Blooncyclopedia:Screenshot guidelines: Difference between revisions

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This article describes Blooncyclopedia's guidelines for what screenshots are needed and how to take them. In general, screenshots should be used to showcase every unique aspect of the subject, and each screenshot should serve a distinct purpose to avoid crowding galleries with redundant screenshots.

==What screenshots are needed==

===''Bloons TD'' maps===

A screenshot should be used for every distinct element of the subject that cannot be represented more clearly with just text or another kind of image. As an example, for [[Sauda (BTD6)|Sauda]] in ''BTD6'', her gallery should have screenshots of:

Besides the infobox image, a map should only have extra screenshots if it has notable elements that can't be ~~communicated~~ with a single image, such as background objects that appear when clicked on or objects that can be interacted with. Maps in ''BTD6'' that don't change, such as [[Monkey Meadow (BTD6)|Monkey Meadow]], should only have screenshots for their seasonal reskins, and most maps in prior games really only need the infobox images~~. We don't need images of Quincy on every single map in the game~~.

*Her splash screen when unlocking her

*Her models at levels 1-2, 3-9, 10-19, and 20

*Her attacks and visual effects

*Her abilities in action

*Her Trophy Store cosmetics in action

We do not need screenshots of:

*Her portraits and ability icons (we have raw images of those already)

*Her description and level descriptions (we have raw text of those already)

*The same models and animations as before on different backgrounds (those are not distinct elements of the subject)

*Her with different buffs, unless they have particularly unique interactions

*Images not from ''BTD6'' (e.g. merchandise or [[The Story of Monkeys vs Bloons]])

===Specific cases===

====''Bloons TD'' maps====

Besides the infobox image, a map should only have extra screenshots if it has notable elements that can't be depicted with a single image, such as background objects that appear when clicked on or objects that can be interacted with. Maps in ''BTD6'' and ''Battles 2'' that don't change, such as [[Monkey Meadow (BTD6)|Monkey Meadow]] and [[Glade]], should only have screenshots for their seasonal reskins, and most maps in prior games really only need the infobox images.

===''Bloons'' levels===

====''Bloons'' levels====

~~Every level~~ in the {{series|Bloons}} ~~should have~~ a screenshot ~~of it for its infobox. The screenshots should be~~ of the default state of the ~~levels~~ prior to the player taking any actions.

Levels in the {{series|Bloons}} only need a screenshot of the default state of the level prior to the player taking any actions (unless the level has some message or symbol that only appears after doing certain actions, like [[Message Final]]). If the level has moving Bloons or [[Camo Bloon (Bloons 2)|Camo Bloon]], try to take it in a way that shows as many Bloons as possible.

===''Bloons Supermonkey'' levels===

====''Bloons Supermonkey'' levels====

~~Every level~~ in the {{series|Bloons Supermonkey}} should have ~~a screenshot of it for its infobox~~. The screenshot should be of a recognizable formation or setpiece within the level. Supermonkey should be as far out of the way as possible and have the least distracting upgrade/powerup loadout possible.

Levels in the {{series|Bloons Supermonkey}} should have multiple screenshots to showcase their unique patterns. The screenshot in the infobox should be of a particularly recognizable formation or setpiece within the level. Supermonkey should be as far out of the way as possible and have the least distracting upgrade/powerup loadout possible. Try to avoid popping any of the Bloons in the formations you want to take screenshots of.

==Resolution==

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*For games with variable resolutions (e.g. most mobile and PC games), any resolution is allowed, but higher resolutions (around 1080p) are preferred.

==~~Compositing~~==

==Composing screenshots==

*'''~~No overlays~~.~~''' Hide your~~ FPS counters ~~and~~ system controls.

*Screenshots shouldn't have any visual elements that aren't part of the game's rendered output. This includes FPS counters, system controls, operating system toolbars and taskbars, and external notifications.

*~~'''~~All cosmetics should be disabled~~'''~~, unless the screenshot is specifically to show ~~a cosmetic~~, in which case it should be the only ~~cosmetic~~ enabled.

*All cosmetics should be disabled (or set to default if that is not an option), unless the screenshot is specifically to show cosmetics, in which case they should be the only cosmetics enabled.

