Thread

I’m trying to think of a way to create a mini image library, where the cms user can upload images to a certain file upload directory and these image thumbnails are then displayed in the front end as party of a library of images.

For instance i could create an image directory call image library logo where all the company logos should be uploaded to and then downloaded from via the front end for media people etc.

Is there a way of accessing all the images in a certain directory in expression engine and can you also potentially add more information about an image at upload e.g. and brief description?

could there even be a plugin already around that might help me?

any ideas/guidance would be helpful

I am not aware of any plugin, unfortunately. This would most likely require some custom code, yes. Moving to the CodeShare Corner.

I’ve something similar done - but it was entirely handled via PHP in an EE template.

Once you get into providing information about each image in the system, you may want to consider simply uploading the files through the control panel entry form.  I’ve done something similar, thought perhaps not quite on the scale you’re describing, using Matrix.  In EE, the admin remains in control of the folder to which they are uploading (presented as a list of folders that you as the developer establish in the upload preferences).  So it could come down simply to how you want to administer the images/files.  You can use the ImageSizer plugin to automatically create the thumbnail versions of the images and in your template display them in a gallery form with a link to download the “full” version of the file.  Though with logos, if you intend to supply artwork files, you may also need to put some conditions in or structure that type of image repository differently since ImageSizer won’t work on EPS or AI files.  But it can certainly be done, either natively within EE, or with EE and a couple of lightweight add-ons.