Need help with pictures and custom template.

Hi,

The general tag that allows that placement-arrangement flexibility is the [DESCRIPTION_AND_IMAGES] tag.

If you look at any of Auctiva's stock template code using "Customize an Auctiva Template", you'll see the tag and how it's placed in the code. If you have an image or text on your template that represents "Description" for that section of the listing, place the tag after that image or text section. It's best to have that text or image in a division, e.g.

<div>text or image code here for description header</div>[DESCRIPTION_AND_IMAGES]

If you run into problems or would like some help, copy the template code to www.practicewriter.com and put the link provided in your Forum post. I or any of the regular members will be glad to lend a hand.

Danno

Hello Danno,
Thanks so much for your reply. I feel like a dork but I still do not understand. I did copy to Practicewriter.com and the view link is http://PracticeWriter.com/vu/?5F44A Were the white shirt is, is where I would want each new items picture to go. I would need to cut the white shirt though. I am still lost on how to do this. Can you help?

Hi,

I checked your recent sales from store name for an idea of how you've been using Auctiva. This is the listing that I'll use as example to help me understand how you'd like you new template to operate (hope this is a good very recent example).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...em&item=370185883402

This lets me know you do understand how to build description text and have a Seller Details profile to consider. If that's the basic layout you need, that's a starting point. Let me know if I'm on target.

The biggest challenge with the new template is allowing you to insert the table-type info for measurements, etc. into the description box in the one-page lister (easy update). That I've done for other clothing sellers. However, the table structure used in the new template does need adjustment (code changes) to let that work well. Your coder did nothing wrong. They just didn't know about Auctiva's tag system and how the template needed structuring to make that work easier.

I'll see what I can do for you for AM coffee challenge ....

Danno

Thank you very much for helping me!!

I just realized if I have to change the template codes to go with Auctiva, I actually have two templates. This one in black and the other in white. I will be using them both all the time depending on the background. Here is the link for the other template http://PracticeWriter.com/vu/?5F462. So I am unsure if you would want to mess with them both? The designer did email me back today and told me about leaving the Photobucket window partly opened and use the drag and drop method. It did work, but I have all my pictures loaded to Auctiva and I realized I had to re-size everyone if I wanted them paired. It just seems there would have to be an easier method? Thanks!

Hi,

This template is more than a simple challenge. The table structure used works against the tag system, e.g. the Shipping section is broken across two table sections and headers, but the Seller Detail Shipping is a single text stored element in the tag system. The template width at 800 is also a problem with use of side by side or paired pictures in the Auctiva system, as each standard picture with accomodation of its element structure is over 400. So, two side by side are wider than the template banner widths. That would force a vertical column arrangement of pictures only for that method to work. I don't think the template needs to be wider, but operating with a pre-determined picture method, like the Auctiva thumb-viewer layout would probably help.

I love the banners and the "newspaper" theme including that tag line on top banner. Need permission to discuss and rethink the layout? How about evoking and complimenting the theme with more newpaper-like design elements, e.g. all the text as black on white with monochromatics used only as borders? Maybe "Extra! Title Here Extra!" as a large-type title with "Read all about IT!" as the description header. Also, the text layout for the details and measurements from your prior style (example listing) is easier to use, but I can create a simple table method for just that part.

Redesign of templates is something I do for Coffee Challenge....no charge for Forum assistance. I just like a good challenge.

Danno

Edit: Here's a start. Don't worry about the blue borders on the pic and thumbs. Just wanted you to see concept.

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5F4F6

Hello, Thanks so much for your help! The designer went with my ideas and pictures. The newspaper was my idea but not my picture. I am not sure if I need permission for that? It really does not show any full name of any newspaper. I did have Extra Extra Read All About It, for the saying, but I was trying to reach the emotion of women. When changing the saying to Written for you I asked several women their opinion and all said that they liked written for you better and in which what went back to my original thought of trying to reach the emotional side of women.

all the text as black on white with monochromatics use only as borders? all the text as black on white with monochromatics use only as borders?

I am so sorry I do not know what you mean by this?

Also on the measurement chart, I did notice that the designer for got to put under my measurements a place for hip measurements. And I did ask the designer three times to put a area for condition under the description but before the brand name. I do not know why but this was never done. I like the designer, I know them a little on more of a personal level but not everything was done as requested and it did take over a month to finish. I cannot thank you enough for your help! You are wonderful!

Hello,
I am so sorry I did not see the link in my email for the new redesign. I just saw it now. I do love how you got extra extra, than read all about it for the description. Wonderful idea! However, I am torn if I like the bold design of the lettering or if it is just the style of writing that I may not like. I want to keep it rich and classy, but yet still make it easy to read. I know the way I use to do it was more bold, but I never really did like the way I use to do it. However, I would love to get some opinions on it, if you do not mind?

