Uploading Files & File Approval

[archibalduk]

If you have any questions/problems/suggestions regarding the Downloads Database please ask them in the announce thread located in the Announcements and Feedback Forum.

Please note: Once you have successfully uploaded your file, the site will automatically notify the Moderating Team. There is therefore no need to inform a Mod that you have uploaded a file. Every uploaded file needs to be approved after it has been uploaded in order for it to appear on the site - so it will appear online once a Mod has verified it.

Please note (2): There is a file size upload limit of approximately 2.9mb. If you wish to upload a larger file then please use a site such as yousendit.com or rapidshare.com and notify a Mod (e.g. Archibalduk). We will then host it on our SkyDrive account and add it to the TBL Downloads Database.

Uploading files is very straightforward with the new Downloads Database that we're using (called paFileDB). To upload a file, go to the Downloads Database and navigate to the category that your file belongs to (e.g. the 'Facepacks' category). Click on the Upload a file to this category › link in the top right hand corner of the page.

This brings you to the Upload Page. Fill in the appropriate details on this page. There are certain compulsory details that you must fill in:

• File Name
• Short Description
• Long Description
• Creator/Author
• Post Icon - this is the icon that represents what type of file you are uploading (see below for a guide on the icons)
• Category - ensure that the correct category or sub-category has been selected in the box
• File Upload - click on the 'Browse' button to locate the file on your computer to upload

If you wish, you can also add:

• File Version
• A link to documentation about the file to be uploaded
• Screenshot - you either link to a picture located in your Image Gallery or you can upload an image from your computer
• Associated File - if the file should be used in conjunction with another addon then please enter the name of the addon

Once you have entered all of the information required (and any extra information you choose), click the 'Add File' button at the bottom of the page. Please wait whilst your file is uploaded to the server. If the file is large, it may take some time. It will also take time if you have a slow internet connection. You will then be notified that your file has been successfully uploaded.


A Guide to the Post Icons

- Config file
- Facepack
- Graphics displayed in the News Screen of EHM (e.g. the News Jerseys)
- Logo pack
- Official file (e.g. patches & demos)
- Rink graphics
- Roster update
- Skin
- Elements and addons for skins
- Tactics
- Template for designing a graphical element for EHM
- Tutorial
- Utility

- Miscelleneous/Generic file

- Image/Graphics file
- Adobe PDF document
- Spreadsheet (e.g. MS Excel)
- Text file (e.g. MS Word)

[Minstrel]

One reason you need to message me after adding a project to the upload area is that every file that is approved for our server to be shared with the TBL Community must meet some simple standards.

In the most basic sense they have to "clear" the following questions, in this basic order:

1. Would I want to have these in my game or will they 'bring down' the look of my game?
2. Has the author taken his time to present the best work possible or does it look like the project could have been better if more time was taken?
3. Has this been tested in the game? If I test it out and portions don't display or are cut off, files are named incorrectly etc. you'll be asked to test your project and reupload when you have the issues solved.
4. Is it something that hasn't already been done? This isn't to say we won't post multiple projects using the same "display space" but there is no need for example to upload NHL team logos as they come with the game, or a set of team logo ices when there is already a set of team logo ices on the server.

Preferably as well the file should include a text file that tells people how to install the project and get it working in their game, possibly give them additional information on the project. If you want to, feel free to just refer people to the Forum: use the following (it is a redirecting link) in text files to provide people with a 'What Goes Where' Guide link.

http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/whatgoeswhere

I handle all files myself as I have the most experience with the projects, and if you ever want my help with a project just post a thread here for people to look at or even message or email me.

Understand the above questions aren't intended to mean "A project must like like it was done by a graphics professional from Pixar Labs to be accepted."

I understand 'design decisions' and that people with less experience with graphics tools may not have as much 'polish' to their first projects, but everyone can and should take the time to produce the best possible work and test it in the game. That is all we are asking and believe me it is very easy to tell when people have just thrown together a project and when they've tried to do their best.

-Minty

[Minstrel]

Also, don't forget to remove any thumbs.db files before packing your files for uploading. These files are not needed for users to succesfully use your files. They only inflate the size of downloads causing them to use more bandwith and take longer to download especially for dialup users.

[archibalduk]

When uploading files to the server, please ensure that the file you upload does not have any spaces in its filename. If there are spaces in the file's name then users will encounter problems when trying to download your file (it will not download with the correct file extension). Replace any spaces with either an underscore or a dash. For example: "North_American_Facepack.zip" and "North-American-Facepack.zip" are both acceptable filenames whereas "North American Facepack.zip" is unacceptable because it has spaces in it.

I have added this note to the section of the site where users can upload their EHM addons.

[archibalduk]

The above details have been updated as they were previously out of date.

Please note that we have imposed a file size limit of approx 2.9mb. This is so as to reduce bandwidth and storage space. If you wish to upload a file larger than 2.9mb then please upload it to something like yousendit.com or rapidshare.com and notify me via PM (also provide me with a file description). I will then upload the file to our SkyDrive account and will add it to the TBL Downloads Database.