. too much info to digest in one sitting. Thanks.
Ditto on the bookmarking the post, but it is exactly what I have been trying to figure out.....you have saved the day!!!
Thanks, KK! I've been around way too long not to know this stuff already. I appreciate you!
Kristal, Thank you very much for the helpful information. I did follow your instructions. However, the text still will not wrap around all the photos I instruct it to. Program seems to have a mind of it's own. It would even change the Allignment, Vertical and Horizontal settings I kept setting over and over again. I finally gave up and let the program have it's way.
It did help the photos to not be in a single row, but not exactly what I instructed it to do. See my newest blog " Hiawatha Butt Stripe - it's worth it". You'll see what I mean. 1st photo will not allow text wraping, 2nd photo did allow (I set them exaclty the same way). Is there somethng I am doing wrong?... I followed your instructions ? Thanks, Pam
Kristal - thank you for taking time to share this (and other) valuable tutorial. I truly appreciate it.
KK- I'm a new rainer & was disappointed to not be able to add a photo to what was going to be my 1st post! Anyway, your posts are so insightful that I'm printing off a bunch of them to put into my Rain (how to) binder. Shoes are a given. Red sports car, that too. How about a private jet?
Kristal,
Being a newbie to AR, I spent a lot of time trying to insert pictures in my first posts and be at the position I want them to be around the text. I thank you for the explanations. I look forward to practice the newly learned tips on my next post.