Hello, I am trying to add a background image to a button menu list in v1.5 I have been having trouble getting the images to appear correctly in the simulator (Vertical Mode) and I can't seem to find where you set the scaling properties for the background images. I am loading the background image from an external url. What I am finding is that if I create an image at 320x480 it it too small and appears shrunk down in the simulator (3gs test) and is aligned at the top left. If I upload another image at 640x960, it is significantly cropped/ blown out. Is there a suggested size to start with? I have tried multiple combinations only to have them be too small or cropped. I have noticed mention of background image scaling settings mentioned on previous posts, I can't seem to locate these settings in my CP. Thanks in advance for your insight. Best Regards

Hi, you're not alone in this, it can get tough. We have made a few adjustments recently (see the change log in the apps control panel) and there is no longer a scaling option for the background image. We removed this to try to simplify the process. You should probably re-download the project too to make sure you're working with the latest release. The background image should center itself on the screen. This means a full-size portrait image will be 320 x 480 for iPhone and 768 x 1024 for ipad. Images will not scale up or scale down, they should center. Hope this helps.

Hi, with that being said that the portrait size of the iPhone is 320x480, will this still apply for the iPhone 4? It was my understanding that a higher resolution image was needed for the iPhone 4? (Im working on a 3GS, building an App with 4 in mind.)

Hmm... I just re-downloaded and recompiled the project and noticed the problem still persists. I deleted the app from the simulator as well. Still no luck. I created a background image at 320 x 480, jpeg format. It is set for 50% transparency in the CP. I added the first button to show what I am trying to do. Here is a link to what the background looks like in the simulator: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474217/backgroundimage.jpg Notice how it is at the top-left and somewhat cropped. Here is a link to the image I am trying to use: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474217/springbkgd.jpg Thanks again for having a look and let me know if you need any additional info. Best Regards

The background saga continues.... looking into it. Thanks for the links, very very helpful.

See this: http://www.buzztouch.com/files/temp/test_buttons.png I created two apps. One with a menu-button screen with the background image with a tabbed layout. The other one without a tabbed layout. Same buttons screen (one button) on each - can't seem to get it to do what you described and what your image shows. When the screen rotates, the image is still centered with black on each side because it's 320 wide. iPad - same thing. Any other ideas? Laughing. I'm supposed to know right! Lets do this: Post the app name so I can see if there is ANYTHING different about your menu screen vs. the one I just created. Gotta be something silly. But, if you're running into this, so are others so we / I need to stick with this until it's cleared up. At minimum, it should behave consistently. Post the app name.

Hello David, No problem at all. My apps name is: DowntownVacaville2 It is mostly blank right now. Just the Dining and Contact tabs have content. I have tried creating the standard button menu's using the default icons as a test, incase my custom icon was throwing it off, the image still appears cropped. Let me know if you need any more info. Thanks again!

I always forget your screen name + vacaville! Funny. I still need to get up their so we can have lunch or something. Looking....stay tuned.

OK, your restaurant guide screen (the one with the image). You have an image NAME and an image URL entered for the background. If you look at the output Console in Xcode while the app is running you'll see which image it's trying to load. I'de be anything that the image NAME is being used and the image URL is being ignored. It expect a name OR a URL, not both. I don't have a copy of springbkgd.jpg so I'm hoping it's not 320 x 480. In your Xcode project (assuming you're using the image name and not the URL), click it, then Reveal in Finder. What are this images dimensions? Or, just remove the name, then use the URL you provided (the one I tested)

Hello David, Thanks again for having a look. I removed the image name and just used the url. The same image URL that you tested. The background image is still cropped and in the upper left corner. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474217/backgroundimage.jpg I have the button mode setup for grid. I also tried removing my custom button and use the built-in icons, the same result occurred. I am going to try to install on my test phone and see if the issue repeats itself. I am using SDK 4.2, but I'll try to rule out any local SDK issues. Next time you are in town, send me a message. Would be awesome to meet up for lunch! Best Regards, Brian-

Just heard from another user - something nutty is going on. I can't seem to get my simulator to 'move' the image to the top-left corner like your screen shot and the other guys screen shot showed. Pulling my hair out... We'll get it eventually.

