When I did the Photo Gallery project in green, I made the design for the Table of Contents serve as the background for the opening frame and for the Table of Contents. I decided to take this project in a slightly different direction. What if we eliminate the Table of Contents by providing it on every page by using a grid with thumbnails showing all the photos in the project? This way the navigation and the design elements merge into one.

How did I do this?
In the project posted at the bottom of the page, I've created this in eZediaQTI. It can also be done in eZediaMX.

When I created the original graphic for this project, I produced a black and white PNG file that I dressed up and transformed into the purple image you see on this page. However, that same grid came in handy for quick organization of the graphic elements on the frame. Here's how it worked:
1. Use the black and white grid graphic (PNG) and bring it into your eZedia frame. Position it in the top, left-hand corner so that you can see how it fits. Stretch or re-size to suit the frame you're using.
2. Add the graphic to the background. You've just glued it into place!
3. Open up a new object well/media library for your project.
4. Bring in your thumbnail photos for your project. Position them to fill the squares of the grid. When they're all in place, hold down the CTRL key and drag everything into the Object Well/Media Library.
5. Hold down the CTRL key touch the letter "A" to select all the thumbnails at one time. Now, click on Objects - Add to Background. The thumbnails are now glued in place, too.
6. This is your main frame that you will use. Duplicate it as many times as you have pictures.
7. Bring in your larger photos and place them in the center of each frame. Re-size to fit the grid outline. I added them to the well each time and I also added them to the background once they were in place.
9. When you're done with the photos, bring in your navigation elements - arrows, etc.
10. I then brought in the fancy top-grid and placed it on the first fame of the project. I opened up the object information dialog box and said to have this graphic appear on all the frames.
11. I added my title and credits to the project and I was done!

Extensions to the project:
I've done the Photo Gallery project in both eZediaQTI and eZediaMX. What that means is that there are a wide variety of extensions that can be included for this project. Consider:
1. Having the name of the flower or object spoken aloud by including an audio file
2. Provide the option of a link to a webpage that will provide authoritative information on the flower or object
3. Include a link to an object vr you've created where they can rotate the object
4. Link additional projects - perhaps you've developed one on each type of object represented in the grid
5. One design element that gives this project quite a different look is if you bring in your fancy top-grid and add it to the background initially. When you place your large photos in the center square, it looks quite different than when the grid is on top! Experiment and see which way you like it.
6. Instead of butterflies, use thumbnails of students and create a class project where students get to introduce themselves.

Information on Butterflies
We actually have quite a bit of information on butterflies posted at this site. We also have all of the photos you see in this project. There are even some videos! To locate this information, go to: http://www.jmadden.info/Butterfly_Project.htm
To see the photos and videos, click on those links in the sidebar on this frame.

Figure 1: Opening frame

Opening frame for the My Photo Gallery project

Figure 2: Sample frame from album

Sample frame from the project showing a flower

Play the project through this link. Note: This is a QuickTime interactive movie and you will require QuickTime on your machine. Remember that QuickTime is free and if you don't have it, you're missing out on a lot of great video clips. This file is 4 mb so have patience while it loads if you're on dial-up.

The project is not elaborate. It is designed to give you a way to view what things might look like in a finished example. There are only a few frames.

Purple Lattice frame can be downloaded through this link.

Purple right arrow

Purple left arrow

Black and white grid

Last edited: August 22, 2004

E-mail: Jane