BLADE - Candidate Headshot Export

The ability to export headshots via a BLADE URL request was introduced in build 14.4.3.3.

Example URL starts with: https://flow-on/blade/election/headshots/...

This returns a zipped folder of the images. The following text files may also be included:

🗒️ _files.txt - a list of files included in the zip folder
🗒️ _messages.txt - optional messages that may indicate if non-fatal errors occurred with specific headshots.
🗒️ _missing.txt - will include a list of unavailable headshots or those it failed to add to the zip folder

URL Parameter

Description

URL Parameter

Description

Error Format

Select the data format used if an error message is generated instead of a zip. Select from: XML, JSON, JSONP, BSON

Election Date

Select an election date from the list near the top of the page.
Defaults to the system’s active election.

Select a Riding

When selected - the results only include headshots from that Riding.

It uses the riding number and election date in the URL to identify it.

Select a Candidate

You can search for a candidate by typing part of their name. It includes candidates for the selected election date.

When a candidate is selected the results only include the headshot for that candidate if it exists.

Select a Watchlist

When selected - the results only include headshots from candidates in the ridings of the watchlist.

Include Missing

When checked - it will generate a text file with a list of candidates who did not have an assigned headshot to include in the zip file.

This generated list is saved as a text file in the zip file.

Limit

Specify the maximum number of headshots you want included.

Useful if you have a large number of candidates and need to limit the download file size. Use in combination with the Offset to get all candidates.

Offset

Specify the starting point of the headshots you want included.

Useful if you have a large number of candidates and need to limit the download file size. Use in combination with the Limit to get all candidates.

File Format

and

Alpha Color

The export process can convert the images to either PNG or JPG.

If you do not choose a file format - no conversion is attempted.

If converting to JPG format it is recommended to specify an Alpha Color to use as the background for any PNG images with alpha (transparent sections)

Top Folder

The name of the folder to put all the headshots into inside the zip file.
The default is headshots.

Sub Folder

You can choose to group the headshots into subfolders using

  • Contest Name (same as Riding Name)

  • Party Name

  • Riding Name

If you don’t select one of these then all files will go into the top folder.

Max Width

Specify the width the images should be resized to fit into.
Image proportions will be maintained.

Max Height

Specify the height the images should be resized to fit into.
Image proportions will be maintained.

File Name Format

Use the following keywords to create a file name pattern

  • [First]

  • [Last]

  • [Partycode]

  • [Areaname] or [Ridingname]

  • [Areacode] or [Ridingcode]

The keyword names are case sensitive. Write the keyword in all UPPERCASE to use uppercase values. Example [First] vs [FIRST]

Example File Name Patterns include:

  • [LAST]_[First]_[PARTYCODE]

  • A=[AREANAME] F=[First] L=[Last] P=[PARTYCODE] C=[AREACODE]

  • [First] [LAST] [PARTYCODE] [AREACODE]

Name Override

Use this field to provide a custom zip file name instead of using the election name which is the default.

Since

You can use the standard Since field to limit the results to only include headshots whose media record have been updated on or after a date and time you select.

Quality

A non-zero value causes PNG images to be saved in an 8-bit format for smaller file sizes.

A value of 1-100 causes JPG images to be saved with the corresponding quality level. A lower quality level will produce smaller files.

If the field is blank or 0 then no change is made.

NOTE: this is only able to reduce the quality and file size.

Tips

Resize Images

Use the Max Width and Max Height field options to resize your images proportionally when exporting.

Compress Files

To try to generate smaller image file sizes - try setting the Quantity field to a non-zero value. See the details for the Quality options in the table above.