How to: Bulk Add Smiles to your board

[Big Dan]

First create a new directory (folder) via FTP, something like /smiles

Log in to your ACP, expand "Smiles" on the navigation panel, click "Add New Smile"

In the right frame you will see two boxes, ignore the first one. The second Box "Add Multiple Smilies", is where you will be working.

Specify the category if applicable.

Specify the path (ex: /smilies), this is the folder you just uploaded > Press "Add Smilies"

You will then be directed to a page that shows all the smilies with the option of changing the bbcode (text replacement like :) = ), tick the box next to each smiley and hit add.

About category sorting: It would be wise to group your smilies in separate categories this way you can control how their are displayed on the post reply page, you don't want one large smiley to blow out your margins.

Make bulk additions easier in the future by creating 1 folder for smilies and then sub folders for each set. This way when you add new ones, you can just upload a new sub folder and not worry about trying to importing the same smiles twice, which will cause errors and frustration on your part.

[Peggy]

Thank you for a very helpful post Danny! Now I can upload a hundred more smilies to my site alot faster

[mrsmac1974]

Is there a way to control the order they display, within the categories? Or is it al piecemeal?

[Big Dan]

Is there a way to control the order they display, within the categories? Or is it al piecemeal?

Yes there is, you can set display order just like you do with forums. For already existing smiles.

ACP > Smilies > Smiley manager.

From here you can reorder categories, 1 is shown first and on the create thread and reply pages.

To reorder individual smiles, click on the name of the category the smilies are in. Follow the same thing, numbering from 1 to XX.. The first one displays first and click "Save Display Order".

I normally set the biggest smilies to "99" display order this way they display last.

[Peggy]

You can go back in, after they're all uploaded, and arrange them

[mrsmac1974]

Thanks, Peggy and Danny. Got them all numbered and such.

Make bulk additions easier in the future by creating 1 folder for smilies and then sub folders for each set. This way when you add new ones, you can just upload a new sub folder and not worry about trying to importing the same smiles twice, which will cause errors and frustration on your part.

So ... can I go back and do this now?

[Big Dan]

Thanks, Peggy and Danny. Got them all numbered and such.


So ... can I go back and do this now?

You could but it would probably be more trouble then it's worth. You would have to remove all your current smilies and start from scratch.

[mrsmac1974]

^Ugh. I'll just start from here and go forward. Thanks!

[Calinga]

Really nice Faq on this!

One question. If I add seperate directories for Xmas, Easter.. seasonal type smilies - what is the most effective way to make them not show up after the holiday?

Thanks!

[Big Dan]

Really nice Faq on this!

One question. If I add seperate directories for Xmas, Easter.. seasonal type smilies - what is the most effective way to make them not show up after the holiday?

Thanks!

I believe if you set the display order for that category to 0 they won't display. I'm not 100% sure though.