View source for Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Image upload help

{{Help}}

'''Images''' are a central part of the ''Lexicanum'' and are a very useful way of both illustrating points as well as making articles more attractive. Here you will find a guide how to ''upload'' images correctly. To learn how to ''use'' them correctly in articles, see [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Image use help|here]].

Images that do not follow the guidelines and rules can and will be deleted without prior warning. You should never expect that somebody else will clean up after you if you are sloppy with these rules. If you have problems in understanding how to do this properly ''after'' thoroughly reading this guide do not hesitate to contact an [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Administrator|Administrator]] or [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Bureaucrat|Bureaucrat]]. Do understand that while every earnest and well-meant effort to contribute to the quality and content of the ''Lexicanum'' is appreciated these efforts have to follow the rules. Otherwise they unfortunately constitute more bother than they are worth, i.e. we potentially would have to invest a lot of work and time to fix easily avoidable issues.

==Things to do and parameters to check BEFORE uploading an image==
There are a number of considerations before actually uploading an image:

*Only [[Special:RequestAccount|registered]] and logged-in [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Editor|users]] are able to edit pages and upload images.
*Check that the image '''does not already exist''' in the ''Lexicanum''.
*Only images from [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Accepted sources|accepted sources]] should be used. There are very few exceptions from this rule that only apply in very specific circumstances, so as a general rule just use accepted sources as described in the corresponding [[Warhammer_40k_-_Lexicanum:Help|Help]] article. If you think you have a valid reason to request a dispensation or exemption from this rule discuss the issue ''beforehand'' with an [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Administrator|Administrator]] or [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Bureaucrat|Bureaucrat]].
*The image must be located on your computer, you cannot upload an image directly from the Internet. Otherwise it is also impossible to modify it prior to the upload if necessary.
*The image should have an appropriate '''filename''', i.e. the filename should make clear what the actual content of the image is. Please do not use cryptic abbreviations or acronyms that only make sense to you or random strings of numbers and/or characters.
*The selected image should be '''appropriate for its intended use''' and should only show the relevant image section. See also [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Image use help|here]]. This essentially means that you have to know ''beforehand'' in which context and to what purpose you want to use the image. It also means that when necessary an image has to be ''cropped'' before uploading it to only show the relevant information. Example: If you have a big scene of battle with a lot of different protagonist but only want to illustrate an article about ''one'' of them it makes no sense to upload the whole battle scene. Instead you should crop the image so it only shows the protagonist you need. You should however pay attention to doing this in a way that is also aesthetically pleasing (i.e. you should leave enough but not excessive empty space around the subject). Also see the list of recommended free software at the end of the article.
*The '''quality''' of the selected image is important. Some images for example have a very low resolution or are out of focus or are bad for other reasons. In this case it is preferable to look for a better source of the image in question. Sometimes it is impossible to find better sources because sources might be ''out of print'' or are extremely hard or even impossible to obtain. In this case the use of images with a sub-optimal quality can be permitted. Also see the list of recommended free software at the end of the article.
*The '''file size''' of the selected image is important. Do not upload unnecessarily big files. The ''Lexicanum'' is not a high-resolution image supplier, images are only intended to be used in the context of illustrating articles and to be viewed in acceptable quality on a normal screen. The system ''theoretically'' allows for filesizes of up to 2 MB, for most images and purposes however a filesize of max. 100-300 KB is totally sufficient and therefore is the size you should aim for. Resolution-wise the value should not exceed 500-1,200 pixels in the largest of either vertical or horizontal dimensions. This means that it might be necessary to ''resize'' the file prior to uploading it. Likewise images should not be too small as this makes it hard or impossible to see relevant details. Also see the list of recommended free software at the end of the article.
*The '''file format''' of the selected image is important. Normally only the [[Wikipedia:JPEG|JPEG]] format is permitted (this also has to do with the ''file size'' mentioned before). There are very few exceptions from this rule that only apply in very specific circumstances, so as a general rule just use the JPEG format. If you think you have a valid reason to request a dispensation or exemption from this rule discuss the issue ''beforehand'' with an [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Administrator|Administrator]] or [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Bureaucrat|Bureaucrat]]. If granted other formats such as [[Wikipedia:Portable Network Graphics|PNG]] or [[Wikipedia:GIF|GIF]] can sometimes be used. Also see the list of recommended free software at the end of the article.
*Sometimes it may make sense to '''modify''' an image (not ''cropping'' or ''resizing'', but actual manipulation of the content). Be aware that this constitutes an extremely sensitive issue that should not be considered without very good reason. One such reason would be "cleaning up the image", i.e. the removal of disruptive captions or text portions from images. Do however pay close attention to not actually ''add'' image content that would not have been there before or to ''remove'' image content, this would simply constitute a non-admissible falsification of original source material. In any case you absolutely must make mention of such modifications in the file's ''Summary'' during the upload process (see below). Example: When you have a photo of a miniature model in a catalogue but after cropping it you are still left with some rests of caption text in the blank areas of the picture it is admissible to remove them - but only if said text is not superimposed over parts of the actual model! If you were for example to remove text that was superimposed, thereby deleting an actual part of the miniature, you would create the impression that that is what the miniature actually would look like, which obviously is not the case. Also see the list of recommended free software at the end of the article.
*Last but certainly not least you should pay attention to the dangers of accidentally publishing [[Wikipedia:Exif|file metadata]] when uploading for example a photo from your camera or smartphone. For more details on this issue see also [[Wikipedia:Exif#Privacy_and_security|here]]. A photo taken with a [[Wikipedia:Global Positioning System|GPS]]-enabled camera will by default reveal the exact location and time it was taken, and the unique ID number of the device. And many users may be unaware that their photos are tagged by default in this manner. So make sure that you remove such metadata with a specialist software ''before'' uploading a file. Suitable and free corresponding software can be found on the internet by using such search terms as "exif stripper", "exif remover", "exif removal" etc.

