ABC Image Browser E-mail Wizard Tutorial

The Email Optimization Wizard prepares your photos to be sent across the web via e-mail. To do this, it checks the size of your image and, if necessary, shrinks it down so that it can be uploaded and downloaded faster. In some cases, the wizard even converts the image to a different, more compact format. If you have ever had to walk away from your computer while you waited for a large photo to download because someone e-mailed it to you full-sized, then this Wizard is for... them. But, if you have ever been on the sending end of such an e-mail, then the Wizard is for you, also. Below are some steps that will help you get started using this new feature.

To use the Email Wizard, you must have images to send. Open an image folder the normal way. (The folder can be local or a Web Folder.) Select one or more images in a single image folder. Hold [Ctrl] or [Shift] to select more than one image.

2. Open the "Email Optimization Wizard" window.

On the left side of every folder tool bar is a button that resembles an envelope and a letter . Click it to open the "Email Optimization Wizard" window. After you have added all the files you want to share to the list, click the "Next" button.

If you would like to add more images, from the same folder or a different one, click "Add More Files" then repeat steps 1 and 2.

3. Choose the File Size

This window asks you about your Internet connection speed. Your answer determines how large or small the files will become before they are sent via e-mail. Ultimately, you can choose whichever setting you want regardless of your actual Internet connection speed, or you may choose to leave the images as they are by clicking the checkbox labeled "Do not resize the images." After making your selection, click the "Next" button.

4. Choose your E-Mail Method

The E-mail Wizard can use your default e-mail application (usually Outlook Express) or any web-based mail service such as Hotmail. For this part of the tutorial, we will choose the "Default Application". (Click here if you use a web-based service.) After making your selection, click the "Next" button.

5. Confirm your Selections

This window is mostly self-explanatory; it shows you the choices you have made and offers you an opportunity to go back and change them. If you would like to see the results of the optimization, check "Show me the results after the optimization." When you are ready, click "Finish".

6. View Results of Optimization (Optional)

This window will appear only if you have chosen to view the results of the optimization. It is important to note that in this case the e-mail has not been sent yet. At this point you can still go back and make changes or click "Send Email".

7. Finalize and Send Email

After clicking "Finish" (in step 5) or "Send Email" (in step 6) your default E-mail application will open. In our case, we will have an Outlook Express window appear. Whichever application you use, you will have to choose who you want to send the e-mail to. You can also add to the message, add more attachments, and change the message subject. When ready, simply send the e-mail. When the e-mail has been sent, the application should close and return you to the ABC Image Browser Email Optimization Wizard.

That's it! You have just optimized and e-mailed some images! You may close the Email Wizard.

Web-Based E-mail (Yahoo!, Hotmail, etc.)

ABC Image Browser also works with web-based e-mail services. Follow the steps below if you use one of these services.

1. Choose your E-Mail Method

Repeat steps 1 through 4 from above, but this time choose "Web Browser" instead of "Default Application". You will receive a warning message if you are trying to send more than 3 images since many e-mail services do not allow more than 3 attachments at a time. You can still proceed despite this message, but you may have to send multiple e-mails.

2. Enter Extended Information

When using a web browser to send e-mail, the Wizard needs to know where to store the temporary image files that you will be sending. This should be a location that is easy for you to remember so that you can find it again using your web browser. The wizard also needs to know the URL of your e-mail service provider so that it can open your web browser to this page after the images have been optimized.

3. Confirm your Selections

This window is basically the same as in step 5 above; it shows you the choices you have made and offers you an opportunity to go back and change them. If you would like to see the results of the optimization, check "Show me the results after the optimization." When you are ready, click "Finish".

4. View Results of Optimization (Optional)

This window will appear only if you have chosen to view the results of the optimization. The e-mail has not been sent yet. You can still go back and make changes or click "Send Email".

5. Open Web Browser and Send Email

After clicking "Finish" (in step 5) or "Send Email" (in step 6) your web browser should open to the web page URL entered in step 2 above. In our case, we will have an Internet Explorer window open and take us to the Yahoo! Mail web site. Use your e-mail service as usual to create a new message. There should be an option to "add a file attachment" or something similar. There will be a browse button that opens up a window that lets you select a file to use as the attachment. You will need to locate one of the optimized files. You will have to add each file separately, and you may even have to send multiple emails. When the e-mail has been sent, you will have to return to ABC Image Browser. (Your web browser wont return you to ABC Image Browser.)

6. Empty or Explore the Temporary Folder (Optional)

After you have returned to ABC Image Browser from your Web Browser, you will see a window that reminds you where the optimized files are. The window provides an option to delete all of the temporary files in this folder. (Don't empty the folder until all files have been e-mailed.) You also have the option of opening the folder in the Windows File Explorer.

That's it! You have just optimized and e-mailed some images using your Web Browser! You may close the Email Wizard.