Gswiki:Style guide/Images

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Revision as of 10:32, 8 April 2025 by HOST-GSKEBECHET (talk | contribs) (Clarified several sections. Updated section on maps to note policy defines maps as representative of in-game rooms; updated map examples.)
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This style guide on images is intended to offer additional direction to and supplement the requirements of the Gswiki:Policy with regard to images and their copyrights. The Gswiki:Policy has strict requirements for all non-official images uploaded and used on the Gswiki, which is outlined in the [Gswiki:Policy#Copyrights|Copyrights]] section.

Image Classifications

The following list describes the classification of image files as designated by Gswiki:Policy. Image files have slightly different Copyright requirements depending on their classification. It is possible for an image file to fall under more than one classification type, such as being both commissioned artwork and AI-generated artwork. In cases where an image file falls under more than one classification type, it should include all the required information for all applicable types.

  • Maps - Maps, as defined by wiki policy, are image files that assist players in navigating in game areas utilizing geometric shapes to designate paths and rooms and may include numbered rooms. Maps that are either an artistic or graphical rendering of an area that do not specifically provide room navigational assistance should follow the policy for commissioned or non-commissioned artwork.
  • Commissioned artwork - Commissioned artwork is artwork specifically commissioned by a player of their character. Another person has created the artwork on the player's behalf.
  • Non-commissioned artwork - Non-commissioned artwork is any artwork and/or photography that was not specifically commissioned by a player for their character.
  • AI-generated artwork - AI-generated artwork is any artwork that has been created utilizing prompts into an AI software program. This includes artwork that has been modified at any point in its creation process by AI software program.
  • Logo/header images - Logo or header images are images meant to elevate the contents of an article.

Uploading Files

Image files can be uploaded via either the Special:Upload or Special:BatchUpload special pages. Uploaded image files can be no larger than 2MB and must have a file extension of png, gif, jpg, jpeg, or webp.

Special:Upload is intended for uploading a small number of image files one by one. Special:BatchUpload is intended for uploading a large quantity of image files at once.

Image File Descriptions

Image files must include all Gswiki:Policy required information in their file description. This can be added by putting it in the "Summary" (Special:Upload) or "Description" (Special:BatchUpload) text fields while uploading the image file. After an image file has been uploaded, its file description text can be modified at any time. This is done by navigating to the image file itself and selecting "Edit Source", similar to editing any article. Any missing information can be added this way in the image file's text description before saving changes.

The required information varies slightly depending on the image classification. In cases where an image file falls under more than one classification type, it should include all the required information for all applicable types.

While not required, it is recommended to include a written description of the image to assist users with screen readers.

Using Images

Image vs File

There are several methods to display images on an article, which are outlined in detail in the Article Captions section. Mediawiki code for inserting an image can be done by either [[File:File.png]] or [[Image:File.png]] formats. However, only the latter option, [[Image:File.png]] format, is compatible with screen readers for images. Screen readers may not recognize an image with the [[File:File.png]] format, instead seeing it as a miscellaneous file, and any related alt text description of the image will not be relayed.

Wherever possible, images should use the [[Image:File.png]] format for displaying images on articles to ensure that screen readers properly identify them as images and not as miscellaneous files. Images inserted via the [[File:File.png]] format run the risk of not properly being identified as images and disregarded by users who rely on screen readers.

Captions vs Alt Text

An image caption is an explanation of the image file, which either appears directly beneath the image or when hovering a mouse over the image. Image files must include all Gswiki:Policy required information as part of their caption on any and all articles featuring them. This can be done several ways, depending on how the image is displayed.

Alt text is a written description of what an image appears like. Alt text does not display with standard web browsers, however it is recognized by screen readers and is necessary them to dictate what the image looks like. While not required, all image files featured on articles are encouraged to use alt text.

Thumbnail vs Gallery

Thumbnails are a smaller preview version of an image. Thumbnails allow for more precise formatting of images within an article and are generally compatible with a wider variety of screen resolutions. Mediawiki will automatically resize an image for a thumbnail and include a link to the full size image.

To display a thumbnail image with a caption on an article: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|left|Caption text.|alt=Optional alt text.]]

