What I usually does, is to create a /frontend-folder in the root of my site. In here I'll store the images that's used in the layout of the site. The media-section is used when the users of the system want to show an image in an article, as a top graphic element etc. Because then the images will be picked using either a media picker, or just by using the upload datatype.
When you build up the site, and want to refference images in your stylesheet and/or markup, it's always good to know exactly where those images are stored. When using the media section the images are stored in subfolder with an id included. It also means that the user actually can delete the images in the media section, and that's not very funny if the images are used in the layout.
So I would go for a new folder in the root of the site, like you also mentioned with your "images"-folder.
In addition to what Kim is posting above I'd like to add another comment.
I totally agree with what Kim is saying. But if you're in a situation where you do not have access to the filesystem on the server and you're asked to update the design and you need to use some background images in your CSS then your only option is to do it using the media section in Umbraco.
In that situation I would usually create a folder in the media section called "System" and under that create a folder called "Images". Then you can create the images you need to reference in your CSS here and once the images have been uploaded you just click on the link to the image to get the path. It's a very cumbersome workflow but in some situationens it's the only way forward.
To not confuse the editors etc. of the site you can make sure they cannot see the "System" folder by restricting the access under the "Users" section.
But when you do have access to the filesystem do what Kim says :-) - You're absolutely free to save the images in any folder structure on the filesystem that suits your needs and workflow.
Yes it's important to remember that there is always more than one solution to a problem. All dependant on the situation you might need to go down a less ideal path to get the problem solved. :-)
Best practise for using images such as background gradients, logos, icons?
Is the idea to manage all image files through the Media section?
I am a bit confused as I am so used to manually creating an 'images' folder on the server and linking to its files from my stylesheets.
Thanks
James
What I usually does, is to create a /frontend-folder in the root of my site. In here I'll store the images that's used in the layout of the site. The media-section is used when the users of the system want to show an image in an article, as a top graphic element etc. Because then the images will be picked using either a media picker, or just by using the upload datatype.
When you build up the site, and want to refference images in your stylesheet and/or markup, it's always good to know exactly where those images are stored. When using the media section the images are stored in subfolder with an id included. It also means that the user actually can delete the images in the media section, and that's not very funny if the images are used in the layout.
So I would go for a new folder in the root of the site, like you also mentioned with your "images"-folder.
/Kim A
Hi James
In addition to what Kim is posting above I'd like to add another comment.
I totally agree with what Kim is saying. But if you're in a situation where you do not have access to the filesystem on the server and you're asked to update the design and you need to use some background images in your CSS then your only option is to do it using the media section in Umbraco.
In that situation I would usually create a folder in the media section called "System" and under that create a folder called "Images". Then you can create the images you need to reference in your CSS here and once the images have been uploaded you just click on the link to the image to get the path. It's a very cumbersome workflow but in some situationens it's the only way forward.
To not confuse the editors etc. of the site you can make sure they cannot see the "System" folder by restricting the access under the "Users" section.
But when you do have access to the filesystem do what Kim says :-) - You're absolutely free to save the images in any folder structure on the filesystem that suits your needs and workflow.
/Jan
Thanks for the explanations guys, nice to know the 'Umbraco-only' solution too :)
Hi James
You're welcome.
Yes it's important to remember that there is always more than one solution to a problem. All dependant on the situation you might need to go down a less ideal path to get the problem solved. :-)
/Jan
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