What About that Image Library Thingie?

WriteRAP provides a variety of tools and efficiencies to streamline the authoring process. One of these is the Image Library, and in this post we'll clarify what this tool is, what it does, and what it doesn't do.

The Image Library is a project-based repository on the WriteRAP server that can store jpegs or gifs for use within a WriteRAP document. It contains one folder for each chapter and a folder for common art for the project. These folders are autogenerated when a project is created or a document is added to a project.

The BatchXPort Pro extraction process automatically generates jpegs that can be uploaded to the Image Library by your vendor.

These images can be placed by the user using the Image Library button on the WriteRAP toolbar, although an online connection is required. An image placed using the image library will retain its name when the file is exported, whereas the native Word picture insertion mechanism will strip the name from the image file.

Do you need an Image Library?

Well, probably not. Other than this potentially useful image name in the export, WriteRAP offers conveniences, but an Image Library is not a required part of the WriteRAP process.

• It can offer the convenience of viewing art in pages, and significantly add to the visual environment. It could allow an author to provide low-resolution art to be placed by the vendor or development editor.
• Using a low-res image will allow editing of captions in context.
• For technical books and books relying on screen shots, the availability of the art can be crucial to the authoring/editing process.
• The author can mark broad changes to art within the WriteRAP manuscript. However, detailed art development is still probably best handled with a separate art manuscript.

Cautions:

• A lot of art will increase file size. There is still a risk of server error, document corruption and slow upload/download times if files become ungainly.
• For the foreseeable future, WriteRAP neither helps nor hurts art program management. It is not currently integrated with other systems, and the timing of manuscript development in WriteRAP often does not coincide with art program development.
• It is important to realize, also, that a vendor may place art without using the image library, and have other methods for getting art references into the XML code for paging.
• Some cost is incurred by using the Image Library.

Using the Image Library is a project-by-project decision, and one you should discuss with your team to determine if there is a potential benefit.