In this example, 200px indicates that the thumbnail image displayed will be no larger than 200 pixels wide. "Left" indicates left alignment on the article; "right" and "center" can also be used. The caption text can support simple formatting, such as <br> to add a line break. The optional alt text field is intended to describe what the image actually looks like; it is not visible when viewing an article with standard web browsing software but is used by screen readers to indicate what an image looks like. While not required, alt text is strongly encouraged.

This image file display format is compatible with the character profile template used on many character articles. Optionally, the caption= field of the character profile template may also be used to display the caption text for an image file featured with the template.

One example of a thumbnail view is on the NPC Siduine's character article.

Galleries are a collection of images displayed together. Mediawiki supports image gallery formatting, which automatically creates scaling thumbnails based on the user's computer resolution. The thumbnails are linked to the individual full-sized images. Image galleries especially useful for articles featuring multiple related images, such as different portraits of the same character.

To display multiple images with captions as part of an image gallery: 

<gallery mode="packed">
Image:File1.jpg|Caption text.|alt=Optional alt text.
Image:File2.jpg|Caption text.|alt=Optional alt text.
Image:File3.jpg|Caption text.|alt=Optional alt text.
Image:File4.jpg|Caption text.|alt=Optional alt text.
</gallery>

One example of a gallery view is the Duskruin artwork category.

Regardless of how an image file is featured on an article, Gswiki:Policy requires certain information to be included in its caption. The required information varies slightly depending on the image classification. In cases where an image file falls under more than one classification type, it should include all the required information for all applicable types.

Copy/Paste Code

As Gswiki:Policy requirements vary depending on the image classification type, so does the potential copy/paste code. In some cases, the requirements also differ between the image file description text and the image's caption text on articles featuring it. Refer to each section for each image type's individual requirements.

The below copy/paste codes are examples of how this required information may be presented on the image file descriptions and on article image captions. Image file descriptions and article image captions are not required to be formatted in exactly this way, however Gswiki:Policy does require that all of the information presented for each type be included. The purpose of the copy/paste codes listed below is to assist editors who may be less familiar with those requirements so that images uploaded do not violate Gswiki:Policy.

Maps

  1. Maps should only be uploaded by the original creator or, in certain circumstances, the editor who updated the map to account for new areas.
  2. Maps should retain the original creator's name, and if the upload is an update to the map, note in the image itself who updated it and when: Updated by (name) on (date). This information should additionally be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used. If the image is added to a page by an editor who is not the uploader of the image, the editor must note that the image was used with permission in the caption of the image.
  3. Updated maps should be uploaded under a different image file name than the original map file.
  4. Maps that have been fully recreated may be treated as an original map file.

Examples

Image File Copy/Paste Code

Original map: 

Map of (location) by (name) on (date)

Updated map: 

Map of (location) <br>
Original map by (name) <br>
Updated by (name) on (date)

Updated maps must also include some variation of "Updated by (name) on (date)" visible on the image itself.

Article Caption Copy/Paste Code

Original map: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|right|Map of (location) by (name) on (date).|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Updated map: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|right|Map of (location).<br>Original map by (name).<br>Updated by (name) on (date).|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Commissioned Artwork

  1. Uploaded artwork that has been commissioned should notate on the file page if the image uploader is copyright holder, and if not, it should note the copyright holder and that permission was granted to upload. This information should additionally be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used. If the image is added to a page by an editor who is not the uploader of the image, the editor must note that the image was used with permission in the caption of the image.
  2. While not a requirement, attribution to artists who were commissioned is highly recommended. This may be done by notating the artist name, and providing an outgoing link to their portfolio. This may be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used.

Official Stillfront artwork, including portraits by Simutronics staff, is considered free use on the Gswiki. Players uploading unedited official portraits of their own characters featuring the full image with Stillfront, Simutronics, or Play.net watermark logos do not need to include any attribution information in either the image description or article image captions.

Examples

Image File Copy/Paste Code

Uploader owns the image copyright: 

Artwork of (character) <br>
Artist: (name) <br>
Website (optional): (optional website link) <br>
Uploader holds copyright.

