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How to customize Lightbox effects
Lightbox effects for thumbnail galleries and single images are set under Gallery > Other Options > Lightbox Effects.
You can choose from this list of effects under "What lightbox would you like to use?" to customize your Lightbox:
- None
- Simplelightbox
- Fancybox
- Shutter
- Shutter Reloaded
- Thickbox
- NextGEN Pro Lightbox (available only in our Pro and Plus plugins)
- Custom
![NextGEN Gallery Lightbox Settings | Imagely NextGEN Gallery Lightbox Settings](https://www.imagely.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/nextgen-gallery-lightbox-effects-1.jpg)
Then you'll also have several options of how to apply these effects under "What must the lightbox be applied to?":
- NextGEN Images
- NextGEN and WordPress images
- All images
- All images that link to an image file
![NextGEN Gallery Lightbox Effects | Imagely NextGEN Gallery Lightbox Effects](https://www.imagely.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/nextgen-gallery-lightbox-effects-2.jpg)
What lightbox would you like to use?
None
Sometimes, users want to open the full image with a simple link. This option will provide that behavior. The image will be open in the same tab in your browser.
![Screenshot | Imagely An screenshot of a black and white photo open into a browser window](https://www.imagely.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/open_url_none-1024x556.png)
Simplelightbox
This is the default lightbox effect when you install NextGEN Gallery. It includes a counter showing the current image number and the total amount of images loaded in that lightbox in the top left corner, as well as some directional arrows and a close icon. It also includes a caption underneath the photo. It will use your photo "description" field as that caption.
![OtherOptions_LightboxOptions_Simplelightbox | Imagely A screenshot of our Lightbox Effect showing the caption underneath, photo: a couple kissing in the snow](https://www.imagely.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OtherOptions_LightboxOptions_Simplelightbox.jpg)
Tip! - Some users remove that black block with a simple CSS customization.
Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS in your dashboard.
Then just copy and paste this code, then click on "Publish"..sl-wrapper .sl-image .sl-caption {
display: none !important;
}
Fancybox
This lightbox includes some directional arrows (visible on hover), a close icon in the top right corner, and a caption underneath each photo (if available). It will use your photo "Description" field as that caption.
![OtherOptions_LightboxOptions_Fancybox | Imagely Screenshot of our Fancybox Lightbox Effect, a couple kissing in the snow](https://www.imagely.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OtherOptions_LightboxOptions_Fancybox.jpg)
Shutter
The Shutter lightbox includes some directional arrows on the bottom, a counter showing the current image number and the total amount of images loaded in that lightbox, and a caption underneath each photo (if available). It will use your photo "Description" field as that caption.
Note: If you want to close that lightbox, you can press the "Esc" key on your keyboard.
![OtherOptions_LightboxOptions_Shutter | Imagely Screenshot of our Shutter Lightbox Effect, two people kising in the snow](https://www.imagely.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OtherOptions_LightboxOptions_Shutter.jpg)
Shutter Reloaded
Very similar to Shutter, Shutter Reloaded includes a caption underneath each photo (if available). It will use your photo "Description" field as that caption; close option, full-size option, navigation arrows, and a counter showing the current image number and the total amount of images loaded in that lightbox, and a caption underneath each photo (if available). It will use your photo "Description" field as that caption.
![shutter_2 | Imagely Screenshot of our Shutter Reloadedo Lightbox Effect, and a photo of a girl watching a sunset](https://www.imagely.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/shutter_2-1024x683.png)
Thickbox
Thickbox includes some directional arrows and a closing icon on the bottom, a counter showing the current image number and the total amount of images, and a caption underneath each photo (if available). It will use your photo "Description" field as that caption.
![OtherOptions_LightboxOptions_Thickbox | Imagely Screenshot of our Thickbox Lightbox Effect, and a photo of two people kising in the snow](https://www.imagely.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OtherOptions_LightboxOptions_Thickbox.jpg)
NextGEN Pro Lightbox
(Only available in our Pro and Plus versions).
This is the best option you will find in our Lightbox Effects, and it includes:
- Directional arrows.
- A close icon on top.
- Counter: top left corner.
- Some controls
- Play icon: The lightbox will behave as a slider.
- Information icon: This will show the title and description of your photos.
- Comment icon: Your users can add individual comments to your photos.
- Shopping cart: This will allow you to sell your photos as digital download items, automatic fulfillment prints or manual fulfillment prints.
- Carousel thumbnails.
For more information about our NextGEN Pro Lightbox Effect, please visit this link.
![nextgen-pro-lightbox-pro | Imagely Screenshot of our NextGen Pro Lightbox Effect, and a photo of a girl watching a sunset](https://www.imagely.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/nextgen-pro-lightbox-pro-1024x627.png)
Custom
You can use this option whenever your theme includes their own Lightbox Effect, or if you want to use a custom Lightbox Effect.