==How to actually upload an image==
All of the provided fields '''must be filled in correctly''' or else the image will be incomplete in some way and is subject to deletion without prior warning.

===Source selection and Destination filename===
To upload an image, click on the link on the left-hand bar labelled "Upload file".

[[File:Tools - Upload button marked.jpg|center|thumb|300px|The ''Upload file'' button in the left-hand [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Tools|Tools navivation bar]]]]

This will bring you to the actual File upload screen:

[[File:Upload file start screen.jpg|center|thumb|700px|The ''Upload file'' start screen]]

Here in the section "Source file" you click on the button behind ''Source filename''.

[[File:Select file screen.jpg|center|thumb|700px|Select your source file. Please note that the language of the actual label of the ''File selection'' button is determined by your location (in this case "Datei auswählen" for a German system)]]

This will direct you to the file directories on your personal device and let you select the file you want to upload.  Once you have selected this, the ''Destination filename'' in the section "File description" should be filled in automatically. This will be the file name you use to actually put the image into an article. In case you have not already renamed the file in an appropriate way on your personal device ''prior'' to uploading you should now change the ''Destination filename'' manually to an appropriate name (see above). If you already have done that before the upload this is obviously not necessary.

===Summary===
It is ''compulsory'' to give every uploaded image an appropriate summary. This means that you have to give an accurate and concise description of the content of the image. Also be very careful not to let your own, personal interpretation or extrapolation influence your summary. An image shows what the ''source explicitly says'' it shows - and not what ''you think'' it shows. This is a very important distinction! It is also compulsory to use [[Warhammer_40k_-_Lexicanum:Internal_link|internal links]] here. ''Internal links'' must be present to ensure links to relevant pages. It doesn't need to be long, just giving as much description as necessary. This sounds obvious but is a section with which some users seem to have frequent problems.

Examples: If you are uploading an image of a model, write ''<nowiki>A model of [[X]]</nowiki>''. If it is a map, write ''<nowiki>A map of [[X]]</nowiki>''. If it is a battle scene, write ''<nowiki>[[Battle of X]]</nowiki>'' or ''<nowiki>A battle between [[X]] and [[Y]]</nowiki>'', and so on.

If the name of the artist who created the illustration is known, this information should also included in the summary. Example: ''<nowiki>[[Battle of X]]; artwork by [[Y]]</nowiki>''

If you have modified the file (beyond ''cropping'' and ''resizing'', see above), it is also compulsory to state the nature of the modification here. Example: ''<nowiki>A model of [[X]]; disruptive caption removed</nowiki>''.

