Compound Objects in Forum

With compound objects, you can combine and sequence multiple image files associated with the same metadata record in a single item. On JSTOR, compound objects will appear as an item which users can navigate within to see each file associated with the record in the order it’s defined.

Some examples of when you might want to create a compound object include:

• The front and back of a postcard
• A calendar
• Multiple views of a sculpture
• Architectural views
• Handwritten documents or manuscripts with multiple pages

Create a compound object

1. In your project, edit an existing item that contains an image file.
2. Select the Options menu then Upload. Select the images you want to add and then select Upload again.
3. After adding at least one additional image to a metadata record, you will have access to a new Related Objects tab when editing an item.
4. To view the related objects from the Basic Info tab, select the arrows in the media window to go back and forth in the sequence. You can also double-click on any of the objects in the media window for a larger view in a new browser tab.
5. Publish or republish the item.

Batch uploading media for compound objects

1. Select a project and then select Upload Media from the Add menu.
2. Select all corresponding image files for a compound object by using drag and drop or browse to select image files from your computer directory.
   • Use Control + click (Command + click for macOS) or Shift + click to select multiple files.
3. Select Group Compound Objects so that Forum can gather the files based on filenames.
4. Continue to Add groups of image files for each compound object before uploading.  
5. If unsupported files were added to the upload, you will receive a notice indicating that unsupported files were detected and will not be included in the batch.
   • Forum can currently only support image filetypes but this does not include compressed image files or other filetypes such as DOC (.doc) types and multimedia.
6. Once the files are uploaded, you will have access to a new Related Objects tab when editing an item. The files will display in the correct sequence.
7. To view the related objects from the Basic Info tab, select the arrows in the media window to go back and forth in the sequence. You can also double click on any of the objects in the media window for a larger view in a new browser tab.  
8. Publish or republish the item.

Sequencing related images

1. Select the Related Objects tab.
2. Change the sequence number(s) of the related images.
   • The form is dynamic so as you enter a new sequence number, the object will change in the list of related objects as you click or tab out of the field.
3. Select Save to save these changes.
4. Publish or republish the item.

Delete or replace related images

To delete a related image:

1. Select the Related Objects tab.
2. Select Delete next to the object.
3. Confirm you want to delete the individual object. 
4. Publish or republish the item.

To replace a related image:

1. Select the Related Objects tab.
2. Select Replace next to the object then Replace Media.
3. Select the replacement media file and then Upload. You will receive a confirmation message when the upload is complete.
4. Publish or republish the item.