Improved image storage and viewing tools
eHive has added some new features for images. You can now upload larger images and have tools to pan and zoom into the detail. You can still include multiple images in a record and define the square crop thumbnail.
Here’s an example of a cameo lamp with a publicly accessible high resolution image:
https://ehive.com/collections/6335/objects/991404/cameo-lamp-carved-into-a-red-helmet-conch-shell
In the background we have been working to offer more options to host large images. To meet best practice we have employed the International Image Interoperability Framework (or ‘triple I – F’ as it’s commonly known) to make this happen. You can find out more about IIIF here and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
What is changing
Support for larger images
You can now upload larger images to eHive and then view them in greater detail. In the past you had the option to store original images, but the image could only be viewed in eHive at a maximum of 800 x 800 pixels.
Original images are ALWAYS retained and these use up your eHive storage allocation
You can upload images up to 20 MB (we will be reviewing this image size restriction with a plan to increase this) and you have the ability to view them at their full size within eHive.
However, we have simplified the way we store images and calculated your account storage use. The image you upload is now always kept and will use up storage space according to the image size. You MUST resize images down to the size you wish to store in eHive otherwise you will end up using up your storage allocation more quickly. We encourage you to store larger images as this will provide better access to your collection team, and also to public visitors as well if you choose to.
Controlling the image size public visitors have access to
You’ll have access to the original image when you’re signed in, and you can choose what size images that the public viewers have access to. You can restrict the public view of your images to the current 800 x 800 pixels display maximum (as you do know), or (depending on the copyright licence) you can provide higher resolution images.
By default eHive will ONLY provide access to the original size image on images marked as No Copyright Restrictions (public domain). You can choose to allow access to the original image for other licences. You can review and change these settings when you’re logged in. Go to Account Settings > Preferences and Data Access. Read more about this in our help topic on Internal Account Settings.
Image size
You can still choose the image size that is displayed on eHive. This is also aligned to the Public Access Settings by default.
If a record is classified as All Rights Reserved then the default public view of the associated images will be 800 x 800 pixels.
If the record is classified as No Copyright Restrictions then the largest available image will be displayed publically with pan and zoom functionality.
These default settings can then be customised by the record or by the individual image.
Upload small image = Display small image
Upload large image = Display large image
Upload large image = Display small image
Any questions?
We have recalculated the amount of storage used by individual eHive accounts to March 2019 levels. If you have to this date chosen to store original images in your eHive account you will now have access to these larger size images in eHive with exactly the same storage use as before.
eHive will no longer automatically resize images at a maximum of 800 x 800 pixels. If you wish you conserve the storage of your eHive account by only uploading smaller images you will have to resize these images before uploading them to eHive. This blog post offers some advise on resizing images.
If you have any questions please contact us and we will be happy to talk with you.
