Images: How do I Add/Edit/Crop/Delete Puzzle Images?

Note: To prevent copyright issues, please only upload your own, personal puzzle photos instead of photos copied from a website.

In IPDb, images play a crucial role in catching users’ attention. Whilst it’s absolutely fine to upload older photos of puzzles you’ve previously completed, there are a few techniques to enhance the quality of new images - making them look better for both PC and mobile viewing.

Tips for taking great puzzle photos:

1. Use natural daylight whenever possible to prevent dark shadows or glare from artificial lighting

2. Positioning the puzzle box squarely within the frame, rather than at an angle. Placing it on a low table or the floor may help achieve this

3. Avoid holding the box while taking the photo, and minimise excess background. A clean, neutral backdrop makes it easier for others to appreciate and add the record to their collections

4. Capture additional details by photographing the sides and/or back of the box, especially barcodes or other identifiers. This helps users verify if they have the same puzzle version

5. Edit before uploading if your phone has built-in tools for cropping or rotating images. If not, IPDb allows image adjustments after upload (see below)

New Records  

If the puzzle isn’t already listed in IPDb, you’ll need to create a new record before uploading images and puzzle details. See here for instructions on adding a puzzle. 

Once you’ve reached the Add New screen, you can proceed with uploading images as outlined below.

Existing Records

If a puzzle record already exists in IPDb, you can still add your images. Whether it's to document your collection or improve the record with higher-quality photos, such as completed puzzle images or clearer box shots, this is how to do it:

To access the record:

1. Search for the puzzle within IPDb
2. Click/tap on the puzzle summary to view its details
3. At the top of the details screen:
   Mobile Device: Select to 4 square icon, and then Edit Puzzle
   Windows: select the pencil icon to enter edit mode
4. You may now ADD extra images to the record

*Note: You cannot delete photos unless you created the original record

Follow the steps below to upload, tag, and save your images

The following window will appear:

Many of the hints are also in this knowledge-based article.

3 - Capturing or selecting photos from file

Add images from your files (first image file icon) or take a new photo using your device camera (camera icon)
If you are using Windows, you can also drag and drop images onto this upload screen from your files.

5 - Adult Content
The 18+ icon is similar to the Picture Lock icon in that it blurs an image if it is inappropriate for a younger audience, such as nudity and violence. In addition to blurring the image, it will also put the 18+ icon on the image.

6 - Image Submit
The final Tick icon confirms that your puzzle images are ok and that you can upload them to the puzzle record.  Only press this after all the images you wish to add have been uploaded to this screen.

• Mobile Device
• Click the Camera icon (#3)
• Take the photo, and it will be added to the image upload screen

• Desktop PC
• You can click/tap the Camera icon to take a picture with your desktop-connected camera/webcam if that is your preference
• However, you will also be given the option to use your mobile device camera to take photos when using your desktop PC. Mobile phone cameras are often more user-friendly and convenient than those connected to a desktop computer
• You need to have IPDb installed on your mobile device as well, and be logged in (same login details as desktop)
• Once you have selected the Camera Icon on the desktop to use your phone’s camera, simply open IPDb on your mobile device, and it will be ready to capture the image
• The camera on that device will be activated to take your photo
• The photo will then automatically be added to your desktop photo upload window

Click on the image file button next to the camera button, in the image upload screen.

If you are using a desktop computer and have also installed IPDb on your mobile phone, you will be presented with the option to choose a file directly from your mobile device.

This feature is available because, these days, many images are captured on mobile phones. 

If you don't see this option but believe you should, check your mobile phone account settings - the feature may be disabled.

Pre-selecting images from a folder on your desktop? Click/tap the large button in the above 'loading images' screen.

On a desktop computer, the file selection is done through a standard file open dialogue, allowing you to choose multiple image files at once.

Regardless of whether your images come from a camera or a file, 
the following image screen will appear after adding the image:

Here, you can rotate, crop and remove backgrounds before returning back to the image upload screen.   We recommend to crop images by placing the 4 squares on each corner of the box or puzzle, and then hitting the "tick" icon.  This will make sure the image is presented optimally in IPDb.

