Need help setting up categories

[Happy Camper]

I am using the gallery to host images that teachers can use to print off. Some images are buried in multiple categories.

For example, here is one path:
Printable > Holiday Themes > Christmas > Black & White > image.jpg

Here's what i want to do but can't seem to do it: I want to make it so images are only posted in the "Black & White" (end) category. so i set all the other categories as "Act as Category = No" in the admin. But there are 2 things that happen that i dont like.

1. is that each category (ie. Printable, Holiday Themes & Christmas) all show up as "tcat" rows and don't show how many images are in each category.

2. the other thing that happens is if i search a category from the column header (ie. "Search This Category") in Holiday Themes and i am looking for "santa" (which does exist) it tells me no images can be found. Shouldnt the "Search This Category" look in this category (Holiday Themes) and all sub-categories (Christmas, Black & White)?

Can someone please tell me what i have done wrong in my configuration of my categories?

Thanks and i hope this makes sense

[ConqSoft]

Set them as Act As Category = Yes, and set Category is Open for Images = No

[Happy Camper]

that does nearly everything i want except the "Search This Category" link appears in the wrong place. see attachment

[ConqSoft]

That Search This Category won't find any results anyway, since it's an empty category.

[Happy Camper]

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

That Search This Category won't find any results anyway, since it's an empty category.

i realize that but there are categories within that category. shouldnt i be able to search its sub-categories?

and i dont even understand why that lower box with no images is being displayed because i have OPen For Images set to No for that category.

[ConqSoft]

It shows because it *could* have images, from before you set it to disallow any new images to be posted.

[Happy Camper]

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

It shows because it *could* have images, from before you set it to disallow any new images to be posted.

so even if "Open For Images" is set to "No" it will still appear?

[ConqSoft]

Yes. That setting just doesn't allow any additional images to be uploaded.

[Happy Camper]

ok, thanks for your help with that.

[Happy Camper]

one more question.

at sitepoint.com their forums are laid out exactly how i want my gallery laid out.

for example:
forums > program your site > php > threads
Mine: Printables > Animals > Black & White > image.jpg

when you go to Program Your Site you are shown 13 other categories and at the top you can search the entire category of Program Your Site. And at the bottom of that page there is no place to start a thread under "Program Your Site" or "Search This Category" because nothing is there.

Is this set-up possible with the vBa gallery or would that require some hacks?

Thanks.