This tutorial will show you how to use the Picasa Web Albums system by Google to power your 3D Photo Wall gallery. This method combines the image delivery power of Google and the ease-to-use Picasa system with one of the most attractive gallery systems available. The 3D photo wall uses Cooliris technology to delivery a very unique effect. Visit Cooliris.com for more information about the optional Cooliris browser plugin.

Get a Google ID for your Site
If you don't already have a Google user ID for your website, please set one up now. It's free and it will give you access to Google's resources for your website. For example, you should begin corresponding on "official" website business through your new Gmail account. That way, if you ever stop maintaining the website, your successor will be able to easily pick up where you left off and be able to find necessary user names, passwords, etc. If you currently have some of that info in your personal account, we suggest you email it to your new site Gmail account for safekeeping.

If you go to Gmail.com you can create a new Gmail account in about 3 minutes.
Click here to go to Gmail.com

Once your Gmail/Google ID is created, you'll be able to use that ID to set up a variety of Google services.

Uploading Images to Picasa Web Albums

When you are logged into Gmail you can get to the Picasa Web Albums by clicking on "Photos" in the top Google navigation or by going to Picasaweb.google.com.



After you login with your Google ID, you'll see your galleries.



You may click the Upload button at any time

1. Click the "create a new album" link or click on the album to which you want to upload.
   
2. Click the "Select Album" button at the bottom.

You may upload one image at a time or connect to your Picasaweb account using the Picasa desktop program and upload as many images and galleries as you want.

If you change the upload quality settings to "Medium Size" you will be able to store about 4,000 photos in your free space.

Make sure your albums are Public
If you see a lock on your albums, they will not be visible in your website.

To set your albums to public, open the album and click the edit button at the top.

Then change the visibility Property to Public and save.

Integrate Picasa into your 3D Photo Wall Gallery

After you upload images to Picasa, you'll need to let your photo wall gallery know there are new images to see.

Log into your website administration system.

On the right you will see the Image icon box. Click the Picasa Integration icon.



If this is your first time using the Picasa Integration system you'll need to set up the gallery ID to connect to Picasa.
If your ID is already set up, skip down to the "Refresh your Gallery".

1. Click "Galleries.
2. If you see your Google ID listed, then skip to the Refresh your Gallery step.
   Otherwise click the gallery that is NOT your ID and click the Delete button.
   
   
   
3. Click the New button.
   1. Enter your gmail address as your User Name.
   2. Enter a title for your gallery like "My Team"
   3. Click Apply and let the page refresh.
      
   4. Click Load Gallery and let the system do it's thing.
   5. Your gallery list should appear below.
      

Refresh Your Gallery

After you've uploaded new images to your Picasa Web Album, you need to refresh the image list on your website.
This is very easy.

1. Click the Galleries on the left menu.
   
2. Click the gallery for your Picasa user name.
3. Click Load Gallery.
4. Click Extensions on the left menu.
   
5. Click Cooliris Flash Wall Albums.
   
6. Click Save
   

Go to the public side of your website and CTRL-F5 to clear your browser cache and refresh your page.

You should be seeing new images from Picasa in the photo gallery.