Add a smiley set

Work in progress, expect frequent changes.

Installing New Smiley Sets

There are two ways to install new smiley sets. Administrators can either use the Package Manager, or upload it directly to their server.

Install a Smiley Set Using the Package Manager

The Package Manager can be used to install new smiley sets to the forum. This is the best way to install smiley sets which have been downloaded from the SMF Customization site, or other SMF site. It works the same way as installing new modifications.

  **fyi for whoever reviews this page re 2.1 update, the modifications page linked to above has not been updated**

Smiley packages from the SMF sites usually already have the correct number of smileys, and same-named smileys. But administrators should double-check this after installing. See the Enter Smiley Data section below. If the sets do not have matching names:

• administrators will see new errors in the Error Log, whenever the smileys are used in messages; and
• forum members may see either missing smileys in posted messages, or only the smiley code, instead of the graphic smiley.

Upload a Smiley Set Directly to the Server

The other way to add a smiley set is to create a new directory inside the "Smileys" server directory. First, give it an appropriate name, like "blue_smiley_set", for example. Then upload all the actual graphic files (primarily PNG and/or GIF files, probably) into that directory. This is the best way to install a custom set of smileys, which administrators may have compiled themselves.

Next, go to Admin Center > Smileys and Message Icons > Smiley Sets and click on the New Smiley Set button in the bottom right corner.

• Name - Type a name for the set, which would likely be the same name that was given to the server directory, "blue_smiley_set" in this case.
• URL - Click the dropdown menu and choose "blue_smiley_set".
• Default Smiley Set - Check this box if this set is going to be the forum's default set.

Be sure to click the Save Changes button in the bottom right corner, when you finish.

Enter Smiley Data

No matter which way the new smiley set has been installed, next administrators should go to Admin Center > Forum > Smileys and Message Icons > Edit Smileys and make sure all the individual data for each smiley is correct. If more than one set is being used, remember that each set must display the same number of smileys, and each smiley must have the same Tooltip or Description name as the equivalent smiley in the other sets.

On this page is a table containing all the individual smileys, and their unique data as described below. In the top right corner, be sure to select the newly installed set.

There are seven columns in this table.

• The far left column has no title, but obviously is displaying the actual smileys.
• Code - This column shows the combination of characters which will display the smiley when entered in the message editor.
• Filename - This column gives the name of the smiley's file.
• Location - This shows the location of the smiley. It can either be displayed in the message editor, or post form, More, or hidden. More is a tiny button where the smileys are displayed above the message editor. If all the smileys you have installed don't fit above the editor, you can put them in a popup window, which is activated by clicking the More button. Of course hidden means the smiley is installed, but is not available for use.
• Tooltip or Description - This is the name of the smiley, which matches the same kind, or equivalent smiley in any other sets which are installed.
• Modify - Click this text link if you want to edit any of this smiley data.
• The last column on the right does not have a title, but contains checkboxes. In the bottom right corner is a dropdown menu titled With Selected. If you click on that, there are four choices for whichever smileys are checked:
  • Make Hidden - This option hides the smiley but does not remove it.
  • Show on Post Forum - This option displays the smiley above the message editor.
  • Show on Popup - This is the More button which is mentioned above under Location.
  • Remove - Choose this to remove a smiley from the forum.

Organize Smileys

At this point, administrators may also wish to set the order in which the smileys appear, in whichever place they have chosen for them to appear. On the Admin Center > Forum > Smileys and Message Icons > Set Smiley Order page, it is simple and intuitive to set the order.