Re: Watermarking with GD, but a bit different....

Steve wrote:

so this is not really about watermarking at all, right? you want to merge two images and show the composite. is this a more accurate description/interpretation?

there is much to consider that you haven't mentioned. specifically do they simply overlap or should they merge at an intersection or defined point, must they be of the same size, if not same size then which size should be used, any cropping going on, what of aspect ratios, what of transparency levels, etc.?

as for the html output, stay away from using frames! they aren't needed here anyway. display the images from each directory in a scrollable div and give a thumbnail of each. when two of them are selected, use dhtml and insert an img in a third div...the src of which may resemble:

image.combine.php?images[]=one.image.jpg&images[]=another.image.gif

the image.combine.php script just takes the images array from the query string and uses the gd library functions to return the composite. you can just as easily avoid using javascript by submitting the selected image names via a form rather than using dhtml and javascript.

you may want to look up these functions in the php help files or googling them for examples on the web:

imagecreatefromstring
imagecopymerge

if you intend to have the composite 'watermarked' in the traditional sense (as in stamping PROOF across a primary image), then do NOT rely on overlaying a div over a div!!! this is not secure in the least and is rediculously easy to hack...and retrieve a perfectly beautiful non-proofed primary image.

depending on how involved you intend the user interface to be and how you answer my initial questions above, the time to produce such a script would range between an hour to a couple of days (most of that would be testing). none of this is difficult. i wouldn't pay more than $100 usd to have someone do it for you.

hth,

me


Hi Steve,

Thanks for reply.

Yes, I assume my description in the subject line wasn't the best.... sorry.

Regarding any cropping, etc: I am talking about hundreds of "bottom" images and perhaps 30-40 "top" images. All "bottom" images will have the same size/dimensions and all the "top" images will also have the same size/dimensions. The insertion of the "top" images will always be at the same spot on the "bottom" images and no cropping will occur. The "top" images will be as png's with 100% alpha channel transparency.

Since there will be that many images involved, there will be no scrolling divs or anything. Instead, the user will go to the section for the "top" images and brows the categories and the various artwork which will be displayed on several pages. When he has selected one, he will go to the next section with the "bottom" images and select the one he prefer. On a third page, the result will be displayed.

No, no frames will be involved <shudder />. You must have read something I never wrote. ;-)

I will do the actual interface/page layouts in cooperation with the programmer. The programmer "merely" need to make my idea come alive.

A million thanks for suggestions!
.

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