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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Custom

You can use this option whenever your theme includes their own Lightbox Effect, or if you want to use a custom Lightbox Effect.