IMCE module for Image and File uploads

The IMCE module for Image and File uploads, browsing and more in Drupal 5 & 6

The IMCE module is an image/file uploader and browser that supports personal directories and quotas. IMCE can be used alone or integrated w/ WYSIWYG editors and other web applications (ie. FCKEditor, TinyMCE, WYMEditor, Whizzywig, BUEditor, & Wysiwyg API via the IMCE Wysiwyg API bridge module).

I find this Drupal module specifically useful for providing image upload capability to users that will need to edit HTML pages or Web site CSS, think client or design staff. It is important to note that image files are not attached to a node or a nodes CCK fields. For other uses; a slideshow, a catalog or using Views I would suggest using CCK ImageField.

Following are quick and dirty instructions on installing the IMCE module and configuring permissions for a user role with specific file directory permissions (vs. a per user directories or sub directories not to mention other functionality that is available with the IMCE module).

Install IMCE module and configure:

  • read the README: ./IMCE/README.txt
  • install IMCE module in the ./all/module/ directory
  • enable module: ./admin/build/modules
  • ./admin/settings/imce under "Configuration profiles"
    • edit "sample profile"
      • Set name, I like: "HTML or CSS Editor"
      • set Maximum file size per upload
      • set Directory quota
      • set Permitted file extensions: gif png jpg jpeg
      • set Maximum image resolution
      • set Directory path
        • (do NOT check "Including subdirectories" or use wild cards in directory name, set to a specific directory, so as not reveal entire ./files/* directory, I like using "imce_html" or "imce_css" per specific uses)
  • ./admin/settings/imce under "Role-profile assignments"
    • Apply the "HTML or CSS Editor" profile to the appropriate user role
  • You are good to go.
    • access via the ./imce path
    • alternately I like to add a link on the CSS injector page or elsewhere

Notes:

  • Do not create or use html or css as directory names. These are reserved and you may find your images disappearing if you do.
  • It is important to note that image files are not attached to a node or a nodes CCK fields they are accessed via a path (ie ./sites/default/files/).
  • The IMCE module integrates directly a number of editors; FCKEditor, TinyMCE, WYMEditor, Whizzywig, BUEditor, & Wysiwyg API via the IMCE Wysiwyg API bridge modules.
  • Adding a link w/ a new window to the IMCE browser can be handy.
  • Image Assist module gets half the usage as IMCE.