creating backgrounds

[jpatton]

I need help creating and saving backgrounds in inspire. I can save a background if it is just one layer, but if I want to put a shape over the picture and make it translucent I do not know how to save it as a background. Is there somewhere I can go that will help me to do this?

[kellyandbryan]

You can group both items together and then go to the object browser and drag the image to the background layer.
Hope this helps!

[jpatton]

Thank you! If I use an image and stretch it to fill up the entire page and then put a shape on top of it, how do I group them together. I have had success saving a background if I only have the image but when I try to put the box over the image I can not get it to group together.

[mbrosell]

I have a related question. Is there a way to apply a background to an entire flipchart without doing it page by page?

Thank you!

[LisaD]

I don't know of a way to apply a background to multiple pages at a time. However, when I know I want specific thing to be on every page (like a background). I just go to the page browser and duplicate the page. That will include any other options you may have like boxes, images and navigation buttons and saves me time!

Lisa

[jpatton]

Lisa - could you please send me step by step instructions for making and saving a background with an image and a translucent shape over it. We would like to create resource packs out of the backgrounds we are making but they are saving as flipcharts instead of backgrounds.

[LisaD]

Basically, I create the page exactly how I want it to look.

For example, I put an image on it to cover the whole space (1024 x 768 works for me)
If I want a translucent box on it, I add it as a rectangle from the shapes library and set its transparency.

Then next step is the one that is important. Right click on the page (but not on an object) and you should see an export option. I save it as a jpg and to my desktop. Basically, it is a screen capture of your page and all of its objects.

Now go to a new page and right click again. Select Set Background. Click Image and Browse and navigate to your exported jpeg. I choose stretch fit versus tiled but whatever works for you.

The open your resource browser to wherever you want your background to go. Right click again and add to library as background.

Hope that helps. You can also watch the Activtips video about Creating Backgrounds here:
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=nav.1147

See screenshots.

[gpatrenos]

Is there a way we can save to 'My Backgrounds' resource a la Studio so we can just drag it in when we need it ?:rolleyes:

[LisaD]

You should be able to save it in whichever folder you want. Just open the folder and right click and you should see a add to library option.

LIsa

[jpatton]

Thank you soooo much!!! It worked. Now, one more question. When I get all of my created backgrounds in to a folder in my resources, how do I make a resource pack out of them?

[LisaD]

There should be a little square menu icon on the folder when you select it. Click it and it will give a drop down menu where you can export the contents of the folder as a resource pack.

Lisa

[Jen.Genshock]

Making a resource pack:
Open the resource browser so that you can see the folder you want to create a resrource pack from. Click once on the folder in the top section of the resrource browser. A little menu icon should appear just to the right of the selected folder. If you click on that menu one of the option is "Export to resource pack"

[katielong]

Sorry, but I was trying to do this also. I notice that the ones saved as "backgrounds" on the planet auto default to the background and also fit to page. When I save them as backgrounds, they are still pulled out as images, so I have two more steps everytime I want to use it. How do I save it as a different file type? If you guys can help me out, I have some great nature backgrounds to add to the Planet's resources!

[LisaD]

See if the new Activtips help out. There is one about Making Backgrounds.

Lisa

[katielong]

I figured it out......between rereading these posts, the activtips, and experimentation....I got it! :D

[katielong]

How do we submit a resource pack? I created one with butterfly backgrouns using pics my mom snapped in her butterfly garden. I clicked on submit a resource link and nothing happened.

[LisaD]

You can post it here and I can get it submitted for you if you want. Right now the submission page only accepts flipcharts or weblinks.

Lisa

[katielong]

Butterfly Backgrounds

These backgrounds were created using photographs that my mother (Raye Nell) took in her butterfly garden. They are all butterflies that are common to southern Louisiana. I hope that you all like them! ;) I use them with my reading flipchart for the story I Am a Butterfly.

[beachteacher]

The backgrounds look beautiful. I was able to import them into my shared resources, but they would not insert into my flipchart. :(

[kaka_hem]

No problem for me to insert these beautiful backgrounds. Thanks [clap]

[LisaD]

The backgrounds look beautiful. I was able to import them into my shared resources, but they would not insert into my flipchart. :(

Are you using ActivInspire? I think they were created in that.

LIsa

[katielong]

They were created in inspire. I LOVE inspire. I create lots of flipcharts (at least 8 a week) and I find the creation process/inserting actions, etc. soooooo much simpler! I have a bunch of flower shots (from my mom's garden and also mine) that I am working on next. Feel free to add them to the resource pack section if you think they're good enough.
I'm glad that you guys like them!

[beachteacher]

I am using ActivInspire, newest version 1.3........... with Windows 7. Do you think Windows 7 would be part of the difficulty?

[LisaD]

Katie,

Your resource pack of Butterfly Backgrounds is now live! Thanks for sharing! {}

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=ConResource.25798

Lisa

[Grahammon]

Hi
Have followed LisaD's instructions for Background creation and all seems to be well
I have a picture and a translucent area for writing on
but when I try and add to the resource library all I get stored is a blank page. Which implies to me that it is not a background.
I've checked by following Scott's creating background video tips just to see if I was doing something wrong and I seem to be mimicing everything.
But there is nothing visible in the object browser in any of the layers including Background If I use the shapes tool to add say, a rectangle, it appears as it should. Any ideas what i am doing wrong?
Thanks
Graham

[LisaD]

Why don't you post the flipchart with what you have and I'll look at it.

Lisa

[Grahammon]

K, thanks Lisa,
found a phota added translucent shape
exported the page as a jpg image

set background looked for the image
selected stretch to fit
OK

checked object browser background is not present

mmm
btw the flipchart is not important in any way I am just practicising.

[LisaD]

I don't think you did anything wrong.

I right clicked on your background and added it to My Backgrounds. It added fine and I was able to drag it back out on another page.

I don't think the background shows up in the background layer in the Object Browser (unless you put an object on the background layer) is it (the background) is not an object.

Lisa

[Grahammon]

Thanks Lisa, why do you think it won't add to my backgrounds?
I just get a blank resource added

[LisaD]

Not sure. I assume you have opened the Resource Library and the folder in which you want it to go. Then right clicked on the page and choose Add Background?

I'm on a Mac but still on version 1.2.

Lisa

[Grahammon]

Yes to all points.
I'll try it on another machine to see if it is an issue with my machine.
Many thanks for your helpful input
Graham

[Grahammon]

Hi Lisa,
Was the same on another machine trying to add a custom background to the resources browser, Resulted in an empty file.
So Contacted Support. He (Wayne) ran through creating etc as above, Was in the process of emailing as he was going to play with it. When both of us said what version of Inspire is running, turns out 1.2 for XP I updated to 1.3 and all works.
Triffic!!

[LisaD]

Phew! Glad it's working for you now!

Lisa

[beachteacher]

This is weird.......the backgrounds won't work with my PC Windows 7 computer at home. I have them in my shared resources folder, but they won't insert into the flipchart. They will work (insert into the flipchart) with my PC XP computer at school.

[Louise Chew]

This is weird.......the backgrounds won't work with my PC Windows 7 computer at home. I have them in my shared resources folder, but they won't insert into the flipchart. They will work (insert into the flipchart) with my PC XP computer at school.

I can use these backgrounds on my win7 pc without any problem
Perhaps you could try deleting the folder with the backgrounds in & reimport the resource pack & see if that helps

[beachteacher]

I deleted them from shared resources and then discovered I also had them in My Resources. I can insert them without difficulty from My Resources. Thanks for the suggestion. :-/