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FAQ's
The following features and options are
available for you to use at anytime. Upload a few events, and receive a
few standard orders, then come back and learn about these additional
features. We have no "Instruction Manual". With few exceptions, most
features of the program are visible by scrolling over the icons in the
Toolbox Screens. But take a few minutes and acquaint yourself with the
features we offer. When you have questions, and need additional
functionality, you might remember you saw it listed here.
Preparing Images For Display on Your Gallery
(Click a question)
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Once you set your print prices,
shipping charges, payment methods, which are all set-able per
event, you are ready to upload your event.
When you create a Product Catalogue
(price group), you save it. You can name it anything you like. Use
a name that applies to the Event Type for that Catalogue.
Each Product Catalogue will save
the shipping information also.
When you are ready to upload your
event, you can select an Event Type (Proofs, Wedding, Portrait,
etc)
Give your Event a "Name".
Select a Product Catalogue.
Decide whether you want to Hide the
Event (protect from public viewing), and if you want to set a
"Shut Off" date. you can reactivate the Event at any time.
Click "Upload"- We will resize your
images and upload them while you go about doing other tasks on
your computer. A 1000 image Event will usually take about 30-40
minutes to upload.
After your Event is uploaded, you
will see a message asking if you would like to send a link to your
client.
You are done!!!
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You can browse to a folder of images, or a main folder, with categorized folders
inside.
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There is a "hierarchy" the Toolbox follows.
1. If you have a main folder with images and Folders inside, the Toolbox will
add the images to the transfer box.
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2. If you have folders alone inside the main folder, the Toolbox will place the
sub-folders in the transfer box, and when the folders upload, the names of the
folders will be used as "categories".
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You can create as many categories as you like. In fact the more time you take to organize your event into
specific groups, the easier it is for your customers to look at the event.
And if you break the portraits sessions into a few folders, it will allow the
images to open "very fast".
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This is a compromise we think works for everyone.
You get added security, and all you have to do is take a few minutes and
categorize your images. The clients have categories to "flip" through and every
one "wins".
3. When you are ready to upload your images or
folders, you move the
category folders from the left side to the right side of the Upload box, you can
use the Up/down arrows to change their position. The actual timing of a wedding
day's events, is not always in "alphabetical" order.
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There are a number of ways to get to Events.
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1. They can go the the DLS Gallery main page.
www.dlsgallery.com, and type your
Account Name (not your display name) into the box on the screen.
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2. You can create a direct link using the path: www.dlsgallery.com/yourgalleryname/youreventname
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3. When you upload an Event and when you are finished with the upload process,
you will be asked if you want to send an email to your client with the direct
path to the event.
4. you can go to the Manage screen, select an Event, and send the client an
email at any time.
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Upload images as Album Pages-
If you design albums in Photoshop or other programs, you can display
them on your Gallery in a "Side by Side", left and right side album
format. Place the album JPG's in a folder. We assume the pages are named
in numerical order. Select the Folder in Step 1, and the page JPG's
should appear in the left upload screen. Move them to the right side.
You can use our Album Cover options in the Enhance Screen. Make a few
test uploads to see how your pages look.
Making "Panorama"
album pages- If you design your own albums in
Photoshop, or another program, you may create them as double spread
Pano's. When you upload a page to the Gallery, it assumes it is either a
left or right side album page. If you upload a Pano, it will place it on
the left or right side as it uploads. BUT, if you enter the word
"panorama" (without the quotes) into the name of the image, it will
display across both sides of the layout, and it will look like a double
page spread. Example- page1 panorama.jpg
Graphi Album
Users: We have a unique feature in our Infinity Album Designer. If
you are familiar with the requirements of the Graphi company, you know
that you must submit "Panorama" double page spread layouts to them for
printing. We have created a more versatile concept in page design. With
our Infinity Album Designer, you can create individual 1/2 pages, and we
will combine them for you in the final rendering process in the Infinity
Album Designer. Being able to use individual pages opens the door for
more versatility and easier page design.
- Select a print size and give
it a price. By "Un-checking" the size from the list, that size will not
appear in your shopping cart.
You can create packages in
your shopping cart. There are 2 types of packages you can offer.
