SlideTour Publishing Instructions 
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The 3cim web-based SlideTour publishing system is a unique online tool that allows you to create a high-quality image slide show and publish it directly to the Internet without the need for any locally installed software. It is easier if these image files are already collected in a common folder, however you can add images from a new location, or subtract images from your project at any time. Here are detailed instructions for each of the steps in the SlideTour publishing process -

 
"Choose publishing system".

  • 3cim has developed two distinct systems for browser-based SlideTour publishing; one is based on Sun Microsystems Java, and the other on Microsoft's ActiveX technology. Both of these systems will successfully accomplish the task of creating your SlideTour.


  • Sun's Java is the default publishing system for first time visitors to SlideTour.com. In order for the publishing system to work using Java, you must have Java version 1.4.1 or better installed on your computer, and have the Java settings enabled in your browser's advanced options menu. If you do not have Java installed, you will be prompted to download and install it. You can check to see which version you have installed by going to your browser's Internet Options menu (Windows-Internet Explorer), click on the Advanced tab and scroll down the list until you find Java (Sun) with the coffee cup logo. The version number will be shown there. For other browsers, please check their options/preference files.


  • A modified version of ActiveX is also available to use to publish a SlideTour. If you choose ActiveX, you will be prompted to download and install our ActiveX plug-in.


  • For return visitors, our publishing system will remember your prior selection and default to that choice on the next visit. So, if you chose Java to publish your first project, the publishing system will default to Java on your second visit. If you clear your browser cookies or cache, you will be asked to re-select a publishing system on your next visit.
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  Step 1. "Project Title/Note"

You may choose to create a title for your SlideTour project that will reflect its content or purpose. The maximum length is 30 characters. This title will be present in the title bar of the SlideTour display window. Both the Title and Note steps are optional but may be useful.

You may also choose to write a brief note that will help you remember details about your project or to help in organizing your SlideTours. The maximum length is 100 characters (including spaces). This note will be displayed on your Manage SlideTours page but will not appear on the SlideTour presentation itself or the Ebay auction page and is editable for the entire life of the SlideTour. This associated note can be edited by clicking on the edit link that appears in the Note column on the Manage SlideTours page or by clicking on the pencil tool editing icon (this will take you to the Publish SlideTour page), making your change in the note field and clicking "Publish". This is not the same as the description for your auction product and not to be used as such. There is a separate field available to enter a description of your product for the auction page when you publish a SlideTour to Ebay.

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  Step 2. "Image height of published SlideTour"

Enter the display height for the published SlideTour in pixels (between 250 and 480). Note: SlideTours are published at an aspect ratio of 4:3 (ratio of width to height of the image; not to be confused with the resolution of the image in pixels. For example an image of 640 x480 pixel dimension is a 4:3 ratio). If you upload images of a different aspect ratio, the resulting published SlideTour will show white borders around the images.

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  Step 3. "Choose 'Publish To' folder"

When you create a SlideTour account, a main or root folder is created and is named the same as the user name on the account. If you create sub-folders on the Manage SlideTours page, the sub-folders created under this main account will show in the pull down menu on this step. You can direct the published SlideTour to any sub-folder shown in this pull down menu. For more information about creating sub-folders and managing and organizing your SlideTours, go to www.slidetour/manage_help.htm

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  Step 4. "Select files and publish"

The final step in the SlideTour creation process is the selection of the image files to be used, and publishing those files to the 3cim server. This publishing tool allows you to generate a SlideTour using any mix of image sizes, aspect ratios, and orientations. However, for best results it is recommended that you upload like-formatted images. Ideally, all portrait- or landscape-oriented images with an aspect ratio of 4:3. While image sizes of 640 x480 pixels will work fine, please note if you are using the magnifier tool to show fine details, it is recommended that you upload higher resolution files (1600 x1200 px. is usually satisfactory).
  • Clicking the Select Files button will open a dialog box, which allows you to browse your computer's folders for the images you wish to publish. Alternatively, you can also click on any of the individual thumbnail place holders (white thumbnail boxes with the 3cim logo), and this will bring up the select dialog box. Select a single image or multiple images to upload (up to 50 images, and/or up to 50 MB total upload size, .JPG, .BMP, .TIFF formats).

  • Tips for selecting multiple images to upload at the same time:
    1. To select all the files in a folder: First click the mouse inside the select dialog box, then press CTRL + “A”
    2. To select consecutive files: click on one file name, then press SHIFT, then click on the last file name
    3. To select specific file names only: CTRL + click on file names you want to upload

  • After selecting your desired image file(s), click on the “Open” button.


  • Publishing window features:

    1. The thumbnail section of the upload window has the following useful features.


      • Drag and Drop to change positions:


        • Thumbnails can be clicked and dragged to different positions in the thumbnail window to change the order in which the images are presented in the SlideTour. You can only drag an image to another occupied thumbnail frame, not blank frames. It’s best to arrange the images from left to right, since images will be rotating counter-clockwise in the published presentation. It’s best to arrange the images from left to right, since images will be rotating left to right in the published presentation.


        • Simply click the thumbnail to be moved and drag to the preferred occupied frame number. The dragged thumbnail will replace the previous image at that particular position and the replaced image will be moved to the next sequential frame.


      • Each individual thumbnail window contains controls that allow your to rotate the particular image, add the magnifier tool, and delete the image.


        • Use "Rotate Arrow" icon (upper left corner of the thumbnail frame), to rotate your image in 90-degree intervals.


        • Click on the “Magnifier” checkbox to add the 4X magnifier tool to the image (upper left corner of the thumbnail frame next to the rotate arrow icon). In the published SlideTour, the magnifier tool is active when the center of the magnifier icon (left end of the SlideTour control bar on published SlideTour), contains a cross symbol.


        • Use the “X” icon to delete the image file.


        • Each individual thumbnail window also displays the image file name and height in pixels for that particular image.


    2. Images can be viewed in the larger image editing window to the right of the thumbnail window, simply by clicking on the thumbnail. The image editing section includes the following features:


      • The larger display allows you to apply basic image edits and view the changes


      • Below this larger image, it shows information for the selected image including the file name, image file size and pixel dimensions as well as the total file size for the group of images you've selected to publish.


      • Basic image editing tools are shown (cropping, brightness and contrast adjustments, and an undo button).


  • Click the "Publish" button.


    1. The publishing application will resize images to a finished display height you specify ranging from 250 to 480 pixels (step 2), compress the image files, and will send a confirmation email with a link to your finished SlideTour (usually within 30 seconds of a completed upload). Upload/image processing times (typically 5 minutes or less over a broadband connection) will vary depending on the size and number of images uploaded and your internet connection speed.


    2. A PIN number is included for optional recording of audio narration by phone.



      Still Need Help?

    If you still need help with the publishing system or have any questions, feel free to email us at support@3cim.com or call us on our toll free number: 1-888-588-3246 (Monday-Friday, 8:30-6:00, US Pacific Time). We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.