====Categorisation====
The ''Summary section'' is also used to define the ''compulsory'' [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Categories|Image category or categories]]. You can find a list of available ''Image categories'' [[:Category:Images|here]]. Another option is to click on a similar image in the ''Lexicanum'' and which ''Image categories'' were used there. You should however be aware that unfortunately some, especially older files are ''not'' categorized correctly. If you have any doubts or questions about which categories to use, please contact a [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Administrator|Administrator]] or [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Bureaucrat|Bureaucrat]].

You should pay attention that the goal is not to include a file in as many ''categories'' as ''possible'', but as ''necessary''. Example: When you upload an image of a book cover that contains characters from different factions to illustrate the book's product page, it makes no sense whatsoever to also include the file in question in the corresponding factions' image categories. You selected the image to illustrate a product page and it should show the product including all relevant information like for example the title or author's name. This means it is not suitable to illustrate ''lore'' articles and should accordingly only be categorized in the product image category/ categories and not in the factions' image categories.

===Licensing===
This is preset to "None selected" and you will leave it like that.

===Copyright status===
The information to type in here is compulsory and '''must''' be <nowiki>{{Copyright}}</nowiki>. This will be automatically transformed into the correct ''Copyright disclaimer'' (see below) during the file upload.

{{Copyright}}

The only exemption from these rules would be if the file in question contains no content of or reference whatsoever to the intellectual property of [[Games Workshop]] and its subsidiaries. But then this file normally would not really have a real use in the ''Lexicanum'' anyway.

=====Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy=====
In the uncommon event that you are uploading an image produced by '''Wizards of the Coast''', such as one from [[Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond Warhammer 40,000|Magic: the Gathering]], you must '''also''' add <nowiki>{{WotCFanContent}}</nowiki> to the textbox.

===Source===
Remember that only images from [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Accepted sources|accepted sources]] are allowed. It is compulsory to enter the corresponding source information here '''and''' to do so in the correct format. You will find all you need to know about this [[Warhammer_40k_-_Lexicanum:Citation|here]].

Do also note that for images the ''exactly corresponding source'' must be given, i.e. from which official source an image was taken as it appears or from which it was modified for use in the ''Lexicanum'' (the nature of the modification must also be mentioned in the ''Summary''). It is not allowed to merely use a source for a ''similar'' image (for example to cite a novel cover as the source for the image if the original artwork used for the Lexicanum is clearly larger than the one used for the novel cover or shows parts that are not visible on the actual book cover).

When problems arise in the context of uploading and using images this is the section that most often is the source of the problems because users fail to do this properly. So pay ''very good attention'' to this!

===Upload options===
There are two more buttons that can be ''checked'' or ''unchecked'', "Watch this page" and "Ignore any warnings":

*"'''Watch this page'''" adds the file to your ''watch list'' which will alert you to any changes made to the file.
*"'''Ignore any warnings'''" is there in case there is a problem with the file for some reason, but you still want to upload it and ignore any possible warnings of uploading conflicts. Therefore this latter option should '''not''' be checked. If you encounter a conflict while trying to upload a file and do not understand ''exactly'' why this is the case and if you should ''really'' proceed with the upload, do contact an [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Administrator|Administrator]] or [[Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum:Bureaucrat|Bureaucrat]] before risking to accidentally cause damages and/ or problems.

==Further information==
===Editing of file information===
Most of the required information listed above can be edited ''after'' the upload of the file to fix mistakes. It is however much better to do it correctly from the beginning.

===List of recommended free software to edit images===
'''Attention:''' This list is ''non-exhaustive'' and visiting the sites or using this software may constitute a risk the ''Lexicanum'' will not be liable or responsible for.

*Cross-platform:
**[https://www.gimp.org/ GIMP]: freeware alternative for more complex operations, often touted as the free alternative to Photoshop
**[[wikipedia:Libjpeg#jpegtran|jpegtran]]: crop, rotate, compress JPEG files without incurring [[wikipedia:Generation loss|generation loss]]
**[https://github.com/kud/jpegrescan jpegrescan]: "losslessly shrink any JPEG file"

*Windows:
**''Google Picasa'' (discontinued but older versions can still be found on the Internet): rotate, crop, augment contrast, white balance and many other simple image improvement operations
**''MWSnap'': small but powerful tool for screenshots

===See also===
For more information on image uploading in general see [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Uploading images|here]]. You should however be aware that the ''Lexicanum'' does not necessarily follow the processes employed in ''Wikipedia''.

[[Category:Lexicanum Help|Image Upload Help]]