Compound objects [Tiers 2-3]

With compound objects, you can combine and sequence multiple image files associated with the same metadata record in a single item. On JSTOR, compound objects will appear as an item which users can navigate within to see each file associated with the record in the order it’s defined.

Some examples of when you might want to create a compound object include:

• The front and back of a postcard
• A calendar
• Multiple views of a sculpture
• Architectural views
• Handwritten documents or manuscripts with multiple pages

Creating compound objects

From a single item

To create a compound object from an existing record:

1. In your project, edit an existing item.
2. Open the Edit Media drop-down menu and choose Add Media.
3. Select the images you want to add to the record and then select Upload.
4. After adding at least two images to a metadata record, you will have access to a new Related objects tab when editing an item.
   • To re-order and/or sequence images, drag and drop image thumbnails and save the item.
   • To view the related images while editing an item, use the Next and Previous arrows in the media viewer.

In bulk (from a metadata spreadsheet)

To create one or more compound objects in bulk starting with a spreadsheet containing your metadata:

1. In your project, open the Add drop-down menu and select Import Metadata.
2. Browse to and select your metadata spreadsheet and select Upload.
   • For each compound object, there should be one (1) row in your spreadsheet containing the object metadata and the filename of the first media file in the object only. (ex. "fish_001.jpg")
   • See Creating, editing, and deleting data using Excel for full instructions for batch item creation with Excel.
3. Once your new records are created, open the Add drop-down menu and select Upload Media.
4. Browse to and select the corresponding media files. Ensure your files follow the following filename syntax to identify and sequence the files associated with the same record. Each filename should consist of three parts:
   • Base filename
     • Must be identical for all related files in the object.
     • Should not be used for unrelated records within the same collection.
     • Filenames are case sensitive.
   • Sequence number
     • One or more sequential numbers. (Ex. 001, 002, etc.)
     • May be any number of digits.
   • File extension
     • Current supported file types are .jpg, .jpeg, .tif, .tiff, .jp2, .gif
   • Example:
     • fish_001.jpg
     • fish_002.jpg
     • fish_003.jpg
5. Select Group by Filename to aggregate the files based on filenames and select Upload.
   • All uploaded media files matching the base filename contained in your spreadsheet (ex. "fish") will be associated with the metadata in this row automatically. The sequence numbers in the media filenames (ex. "_001", "_002") will determine their order within the compound object.

Once the media files are uploaded, you'll have access to a Related objects tab when editing a compound object.

• To re-order and/or sequence images, drag and drop image thumbnails and save the item.
• To view the related images while editing an item, use the Next and Previous arrows in the media viewer.

In bulk (from media files)

To create one or more compound objects in bulk starting with a batch of media files:

1. In your project, open the Add drop-down menu and select Upload Media.
2. Browse to and select all corresponding image files for one or more compound objects. Use the following filename syntax to identify and sequence the files associated with the same record. Each filename should consist of three parts:
   • Base filename
     • Must be identical for all related files in the object.
     • Should not be used for unrelated records within the same collection.
     • Filenames are case sensitive.
   • Sequence number
     • One or more sequential numbers. (Ex. 001, 002, etc.)
     • May be any number of digits.
   • File extension
     • Current supported file types are .jpg, .jpeg, .tif, .tiff, .jp2, .gif
   • Example:
     • fish_001.jpg
     • fish_002.jpg
     • fish_003.jpg
3. Select Group by Filename to aggregate the files based on filenames and select Upload.

Once the media files are uploaded, you'll have access to a Related objects tab when editing a compound object.

• To re-order and/or sequence images, drag and drop image thumbnails and save the item.
• To view the related images while editing an item, use the Next and Previous arrows in the media viewer.

Sequencing related images

To reorder images within a compound object:

1. Edit a compound object and select the Related objects tab.
2. Drag and drop image thumbnails to reorder them.
   • For keyboard controls, tab to select the Reorder item button for the thumbnail you'd like to reorder and then use the arrow keys to move it. Press Enter to confirm the new position.
3. Select Save or Save & Close to save your changes.

Deleting related images

To delete an image from a compound object:

1. Edit a compound object and select the Related objects tab.
2. Select one or more image thumbnails and then select Delete.
3. Select Save or Save & Close to save your changes.