In part 1, we discussed how to build a gallery using built-in WordPress features. As you noticed, if you clicked an image in the gallery I built in that post, it opened up a nice slideshow in what is called a lightbox.
The lightbox comes from a plugin called ‘Simple Lightbox’ which is written by Archetyped. You need to install this. But before you do, be aware of the following.
ONE
Once activated, Simple Lightbox will not only open galleries in a slideshow, it will open EVERY image on your site in a lightbox. For example, click this image.
 TWO
If you have multiple images in your post, even if you did not create a gallery like we did in part 1, Simple Lightbox creates a slideshow out of them. Here is another image. Click on it and you will see what I mean.
Don’t want the image in the slideshow? No problem! Go back and have a look at part 1 for a sec and you will notice that there are lots of images in it. Screen caps. Why are they not in the slideshow? Because I unlinked them! How? Click once on an image that you do not want to be in the slideshow and then click your unlink chain icon.
I did this to the screen cap above so it won’t be in the slideshow. Of course, that also means it won’t link to it’s larger version. It’s a compromise.
You can achieve the same thing by clicking on the image, clicking the edit icon and say ‘None’ to link URL. The above method just saves time. OR, when you first insert the image, chose ‘None’ to link URL.
Three
If you are using a different slideshow, like Slideshow Satellite by C-Pres, Simple Lightbox might collide with it. Maybe our friend Heather Hess over at Cango Mexico will let us know 😉
Install the plugin
To install Simple Lightbox, from your dashboard:
- Click on Plugins
- Click on Add New
- In the search box, type ‘Simple Lightbox’ and click Search Plugins. The first one that comes up should be by Archetyped. You will see that in the description column.
- Click Install Now
- Once it is installed, click Activate Plugin.
Once you have done that, all images at your site will begin to open in a lightbox.
The configuration options for the plugin can be found under Dashboard / Appearance / Lightbox.
I would leave the label options alone, but do play with the other options to set it up to your preference.Â
Have fun! And remember, leave comments or questions below!
Hi Gil – thanks for the great info re: gallery and slideshow. I find it very hard to find a good slideshow and have googled for hours and hours and then along you come and make my complex issue very simple – with Simple Lightbox which works great. I am not using Slideshow Satellite anymore – have no conflicting plugins – everything is ok with my new site which I will be releasing sometime next week I hope.
Please keep the lessons rolling – there’s so much I need to learn about WordPress – it’s very simple yet complex – a never ending story.
Hi Heather,
Thanks for leaving a comment! I am very happy to hear that it was helpful for you. Lots more to come!
Cheers,
Gil
Hi Gil,
Looked into my website options for slideshow and it seems I have the Simple Gallery already installed. I did go in to general settings to include slideshow for my pictures as that was not checked. But when I looked at my pictures to advance to the following picture instead of arrows it has Next in a box which you click . I prefer the arrow feature . How do I update to this look ? Thx. -colleenb
Hi Colleen!
Great to see you in here! You REALLY should get a gravatar (read this http://www.synaptici.com/2013/why-is-my-photo-not-in-the-comments/)
Ok! So I ‘beamed’ into your site. 2 things.
1) WordPress was not up to date. So I have updated it for you.
2) Simple Lightbox was not up to date. You would not have seen that unless you updated WP.
I have updated it for you to the newest revision. Have a peek 😉
There be arrows in there!
Cheers,
Gileeeeeeee
Hi – is it possible to change the transition of simple slideshow to change transition on facing to go smoother (slower or faster) – I tried changing it and nothing seemed to happen – the speed is good but there is a small delay between photos.
I have it set at 6 and 0.8 – defaults
Thanks – Heather
Hi Heather,
A few thoughts. Are you running a cache? If so, disable your cache first. Tweak the Slide Duration setting and see what happens.
If that does not do it, do you have any other Lightbox or Slideshow plugins active? If so, disable them and try again.
Hope this helps 🙂
Cheers,
Gil