The Sims Wiki:Image guidelines

This guideline outlines good practices to use for images uploaded to, and steps that can be taken to make them display better and/or become lighter for download. To upload image files, visit Special:Upload.

Image usage and layout
Images make an article memorable and pretty. They can speak where words fail. At the same time, misplaced or untidy images can detract from an article. When choosing images, keep in mind placement, size, and the appropriateness of the image to the section. Let images flow with the text instead of break it up.

Almost all images (especially screenshots) should use the "thumb" (example: ) option which displays large images as thumbnails. Images should generally be right aligned to enhance readability by allowing a smooth flow of text down the left margin - the "thumb" option does this by default. If an infobox is not being used in an article, a right aligned picture in the lead section is encouraged.

For general information on wiki images, see the MetaWiki page on images and other uploaded files.

Galleries
When an article has many images, or can be improved by having more, and having inline images detract from the readability of an articles, the use of a  section is encouraged.


 * See also
 * Detailed list of gallery parameter

Adding image to pages
To include the image in a page:
 *  File.png 
 *  [[File:File.jpg]]  for a direct link

For more methods of showing or linking images, see Help:Images and Help:Navigational image.

Transparency
Images that require transparency should use the PNG file format. GIFs also handle transparency, but they do not allow smooth shading (anti-aliasing) of edges, and they only support 256 colors.

Screenshot content
Game screenshots are "photo" like in appearance, and rectangular (do not need shading). The JPG file format works well for these as they tend to be fairly sizeable and JPG compression brings them down to manageable sizes.


 * Location pictures should...
 * Show no user interface
 * Not show any characters
 * Show no logos or watermarks
 * Example location


 * Item screenshots should...
 * Not contain player's names
 * Be cropped to the item's shape or position
 * Example item


 * Sim headshots should...
 * Show a single image of the Sim
 * Focus on the head and shoulders
 * Their clothing, hair, etc. should be unchanged
 * Show no user interface
 * Not show any other characters
 * Show a minimum of background, preferably a solid black or white
 * Example headshot


 * Sim portraits should...
 * Show the Sim from head to toe
 * Show no user interface
 * Show no logos or watermarks
 * Be cropped to the character's shape
 * Their clothing, hair, etc. should be unchanged
 * Not show any other characters
 * Example portrait

Compression levels
For the majority of images, the maximum size should be 500 kB. If yours is larger, it should be compressed or cropped (unless it really benefits from being large and high quality).
 * JPG: Compression levels of 80-85% normally do the job. In no case should you ever have to go above 90%; the minimal increase in image quality does not outweigh the increased file size.
 * PNG: Reducing the number of unique colors in the picture will make PNG files much smaller.

Resolution

 * Crop non-landscape images to show the important areas.
 * Do not upload huge images - try to keep to about 1280x960 as a reasonable upper size limit.
 * Do not blow up small images to larger sizes without good reason - as this can detract from their overall quality.

Categorization
Images should be categorized into image-specific categories (images should not be in the same category as articles) and always belong to at least two categories: One by license and one by content. Note that the license category is automatically added by the license template.

The Image category should only be used as a last resort, if the image does not belong anywhere else. It is currently filled with images which need not be there. You are welcome to help clear them out.

It's always a good idea to preview a category to see if your image fits there.

Images from the Sims games
Here's a list of the most usual categories where an image from the Sims games might belong:


 * For headshots and images with only one Sim.
 * Category:Images of Sims 1 Sims
 * Category:Images of Sims 2 Sims
 * Category:Images of Sims 3 Sims
 * Category:Images of World Adventures Sims
 * Category:Images of Ambitions Sims
 * Category:Images of Late Night Sims
 * Category:Images of console Sims


 * For families and family trees.
 * Category:Family images
 * Category:Family trees


 * For images of lots.
 * Category:Images of The Sims 1 lots
 * Category:Images of The Sims 2 lots
 * Category:Images of The Sims 3 lots
 * Category:Images of World Adventures lots
 * Category:Images of Ambitions lots
 * Category:Images of Late Night lots
 * Category:Images of lots (If it doesn't fit in the other lot categories)


 * Other minor images.
 * Category:Images of objects
 * Category:Moodlet images & Category:Moodlet images no frame
 * Category:Trait images
 * Category:Box art Only for OFFICIAL box art.
 * Category:Logos (also for games icons) Only for OFFICIAL logos.

These are pretty big categories, which consist of just about everything else. This is for screenshots from inside the game, this can be anything from images of interactions to images of performing actions.
 * Screenshots.
 * Category:Bustin' Out screenshots
 * Category:Console screenshots
 * Category:Life Stories snapshots
 * Category:Pet Stories snapshots
 * Category:The Urbz images
 * Category:Sims 1 snapshots
 * Category:Sims 2 snapshots
 * Category:Sims 3 snapshots

Images not from the Sims games
Images not from the Sims games are mostly user files, used to spice up user pages. Remember that the image must be under a free license such a Creative Commons or GNU. "I found it somewhere" or "I can't remember where I got it" are not valid excuses for a license and such images will be deleted.
 * Category:User files