This article describes the process for uploading catalog images in bulk either from a device or from an HTTP server. This article also describes the process for deleting and replacing images uploaded in this manner.
This article contains the following sections:
- Upload Images via Bulk Loader
- Deleting/Replacing Images
- Retrieving Images from HTTP Server
- Troubleshooting
Uploading Images via Bulk Loader
Prior to uploading any photos, it is important to ensure they meet Proxibid's Image Requirements.
Up to 100 photos can be added to each lot. Video can also be added to lots.
- Click on the Bulk Loader link located on the left side of AuctionBuilder under Auction Tools.
- Use the Select Catalog drop-down to select the auction event.
- Click the Upload Images button.
- Click the Add Images button.
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Select the images to be uploaded.
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Click the Start Upload button. Images will then begin to upload to Proxibid's system. This process is usually completed within a few seconds.
- Progress will display estimated time remaining and images uploaded count.
- If needed, click the Stop Upload button to interrupt the image upload.
- Once the upload is complete, a confirmation page will open advising that the uploaded images are being processed. Images should be available to view online in the catalog within 5-10 minutes.
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An event's status must be Pending or Online in order to view the catalog on Proxibid. Catalogs for events in a Disabled status will not be visible.
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An event's status must be Pending or Online in order to view the catalog on Proxibid. Catalogs for events in a Disabled status will not be visible.
Deleting/Replacing Images
If the Bulk Loader is used to upload a catalog spreadsheet (.CSV file) and to upload images, then the Bulk Loader should be used to replace images. When an image is manually deleted using the Catalog Generator/Editor, the mapping of the image is also deleted, which will create issues when trying to replace those images via the Bulk Loader.
Rather than delete an image, if possible, the image should be replaced. To replace an image, name the new image file following the same lot number formatting used with the original images and upload the image file via the Bulk Loader. The new image will replace the old one. If the new image does not display in the catalog within 5-10 minutes, there is likely a caching issue. To resolve this, clear the browser cache, close the browser completely, and then view the catalog again.
If an image was manually deleted and now needs to be replaced using the Bulk Loader, re-upload the catalog spreadsheet in Bulk Loader first to replace the image mapping, then upload the replacement images using the Bulk Loader.
Retrieving Images from HTTP server
Auction companies can upload catalog images using a link (URI) to an image site using the Bulk Loader in AuctionBuilder. An option has been added to step one of bulk catalog upload to that allows images to be retrieved from an HTTP server. This is only an option and is not required.
Link Requirements:
- Images must be hosted somewhere online and cannot be stored on a secure site (no HTTPS://).
- The image link must point directly to the actual image, not to an image viewer or secured site.
- The image link must be a valid URI (actual address of the image). For example, http://yoursite.com/foldername/imagename.
- If using a URI link, the actual images do not need to be uploaded via Bulk Loader.
The URI link can be added to the catalog spreadsheet in the Primary Image File Name column and the Alternate Image File Name columns, as needed.
To use this option, check the Retrieve images from an HTTP or HTTPS server box when uploading a catalog via Bulk Loader.
Troubleshooting
Images Not Loading
Images must meet all of Proxibid's Image Requirements. If those requirements have been met and the images are missing from the catalog, export the catalog and view the data contained in the Image columns. If there are no file names in the Image columns, the images were not mapped. The most likely cause is that some of the necessary selections were not made during Step 3 of the Catalog Upload process. To correct this issue, re-upload the catalog and make the correct selections on Step 3 (Import Options) of the Catalog Upload process.
Alternate Images Not Loading
One the most common upload issues users encounter occurs with the Apply Above Formatting to Primary Image? checkbox. If the box is checked, the primary image should have the same formatting as the rest of the lot images. For example, 1-1.jpg, 1-2.jpg, 1-3.jpg.
If the box is not checked, the primary image does not have the same formatting as the rest of the lot images. For example, 1.jpg, 1-2.jpg, 1-3.jpg.
If the Primary Image box was not checked/unchecked correctly, the catalog will not contain any alternate images. To correct this issue, re-upload the catalog and make the correct selections on Step 3 (Import Options) of the Catalog Upload process.