#Countdown timers instructions trial#

Then the y-offset: 'y-offset'=>30, // The vertical alignment, trial and error between 20 and 60. It can be fiddly to get this where you want it. Now the x-offset: 'x-offset'=>7, // The larger the number the further the distance from the left hand side, 0 to align to the left.Īs you can see by the comments, it's the distance from the left hand side. I'm guessing most of the time you'll leave this at 0, unless you're doing a crazy angled banner or something. Then the angle of the text: 'angle'=>0, // Angle of the text You'll just have to get as close to what you need as possible. Unfortunately, as this is a PHP script we don't have huge control over font size. Lets run through them one-by-one.įirst up, the font size: 'size'=>23, // Font size, in pts usually.

Now is the important part, the variables that control the text style.

Next up is: $image = imagecreatefrompng('images/countdown.png') įor the sake of this tutorial we'll leave that as it is for now, but when you add more images you'll need to change this. The first thing you'll want to change is this: date_default_timezone_set('Europe/London')

#Countdown timers instructions code#

A lot of the code here you don't need to worry about and I have added comments to help you with the parts you do. Don't worry, we'll get through this! Open up gif.php in your editor of choice. Now, this is where it can get a tiny bit scary. For this tutorial we'll use the one that comes with the code: save this in the images folder. Next, you'll want an image to impose the countdown onto. Add them all to a folder such as Countdown.

The font you want to use's font file (eg futura.ttc)įirst of all, download all the files from this link.

* Displays first frame of animated GIF only. The likelyhood of a user watching it reset is very low.

However, if they leave the email and return it will have adjusted to countdown again. When a user receives it in their inbox, they'll see it loop for 1 minute and reset. It takes a flat PNG and super imposes the countdown based on your variables in the PHP script onto it. This works by taking a PNG and using a PHP script to create a looping GIF counting down to a time. This can help create a sense of urgency for events or product offers you may be using email for. We'll be making a nice little GIF like this that counts down to a specific date. How to: Add a Countdown Timer to your Email