Question Can This Be Done???

[TrekMietta]

I am creating a database in Acces 2007 and it will use lots of images using the Attachments data type, i have noticed that it embeds the image files within the accdb file, this however make the file size very large. I cannot split the database as the database will be used on different machines in different locations (From a USB Key) and network access will not always be available so i can't link to the image files....

So is there a way to get access to save the embeded files into a seperate file with my own extension like 'Database.embed' so that all the embeded files are stored in a seperate file, but all of the access data and structures are in the standard accdb file?

Thank in advance for you help!

 

[ajetrumpet]

i don't get it. what are the pics for? use inside the db on forms? where will they ultimately end up? if in the db, just embed them into image controls. that way, no references are needed, and you can send the db off to never land if you want and they will still be there...

 

[TrekMietta]

Sorry my bad, the images are product images and other files will be docx files (Manuals) and will need to be changed from time to time. I can't "Ship it off" because the DB is for myself, i have used google and tutorials to get most of the information i need and get this far (Not brilliant at programming/coding)!

I havn't used image control because all i get is an icon and not the image (Even though i didn't have this problem with access 2000/2003)

There will be hundreds maybe thousands of jpg images and .docx files and i'm using the Attachment feature of Access 2007 becuase it makes it easier to change the images/files or add new images/files, i want to save them in a seperate file so that the accdb file doesn't end up huge.

So, can all the embeded files be stored in to one file seperate from the accdb file?

(Windows Vista Ultimate x86 / Office Ultimate 2007)

 

[ajetrumpet]

Sorry my bad, the images are product images and other files will be docx files (Manuals) and will need to be changed from time to time. I can't "Ship it off" because the DB is for myself, i have used google and tutorials to get most of the information i need and get this far (Not brilliant at programming/coding)!

I havn't used image control because all i get is an icon and not the image (Even though i didn't have this problem with access 2000/2003)

There will be hundreds maybe thousands of jpg images and .docx files and i'm using the Attachment feature of Access 2007 becuase it makes it easier to change the images/files or add new images/files, i want to save them in a seperate file so that the accdb file doesn't end up huge.

So, can all the embeded files be stored in to one file seperate from the accdb file?

(Windows Vista Ultimate x86 / Office Ultimate 2007)

everything your'e saying is possible, but i still don't understand why. and by the way, an image control houses an IMAGE, and i don't think there are any extensions that are exceptions, except maybe .ico's. but I have no idea really. there just isn't enough info here to analyze this. i'm sure you have it down pat, but someone trying to follow this is just too much work...

try uploading the db and someone maybe able to help ya

 

[Atomic Shrimp]

Wherever you put the images, it will get very large - whether they are attached in the main application, attached in a separate db linked into the front end, or stored in a folder and picked up programmatically. If you have a lot of images, you need some storage space to store them.

My question is this: when you put the application on a memory stick, are you expecting to include the images? If so, you can:

-Store them in a folder alongside the db and code your application to read them (inconvenient for copying though)

-Store them in a single file db as at present

-Create a partially split database, distribute both parts together - so have one db containing the table in which you have embedded the images, then link this into the the other db where everything else is.

None of these options is going to be significantly more compact, in total, than any of the others.

 

[TrekMietta]

Thanks Atomic,

I do understand that no matter where i put the images they will be large, space isn't them problem i have 8x2TB Hard drives and a 64GB Memory Stick! I wasn't having any problems with the sizes, i just wanted to know if this can be done and if it can, HOW? I just dont want everything in one file, i wanted to keep the access structure/MainData seperate from all of the attachments.

I understand that you can split a db into to halves, one half with the structures and the other half with the data, and i tried this but everytime i move the files, from my PC to Memory Stick, i have to relink all the tables again to the other file, Which is why i want to keep these parts together, I also have to relink whenever i put the Memory stick into another computer.

I only want to seperate the Files that are embeded, which will include, but not limited to these files types: .pdf, .docx, .xlsx, .zip, .exe! I have successfully embedded these files into the main database, but was wanting to try and merge these files into one seperate file that the database accesses when i need them.

This external file with all the embedded files is can be a ZIP file, i just want the attachments seperate from the main database file.

Hopefully that will clear up any confusion! Sorry if i was not very clear the first time.

Thanks

 

[NigelShaw]

Hi,

are the images shown for different records as they are selected or can they be statically changed on a form? if so, you could put an image box on the form and change the picture source with a path. that way, your images are stored in a separate file and then loaded via the path however, you would need to store the path in a table linked to your product.

not that hard to do as i use something very similar at the minute.


nidge