*If ~~your~~ screenshot is ~~being used~~ to ~~show~~ a ~~specific thing~~, such as a character animation, it should be cropped to focus on the subject. (The base screenshot you are cropping from should still follow the resolution guidelines described above.)

*If a screenshot is meant to demonstrate something that only takes up a small area of the screenshot, such as a character animation, it should be cropped to focus on the subject. (The base screenshot you are cropping from should still follow the resolution guidelines described above.)

*'~~''Besides cropping, screenshots should not~~ be ~~edited.''' This includes, but is not limited to:~~

*In cases where the background isn't required to be something specific (such as screenshots of towers in the {{series|Bloons TD}}), the background used is up to you, as long as it has a good contrast with the primary subject of the screenshot, isn't too noisy or distracting, and isn't taken with any foreground elements that obscure the subject. For example, you shouldn't be taking screenshots of an [[Ice Monkey]] on a snowy map or behind a tree.

**Rotating, flipping, scaling, or distorting

**Changing brightness or saturation

==Editing screenshots==

**Adding text, arrows, lines, circles, etc

The following modifications are allowed:

**Blurring

*Cropping screenshots to focus on a subject

**AI upscaling

*Combining multiple screenshots into one image if it makes sense to present information that way, such as for a collage or a [[:File:BCS Zee Jay Passive Enhancements 3.4 Bton.png|before/after comparison]].

*For games with selectable backgrounds (~~i.e.~~ the {{series|Bloons TD}}), the background used is up to ~~the one taking it~~, as long as it has a good contrast with the subject of the ~~image and~~ isn't too noisy or distracting. For example, you shouldn't ~~take~~ screenshots of ~~the~~ [[Ice Monkey]] on a snowy map.

*Editing out sensitive information, such as account IDs (ideally by blurring the text rather than drawing on top of it).

Otherwise, screenshots shouldn't be visually modified. Unacceptable modifications include, but are not limited to:

*Rotating, flipping, scaling, or distorting

*Changing brightness or saturation

*Adding text, arrows, lines, circles, etc

*Blurring

*AI upscaling

==Navigation==

[[Category:Wiki ~~guidelines~~]]

