WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
Adding the option/functionality to embed media and/or files directly from a local storage device for viewing in Anytype.
HOW COULD IT BE DONE?
ᅟEither with the /file, /link, or a new/alternative command, the option for embedding a local file (instead of uploading it into a Space) could be implemented. Adding links to local storage locations is already possible, for example; this could be a further evolution of that feature.
REAL WORLD USE CASES
I’d like to use Anytype to organize pre-existing images on my computer in a visually pleasing way; specifically, I’m an artist which wants to save my favorite art pieces made by other artsy friends, and I want to tie said pieces to their respective creator-profiles I’ve made within an Anytype Space.
Unfortunately, given that I want to manually save the files themselves in local folders, this would lead to massive file-duplication since, when adding media into Anytype, it creates a new file within the vault itself, essentially making a local duplicate-file. (I’m aware that you can link local locations and some files in Anytype right now, but it doesn’t have the same visual flare that embedding does.)
I believe that adding this feature would greatly encourage using Anytype for local media organization and sorting.
Another use-case would be visual organization of family photos and memorabilia digitally accumulated over the years. Anytype has the power to efficiently organize them, but not without massively duplicating all of the files in the process.
RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVES
ᅟThe current feature in progress, of course: Embed images from web
It sounds like this feature will work in the way I envision, but alas: it’s not local. This is even acknowledged in the comments by the OP under cons of the feature, stated:
- “if the image is update or delete in the site, so in anytype too”
- “without net access, no image”
I’ve already experienced this very thing first hand many times, which is why I tend to prefer local-first when it comes to making and organizing databases, and why I’ve grown to love Anytype.