Supports InDesign 2024 and higher. For older versions of InDesign, please go here.
This free tool gives you a floating library-palette filled with images that are automatically retrieved from one or more local folders. This is a native InDesign library panel, not cloud-based.
Point the tool to a folder, and in return it will offer you a floating palette containing the images stored in that folder, ready to be drag-dropped into your document.
This is very useful in a structured environment, for example in the design of advertisements for a newspaper.
This plug-in is based on an commonly encountered workflow where a designer receives:
- An empty template document with the correct size for the ad
- A collection of images that can used in the design of the ad
This tool makes managing that a bit easier: simply open the template and select Reload Image Library From Document Folder.
That fills up your image template library with the images that are available in the same folder as the document template.
Installing ImageLibraryLoader
ImageLibraryLoader is free, but you can donate towards the effort to maintain this tool by way of PluginInstaller.
If you decide ImageLibraryLoader works for you, and you want to help keep this tool alive, see below for a clickable link that will add a bookmark for ImageLibraryLoader into PluginInstaller. This bookmark then allows you to donate for the project.
At some point into the future, PluginInstaller will also handle downloading and installing of all of our plug-ins, but for the time being, ImageLibraryLoader still needs to be installed through a manual process.
Downloads
To install ImageLibraryLoader, you first need to download three different items.
- ImageLibraryLoader. This download contains the ImageLibraryLoader plug-in.
- APID ToolAssistant. This download contains a shared software component called APID ToolAssistant. To make ImageLibraryLoader work, this plug-in needs to be installed.
Important note: you do NOT need to purchase a license for APID ToolAssistant to make ImageLibraryLoader work. - PluginInstaller. This item is a shared application which handles activation and purchasing of or donating for our software tools. Make sure you update to the latest version – re-download if in doubt.
1. Download link for ImageLibraryLoader
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/ImageLibraryLoader.1.1.1.zip
2. Download links for APID ToolAssistant
Pick the correct link, depending on your computer and version of InDesign:
2.1. Mac, InDesign 2024
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Mac_2024.1.0.72.zip
2.2. Mac, InDesign 2025
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Mac_2025.1.0.72.zip
2.3. Windows, InDesign 2024
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Win_2024.1.0.72.zip
2.4. Windows, InDesign 2025
https://www.rorohiko.com/downloads/apid/APIDToolAssistant_Win_2025.1.0.72.zip
3. PluginInstaller
Installing on a Mac
You need to have a user account with Admin privileges on your computer.
If you don’t have such an account, you need to talk to your I.T. department – they will need to help you install the plug-ins.
Make sure InDesign is not running.
Using the Finder, navigate to the InDesign Plug-Ins folder for your version of InDesign.
On most computers this will be on a path similar to /Applications/Adobe InDesign 202x/Plug-Ins
Create a folder called Rorohiko – this is not absolutely necessary, but if you also use plug-ins from other companies, it’s better to put them into separate folders, nested below the Plug-Ins folder. You will probably need to provide your computer login password in order to create this folder.
Decompress the APIDToolAssistant_Mac_20xx…zip file and move the contents into the Rorohiko folder. Once installed, it should look similar to the screenshot below:
Decompress the ImageLibraryLoader…zip file.
Move the plug-in file ImageLibraryLoader.spln into the Rorohiko folder inside the InDesign Plug-Ins folder.
You can now launch InDesign.
Now scroll further down, past the Installing on Windows section, to the Usage section.
Installing on Windows
On your computer, you need to have a user account with Admin privileges.
If you don’t have such an account, you need to talk to your I.T. department – they will need to help you install the plug-ins.
Make sure InDesign is not running.
Using the Explorer, navigate to the InDesign Plug-Ins folder for your version of InDesign.
On most computers this will be on a path similar to C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe InDesign 202x\Plug-Ins
Create a folder called Rorohiko – this is not absolutely necessary, but if you also use plug-ins from other companies, it’s better to put them into separate folders, nested below the Plug-Ins folder. You will probably need to provide your computer login password in order to create this folder.
Right-click the APIDToolAssistant_Win_20xx…zip file and select Extract All…
Move the two plug-in files and the two plug-in folders into the Rorohiko folder. Once installed, it should look similar to the screenshot below:
Right-click the ImageLibraryLoader…zip file and select Extract All…
Move the plug-in file ImageLibraryLoader.spln into the Rorohiko folder inside the InDesign Plug-Ins folder.
You can now launch InDesign.
Usage
Make sure you have a document open – the API menu will not be fully populated until you open or create a document.
Click the API menu, there should be five menu items:
- Reload Image Library From Document Folder…
- Add To Image Library From Document Folder…
- Reload Image Library…
- Add To Image Library…
- Refresh Image Library
Use the Add To Image Library From Document Folder… or Add To Image Library… options to cumulatively add images to the palette from a folder. The second option uses your current document folder.
Use the Reload Image Library From Document Folder… or Reload Image Library… options to replace the images in the palette with the images from a folder. The second option uses your current document folder.
Use the Refresh Image Library option to refresh all the images in the palette.
For more detailed information on ImageLibraryLoader, go to:
https://www.rorohiko.com/wordpress/manuals/imagelibraryloader-manual/
Donating for ImageLibraryLoader
ImageLibraryLoader is free.
If you can afford to support the effort to keep this project alive, please do so!
There are ongoing costs associated with keeping ImageLibraryLoader updated and supported, and we’re grateful for any help you can give us in this regard.
Start the PluginInstaller, which you downloaded in installation step 3 above.
Then go through the following steps.
Create an Account:
If this is your first time using PluginInstaller, you’ll need to create a new account and register it within PluginInstaller.
If you already have an account listed in the Accounts window, you can skip ahead.
Add an ImageLibraryLoader Bookmark:
Add a bookmark for ImageLibraryLoader into PluginInstaller by clicking the following link:
Add ImageLibraryLoader Bookmark into PluginInstaller
Alternatively, you can use the Browse the Store for Software window in PluginInstaller and find the ImageLibraryLoader entry in the Rorohiko Catalog, then click the link provided.
Donate
Once the bookmark is listed in the Installing and Ordering window, select it fill out the Ordering section at the bottom.
Fill in a donation amount, and add a reference if desired, then click Purchase.