Comparing the Photo Environment in WP 3.5 and 3.4
9th Feb 2013 | Posted by Eko S. | 1 CommentWhen WordPress decided to upgrade from 3.4 to 3.5, WP developers also decided to enhance the photo uploading experience for the user. The user now finds it a completely hassle-free environment and can upload pictures with almost no problems. The fluidity with which the new upload works is really something every user will relish. Creating and editing galleries have also become easier.
#1: Upload screen looks cooler
WP 3.5 Screen that prompts the user to upload a photo/ create a gallery.
In contrast, below is the Add Media box one gets in WP 3.4. While the drag and upload function of WP 3.4 is retained in WP 3.5, it is tweaked for the better. WP 3.4’s nagging layout was not pleasing to my eye.
#2: Reordering images just got easier!
In WP 3.4, changing the order in which the photos appear involves working with a thumbnail and file name. Working with the image is a lot of more fun, there’s no doubt about that. Drag it into place, and viola, you have it in the order you want. I could see clearly how the gallery will look even as I was designing the gallery. Awesome!
Ordering pictures in a gallery in 3.5 (above) and 3.4 (below).
#3: Caption on the go!
Captioning also just got easier. Unlike WP 3.4 where one had to select an image and then type out the caption in the caption field, in WP 3.5 one has the freedom to change the caption right there. WordPress knows what this user exactly needed!
#4: One smooth move
Adding new photos and captioning them straightaway in one fluid move makes my life easier. How about yours?
#5: In any random order
WP 3.5 gives you the option of randomizing the order of the photos irrespective of their sizes/file names, etc.
#6: Get the right picture on your gallery cover
The gallery can now have a featured image. It could be one of the pictures in the gallery that stands apart (or) a photo that can explain the whole gallery. In a normal random picture gallery, the featured image may be quite redundant. But, in case of galleries with wedding pictures, or a sports match, the featured image becomes all too important – it could be a shot of the couple, or a photo of the winning team, or perhaps, the Player of the Match. Although it is just a small addition to WP 3.4, the featured image immediately adds liveliness to the blog.
Setting a featured image is also not a difficult task. In the edit gallery prompt box, the Set Featured Image option is on the left hand side. Select it and then select the desired picture. That’s it, job done.
Here is my gallery with a new featured image.
In contrast, see the Edit Gallery option in WP 3.4 below. As you can see, we have to work with just the file name and not many tweaking options are available here. Some options like the column number are retained in 3.5.
The gallery’s presentation can be re-organized but the experience is revamped in WP 3.5 (below).
Here’s a screenshot of WP 3.4’s look of the Gallery post. There is no option for featured image.
To sum it up, the good geeks at WordPress have put a lot of effort to improve the user’s experience in uploading pictures in to the blog and although the changes were minimal, they do give the user a better feel.
- Written by G Veda Vyass -
He is with blogVault, a premium WordPress Backup Service.
About The Author
