The Template Configuration Window is where you can preview the template and configure many of the settings and features.

Accessing the Template Configuration Window (TCW)

Click Configure › Sites › the site you want to edit › Advanced › Change › click on the template thumbnail in the upper left corner › choose the appropriate template

Using the TCW

• Within the TCW, you will see multiple accordion bars in the left column
• Within each bar are areas where you can make changes, insert URLs, apply logos, etc
• Enter the appropriate information and then click Save & Preview to view your changes
• To publish updates you have made, click Publish & Exit
• If you are an existing Blackboard client and are not yet ready to go public with your new template, do NOT click Publish & Exit, as that will apply the new template to your website
• If you want to make changes after the new template is live, you can still click Save & Preview to preview your changes, but then you can also click Publish & Exit to make your changes live

Unexpected Character Error

Some characters are not accepted in the TCW. We suggest you add one URL at a time and click save and preview during setup to ensure URLs are accepted. If you receive an error message, use tinyurl.com/app to create a simplified url for your link destination.

Setting Colors

Each template comes with varying levels of configuration. As a rule of thumb, if a particular area has a color, then that color can be changed. There are some circumstances, however, where white or light gray areas are not configurable. This has been done intentionally as part of the overall design aesthetic. We suggest that you preview the template before licensing to ensure it will be a perfect fit for your organization. 

• Videos need to be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
• A 16:9 aspect ratio is recommended
  • 720p has dimensions of 1280 x 720 (16:9)
  • 1080p has dimensions of 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
• There is no limit or minimum for video length
• If text is included in the video, keep it centrally located and avoid placing it close to the edge of the video
  • On some monitors a small portion of the video may be cropped at the top or bottom due to the responsive nature of the site
  • On some templates, content may overlay the video. Keep your template layout in mind if including text as part of your video
• If your video includes sound, turning on the volume control button is recommended
  • The user can still control volume via their computer, but the video volume control button turns sound on/off for the video only, rather than all computer sound

Uploading imagery/graphics to a folder will make them available for application in the Template Configuration Window.

Image Dimensions
• Logo (Only) Dimensions: Max width of 520PX x flexible height
• Logo (+ Site Name/Tagline) Dimensions: Max width of 220PX x flexible height 
• Global Icon Dimensions: 30PX width x 30PX height
• Watermark Dimensions (Behind content in region A): 500PX width x 500PX height
• Regions A | Headline Accent Image Dimensions: 130PX width x 100PX height (Dimensions are flexible, but these are recommended)
• Region B | Multimedia Gallery Photo Dimensions: 1000PX width x 500PX height
• Regions C and F | Headline Accent Image Dimensions: 781PX width x 547PX height (Height is flexible, but all images should have a consistent height)
• Regions C and F | MMG Collage Vertical Dimensions: 320PX width x 402PX height (Images MUST be sized to exact dimensions)
• Regions C and F | MMG Collage Horizontal Dimensions: 430PX width x 250PX height (Images MUST be sized to exact dimensions)
• Regions D | Headline Accent Image Dimensions: 175PX width x 130PX height (Dimensions are flexible, but these are recommended)
• Regions E | Headline Accent Image Dimensions: 130PX width x 100PX height (Dimensions are flexible, but these are recommended)
• Background Image Dimensions (Regions D and E): 1500PX width x 915PX height

Important Image Naming and File Size Recommendations

• We recommend that you avoid using spaces or special characters in the file name for the images as this can cause them not to display. Hyphens or underscores are acceptable and can be used as substitutes when naming images.
• All files should be kept under 1 MB in size. If you need assistance compressing your files, we recommend Tiny PNG
• Need assistance? Our Creative Services Image Editor makes cropping and sizing photos easy
• Want to have more control over the Headlines accent image size on the interior Headlines and Features page? Click here for our pro tip on how to set up the headlines records. 
  
  

Accessing Files & Folders

• Click Configure › Templates › Files & Folders › Site Files to see the folders that pertain to your template assets
• The icons folder (for custom global icons) and images folder (for all other template assets) are default subfolders within the
  Site Files
• Template assets will need to be uploaded to newly created subfolders within the images folder
• Select the images folder and click Folder Actions › New Subfolder and then add an appropriate name for the folder (i.e. logos, background, accent)
• Looking for resources? Find custom icons, stock photography, photo editing and color schemes here
  
  

Uploading Logos | Custom Icons | Watermark Images

• These images need to be PNGs with a transparent background, and sized to the correct dimensions prior to upload
• The color of the icon should be the desired color you would like on the site since custom icons are not color changing
• Upload your custom icons to the icons folder and logos to the logos subfolder within the images folder 

Background Images

• Photos can be JPGs or PNGs, and need to be sized to the correct dimensions prior to upload
• Upload your photos into their respective subfolders created in the images folder (i.e. background, accent)

This is the recommended app placement based on the homepage region map

Region A | Any App

• Content in this region displays vertically
• This is a fixed height region, so content will scroll if it exceeds the given amount of space
• NOTE: If a Multimedia Gallery App is not being used in Region B, Region A will not show. Both need to be used simultaneously since Region A is next to Region B.

Region B | Multimedia Gallery App (only)

• Need assistance? Our Creative Services Image Editor makes cropping and sizing photos easy!

Region C | Any App

• Content in this region displays horizontally
• Headlines and Upcoming Events go into a Content Slider
• Headlines, Upcoming Events, and Site Shortcuts go into a three column format
• If a MMG app is placed in this region it will go into a collage format. Photos need to be sized to specific dimensions and placed in a certain order for the collage to display properly. The collage builds from left to right on the top row of photos and then goes left to right on the bottom row of photos:
  • Photo 1: This is the text that shows in the middle of the collage. Add your title, caption text, and a URL if desired. You have to upload a photo, but the photo will not show on the front end. Only the text will show in the middle of the collage.
  • Photo 2: Vertical photo
  • Photo 3: Horizontal photo
  • Photo 4: Horizontal photo
  • Photo 5: Vertical photo
  • Photo 6: Vertical photo
  • Photo 7: Horizontal photo
  • Photo 8: Horizontal photo
  • Photo 9: Vertical photo

Regions D and E | Any App

• Content in these regions displays vertically
• These regions have an (optional) sticky background photo

Region F | Any App

• Content in this region displays horizontally
• Headlines and Upcoming Events go into a Content Slider
• Headlines, Upcoming Events, and Site Shortcuts go into a three column format
• If a MMG app is placed in this region it will go into a collage format. Photos need to be sized to specific dimensions and placed in a certain order for the collage to display properly. The collage builds from left to right on the top row of photos and then goes left to right on the bottom row of photos:
  • Photo 1: This is the text that shows in the middle of the collage. Add your title, caption text, and a URL if desired. You have to upload a photo, but the photo will not show on the front end. Only the text will show in the middle of the collage.
  • Photo 2: Vertical photo
  • Photo 3: Horizontal photo
  • Photo 4: Horizontal photo
  • Photo 5: Vertical photo
  • Photo 6: Vertical photo
  • Photo 7: Horizontal photo
  • Photo 8: Horizontal photo
  • Photo 9: Vertical photo