Package type "A" - One pose for
all prints ordered
Package type "B"- Different poses for every size ordered
You create the packages the
same way for each type you create. Select a Size (Component), Quantity,
and use the Arrow Button to move it to the box. Add as many Sizes as you
like. When you are finished, give the Package a "Name". Leave the
description alone, it will display the contents in your shopping cart.
Click the
+
button and the Package will
be added to your list. You can move it up to any position in the list.
Now, if you want to use
Package type B- check the box next to the package, that says "MPos"
(Multiple Pose Package) Wallets will be one pose. If you want to offer multiple
poses for wallets, create your package with individual wallets as components.
You can offer Reduced Prices for Individual Prints ordered when your
client orders a package.
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- You have to
have a Package in your Price Group
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a. Check the box above the Price Table that says: "Apply Package Addon Pricing".
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b. a new column will open. Set the prices for the Add On items.
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- When
clients are ordering, once they select a package, the higher priced Additional
Prints column will close.
When you have your new Price
List as you like it, close the Price Page and you will be asked if you
want to save and rename it. Give it a name that applies to the event
type you will be using this new price list with.
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When you create the Product Catalog, you will set the options to
allow 10 customers to each receive 1 5x7 print. You only give the
Coupon Codes to those 10 people (the bridal party participants).
Each coupon can only be used once by an individual. Their use it
tracked by their email address.
Another example: You photograph a sports event or a fund raiser
with 500 attendees. You can give everyone your "card". On the card
is a Coupon Code for a free 4x5 print. You will set the quantity of
coupons to 500. Each person can order their free print.
On the Price Screen you will see this box. You have 3 options
available.
1. You can offer items by Print, Dollar, or Percentage Discount.
2. You can offer all 3 on one event.
3. You can offer any or all items to one or multiple clients
This is how it works.
a- You select the coupon offer.
b- You
select the Discount Type.
c-
Select or enter the value.
d-
Enter the Quantity of coupons you want to make available.
If you
enter "1" as the Quantity, the coupon can only be used one time for
that event. Enter 1000, and the coupon can be used by 1000 different
people.
You can give the Coupons to select
people, or to everyone. You can set all three options, and give the
different Coupon Codes to the respective people who you want to have
each Coupon.
You can work with your shipping
charge options and either have everyone pay for shipping, even for
free prints, or not pay for shipping, by setting the lowest shipping
point to "0" purchase amount has "0" shipping charge. Then make the
next level "up to-$50"- shipping cost $4.95...just examples, you set
your own charges.
This is an incredibly versatile tool.
It can open new doors to photographing events and creating interest
in your business in ways never available before. In many cases the
logistics involved in the offering of complimentary prints or
discounts, and the implementation of the process kept many
photographers from taking assignments that might have generated much
additional revenue.
Take a look at this simple system.
Think of the many ways it could work for you.
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Yes. Almost every feature/price/shipping charges, sales tax, is saved in your Product Catalog. You
name the Product Catalog anything you like. You might want a setup for weddings,
another for children and another for family groups. They may have different
prices, shipping options, shut off dates, but each type of event always has the
same configuration. You save the configurations and select the one you need when
you upload an event. You can even change any prices/features/options for a
particular event when you are ready to upload that event. This is fully
customizable, yet very flexible system to use. Everything is visible on the
screens, there are no hidden features that you have to search through pages of
instructions to find.
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Yes. We don't require you to create actual Passwords to protect your client's
images and privacy.
We do it this way: when you upload your event, and you want to protect it,
simply check the "Hide Event box on the Upload screen. The event will not appear
in the list of events you have online.
You will be asked whether or not you would like to send your client a link to
their event. Say "Yes". you will be given a link to send them.
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No. We will resize your images for you. All you do is organize your images into
Windows Folders, and name your folders as you want them to appear on the web. We
never alter your original images, we just copy and resize them.
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We employ every available option to protect your
images
1. We "disable" any right click features. Images cannot be copied from the
screen.
2. We cover the images with a transparent GIF image. If someone tries to Drag an
image to there desktop, the only get the GIF.