More info about cropping and rotating in the cropping section further down.

Image category is important, as it will affect a user's nominated default image (either box or puzzle), blur mystery puzzles, or display a certain way in the memory game.
Options are:

• Puzzle icon:  for the COMPLETED puzzle pic only.  Any other puzzle pics (detail section, combo with box, etc), those should be categorized as "other"​.
• Box icon: for FRONT/TOP of box pic only. Any other box pics (side/back) should be categorized as "other".
• Poster icon: for poster pics if one is included
• Other icon: for anything that is not a completed puzzle pic, top/front of box pic, or poster pic.
• Mystery icon: used for mystery puzzles (puzzles where the actual puzzle image is different to the box image). It blurs the image initially, so that it can only be seen by tapping on it to unlock. It helps keep the mystery alive! :-)
  
  

After having selected the appropriate category, you will be returned to the initial image upload screen, and you can then select the tick icon to start uploading all the images you have just added.

Sometimes, a photo contains unnecessary background details. Cropping ensures the image focuses only on the puzzle or box itself. IPDb has the option to modify your photo by cropping it.

Access Crop Mode:

• In Edit Mode (Pencil icon at the top of the screen), click/tap the image you wish to crop and select Edit from the menu

• This will open the full-screen viewer, which includes the cropping tool

Using the Crop Tool:

• Start by rotating the image using the options in the lower left corner
• A cropping frame is present in the image defined by 4 handles, which initially is positioned in the 4 corners of the image. This frame is initially drawin in the color black, but you can switch between black and white by use of the leftmost tool in the lower left corner.
• Each handle can be moved individually to compensate any perspective error your image may have, giving you a perpect square image. If you prefer traditinal square cropping, press and hold the SHIFT key on your keyboard (desktop only)
• For quick position of the 4 handles, press and hold SHIFT + CTRL keys and click the corners one by one, in the ordered pointed out at the bottom of the screen. (desktop only)
• If you wish to adjust the corners absolutely perfect, which is encouraged, use the TAB tool which is the right most tool in the lower left corner, to auto zoom and jump from corner to corner by turn. Alternatively, hit the TAB key on your keyboard. 
• You can select each of the 4 corners by clicking them. If a handle is selected, it is drawn in a pretty orange color. 
• While selected, it can be moved 1 pixel using the arrow keys on your keybaord (10 pixels if you press and hold the CTRL key) (desktop only).
• While selected, handles can also be moved by the mouse. You do not have to position the mouse or your finger on the handle (which can obstruct precise positioning) but can move the selected/orange handle  from any position on the image

• Adjust until satisfied, then click the checkmark/tick to apply the crop, removing any unwanted background

To change the order of images within a puzzle:

• Return to the Edit Dialogue screen (pencil icon PC, or 4 square icon>Edit puzzle on mobile device)
• Tap / click on the image you wish to move
• From the menu, select Left or Right - this will move that image 1 spot to the left or right
• SAVE the record again when done.

NOTE - you can only move images if you have created the puzzle record, not in records created by other members.  If you prefer to see a different image first for a record that is not yours, you can do so when not in edit mode.

• Just double click on the puzzle to display all the puzzle details.
• Click (pc) or double tap (mobile device) on the image you wish to set as your preferred image
• You will see the image with all the category icons to the left, but also a picture icon with a "tick" at the bottom right.
  
• Select this icon - this will ensure that it will mark the picture as preferred for you in IPDb display of that puzzle

💡 Choosing the main display image:

The frontmost image appears in default lists and detail views across IPDb whenever your puzzle is displayed, so please ensure to either put the box or completed puzzle image first; select a strong, representative image to maximize visibility.

If an image is no longer relevant, or you have taken an improved image than the one you originally uploaded, or someone else has submitted an improved  image, you can remove it via the Save Edit Menu

• Click/tap on the image you wish to delete
• From the menu, select Delete