@birwin: I created a few PDF's to try to help understand how the background images work. Look for the link in a Theme or any screens advanced settings. We need to reduce the file sizes of the .PDF's for the samples - geeeez their huge! I'm hoping that doc. helps and maybe clarifies some things. If it's still not working, of course we'll continue looking. The way the sample images show is what it's intended to do and the background behavior on a few test apps here do exactly what we expect.

Hello David, Thanks for adding the PDF's to the background image settings area. Very clear and concise documentation. I am going to experiment some more with backgrounds this afternoon and I'll let you know how it goes. Best Regards, Brian

Hello David, I just tried using a 480x480 background image and it still appears to be cropping and aligning top left: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474217/480x480bkgdtest.png Here is the background image used: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474217/test67.jpg I tried different background image dpi's 72, 163, and 326. Deleted app from simulator, deleted project files in xcode and re-downloaded/recompiled. I can't seem to change the background color for my menu button screen as well. I tried to create a gradient and solid colors with no success. I tried changing themes to see if this was a theme specific issue, but still no luck. I'm not sure is this is an app specific issue, so I am going to try to create a new 1.5 app from scratch to see if it repeats. I'll let you know how that goes. Best Regards, Brian-

Also have the same issue with the background image. Was working, but now it has changed and creating identical issue as described above. Eric Hopf (This is formerly sercretphotolist)

Also have the same issue with the background image. Was working, but now it has changed and creating identical issue as described above. Eric Hopf (This is formerly sercretphotolist)

Hello David, I was able to test and recreate the same background issue on a fresh 1.5 app. I know you have some major feature rollouts planned this weekend, so I'll table this for now and keep working on other areas of my app. I did notice what looks to be like some extra padding on top of the bottom tool/tab bar. The link below shows the button screen cropped somewhat near the bottom: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/474217/extratoolbarpadding.jpg I'm trying to replicate it on another 1.5 app now to see if it is app specific. Anyways, I am continually having fun testing 1.5, so many great features! It is a privilege to be able to collaborate with you and your team during the beta! Best Regards, Brian-

@birwin: Yeah, getting the quiz out tonight, then back on the super-mysterious background troubles. It's not going to be app specific, it's looking like the behavior changes when apps are either a) using a tabbed layout or b) using a transparent navigation bar. @erichopf has been super helpful too. The best way to test is to use a theme with NO background settings. No color and no image in the theme. Next, setup a button screen. Use the Advanced Settings on the button screen to add the backround color / image. After the button screen is setup, change it's navigation bar, refresh the sim, and see if the background gets screwed up. Also add this screen as the home-screen in a tabbed app and see if that also screws something up? The PDF I made shows all the tests I did but does not show the tests using a tabbed layout. I'm in Santa Barbara (5 hour drive from office) testing the quiz logic. I'm literally sitting in my SUV coding away. It's cold as heck outside but the seat heaters, XM radio, and My-Fii mobile hot-spot are keeping it cozy. I'm watching a cool sailboat race out the windshield. My teenagers in 2nd (70 boats) headed to the upwind mark. Hope he catches em'

Hi Brian After having the same issue I worked on getting the app running ad hoc, and once I did a release build, as opposed to a debug build, I installed it on my device and the issue was not happening. Hope this info is useful to you.

Hello David, That's awesome how you were able to attend the race to watch your teenager compete. It's amazing where technology is going! Seat Heaters... NICE Hope he did well in the race! Thanks for the troubleshooting tips. I'm back at it this morning and I'll let you know how it goes. @erichopf - Great Idea! I'll try doing the ad hoc build today. Thanks very much for the tip! Best Regards