PHP Questions

[Lazerblade]

OK, I know not everyone in here is a software engineer, so this question falls to those that can and are willing to help direct me.

I'm in the process of updating my employer's websites, and several of these websites contain MySQL databases and heavy PHP code.

My questions: I know PHP code can be written to upload an image and view such image on a web page. My first question is- can an uploaded image be "merged" with a transparent overlay image to provide concise crop marks for the purpose of printing? Whether the printer itself recognizes the crop arks or not is irrelevant since two images will be produced, the original (renamed) and the overlay to show where to crop.

Where/how do I set up a database to save the original with a new nme, the cropped "guide", and customer info so that it can be viewed on a secure page once an order is placed?

Basically my boss wants a page where people can upload their own image for printing "giclees" (reproduced art) as a sort of test print before ordering multiple limited and numbered prints, or as a means of offering a gift to regular customers. There will be no online billing at this time, all of the billing will be handled in-house via Quickbooks invoicing.

I'm trying to find pre-written code to analyze and modify for my own purposes, rather than write it from scratch, but I'm also trying to learn the more advanced coding methods for PHP to accomplish such tasks. This project, once completed, will secure a full-time position for me and allow me to be more productive through automation.

Any suggestions? Tutorial links? Examples?

Thanks in advance guys.

[Dr.Jeckyl]

Try either over at the GD or imagemagick websites. This sounds like a modification of some pre-written watermarking script. Which would actually be the first place I would try.

more links:
http://www.sitepoint.com/article/watermark-images-php

[MindlessOath]

this is something you will have to create yourself. its a slightly large or medium project.  there is nothing you can plugin to just do this is what i mean. there are php scripts that use GD and other applications to do what you need, so you just need to create your own project using those examples.

there are compaines you can hire to do this for you if you need too, but they cost something, but its much more worth it (depending on the compainy - you need to find a good one at a nice price and thats hard to find).