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Image Concepts

Images are the really the core of a successful showroom. The customer is much more comfortable being able to look at a vehicle rather than simply relying on a description. For this reason SleepingSalesman allows you to assign as many pictures as you like to a vehicle.

Before you start adding images, it's important for you to understand the types and sizes of images you can use.

Image Types

SleepingSalesman only supports JPG/JPEG (pronounced "jaypeg") images. The JPG image format is an excellent compromise between image quality and file size. Most, if not all, digital camera produce image files in JPG format. Just make sure this is enabled - refer to your camera manual for instructions how to do this.

Size Really Does Matter

There are two methods of describing the size of an image. Both are very important to ensure your SleepingSalesman runs as efficiently as possible.

1) Image Dimensions

This is a measure of the height and width of an image. This has an effect on the size of the image on a viewers screen. Not everybody has access to large displays so we have to consider the lowest common denominator when thinking about image dimensions. When developing website's, programmers usually think in terms of a resolution of 800x600 as being the lowest common denominator.

Images with dimensions greater than this are likely to be too large for some of your visitors. While this doesn't stop a page from loading it does ruin the layout and impact of a site.

The flip side of this is images with dimensions that are too small tend to be hard for people to make out detail. Given detail is exactly what people want to see it leaves you stuck with a compromise. In our experience, for the SleepingSalesman an image around the size of 640x480 pixels is a good bargain between giving your visitors enough detail while keeping the layout of your SleepingSalesman easily viewable by everyone.

In the SleepingSalesman configuration you can set the size of the images SSAM and automatically resize the images to. If the image is already smaller, then it will remain untouched.

2) Image File Size

This is a measure of the amount of space an image take on disk. There is a direct correlation between the the dimensions of an image and it's file size. I.E. images with larger dimensions take up more room on disk.

You don't want lots of large files (file size) in your database because it is slow for the site visitor to view images. SleepingSalesman also has to resize them on the fly which can be even slower with larger images.

However because SleepingSalesman automatically resizes large images (dimensions) down to the size set in the options (see the SleepingSalesman configuration), this will automatically take care of the file size for you, and as a bonus, keep your database as efficient as possible.

Another reason to worry about file sizes is the larger they are, the longer they take to upload. Another, more serious, problem is there is a technical limitation on the amount of space you can actually use on your web server - This is part of your contract with your web host and you should speak to them to find out what your limits are.

Unleash The Photographer

Pretty much any modern digital camera will be perfect for producing acceptable quality images for your SleepingSalesman. Due to the wide variation of cameras, it's a bit outside the scope of this manual to give specific help on how to get from a vehicle on the sales floor to beautifully shot images for your SleepingSalesman.

The job usually entails steps along the lines of the following: -

  1. Take photographs from whichever angles you feel are necessary. Here are some suggestions: -
    • Front
    • Side
    • Back
    • Interior
    • Engine Bay
    • Boot (If applicable)
    • Wheels
  2. Once done, connect your camera to the computer - You should have a cable supplied with the camera to do this. Alternatively you can remove the cameras memory card and plug it into a memory card reader.
  3. Copy the files from the memory card or camera into a location on your computer. Remember this location!
  4. Refer to the instruction detailed here for adding the images to SleepingSalesman.
  5. If you don't think you'll need the pictures again then feel free to delete them from your computer once you've finished uploading them to SleepingSalesman.

Tips From A Photographer.

Yes, we do photography too. Albeit at an amateur level. :)

  • Make sure the vehicle is clean and tidy - Given it's for sale, you've probably already done this.
  • If possible, setup the camera so it produces images at least as big as your the dimensions you set in the options (See the SleepingSalesman configuration)
  • Position the vehicle so you have enough room to take shots from any angle.
  • It's optimal to have a plain, featureless background although not essential.
  • Lighting should be good. Taking images of your vehicle in the rain, while it will work, detracts from overall impact.
  • Try not to use the flash where possible. Vehicles have many shiny bits that tend to be distracting when a flash is used.
  • Be aware of your own shadow on a sunny day.
  • Be aware of reflections in windows and on bodywork.
  • Have fun!

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