Help:Uploading images

Before uploading images at Special:Upload, make sure to read and follow the image use policy. Please note that most images you might find on the Internet are copyrighted and not appropriate for uploading to ArmchairGM. If you did not create the image or are unable or unwilling to verify its copyright status, do not upload the image.

Use the form at Special:Upload to upload new image files for use in illustrating your articles. On most browsers, you will see a "Browse..." button, which will bring up your operating system's standard file open dialog. Choosing a file will fill the name of that file into the text field next to the button. You must also check the box affirming that you are not violating any copyrights by uploading the file. Press the "Upload" button to finish the upload. This may take some time if you have a slow Internet connection.

To view or search previously uploaded images, go to the list of uploaded images. Uploads and deletions are logged on the upload log.

Please note that as with wiki pages, others may edit or delete your uploads if they think it serves the encyclopedia, and you may be blocked from uploading if you abuse the system.

To make your uploaded file appear in an article, you need to insert it: edit the article and add the syntax



where you want the file to appear.

Technical aspects
The preferred formats are JPEG for photographic images, SVG for drawings and line-art illustration, PNG for non-vector graphic iconic images, Ogg Vorbis for sound and Ogg Theora for video. Please name your files descriptively to avoid confusion. To include the image in an article, use a link in the form   or    or  [[Media:File.ogg]]  for sounds. To include an image as a thumbnail, use  .

When overwriting an image with one of a different size, you must refresh your browser's cache to see the new image in the correct size.

Mini HowTo
The Upload file screen has three fields. The Source filename field with the browse button allows you to choose a file on your local system. The Destination filename is the name used to link to the image from articles. If JavaScript is enabled, it will be set automatically to the same name as the one you have specified in the Source filename field, but may be changed to any valid name you wish. For the convenience of non-JavaScript users, if the destination field is left blank, source filename will be used. The Summary field appears below the image on and image page, and allows Wiki markup. Here you should include a brief description of what the image is, its source, and what license you are uploading it under.

Submitting this information will upload the image and save the summary. There is no preview, as there is for editing pages. Nevertheless, after the image is uploaded, you can still click the edit button and make changes to the summary and license, should you make a mistake you did not catch beforehand. If there is already a file uploaded with the Destination filename that you chose, you are given the option to save anyway and overwrite the old file (although it remains in the image history), or returning to the upload form and specifying a new filename.

Licenses
If you are uploading an image under the doctrine of fair use, please place the text "" (or a more specific fair-use template, such as albumcover) in the summary and provide the reason for the claim of fair use. Always state the source of the image. If the image is licensed under the GFDL, please include "" in the description.

If the image is under any other license please indicate this by using the appropriate message from Image copyright tags.