I also really liked the separate area for details such as condition, brand name and fabric and all measurements. It is funny but when I kept it the way I use to have it, for some reason people did not read the measurements and would send me ASQ all the time asking about the measurements. I was told several times that I need to make that separate by many clothes sellers. This is why I like the box area. Any way to keep that? I do not expect any help from you, but I really appreciate it! Thanks so much!

Hi,

The only bolded text is the section headers for Payment on down. Everything else is normal for the font. I used Times New Roman, a typical newspaper font that is common to browsers.

I kept the silver as background on the section headers and your headlines.

At this point, open to any suggestions. Do you like Auctiva's thumb viewer, as that is critical for yes/no on proceeding from here? Template is too narrow for side-by-side pics....I tested.

Danno

Hi,

In response to your 2nd post just prior to my last, the table for measurements, et. al. for description needs to be part of the description you create in the one-page lister, not the template. That's because you need the ability to change that table from listing to listing, and that would be a problem to repeatedly make the change for template, i.e. a new template for each listing. I can create a simple table you can use in the description box on the one-page lister.

Here's the actual template with tags, as it currently exists.

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5F507

Danno

Hi,

While you're thinking over the imaging, what do you think of this treatment for the section headers?

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5F51B

Danno

Hi again! Once again thanks so much! I like the second one the best. Which one do you like the best of the two that you did? I am sorry but I am not understanding why I cannot keep the text such as the measurements with Auctiva? I know they change from listing to listing and so I was thinking just cutting the areas of the prior pre-filled information. It only takes a few seconds. Although, I am unsure if even that can be done with Auctiva and this template?

Will my terms such as shipping, return policy and so on, be the same as the first template? I do not have to let auctiva fill this in with my saved information, do I? I do like to have my pictures paired, however, I understand that this may not be possible with this template. Also with Auctiva, will I be able to use both of my templates? The one in black and the one in white? I really would love to get my sister's opinion on which template of the two that she like better. She is coming over this mid morning, so I will have her look than. I cannot thank you enough. You truly are very wonderful for what you do for others.

Good Morning and Surprise!

What do you think?

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5F565

I figured a way to cheat the width problem with the upper banner and go to paired images. I added mouse-over effects for silver and flash white on mouseover to the images. For the white background version, I was thinking black text and border that flashes silver on mouseover.

Those right-side description tables are part of the description section code for use in the one-page lister and not part of the actual template.

You used a Seller Details profile for that example I found on eBay. It fills those sections when you choose it in the one-page lister. Did you want to not use your profile?

I bolded the text for the description and seller details. Would you prefer to apply bold yourself when needed and switch to normal text as standard?

Danno

Edit: Here are the black, white, and the description (for one-page lister) codes:

Black Template: http://practicewriter.com/?5F51B

White Template: http://practicewriter.com/?5F507

Description: http://practicewriter.com/?5F4F6

I did reuse some prior practicewrite links. If you have changes/touch-ups, I'll do them to these 3 to keep them current.

The template codesets are copied to Auctiva's Custom Template builder.

The description code is copied to the Auctiva one-page lister with the description box set to HTML mode. When you switch back, the left side is for plain text for the listing. The right side is the upper and lower tables for edit change for the specific article for the listing. Just delete the placeholders and replace with the text and table fields for new listings.

I should be around for the weekend, but wanted to make sure you could proceed with use if I've hit the target needed.

quote:

I figured a way to cheat the width problem with the upper banner and go to paired images. I added mouse-over effects for silver and flash white on mouseover to the images. For the white background version, I was thinking black text and border that flashes silver on mouseover.

I am so sorry I do not quite understand this. I was not planing on using the one page lister anymore for things like the shipping payments, about me and so on. I was hoping to have this in the HTML template, always.

I did have my sister and several others; look at the templates today. They all like the third template the best out of all three. The only thing was they all agreed they did not like the extra extra on top because they felt it distracted from my header. They did like read all about it for the description, but did not like the word IT capitalized.

The were two other things that I had some questions on. First, is that I did notice my store advertisement was smaller. Would that stay smaller? The other thing that I noticed was that my combined shipping title was missing.

I love what you are doing and feel like I am being a nit-pick, but I wanted this to be perfect from the beginning. So I really understand if you do not want to finish or if you would like some financial compensation. Thanks so much for everything that you have done for me until now.

I am so sorry I do not quite understand this. I was not planing on using the one page lister anymore for things like the shipping payments, about me and so on. I was hoping to have this in the HTML template, always.