3. We disable the computers Screen Capture capability.
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Yes. You will find a calendar on the Upload Screen. Set a Shutoff Date for your
event. When it expires, your viewers will see a message to contact you to see
the event again.
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There is no absolute, guaranteed way to protect images displayed on the
web. We have adapted every security measure available to protect your
images. If you feel you require more protection, we suggest you use our
"Watermark" tool to protect them. You can place your studio name, the
word Proof, or any other text across the entire image, or in a corner.
You can have 100% solid text, or reduced opacity.
You will also find
the Sharpening Tool (rarely required-upload your images, if you like the
sharpness, leave them alone. This option does not effect you original
images. You will also find Album Cover text tool on the Enhance Screen.
You can display your Album Designs on your Web Gallery. Save your
designed pages as full size JPG's. When you select the folder that
contains the pages, check the box at the bottom of the upload screen
that says "Upload as Album Pages". If you create "Panorama" pages, be
sure to have the word-"panorama" in the file name of the pages. Example:
Page1 panorama.jpg. It can appear anywhere in the file name. When the
program sees the word "panorama" it displays the page as a single print,
spread across two pages.
Changeable Settings (Manage Screen)
On
the Manage Screen you will find the "Home Page" Icon.
You can change the slides from
ours, to your own. Use full resolution images and we will resize them for
you. After replacing the images, upload them. When you go to
your Gallery to review them, you may have to refresh your
screen.
You can also edit the text.
Make it entirely your own. Use standard shortcut keys for
Bold, Italic, etc (Control B, I, etc.)
If you would like your own
"Logo" to appear in the top bar of your Home Page, send us an
image with these dimensions: 92 x 960 pixels at 72 DPI.
Future versions of the Gallery
will include Homepage Templates with various layout options,
and the ability to change Text and Page colors.
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There are a number of ways to get to Events.
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1. They can go the the DLS Gallery main page.
www.dlsgallery.com,
and type your Account Name (not your display name) into the box on the screen.
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2. You can create a direct link using the path: www.dlsgallery.com/yourgalleryname/youreventname
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3. When you upload an Event
and when you are finished with the upload process, you will be asked if you want
to send an email to your client with the direct path to the event.
4. You can go to the Manage screen, select an Event, and send the client an
email at any time.
Go to the "Manage" screen in the
Upload Utility Toolbox. Look for the "Registration" information
Icon. Click it, you will be brought to the Registration Screen.
The information on this screen is used to display your Studio
Information on your Gallery.
The email address you enter here
will be displayed on your Gallery. If you have a different email
address for your PayPal account, you enter that on the "Options"
screen in the Upload Utility Toolbox.
In the Options
Screen you will find the place to enter your state's sales tax.
Your in state clients will be charged sales tax, out of state will
not be charged.
You will also find the place to
change Shipping Charges, and Payment Options.
If you have a PayPal account or
will be establishing one to collect payments from your customers,
you will enter the account number on the Options Screen. We do NOT
collect your money for you. We do not hold your money. You collect
your payments from customers for prints and shipping costs,
immediately. You make your own payment arrangements with your lab
for prints and shipping costs.
1. When
you set up your Gallery for the first time, we give you a 500
image capacity Gallery to use for 14 days. There are no
restrictions, you can set prices, enter your PayPal account
information and collect payments. Receive orders and send them
to your lab, or create an account with our lab.
2. During the 14 day test period,
you can choose to activate an account at anytime. contact us
with your payment information and we will increase your image
capacity to 5000 images.
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No. You can rename the event, but not the individual categories. (coming)
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(Coming) You can add and remove images, but not
additional folders, nor can you remove folders/categories. (Manage Screen)
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Yes. Select that option and change your event name.
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Yes. By default, all orders stop in your computer for review. You
designate the orders as eXpress Orders. eXpress Orders go from the
web, to your computer, to one of our Partner Labs, automatically.
Due to the programming required to accomplish the eXpress Order functionality,
you must use one of our Partner Labs to use eXpress Order.
You can designate eXpress Order when
you upload your event, or you can change events to eXpress Order later from the Manage Screen.
- No. But all you need to do is send us the Product Catalog (send it as
a regular attachment in an email). Send it to
Techsupport. Tell us the size(s) you want to add and
we will do it for you.
