Elite Dangerous Field Manual:Screenshot Policy: Difference between revisions

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Cross-link new Image Use Policy, update licensing/attribution section for the new template system
Update for the new EDFM image information template, clarify Summary/Licensing/caption three-way split
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Maximum upload size is currently '''30 MB'''. Prefer reasonably compressed PNG/WebP over huge uncompressed captures.
Maximum upload size is currently '''30 MB'''. Prefer reasonably compressed PNG/WebP over huge uncompressed captures.


== Licensing, attribution, and captions ==
== Summary, licensing, and captions ==
Three different things, three different places:
Three different things, three different places on the file page:
* '''Licensing dropdown on <code>Special:Upload</code>''' — pick a classification for every upload (e.g. "Elite Dangerous in-game screenshot"). See [[Elite Dangerous Field Manual:Image Use Policy]] for what each option means; there is deliberately no generic "unknown" option.
* '''<code>== Summary ==</code>, via {{tl|EDFM image information}}''' — describes the asset itself: what it depicts, its media type, who captured/created it, how it's been modified, what it's for, and who owns the underlying material. Pre-filled automatically into the description box on <code>Special:Upload</code>.
* {{tl|Elite Dangerous screenshot}} — goes on the '''file description page''' itself (<code>File:Name.png</code>), added at upload time, for an ordinary gameplay screenshot. Records description/subject/contributor/date/version/location and automatically includes the Frontier attribution notice.
* '''<code>== Licensing ==</code>, via the Licensing dropdown on <code>Special:Upload</code>''' — a separate section, generated automatically from picking a classification (e.g. "Elite Dangerous in-game screenshot"). See [[Elite Dangerous Field Manual:Image Use Policy]] for what each option means; there is deliberately no generic "unknown" option. Kept deliberately separate from the Summary above.
* {{tl|Screenshot caption}} — goes '''under the image on the article page''' where it's actually displayed, and credits the commander/uploader inline.
* {{tl|Screenshot caption}} — goes '''under the image on the article page''' where it's actually displayed, and credits the commander/uploader inline. Separate again from both of the above.


== What not to include ==
== What not to include ==

Revision as of 15:01, 8 August 2026

Rules for screenshots and other original images on EDFM. See Elite Dangerous Field Manual:Image Use Policy for where images are and aren't allowed to come from and how licensing/classification works — this page covers the mechanical upload rules.

Only original screenshots

Do not upload screenshots, art, or other images copied from Fandom, other wikis, or other websites. Only upload:

  • Screenshots you personally captured from the game.
  • Original diagrams/graphics you created.

See Elite Dangerous Field Manual:Image Use Policy for the full reasoning, including why an image doesn't inherit a webpage's Creative Commons license and why AI-generated images shouldn't be used as factual representations of anything.

Allowed formats (initial deployment)

Currently accepted: PNG, JPEG, WebP. SVG is not yet enabled (SVG can embed scripts/external references, so it's held back until it's specifically reviewed — see `/opt/edwiki/docs/screenshot-guide.md` for how to request it be enabled). No executable file types are ever accepted.

Size

Maximum upload size is currently 30 MB. Prefer reasonably compressed PNG/WebP over huge uncompressed captures.

Summary, licensing, and captions

Three different things, three different places on the file page:

  • == Summary ==, via {{EDFM image information}} — describes the asset itself: what it depicts, its media type, who captured/created it, how it's been modified, what it's for, and who owns the underlying material. Pre-filled automatically into the description box on Special:Upload.
  • == Licensing ==, via the Licensing dropdown on Special:Upload — a separate section, generated automatically from picking a classification (e.g. "Elite Dangerous in-game screenshot"). See Elite Dangerous Field Manual:Image Use Policy for what each option means; there is deliberately no generic "unknown" option. Kept deliberately separate from the Summary above.
  • {{Screenshot caption}} — goes under the image on the article page where it's actually displayed, and credits the commander/uploader inline. Separate again from both of the above.

What not to include

  • No third-party UI overlays or copyrighted tools' branding without permission.
  • No real-world personal information (usernames tied to real identity, chat logs naming other players without consent, etc.).
  • Avoid uploading images containing another player's in-game name in a way that could be seen as calling them out, unless it's incidental and non-hostile.

Metadata

Unnecessary embedded metadata is stripped where practical on upload; the original is preserved when editorially useful (e.g. to verify capture date for a time-sensitive claim).

Elite Dangerous Field Manual is an unofficial, non-commercial community project. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Frontier Developments plc. Game assets and imagery from Elite Dangerous are used with permission of Frontier Developments plc. Elite Dangerous and related trademarks and assets remain the property of their respective owners. See Elite Dangerous Field Manual:Legal and Trademark Notice for details.