- Explore
- Homepage
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Template Documentation
Template Configuration
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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.
Template Resources | Files & Folders
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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 450PX x flexible height
• Logo (+ Site Name/Tagline) Dimensions: Max width of 250PX x flexible height
• Global Icon Dimensions: 30PX width x 30PX height
• Region A | Multimedia Gallery Photo Dimensions: 896PX width x 450PX height
• Regions B and D | Headline Accent Image Dimensions: 270PX width x 200PX height (Height is flexible, but all images should have a consistent height)
• Region C | Headline Accent Image Dimensions: 355PX width x flexible height (Headlines accent images span the width of the column)
• Region D and Footer | Background Image Dimensions: 1500PX width x 700PX heightImportant 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
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)
- Looking for resources? Find custom icons, stock photography, photo editing and color schemes here
Uploading Logos | Custom Icons
- Icons and logos 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 (Region D and Social Media Footer)
- 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)
Homepage Content & Apps
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This is the recommended app placement based on the homepage region map
Region A | Multimedia Gallery App and Other Apps
- Need assistance? Our Creative Services Image Editor makes cropping and sizing photos easy!
- Looking for a new way to display social media feeds? Juicer and SnapWidget have appealing grid layouts to add extra visual interest!
- Up to 6 icons will display in this region associated with the apps placed here - Setup within the TCW
- When using more than 6 apps are used in this region, it is recommended that header text is selected to ensure it displays properly
- Headlines, Upcoming Events, Announcements and Site Shortcuts display horizontally in three columns
- Other content in this region displays vertically in a single column
- App names are required to be turned on for this region to ensure ADA compliance (See information in the right column under App Names for directions on how to turn them on)
Region B | Any App
- Headlines, Upcoming Events, Announcements and Site Shortcuts display horizontally in three columns
- Other content in this region displays vertically in a single column
Region C | Any App
- Content in this region displays vertically
- Headlines accent images span the width of the column
Region D | Any App
- Content in this region displays horizontally
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Notable Features
Explore is designed with these Interactive Elements built in:
• Multimedia Gallery App
• Color Configurability
• Tabbed Apps
Maximum number of global icons:
10
Font Information:
• Body copy is size 15
• Fonts used are Merriweather Sans and Open Sans
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App Names
To turn on an app name:
• Click on the app
• Click the Options banner and check the box that says “Show the app name on my page”
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Contact Info
To add or edit the address, phone, fax or email in the footer:
• Click Configure › Sites › the site you want to edit › Contact
• Add/edit the information and then hit Save
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Publishing a New Template
New Blackboard Clients:
• To publish your new template on your incubation site, go into each site’s Template Configuration Window and click the Publish and Exit button
• When you are ready to go public with your new website, follow the instructions listed here
Existing Blackboard Clients:
• To publish your new template on your live site, go into each site’s Template Configuration Window and click the Publish and Exit button
• Once your new template has been published, you may need to visit the content on each site’s homepage to reorganize apps as necessary. You can accomplish this by clicking and dragging apps from one region to another.
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WCM Support
The normal operating hours for Web Community Manager support are 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM EST Monday – Friday:
• wcmsupport@blackboard.com
• 855.742.5952
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Help Materials
The Blackboard Help Center contains a wealth of information and help materials. You can find resources for Web Community Manager here.