OK, I understand now. Most members do the opposite to avoid template updates due to the constantly changing eBay policies, i.e. when language changes are necessary. Example: eBay requires international sellers by policy to state that Custom Duties and taxes are buyer's responsibility to avoid PayPal-eBay SNAD claims/refunds. Your having a Seller Details profile was confusing me, as most use the plain text fills from profiles to operate the flexibility of language insert from the tag system to one or more templates. I removed the Seller Details tags and moved the text from your example to the templates. I made a few touch-ups on text sizes to assist readability and remove bolding on all but the items bolded from examples.

I did have my sister and several others; look at the templates today. They all like the third template the best out of all three. The only thing was they all agreed they did not like the extra extra on top because they felt it distracted from my header. They did like read all about it for the description, but did not like the word IT capitalized.

Extra! removed and I increased font size on the title to fill the void. Uncapped IT - that was a play on the eBay finding "IT" popularized ad theme. However, they didn't cap "it" either.

The were two other things that I had some questions on. First, is that I did notice my store advertisement was smaller. Would that stay smaller? The other thing that I noticed was that my combined shipping title was missing.

I restored the banner. I created the missing header that wasn't previously feasible with tag system (can't split text between sections with single [SHIPPING] tag).

I love what you are doing and feel like I am being a nit-pick, but I wanted this to be perfect from the beginning. So I really understand if you do not want to finish or if you would like some financial compensation. Thanks so much for everything that you have done for me until now.

You're very welcome. A designer "tries" different options to see what interests a client. Getting it right isn't wrong. I'm picky too.

The practicewriter updates are done.

Black Template: http://practicewriter.com/?5F51B

White Template: http://practicewriter.com/?5F507

Description: http://practicewriter.com/?5F4F6

Here's what the black one now looks like from a listing editor build test.

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5F565

Let me know if you need changes.

Danno

quote:

Example: eBay requires international sellers by policy to state that Custom Duties and taxes are buyer's responsibility to avoid PayPal-eBay SNAD claims/refunds.

I get what you are saying now and I actually forgot to put this in the template. The custom and duties is important, since I ship internationally all the time. I could see how this may be a pain. I am now missing this information and the worse part is I do not know how to add it in.

The reason I did not like the One Page Lister, was because sometimes all the information did not show up correctly or the front size would change. On black templates the white writing did not show up at all and I would have to go back and correct every listing manually. Also spacing was always a big problem with the One Page Lister. The spacing, I feel this was my own problem because of my lack of knowledge on how to get a paragraph to begin where I want it. Revising my auctions was almost a given, I found it time consuming and was hoping to avoid this, with the pre-filled templates. Especially now that I will be listing a lot more items.

Auctiva would help fix the problem, but it always ended up getting messed up again. If I use the one page lister, I would not know how to pre-fill the pre-made templates in. For example, the title that says shipping, would Auctiva automatically know to put the shipping information under it?

I love how you have the templates now and I do like the measurement chart that you came up with. Thanks you so much! I am not sure why you are doing this for me, but I think you are really special to put so much time into one person.

Hi,

My assisting in the Forum provides ideas for launch of my own Design Studio and I find the challenges a relaxing diversion. It also helps me think through what I can commerically offer.

I did some touch-up this morning over coffee. The large gap you see under the images is caused by Auctiva's code for the paired images. I can reduce (almost eliminate) that bottom gap and reduce the gap between rows (achieve a more montage look) by applying some code tricks to override Auctiva's code. Here's what 4 test images with those code tricks does for a test of the white template.

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5F69F

And, this is without the change.

http://practicewriter.com/vu/?5F6A3

Let me know if you like the change.

I noticed your coder's template had some signs you may have been using Word to create text for paste to the listing editor. Word is a problem for paste if you don't use the paste from Word icon on the toolbar. Same for paste from plain text, like Notepad; use the Paste from Plain Text icon.

Templates, in general, should be static code that does all or most of the work for you by predefining the structure, text family font size and color, etc. That's how Auctiva's stock templates work, i.e. they operate with prechosen font family, size, color, etc. to go with the "design". The description box on the one-page and the profiles should be simple, plain-text fill-in with only bold or minor color adds and paragraphing to enhance the text. That makes them generic to operate with any template; the template does it all for you.

Danno

That would be great if you could eliminate the gap but it is not a huge problem for me. If I did not want a listing paired, I could still not pair it right? Also if I had more than four pictures, that would not be a problem would it? Would the third picture be smaller?


Word is a problem for paste if you don't use the paste from Word icon on the toolbar. Same for paste from plain text, like Notepad; use the Paste from Plain Text icon.

