Albums and categories

[st0rmchaser]

I created my albums then created my categories for that album but when I go to upload pics the album is there, but the drop down list of categories is not there.  So I can't choose a category. How do I fix this?  The categories do show up on front page as a list under that album.

[gmc]

The basic structure of CPG:
Albums get assigned to categories (or none to be at top level)
Pictures get added to albums.

So the structure looks like:
  Category -> Album -> Pictures
or
  Category -> Sub Category -> Album -> Pictures

If you created the Albums first - then you would need to edit the Album Properties to assign the Album to a Category. (Can be gotten to several ways....)

When you go into either 'Upload' - or 'Batch Add Files' - the pulldown lists eligible albums sorted by category.

If you want to have more that one 'grouping' for a picture, you can assign keyword(s) to a picture - and then define an album with one of the keywords - and it will link in all pictures containing that keyword.

Does that help explain the structure?

[st0rmchaser]

I am scratching my head on this one.  I always thought a album had more pull than a category, and the album came first and then the categories inside the album.  Not to be mean or anything but why do we need albums in the first place if we can make categories inside of categories? 

Is it that difficult to remove the albums and just use the categories?  Could I do this now before getting too deep into my structured website?  I have less than 30 pics uploaded. 

It just seems as though using the album structure in Coppermine is beating and creating confusion for the Coppermine CMS for no reason since it does not have pull structure value as like in a Album you have sitting on your table that has a couple categories inside.  JMO.

[gmc]

Perhaps an example will better show how it can be used...
I'll give specific references to areas within this gallery:  http://greggallery.gmcdesign.com

To answer your questions:

why do we need albums in the first place if we can make categories inside of categories?

You can't add photos to a category... Only an album... The categories provide a means of sorting the albums.

Is it that difficult to remove the albums and just use the categories?

The categories are the optional piece - you need to have the albums to hold the pictures...

To use your analogy, think of the album sitting on your table as the 'Category' and the chapters inside as the 'Albums'...

As you scroll the main page of my site (link above):
you will see a category of 'Sporting Events'
beneath that are sub-categories for each club, school, series, etc...)
and within each subcat are albums for each team, race, etc...
(Categories and subcategories are defined exactly the same way... only difference is a subcat has a parent defined of another category...)
So some of the structure flows:
Cat: Sporting Events -> Cat: Nascar Racing -> Album: 2012 Sprint Cup Pure Michigan 400
Cat: R/C Flying -> Cat: NEAT Fair -> Album: 2012 NEAT

Sometimes I have only a single category with albums below - depends on the level of grouping you want....
Categories are optional - you can define Albums with no category if you prefer.

The point about keywords you can see in:
Cat: Skymasters R/C -> Cat: Skymasters Special Collections -> Album "Oops"
(direct link: http://greggallery.gmcdesign.com/index.php?cat=20)
This is a 'blooper' album... of interesting moments... Most of these photos are in other albums, but I wanted to pull them all together under one album... You will see the description says "6 files, 138 linked files".. Those 138 files are in other albums and linked by keywords... A photo can have any number of keywords... An album only one... The album will display all photos directly loaded to it - plus all photos with a matching keyword.

Does that help it make more sense??

[st0rmchaser]

I think I get it in other words I have everything Topsy turfy.  So I don't want to screw this up any more than I have so far.   So here is the structure I want for each section.  The section I am trying to set up is this:

Headers for CMS  <-- Main structure

branch off from main structure:

            animals
            everyday
            Floral
            Landscapes
            objects
            reptiles
            sports
            work (on the job)

The branch offs will have a more detailed list when needed or should I branch them now?  I guess I need to delete what I have because it's not done properly.  Thank you for your time and support. 

[gmc]

One additional note - you can add categories, and reassign categories to parents and albums to categories any time... You don't need to reload all your photos to do so.
So set it up as best you can right now - and changes can certainly be made as your gallery grows.

Greg

[st0rmchaser]

One last question about this can I have one category that has lots of albums?   Or do I have to create a category for each album?

[gmc]

A category can have as many albums as you like... By default the first 12 will show beneath the category on the main page, with links to rest, but that is a config setting you can change.

[st0rmchaser]

Thank you GMC you was a big help I believe I have this straight now. 

[gmc]

You're welcome...
Greg