Lightning Brain ImageLibraryLoader for InDesign
This tool for Adobe® InDesign® CS, CS2 or CS3 is a free download.
Goal
This tool gives you a floating library-palette filled with images that are automatically retrieved from one or more folders.
Point the tool to a folder, and in return it will offer you a floating palette containing the images stored in that folder, ready to be drag-dropped into your document.
This is very useful in a structured environment, for example in the design of advertisements for a newspaper. This plug-in is based on a suggestion from Tony (thanks, Tony!), who works in an environment where a designer receives a folder which contains
a) an empty template document with the correct size for the ad
b) a collection of images that can used in the design of the ad
This tool makes managing that a bit easier: simply open the template and select 'Reload Image Library From Document Folder'. That fills up your image template library with the images that are available in the same folder as the document template.
Usage
Make sure you have a document open - the API menu will not be fully populated until you open or create a document.
Check the 'API' menu item that should sit on the menu bar. There should be five new menu items:
Reload Image Library...
Add To Image Library...
Reload Image Library From Document Folder
Add To Image Library From Document Folder
Refresh Image Library
The first option, Reload Image Library... will first clear any images from the AutoImageLibrary palette, and then ask you to point out a folder. It will then grab all images in that folder, and put them onto the palette. This is a 'clean slate' approach: all previous entries on the palette are first removed.
The second option, Append To Image Library... will simply ask you to point out a folder. It will then grab all images in that folder, and add them to the palette. This is a cumulative approach: any images found are added to the existing list on the palette.
The third and fourth options are very similar, but they won't ask you to point out a folder. Instead the palette will be loaded from the same folder in which your current document resides.
The last option, Refresh Image Library will first clear any images from the AutoImageLibrary palette. Then it will revisit any folder or folders that were previously loaded and re-load the palette from them. This allows you to 'synchronize' the palette - for example if images have since been added or removed from one of the folders whose contents are currently being shown.
Download
This is a free download. Before you can use the LB ImageLibraryLoader Plug-In you also have to install our free APID ToolAssistant Plug-In, which is available as a second, separate download.
LB ImageLibraryLoader supports InDesign CS, CS2 and CS3 on Mac or Windows.
Download the LB Image Library Plugin (version 1.0.2 - Free download - does not include the APID ToolAssistant. Don't worry about the icon of the .spln file: it will not be a 'regular' icon, and that's OK.)
IMPORTANT: The ReadMe file in this download still mentions the outdated Active Page Item Runtime plug-in. Instead you should install the APID ToolAssistant plug-in shown below.
You don't need to purchase a license for APID ToolAssistant (but we're always grateful if you do - it helps us fund further development). The LB ImageLibraryLoader Plug-In will work fine with an unlicensed APID ToolAssistant.
To encourage us by purchasing such an optional license, select the API - APID ToolAssistant... menu item, select the 'APID ToolAssistant' entry in the list, and click the Get License... button. Purchasing a license helps us fund further development of cool stuff!
Let us know if this tool is useful to you, at pluginsupport@rorohiko.com. Thanks!
Version history:
24-Jul-2007 Version 1.0.2
- Support for InDesign CS3
- Added support for Illustrator files.25-Jun-2006 Version 1.0.1
- Initial public release
- Collapsed the menu items into a submenu of the API menu.7-Jun-2006 Version 1.0
- Initial beta release.
Let us know if this Scripted Plug-In is useful to you, at pluginsupport@rorohiko.com. Thanks!