Peter Hill

Have you ever wondered how people add samples of stuff like this?

Want to do the same? Good! How well you present your work is a measure of the pride it holds for you and is a key driver of sales and the appreciation and interest of others.

Due to popular demand, the aim of this Guide is to show how easy it is to insert artwork into a Comment, a Description, and even a Journal. Anywhere on RB you can write stuff, basically, you can include a pretty pitcha.

I have written this guide in plain language, not IT guru nerds language. If you already know how to do this, please leave now.

First, some key points:

You can only show samples of artwork which have been already uploaded onto RB.

You do not have to publicly show any artwork just to get a sample of it.

You can remove an artwork from RB and this will not affect any sample of it you have already posted on RB elsewhere.

When I say below do not leave a space between typed characters I really do mean do not leave a space. This is because you will be typing an instruction to the computer to go and grab the image and insert it in a specific spot and the computer can’t read spaces like we can.

Ever noticed those Group Bubblemails with all that funny writing, like http: and .jpg! ? Those are examples of attempts to show samples done wrong. Usually it’s because they left a space! The point is: always check before you click Save or Reply and especially afterwards! (Memo to self: remember to check this posting!)

Finally, this guide may seem long, but as Morgan Freeman said in Deep Impact, “It only seems that way.” Once you get the hang of it, creating samples will take mere seconds.

Righto, here we go … mouses at the ready?

Step One

Upload the image you want to show a sample of, if you have not already done so. If the image you want to make a sample of is already on RB, go to Step Two but make sure the image is available for sale. If it isn’t, go into Edit and follow this step.

When you upload the image (or Edit the upload), make sure you select Make this work available for purchase as a … and tick all the boxes.

It doesn’t really matter if the image is too small for a poster. Just tick ‘em all and find out. As long as the image is at least big enough for a card, you can create a sample of the artwork in a card form.

If the image is too small even for a card you cannot create a sample and you will have to go back and increase the size of the image and try again (hmmm, could be another tutorial there).

Note: If you are uploading an image for the sole purpose of showing a sample of it, do not bother writing a Description or ticking any of the Group boxes, and make sure you tick Hide this work from others.

Step Two

Go to the Public view page for the artwork you wish to create a sample of. Pretend you are buying the artwork. Click the buy/preview icon to the right of the image because you will be creating your sample from one of the displayed examples of each purchase option.

Step Three

Decide which of the product options you want to use as a sample. Try a few different ones to see which is the one which really shows off the work. If the image size only allows for Small of anything, your best option usually is to choose a laminated print over a framed print because the actual visual size of the artwork in the framed print is generally too small.

Step Four

Once you’ve decided upon the type and specifications for the sample, Right Click once while holding the mouse over the image.

A list of options should have appeared. At the very bottom of this list is the word Properties. Move the mouse over Properties and Left Click once.

A new window should have opened. Halfway down the list of properties you will see Address: with the acronym URL immediately under it. This is the place on the RB big computer (server) where the pitcha of your sample product is stored – it’s address. (OK, all you tech heads are now cringing at my howler, but it’s ok, okaay :))

You need to copy the address and paste it (Step Five) in the exact place you want it to be shown.

To copy the URL, hold the mouse over the start of the address, just to the left of the term http. When I say “just to the left” I mean right up against the “h” of http. The mouse needs to change from an arrow to a symbol which looks like a capital i in traditional font (Times New Roman). When that happens and with the mouse still right on that “h”, press and hold the Left mouse button and then, while still holding down the left mouse button, move the mouse straight down vertically.

The address should now be highlighted. Keep moving down until the end of the address is within the highlighted area. The end of the address is always .jpg and you will always need to scroll down one line before you reach it.

Now let go of the left mouse button, leaving the address highlighted.

Keeping the mouse over the highlighted area, Right click once. Two options will appear. Select Copy (left mouse button).

Now click on the Cancel icon at the bottom of the Properties window. This is just to close it.

Step Five – Wallah!

Now go back to where you want to show the sample.

Let’s assume you are making a comment on a brilliant piece of artwork and you wanted to show a sample of it framed or laminated as part of your comment (the artist will love you for it!)

All you need to do is Paste the address of the sample where in your comment you want the sample to appear, eg at the end. To do this, firstly Left click on that space so that the cursor is blinking. Now Right click once and select Paste.

The address you copied in Step Four should now appear as part of your comment. (But it isn’t really). It must start with http and it must end with .jpg. If it doesn’t you need to delete what you just pasted and go back and re-copy the address and re-paste it. You are allowed to swear while doing so.

Step Six – Really Important

Before you hit the Reply button, you need to add the symbol that tells the computer to go get the pitcha. You must type this symbol once at the start of the address and once at the end of the address without leaving a space between the typed characters. The symbol is the exclamation mark.

So, make sure the start of the address looks like this – !http – and the end of the address looks like this – .jpg!

Now you can hit the Reply button.

Step Seven – Really Really Important

Check to make sure the linking worked. The address should have been replaced by the pitcha.

But wait…there’s more

You can create a sample of an image in its own Description in exactly the same way as I have described above.

I normally do this by uploading the artwork, making it available to purchase as … whatever, but hiding it from public view. Then I simply go into the buy/preview page, grab the address of the sample, then paste it into the Description while still in Edit mode, then click on *Allow anyone to view this work before saving.

Hope this guide answers a few questions for you! If so, you might like to also check out my guides to creating clickable images and creating links

Any problems feel free to either bmail me or email me at peter_h111@msn.com. If you already know how to do all the above, please don’t feel the need to leave a comment, thanks.

:)