I was just asked if there was a post that told about Cropdog.com; so, I started searching for that post. After some searching I realized, there wasn't a post. (My BAD!) It is about time I let you all in on the excitement!
If you attended one of the few conventions we've been to this year, you got a little glimpse of our new digital "Mosaic Moments" program. We call it Cropdog.com.
Cropdog is currently in a closed beta (aka INVITATION ONLY) phase. We've just begun allowing a small select group to access the site. If you want to be part of that group you can go to our site and request an invitation. Go to: cropdog.com
a little about the site...
Cropdog was designed by me, Tami Potter, and is based on the Mosaic Moments™ Page Design System. It is FREE to register for an account. You don't have to purchase the program and all updates are done automatically so you don't have to purchase updates or upgrades.
Pages you create are stored on the Cropdog.com site until you delete them. We start each member with 2 GB of photo upload space. There are fees for ordering prints and for exporting pages to your own computer (so you can have them printed at the location of your choice.) With each purchase members are given additional storage space.
Currently the fee for exporting is $3.00 per page. Those who plan to make hundreds of pages will be happy to know that we are working to introduce a paid subscription plan that will allow them to export their pages at a reduced rate.
What's inside the Cropdog Program?
Each member will have a "Home/ My Projects" page. Here is an example of a home page with several projects started - you might recognize some of the pages :)
If you noticed the short but wide page in the top right spot above, it is shaped specifically for Facebook users. This shape creates a design specifically for your facebook cover. Designing a new facebook cover and sending it to your facebook account is FREE. (Free means we don't charge anything for this service.) The cover images are "tagged" with the word: cropdog.com. (Hopefully you don't mind letting your friends know how you made your cool new cover image.)
STARTING A NEW PROJECT
On your home page you will click either "Start New Project" or "Add New Project." and a POP-UP screen will open for you to select a project size.
Note: Cropdog.com uses a lot of POP-UP screens for various functions - so, be sure you allow POP-UPs for this site.
The current options include: 12x12, 8.5x11 in either portrait or landscape, 8x8, 8x10 landscape, and Facebook Cover. At some point I will show you a "fancy image" when you select each size - for now, well, we are sticking with the basics.
After you select the size, you need to click on the Begin Project Button at the bottom of the pop up screen. That will open a new window - we call it the Application Window - it is where you do all of your creative stuff.
When the window opens it will be on STEP ONE - Choose a Pattern. You will see lots of pattern options sorted by the maximum number of images that can be "assigned" to the page.
You can choose a pattern or you can skip to step 2 (choose photos) by clicking the "Step 2" button at the top of the screen.
With this POP UP you will upload photos from your own computer. Additional options such as uploading from Flicker® and Instagram®, are in the works but not yet available. You can upload your photos from Facebook® - though you should keep in mind that Facebook® images are low resolution images.
Another option is to load images from "MY PROJECTS" - if you have loaded images in one project (say a 12x12 page project) and you decide that you want to make a facebook cover with those images, you can start a new project (facebook cover size) and use this option to collect those previously uploaded images.
When you select UPLOAD PHOTOS you will see this screen:
To upload your images, either drag your photo files to the center of the POP UP screen (20 OR LESS at a time.) OR click the Add Files button to select photo files from a list.
Once the desired photos have been uploaded to the Cropdog.com site, you will automatically be transferred to STEP 3 Design Page.
Your photos will be displayed in the left side menu. Now it is time to drag and drop them into place on the pattern. Each pattern has color areas in either solid or mosaic style cuts. Each color represents the area the photo will fill when it is dropped into place. (Colored Shapes are NOT MATS - they are guides. They will not show on your finished page.)
Image below: See a couple of images dropped into the above pattern.
Once you have finished a page you can choose to Export it or Order a Print - just click on Step 4 Order/Export.
ORDER/EXPORT is also SHARE - this is where you need to click to add that new cover to your facebook page.
When you click on SHARE facebook is going to ask you to answer some scary questions. Like do you want to give Cropdog.com permission to sell one of your kidneys. (Okay, I might be exaggerating a little.)
But, Seriously they could word this stuff a little better -
We do not collect your info - or your friends info. We do not post stuff on your friends walls. In fact, Cropdog will do nothing unless YOU tell it to. And, the only thing Cropdog will allow you to do is post the pages YOU created to YOUR WALL.
Hope that eases your mind when those scary questions pop up. :)
So, Now it is up to you. We'd love for you to come and enjoy playing with our fun new toy. Go to Cropdog.com. Click the button that says "REQUEST AN INVITATION" and we will send you a link to register.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR MAIL right away - and make sure our response didn't hit the JUNK box instead of the in box. (Add us to your safe list - we promise not to send you e-mails every day. Because as much as I love Bath and Body Shop - I just don't need to buy soap or even think about buying soap everyday!)
If you have any additional questions I'd love to answer them - just let me know. If you get inside and you feel like "something is missing here" - we are working on MANY additional features and we would love to hear which features you want the most.
You can post a comment here, or once you register you can send me a message (just click "Contact Us".) or you can comment on our cropdog facebook page - CROPDOG FACEBOOK CLICK HERE and be sure to LIKE our cropdog facebook page while you are there!
Happy Croppin!
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