Posted by Steve on 11/27/06 16:37

so this is not really about watermarking at all, right? you want to merge
two images and show the composite. is this a more accurate
description/interpretation?

there is much to consider that you haven't mentioned. specifically do they
simply overlap or should they merge at an intersection or defined point,
must they be of the same size, if not same size then which size should be
used, any cropping going on, what of aspect ratios, what of transparency
levels, etc.?

as for the html output, stay away from using frames! they aren't needed here
anyway. display the images from each directory in a scrollable div and give
a thumbnail of each. when two of them are selected, use dhtml and insert an
img in a third div...the src of which may resemble:

image.combine.php?images[]=one.image.jpg&images[]=another.image.gif

the image.combine.php script just takes the images array from the query
string and uses the gd library functions to return the composite. you can
just as easily avoid using javascript by submitting the selected image names
via a form rather than using dhtml and javascript.

you may want to look up these functions in the php help files or googling
them for examples on the web:

imagecreatefromstring
imagecopymerge

if you intend to have the composite 'watermarked' in the traditional sense
(as in stamping PROOF across a primary image), then do NOT rely on
overlaying a div over a div!!! this is not secure in the least and is
rediculously easy to hack...and retrieve a perfectly beautiful non-proofed
primary image.

depending on how involved you intend the user interface to be and how you
answer my initial questions above, the time to produce such a script would
range between an hour to a couple of days (most of that would be testing).
none of this is difficult. i wouldn't pay more than $100 usd to have someone
do it for you.

hth,

me


"Danny Boy" <snipsnapsnut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4t0fr4F11g1p2U1@mid.individual.net...
| Hello all,
|
| I know nothing about php, but a great deal of html and CSS. I usually
| hire php developers when I need one, but I want to have a basic
| understanding of the possibilities, problems and the amount of work
| involved.
|
| This time, I am investigating the possibilities to merge two different
| images into one, i.e. on top of each other. The proceeding I have in
| mind is something like this:
|
| User select one color image from one directory, i.e. some artwork. He
| then selects the frame he like to have the artwork in. All various
| frames are also color images, but with a white canvas. When he clicks
| "OK", the two images should merge so that the artwork shows inside the
| frame.
|
| If I may add to the wish list, the script should also be able to
| memorize both the id of the artwork and the frame to use e.g. when
| returning to the URL later, or for input into a shopping cart where the
| two parameters should be defined.
|
| I think this might be doable using the various watermark scripts, but
| have really no idea. Suggestions or tips on how this might be done would
| be appreciated, as would some estimation about time consumption and the
| skill level required from the programmer.
|
| But there might also be another way to solve this - I think. To put the
| frame image onto the page, and then draw up a "layer" (absolutely
| positioned div) containing the artwork on top of the frame image.
|
| Any thoughts, ideas, warnings, suggestions are more than welcome. In
| case someone can steer me to an already existing application that's for
| sale (or free...), that would also be appreciated.
|
| Cheers,
| Danny

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