Uploader does not own the image copyright: 

Artwork of (character) <br>
Artist: (name) <br>
Website (optional): (optional website link) <br>
Uploaded with permission.

Article Caption Copy/Paste Code

Uploader owns the image copyright: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by (optional name).<br>(optional website)<br>Uploader holds copyright.|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Uploader does not own the image copyright: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by (name).<br>(optional website)<br>Uploaded with permission.|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Non-Commissioned Artwork

  1. In most cases, non-commissioned artwork is not allowed unless it specifically falls under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike. Exceptions may be considered if the artist whose artwork is uploaded has provided explicit permission for their artwork to be published to the GSWiki.
  2. In all cases, attribution must be provided, including links to where the image was originally posted. This information should additionally be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used. If the image is added to a page by an editor who is not the uploader of the image, the editor must note that the image was used with permission in the caption of the image.

Examples

Image File Copy/Paste Code

The copy/paste code may vary depending on if the uploader is the artist or if the artwork is freely available for use, such as via Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0 Attribution-ShareAlike or BY-SA 4.0 Attribution-ShareAlike licenses.

Uploader is the artist: 

Artwork of (character) <br>
Art by uploader.

Uploader is not the artist: 

Artwork of (subject) <br>
Artist: (name) <br>
Website: (website link) <br>
Uploaded with permission per (license name and link)

Article Caption Copy/Paste Code

Uploader is the artist: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by uploader.|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Uploader is not the artist: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (subject) by (name).<br>Artwork from (website link).<br>Used with permission per (license name and link).|alt=Optional alt text.]]

AI-Generated Artwork

  1. AI artwork cannot be noted as copyrighted.
  2. When uploading, the file page should note that the artwork was AI-generated and which AI program was used. Attribution must also include credit to the person/user who prompted the image creation. This information should additionally be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used. If the image is added to a page by an editor who is not the uploader of the image, the editor must note that the image was used with permission in the caption of the image.
  3. If the image was generated by the prompts of a person who is not the uploader, that information must be included, along with permission to upload the image.
  4. In cases where the prompts for image generation are not automatically entered into the image's metadata, it is recommended to enter them on the file page.
  5. All AI artwork is required to have the [[Category:AI artwork]] added to the image file page.

Examples

Image File Copy/Paste Code

AI-generated image files must include all information for the applicable classification type (commissioned artwork, non-commissioned artwork, or header/logo image), plus the following: 

AI software: (software)
[[Category:AI artwork]]

Commissioned artwork with AI software used: 

Artwork of (character) <br>
Artist: (name) <br>
Website (optional): (optional website link) <br>
Uploaded with permission <br>
AI software: (AI software name)
[[Category:AI artwork]]

Non-commissioned artwork by the uploader with AI software used: 

Artwork of (character) <br>
Art by uploader <br>
AI software: (AI software name)
[[Category:AI artwork]]

Article Caption Copy/Paste Code

AI-generated image files must include all information for the applicable classification type (commissioned artwork, non-commissioned artwork, or header/logo image), plus the name of the AI software used. Unlike the image file description, the article caption should not include [[Category:AI artwork]].

Commissioned artwork with AI software used: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by (name).<br>Made with (AI software name).<br>(optional website link)<br>Uploaded with permission.|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Non-commissioned artwork by the uploader with AI software used: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by uploader.<br>Made with (AI software name).|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Logo or Header Images

  1. Logo/header images should retain the copyright and/or attribution on the image file page, however that is not necessary on any pages where the image is used.

Examples

Image Description Copy/Paste Code

Logo/header image files must include all information for the original file type (commissioned artwork, non-commissioned artwork, and AI-generated artwork). See each of those sections for their respective copy/paste code for image descriptions.

Article Caption Copy/Paste Code

Unlike all other image file types, logo/header images are not required to include a caption on articles featuring them. However, a caption may be included optionally with hover text. This is done by omitting the "thumb" parameter for the image file thumbnail code: 

[[Image:File.png|200px|right|Logo of (organization) by (name).  (Any additional information.)|alt=Optional alt text.]]

See Also

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