Adding images to a Download -Aug 2024

The two layout types that show images are 'Downloads' and the 'Download Details'.

In the layouts, for historic reasons, images are referred to as 'screenshots'.  After adding an image the result in the Downloads view is shown as a thumbnail like the one shown above.

When creating thumbnails from PNG, JPG or GIF files, jDownloads requires that the PHP function GD Library has been loaded.
To check if the GD Library is installed then goto  -   - then Scroll down to Thumbnail Settings from Uploaded Images

If it is installed then a message is shown in the basic settings.  If it is not installed then a message will be shown.  Including the GD library is part of the your website/PHP setup. It is normally included. Seek advice from your hosting service if it is missing.

The thumbnail is shown by the active Downloads or Download Details layout.

If you click on the thumbnail   then a Lightbox function is actioned in a separate window showing the image at full size with a darkened background.

Use the X to dismiss Lightbox.

Note: All Download image directories are stored in the Joomla! subdirectory: /images/jdownloads/.  By default none of these images are deleted if jDownloads is uninstalled.

Images may be added Automatically or Manually.  Automatic image creation may occur in certain situations as noted in the jDownloads Options section below.

Images may be added from the backend Admin or from the Frontend 'Create or Edit Upload' form.

Assuming that you wish to have thumbnails then the first step is to goto jDownloads and select the tab. Scroll down until you eventually find option. Ensure it is set to Yes as shown.

To add one or more images from the backend select  and then click on the relevant Download which is to have an image added. Or create a new Download.  Note that the image is independant of the downloadable file.

Select the Additional DataTab.   Find the Add an Image option which is usually on the right hand side.

Click on the Browse button and select the image from your device.

Several images may be added if required. Here two have been added.

The images will be uploaded when you  or .  Assuming you have set option Create Thumbnails from uploaded Pics to Yes then thumbnail versions will be created automatically.

If you look at the Download again you will see that thumbnails of each image have been added.

To remove an image then click on the  near the top left corner.  The image will be removed when you do a  or a.

You may also view the image at full size in a separate tab or window by clicking on it.

Adding an Image from the front end is similarly straight forward.

Also in   specify the maximum number of images in a Download.

Alternatively it could be that the user belongs to multiple User Groups and you have not 'ticked' the 'Add an Image' box in the relevant User Group with the highest Ranking.

See articles 'An Overview of User Group Settings' and 'Which User-Group is Used?' for more information on User Groups Settings.

After clicking on the browse button you can select an image from your device.

In this example two images have been selected.

The first one is a Koala and the second one is a wobbegong, both of these are Joomla! demonstration images.






The view opposite is a Download Details view.
Note: Downloads only show the first image.

The images are uploaded  and saved when you do a  or .  As well as saving the main images, jDownloads will optionally make and save thumbnail versions if option 'Create Thumbnails from uploaded Pics' is set to Yes in the  options.

The view in the Downloads Details is like that on the far right above.  In the Downloads view only the first image will appear as the standard layouts are only configured for one image.

As would be expected, clicking on an image thumbnail will show the full size image in a lightbox view either in the same window or in a separate window/tab dependent upon your browser setup.

Note this option requires the Imagmagik library is present.  If it is then there will be a status message, in green text, "Status: ImageMagick PHP Module 'Imagick' is present.".
If it is not installed then a message, in red text, appears such as  "Contact your hosting service if Imagmagik is not installed.".

If the downloadable file is a pdf file and if the 'Create Thumbnails from PDF files' is set to Yes these settings will create a preview file and its thumbnail automatically.

This action may also be turned on for auto monitoring.

The preview picture and the thumbnail are generated to the sizes as specified opposite. 

jDownloads maintains the aspect ratio, that is only the relevant maximum is used.

If one looks at the main part of a Downloads layout the Image is actually displayed by a {thumbnail} place holder.  For example a fragment of a part of the "Standard Files Layout" when viewing the raw html code is shown below that is in 'code view' not 'editor' view.   To show a second image then just copy the above line and then add a 2 to make {screenshot_begin} into {screenshot_begin2} and simarly make {screenshot_end} into {screenshot_end2} as illustrated below.