Create() reports 'url already exists' but find() returns 'Image not available'

Sure. I just tested this using http://dr.dk and http://berlingske.dk.

Thanks. I'll have an answer for you tomorrow.

Cheers!

Those two URLs were stuck in an error state which has since been cleared. I expect for both of them to be processed within an hour or two. I'll keep an eye on the progress and let you know what I find (if for some reason those URLs cannot be thumbnailed). I have put precautions in place to make sure this won't be a routine problem. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Thumbnails for http://dr.dk and http://berlingske.dk work fine now, but the overall problem does not seem to be solved.

I tried calling create() for http://upsido.com, which returns false with the error 'url already exists'. However a subsequent find() for http://upsido.com still returns the "Image not available" file.

Hello,

I notice that thumbnails for both http://dr.dk and http://berlingske.dk are now properly returned.

However, in the other situation, there exists a lag time between when a URL is submitted and when the thumbnail is processed. I verified http://upsido.com and found that it does infact have a thumbnail. When you call create(), the URL is passed to our thumbnail processing queue. It usually takes 1 to 2 minutes for the thumbnail to be processed, but may take longer under certain circumstances.

Please confirm that the thumbnail for http://upsido.com now exists.

Thank you,
Adam

The thumbnail for http://upsido.com works now.

I understand there is a lag between submission and processing. Does the 'url already exists' error message mean that the URL *either* is in the processing queue or has a thumbnail already?

If that is the case something like the following would not work:

$thumbUrl = NULL;
//only try to get the thumnail url if it cannot be created
if (!$thmbnl->create($url))
{
//if the error string contains exist the thumbnail has already been generated and we can safely find the file
if (strpos($thmbnl->error, 'exist') > 0)
{
$thumbUrl = $thmbnl->find($url, $this->thumbnailWidth);
}
}

The 'url already exists' message means that the URL exists in our database. It may or may not have a thumbnail at that moment, but it will be processed if it does not. Future versions of the API may return more specific messages such as 'thumbnail has been generated' and include time stamps of when the url was imported and when the thumbnail was last generated.

Thanks, Adam. That answers my question.

I hope you will add more specific error messages or the ability to specify your own "Image not available" file soon.

You're welcome.

And I have a feeling that you'll be seeing the custom 'Image not Available' feature very soon. I'll post back when it's official.

Paid accounts (Webmaster and Business service plans) can now upload custom 'Image Not Available' images for each authorization. From your account, click the authorization link and then click 'Upload New'.

We suggest uploading an 800x600 image with a 4:3 ratio. The image will be scaled down to several widths: 320, 160, 100, and 60 automatically. Once uploaded, you can click 'View All Sizes' to make sure everything is to your liking. To use the standard 'Image Not Available' image, click the 'Use Default' link.

Please let us know what you think.

Thanks,
Adam

Great! I'll test it this week.