I did use Word, however, I did not use the paste icon. In my template now, would I need to keep my writing at a certain style and size?

Thank you once again for your help.

Hi,

I made final adjustments to all margins including that fix to the images gaps. I also tested the templates in the major browsers: IE, Firefox, Safari.

The finals are updated to practicewriter for copy and use in your template library and the add-code to description section of the one-page lister:

Black Template: http://practicewriter.com/?5F51B

White Template: http://practicewriter.com/?5F507

Description: http://practicewriter.com/?5F4F6

If I did not want a listing paired, I could still not pair it right? Also if I had more than four pictures, that would not be a problem would it? Would the third picture be smaller?

The paired image tag allows from a single image up to the 24 image limit. The odd (1 3 5 etc) image combinations will have the lowest image centered in the image box. All of the images operate based upon the Auctiva standard image size with maximum 400 wide by 300 high limits.

In my template now, would I need to keep my writing at a certain style and size?

The two templates already have specific font-family, sizes and colors set. Simple changes to text probably won't need advise/assistance from a coder, but major template changes probably would require assistance - per the requirements of coding / page design.

The description section code created has font family sizes and color preset as well (in the code). However, use of the editor in standard mode should be all that's necessary to make the text changes to description and entries in the tables. I always try to make text changes as simple as possible in the one-page and Seller Details without the need for worry about the formatting, other than simple paragraphing. That makes listing creation, either with the one-page editor or with a text editor and copy - paste (with text paste icon) to the edtior, work perfectly. Simple bolding and text color (when needed) are all you need to consider for the one-page editor.

Danno

Thanks so much for finishing my template. It is great! However, I still feel like a dork because I do not understand how to add it. When adding the old template to a new listing, I would copy the HTML and paste in HTML, but when I do this with the new template the pictures are all broken. Basically the banner and advertisement pictures are broken.

For the measurement chart I would not know where to add the HTML in. Finally the pictures I am still lost on how to add them. Will they work if I do it the old way, by selecting them from Auctiva? Thanks yet again!

Hi,

You first need to create custom templates in Auctiva's system. You copy and paste the HTML from practicewriter for the individual black and white to the custom template editor. Look for the "Create your own Template" link on the main Listings tab page. There is a "Template Name:" fill-in box at the top of the editor page to create a unique name for each template you create. Just paste the code to the editor box and use the Save and Preview button to save the template.

Once the templates are saved, they are selected from the one-page lister using the blue Template Selection box (just like any template). On the selection pop-up page, look upper left and locate the box for group choice and select CUSTOM to see your saved custom templates for selection. Your black and white templates should appear with their stored names.

The description code is a copy and paste from practicewriter to the description editor box on the one page lister. Toggle the box to HTML mode before the paste. When you toggle back to standard view, you can edit the text on left and the tables on right with your listing info, just plain text (no formatting other than paragraphing/returns is needed).

Pictures are selected in the one-page lister, just as you did with other listings/templates.

Use PREVIEW to check before listing.

Danno

I tried creating a new template, but it is not working correctly. I go to create your own custom template, I copy the HTML code from the top of the practice writer and all pictures show up, but the writing such as read all about it and the shipping information comes out in small writing and not in a box like you have it. Also all the information under each section is not lined up correctly. I also tried copying the HTML from the template itself. All writing will come out correctly this way, but the pictures such as my banner and advertisement do not show up at all. I am unsure what to do next?

Hi,

When you copy the code from practicewriter, make sure you get all the code from the window (note scrollbar at right). Right-mouse click and "Select All" from pop-up will get all the code in the window highlighted for the Copy (using scroll-bar at right in the window to move to bottom should show all code is selected).

Another way to do it using keystrokes is to click anywhere inside the window and then use the Ctrl-A (hold Ctrl key and strike A) on your keyboard to Select All (text will highlight) followed by Ctrl-C to Copy. In the template editor, Ctrl-V does paste.

To prevent duplicate code from prior copy, make sure you select and delete all code in the template editor box before a fresh paste.

Danno

Hi,

Two additional thoughts.....

When you do the Save and Preview in the template editor, you should get a preview page that displays the template with fill-ins, e.g. the title will show "Auction Title will be here!". You can test that pictures are working by using the drop down list at left and change from 0 zero to a number (like 4) to show that the PAIRED method is working. If the preview doesn't look correct, then something is getting corrupted in the copy - paste process or the source is wrong (which practicewriter link are you copying from?).

If the template Preview is working (looks good), then where are you seeing the page preview as corrupted?