[[Category:Wiki policies]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+This article describes Blooncyclopedia's guidelines for what screenshots are needed and how to take them. In general, screenshots should be used to showcase every unique aspect of the subject, and each screenshot should serve a distinct purpose to avoid crowding galleries with redundant screenshots.
 ==What screenshots are needed==
-===''Bloons TD'' maps===
+A screenshot should be used for every distinct element of the subject that cannot be represented more clearly with just text or another kind of image. As an example, for [[Sauda (BTD6)|Sauda]] in ''BTD6'', her gallery should have screenshots of:
-Besides the infobox image, a map should only have extra screenshots if it has notable elements that can't be communicated with a single image, such as background objects that appear when clicked on or objects that can be interacted with. Maps in ''BTD6'' that don't change, such as [[Monkey Meadow (BTD6)|Monkey Meadow]], should only have screenshots for their seasonal reskins, and most maps in prior games really only need the infobox images. We don't need images of Quincy on every single map in the game.
+*Her splash screen when unlocking her
+*Her models at levels 1-2, 3-9, 10-19, and 20
+*Her attacks and visual effects
+*Her abilities in action
+*Her Trophy Store cosmetics in action
+We do not need screenshots of:
+*Her portraits and ability icons (we have raw images of those already)
+*Her description and level descriptions (we have raw text of those already)
+*The same models and animations as before on different backgrounds (those are not distinct elements of the subject)
+*Her with different buffs, unless they have particularly unique interactions
+*Images not from ''BTD6'' (e.g. merchandise or [[The Story of Monkeys vs Bloons]])
+===Specific cases===
+====''Bloons TD'' maps====
+Besides the infobox image, a map should only have extra screenshots if it has notable elements that can't be depicted with a single image, such as background objects that appear when clicked on or objects that can be interacted with. Maps in ''BTD6'' and ''Battles 2'' that don't change, such as [[Monkey Meadow (BTD6)|Monkey Meadow]] and [[Glade]], should only have screenshots for their seasonal reskins, and most maps in prior games really only need the infobox images.
-===''Bloons'' levels===
+====''Bloons'' levels====
-Every level in the {{series|Bloons}} should have a screenshot of it for its infobox. The screenshots should be of the default state of the levels prior to the player taking any actions.
+Levels in the {{series|Bloons}} only need a screenshot of the default state of the level prior to the player taking any actions (unless the level has some message or symbol that only appears after doing certain actions, like [[Message Final]]). If the level has moving Bloons or [[Camo Bloon (Bloons 2)|Camo Bloon]], try to take it in a way that shows as many Bloons as possible.
-===''Bloons Supermonkey'' levels===
+====''Bloons Supermonkey'' levels====
-Every level in the {{series|Bloons Supermonkey}} should have a screenshot of it for its infobox. The screenshot should be of a recognizable formation or setpiece within the level. Supermonkey should be as far out of the way as possible and have the least distracting upgrade/powerup loadout possible.
+Levels in the {{series|Bloons Supermonkey}} should have multiple screenshots to showcase their unique patterns. The screenshot in the infobox should be of a particularly recognizable formation or setpiece within the level. Supermonkey should be as far out of the way as possible and have the least distracting upgrade/powerup loadout possible. Try to avoid popping any of the Bloons in the formations you want to take screenshots of.
 ==Resolution==
@@ Line 13: / Line 30: @@
 *For games with variable resolutions (e.g. most mobile and PC games), any resolution is allowed, but higher resolutions (around 1080p) are preferred.
-==Compositing==
+==Composing screenshots==
-*'''No overlays.''' Hide your FPS counters and system controls.
+*Screenshots shouldn't have any visual elements that aren't part of the game's rendered output. This includes FPS counters, system controls, operating system toolbars and taskbars, and external notifications.
-*'''All cosmetics should be disabled''', unless the screenshot is specifically to show a cosmetic, in which case it should be the only cosmetic enabled.
+*All cosmetics should be disabled (or set to default if that is not an option), unless the screenshot is specifically to show cosmetics, in which case they should be the only cosmetics enabled.
-*If your screenshot is being used to show a specific thing, such as a character animation, it should be cropped to focus on the subject. (The base screenshot you are cropping from should still follow the resolution guidelines described above.)
+*If a screenshot is meant to demonstrate something that only takes up a small area of the screenshot, such as a character animation, it should be cropped to focus on the subject. (The base screenshot you are cropping from should still follow the resolution guidelines described above.)
-*'''Besides cropping, screenshots should not be edited.''' This includes, but is not limited to:
+*In cases where the background isn't required to be something specific (such as screenshots of towers in the {{series|Bloons TD}}), the background used is up to you, as long as it has a good contrast with the primary subject of the screenshot, isn't too noisy or distracting, and isn't taken with any foreground elements that obscure the subject. For example, you shouldn't be taking screenshots of an [[Ice Monkey]] on a snowy map or behind a tree.
-**Rotating, flipping, scaling, or distorting
-**Changing brightness or saturation
+==Editing screenshots==
-**Adding text, arrows, lines, circles, etc
+The following modifications are allowed:
-**Blurring
+*Cropping screenshots to focus on a subject
-**AI upscaling
+*Combining multiple screenshots into one image if it makes sense to present information that way, such as for a collage or a [[:File:BCS Zee Jay Passive Enhancements 3.4 Bton.png|before/after comparison]].
-*For games with selectable backgrounds (i.e. the {{series|Bloons TD}}), the background used is up to the one taking it, as long as it has a good contrast with the subject of the image and isn't too noisy or distracting. For example, you shouldn't take screenshots of the [[Ice Monkey]] on a snowy map.
+*Editing out sensitive information, such as account IDs (ideally by blurring the text rather than drawing on top of it).
+Otherwise, screenshots shouldn't be visually modified. Unacceptable modifications include, but are not limited to:
+*Rotating, flipping, scaling, or distorting
+*Changing brightness or saturation
+*Adding text, arrows, lines, circles, etc
+*Blurring
+*AI upscaling
 ==Navigation==
 {{blooncyclopedia nav}}
-[[Category:Wiki guidelines]]
+[[Category:Wiki policies]]