Go to: c:/presentation/programs/presentation
gold 7/Config Files. You will find
your Product Catalogs there.
CAUTION-
Never try and edit the Product Catalog yourself. Only make changes
inside the Preview Gallery Upload Utility.
What clients see and do on your Gallery
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No. Your Gallery is completely "Insulated". If a client does not have your exact
Gallery address, they will be stopped from proceeding further. We do not believe
it is in our user's best interests to allow their clients to browse through a
list of their competitors, or be allowed to see what they pay for prints and
services. Click this link and see where you arrive.
www.dlsgallery.com
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When your clients order a package, the available
prices in the columns change. Look at the 2 screens below.
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Before ordering a package, they see the prices above available.
After ordering a package, the price columns switch and the reduced
prices are available.
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Yes. You can designate, on the "Options" page, whether
you want to have your clients pay online by PayPal, or call you and
give you their credit card, or send you a check, or pay when they
pick up their order.
Receiving Orders
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When your client places an order, you receive it by email, and
an order file will also appear in the Gallery Order Utility. You can use the email order as a
backup and keep it in your email box.
You you can open the order that
arrives in the Gallery Order Utility and review it on the
orders screen. The ordered images will be retrieved and will be
placed in a folder that is created for you.
In the Order Folder you will find a
data file that looks like this: Web_Order_ (name of event and order
number).
Click on the data file and order folder will be created. You can
open the order folder in Photoshop and retouch your images.
You can also print an invoice of the order. Look in the Toolbar of
the Order Utility for the Details/Invoice Icon.
- If
you have designated the event as an eXpress
Order. The order will come into your computer,
the images will be retrieved and the order
folder will be created. Then the order
will automatically be sent to our lab for processing and shipping. eXpress Orders
are shipped directly to your clients,
unless they designate to pick it up in
your studio. In that case, the order will
be shipped back to you.
It
is more common that clients will have
their orders shipped directly to them,
but that option exists.
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You can send your print orders to your current lab, or one
of our Partner Labs. You pay us a 10% handling fee for orders
generated from your Gallery, but you can have your orders processed
at any lab.
We think you will find our totally
integrated Upload-Ordering-Printing-Shipping system the better
workflow solution to fulfill orders, but you can use only our
DLS Gallery web hosting portion, receive your orders, and create your own order for your local lab.
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If you have designated the event as an eXpress Order. The order
will come into your computer, the images will be retrieved and the
order folder will be created. Then the order will automatically be
sent to the lab for processing and shipping.
You must use our lab to take advantage of our Total Order Fulfillment
eXpress Order capability.
eXpress Orders are
shipped directly to your clients, unless they designate to pick it
up in your studio. In that case, the order will be shipped back to
you.
It is more common that clients will
have their orders shipped directly to them, but that option exists.
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We find that many people don't like
to read, thus they jump in, get frustrated, and don't ever get
started.
We really have created a very
simple set up and installation process. You probably could do it
without any instructions. But, you will have a lot of questions
about features and functionality you would like to see in a Image
Hosting System, and you may not find them all by chance.
Upload an event, click around our
screens, make a list of questions. Look back in these Operating
Instructions, and our FAQ's for your answers. And if you have a
personal need for your type of photography, please contact us
directly. We try and add any and all ideas to the system.
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Your orders arrive 2 ways. Through
an email, and in the Web Order Utility.
If you use the Web Order Utility
it will save you a lot of time. When you open the Order Utility
you will see a message on your screen informing you of an order.
Click the Open Order button. You
will see your order in the box. When you click on it, the
program will create a folder for you. the Order Utility will
retrieve the ordered images and place them in the folder.
You don't have to search for
them!!!.
You will find the folder in
c:/Presentation/Orders.
You can open the images in
Photoshop and apply your enhancements. when you are finished,
send your order to your lab. If you use one of our Partner Labs,
you can use our Presentation Gold to crop your images and send
your order to the lab with a "mouse click".
- Yes. Have your webmaster, or if you program your own site, create
a hyperlink to your entire Preview Gallery URL to you Gallery.
Example: (text on page) Gallery of Images / (link address)
http://www.dlsgallery.com/yourgalleryname.
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