Danno

The first way will not work correctly. It keeps getting messed up like before and all was selected. The second way, worked perfect! I wonder why it is doing that? In the past, however, I would have to use Ctrl-V, X or c when I pasted, copied or deleted anything copied from word. I do have all these templates stored now on Auctiva that did not come out right. Anyway to delete them?

OK, it is just the black template that is working correctly. No matter what I do, I cannot get the white template to work correctly. All the writing is small and not lined up correctly. The payment, return, about us and so on are small and not boxed either. I did select all and deleted after each. No matter what I do, I cannot get the white template to work correctly. I also did figure out how to delete the custom templates that did not come out correctly. Thanks Danno!

I finally got my white template to work, yeah! I did nothing different, I just kept doing it and it finally went through correctly. Both templates are now saved and working correctly. I now understand why you suggested the one page lister for the information about shipping and so on. I did not think it was going to be this easy when the template was finished right. I realize this was not easy for you to fix and I thank you very much for all you help and work that you have done on my template. I have one item up now, as a designer, that I know you are, what do you think of how it looks visually?

Hi again, looking at the two templates listed. I am not sure about the new description area. It seems like there is a lot of wasted space. How do you think it looks?

I just noticed the white template has much more space than the black template. The advertisement starts much lower.

Hi,

Both listings show that text in the description area was copied from Microsoft Word. That's causing some corruption of the coding including font problems. Word code corrupts your HTML and can corrupt the entire page or cause the listing to not show correctly in all browsers. The Paste from Word button on the toolbar will help clean and correct that code to standard. When you click on the Paste from Word button, you'll get a popup window that will assist with the paste.

The white one has extra paragraphs stacked at the bottom that aren't from the original code, i.e. they were created in adding the text to the section. That's causing the gap. In the listing editor, place the cursor at the bottom of the section and use the Backspace key to remove the inserted paragraph returns. Note, what you see in a Preview from the one-page lister is almost exactly what you'll get on the eBay site, so watch for those text entry problems needing correction with Preview.

Looks like the tables are working well. I didn't do alot of testing for those, as I've done the same quit a few times for other vintage clothing sellers. If the fill-ins and text changes are easy, it's by "design". I target labor-saving and functional simplicity as goals. Five decades of coding makes me think the problem before I code. Sellers need to focus on selling and not HTML coding to get the job done. I do hear those that complain about it taking too much effort. However, Auctiva does have some (IMO) brilliant methods in their feature-rich system to avoid alot of the problems I'm hearing.

Not sure why you're having problems with the mouse copy - paste, but glad I suggested the keyboard alternative. Using Manage for the custom template should give you the Edit, Delete, etc. for doing the text changes and redos.

Overall, looks like the design is working well.

Glad I could help and have a good one.

Danno

Hi,

I don't work for Auctiva.

I would hang-tight for a little bit until we get a full picture of what this new price model means with possible changes coming as announcements from eBay. Good business decision are always best made when ALL the facts are known. That advise is the best I can give at this point in time. Anything else I'd say at this point would be total speculation.

This business picture needs a frame, or dare I guess an IFRAME, to make sense.

Danno

Hi Danno I decided to wait it out and yeah it got better! I hate to ask you this, but if you have time, I need your help again. I know I said I like my pictures paired, but sometimes I like to have them single and vertical. I tried to change it, like I use too in the listing itself, but it is not working. I am not sure if my template is only set up for paired pictures?

Hi,

Yes, the template is using the [IMGS_PAIRED] tag to create the paired column of images. For a single image vertical column, replace that tag in the templates with the [IMGS_VERTICAL] tag and store them separate in the template lib (different names) for use. That will provide the same type of standard 400x300 images with the click to Supersize. Try that and check with Preview to see if it's got it correct. I might need to redo the custom overrides if it looks odd.

Hmmmm....I'm curious if that's exactly what you have in mind, as most using single column like the oversized pictures (no click to supersize), and frequently use a split vertical left and right columns, e.g. pictures on left and description on right. Actually, I was experimenting with that look on yours with downsize of the lower banners. That's why that one temporarily shrunk....forgot to reset.

I checked your Store and see you've been very busy listing. Look'in good for PS if that sales rate trend continues.

Danno

Hi Danno, thanks so much for your reply. I was just looking to have some auctions with the pictures above the description and click on to super-size is fine. I will try to change it and keep that template save seperate. I actually have not put any of my store items to auction yet. I am still so busy with my other job and other personal issues. Right now, I have been busy on just listing the items to my store. I have so many to list, sometimes I feel like I can never get this done. Thanks again for your help!

Hi Danno,
It worked, although, I ended up not using it for what I thought I wanted it for. I actually liked the paired better, but it is nice to have it on hand when I need it. Thanks!