Source image file
The images you upload to SmartFrame should be in either JPEG or TIFF format, and these can measure up to 50MB per file. SmartFrame currently supports images with a maximum resolution of 100MP.
These images are stored in the secure SmartFrame Cloud, and are processed so that they can be streamed at multiple resolutions to different devices. A smartphone, for example, will typically be less demanding than a desktop computer with a high-resolution display; this system allows for images to be delivered as efficiently as possible without sacrificing image quality.
If you would like to use the Hyper Zoom feature with your images, you should aim to upload images with a minimum of 7680px across the longest dimension. This will ensure that the feature can work on a range of displays and devices.
Uploading images
The following two methods are recommended:
1. Using SmartFrame API (you push the files you want to convert)
Learn more about SmartFrame REST API.
2. Giving SmartFrame access to your image repository (files are pulled when required). Learn more about the SmartFrame Image Source Connector.
The differences between those two methods are outlined below.
| SmartFrame API | SmartFrame Image Source Connector | |
|---|---|---|
| Integration effort | Larger. SmartFrame’s API needs to be integrated into your website | Smaller. You only need to give SmartFrame access to your image repository |
| Image load speed | Fast. All images are cached in advance | Fast, assuming images are precached.
While load speeds are slower if images are not precached, this only applies the first time they are viewed. |
| Hyper Zoom available | Always | Not for the first view, but for all consecutive views after a few seconds’ delay |
| Bulk image upload | All images have to be uploaded to the SmartFrame Cloud prior to being displayed | Not needed. Images are processed as they are being viewed |
| Storage cost | Higher | Lower |
The following methods are also available:
- WordPress Image Security and Compression plugin. Read more
- SmartFrame extension for Magento. Read more
- Manual upload through the Admin Panel. Panel help
- Bespoke integration into your DAM or another system. Speak to our integrations team
Text metadata
The SmartFrame Cloud allows you to add text metadata alongside the image file. This metadata can be added in the Admin Panel, and can be used for image searching or in the user-facing GUI.
The following methods are available for adding metadata to the SmartFrame Cloud:
1. IPTC metadata
When the source image contains IPTC metadata, the selected fields are automatically imported and stored alongside the image:
| Original IPTC field | SmartFrame metadata field | Default mapping in SmartFrame GUI | Additional comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPTC Description | Caption | Caption box | |
| IPTC Headline | Caption | Caption box | Only imported if IPTC Description is empty |
| IPTC Title | Caption | Caption box | Only imported if both IPTC Description and IPTC Headline are empty |
| IPTC Copyright notice | Copyright | Screenshot deterrent and Google Images Credits | |
| IPTC Author | Author | Screenshot deterrent and Google Images Credits | |
| IPTC Credit Line | Credit | Screenshot deterrent and Google Images Credits | |
| IPTC Web Statement of Rights | License | n/a | Used for Google Images Licensing badge |
| IPTC Licensor URL | Licensor | n/a | Used for Google Images Licensing badge |
2. SmartFrame API
SmartFrame API also gives you an option to add, edit and retrieve text fields such as keywords, caption, license or even html. You can specify the name and the value of each variable, as described in the API documentation. If the metadata is not provided via API, SmartFrame will still attempt to retrieve it from the IPTC.
3. Admin Panel
Simply by logging in and editing metadata fields either for each image or in bulk. More detailed instructions are available here.
4. Custom
You can request a custom adapter for the metadata import and synchronization, and apply custom mapping or use an external source (for example, your API).
Using the Admin Panel with API integration
The Admin Panel is fully functional when server integration is enabled. The following rules apply:
Images added using API are visible in the Admin Panel. The functionality over these – with respect to editing, deletion and so on – is exactly the same as with images uploaded directly to the Admin Panel.
Images added via API can be manually embedded using embed codes, in the same manner as images uploaded directly to the Admin Panel.
Images uploaded manually to the Admin Panel can be displayed on webpages using the Web Component, but the image ID has to be manually copied from the Panel.
Manual editing of metadata is possible, regardless of how the data was imported. Changes will be reflected in any SmartFrames that have been embedded using both the embed code and the Web Component, as well as in corresponding JPEG thumbnails.
Some of the imported metadata fields are mapped by default to SmartFrame’s GUI, such as the caption box or Screenshot deterrent. You can change those mappings in the Themes section.
After the integration, SmartFrames will be displayed using the default Theme. You can configure multiple Themes and assign them to SmartFrames at your discretion. Read more about managing Themes.