New View for artist pictures stored in "MusicBee\Artist Pictures folder"

[Avanox]

So, over the many years of using MusicBee, I've managed to collect/curate a rather large library of artist pictures. As a proposed new feature, I would like to select a new View, say something called "View/Artist Pictures" from which only the pictures stored in MusicBee\Artist Pictures folder could be displayed. Preferably in a grid type layout, grouped by Artist, excluding artist thumbnails. The picture files (mostly all jpeg) are stored in my D:\MusicBee\Artist Pictures folder, and are named (titled) as follows:

MusicBee\Artist Pictures\ArtistA
  ArtistA.01.jpg
  ArtistA.02.jpg
  etc...
MusicBee\Artist Pictures\ArtistB
  ArtistB.01.jpg
  ArtistB.02.jpg
  etc...
MusicBee\Artist Pictures\ArtistC
etc...

Regardless, Thanks to Steven and all those who support MusicBee for this most excellent application.
Thank You!
 

[Mayibongwe]

This would need to be done as a plugin. There's an old lengthy topic on this line of discussion where it's collectively agreed that this shouldn't be something MB's developer should spend his limited time and efforts on (main reason being that MusicBee is a music manager/player and not some dedicated gallery viewer).

Having said that, I find this an interesting idea to play around with - just need to create the time for it.

And if other developers around are interested as well, at least the idea is out there for them to see. Cheers.

[Avanox]

@Mayibongwe,
Thanks. Appreciate the comments. I would agree, this request does stray from the 'music' focus of MB and would completely understand why Steven (others) may not want to pursue. I will add though that one of the significant reasons MB is so versatile is because of its excellent integration of audio features with visual features.  The ability to fully display album art, thumbs, artist pics, bio's, theater modes, icons, etc. just completes the whole music experience for me (maybe others also?).

Concerning this particular wish list item, it would be great if this idea does spark some interest. Perhaps as you suggest as a plugin, or maybe it can be implemented in a Theater Mode?  And, for sure, the feature should be limited to 'display only' (in the similar sense that album art/covers in MB are implemented as a 'gallery viewer'), with essentially no ability to edit/modify the artist pictures once placed in the Artist Pictures folder.

I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again!

[Mayibongwe]

With a theater mode, sure it's possible. But I don't think it'd be what you had in mind (as described in the first post).

With a TM, it would look something like Bee-liever's Album Tiles, but with artist pictures instead of album covers.

The limitation with TMs would be that the artist pictures pulling up would only be those of the playing track's artist/album.
(so not a 'gallery viewer' per se of all images in your collection - which is what we want here).

I will add though that one of the significant reasons MB is so versatile is because of its excellent integration of audio features with visual features.

100%. That's actually what I love most about MusicBee - the ability to view movie backdrops whilst listening to film scores.