Image Message

Visual Communication: Image messages enable rich visual communication by allowing users to share photos, screenshots, and visual content with automatic upload handling, caption support, and cross-platform compatibility.

Image Messaging Overview

Image messages provide powerful visual communication capabilities, allowing users to share photos, screenshots, documents, and other visual content with automatic upload processing and metadata support.

Automatic Upload

Seamless file handling

Automatic image upload and processing
Progress tracking and status updates
Multiple format support (JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP)
Optimized compression and quality

Rich Features

Enhanced visual messaging

Caption and text overlay support
Thumbnail generation
Metadata and tagging
Threading and reply support

Platform Implementation

Unified image handling with automatic uploadMobile SDKs provide streamlined image messaging with automatic upload processing, eliminating the need for separate upload steps.

Required Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description
`subChannelId`	String	Target subchannel identifier for the image message
`attachment`	Image/URI	Local image file path or URI reference

Optional Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description
`caption`	String	Text caption or description for the image
`tags`	Array<String>	Message categorization and filtering tags
`parentId`	String	Parent message ID for threaded conversations
`metadata`	Object	Custom properties for extended functionality

Implementation Examples

// Create image message with local file
let imageUrl = URL(fileURLWithPath: "/path/to/local/image.jpg")
let options = AmityImageMessageCreateOptions(
    subChannelId: "subChannel-123",
    attachment: .localURL(url: imageUrl),
    caption: "Check out this amazing sunset! 🌅",
    fullImage: true,
    tags: ["photos", "nature", "sunset"],
    parentId: nil
)

do {
    let message = try await messageRepository.createImageMessage(options: options)
    print("Image message sent: \(message.messageId)")
} catch {
    // Handle upload or creation error
    print("Failed to send image: \(error)")
}

Automatic Processing: Mobile SDKs handle image upload, compression, and message creation in a single operation, providing seamless user experience with progress tracking.

Image Message Features

File Format & Quality Support

Comprehensive image format handlingSupported Formats

JPEG: Optimal for photos and complex images with good compression
PNG: Perfect for graphics, screenshots, and images requiring transparency
WebP: Modern format with superior compression and quality

Quality & Compression

Automatic Optimization: SDK handles compression for optimal delivery
Quality Preservation: Maintains visual quality while reducing file size
Progressive Loading: Supports progressive image loading for better UX
Multi-resolution Generation: Automatic multi-resolution transcoding for quick previews

Size Limitations

File Size: Platform-specific limits (typically 10-50MB)
Dimensions: Support for high-resolution images up to 8K
Aspect Ratios: All aspect ratios supported with proper scaling

Example: Quality Settings

let options = AmityImageMessageCreateOptions(
    subChannelId: "channel-123",
    attachment: .localURL(url: imageUrl),
    caption: "High quality product photo",
    fullImage: true, // Maintain full resolution
    tags: ["product", "high-quality"]
)

Upload Progress & Status

Real-time upload feedback and status trackingUpload States

Queued: Image queued for upload processing
Uploading: Active upload with progress percentage
Processing: Server-side image processing and optimization
Complete: Upload finished, message created successfully
Failed: Upload or processing failed, retry available

Progress Tracking

Percentage Complete: Real-time upload progress (0-100%)
Bytes Transferred: Detailed transfer information
Time Estimates: Estimated completion time
Speed Monitoring: Upload speed and bandwidth usage

Error Handling

Network Interruption: Automatic retry on connection restore
File Validation: Format and size validation before upload
Server Errors: Graceful handling of server-side issues
User Feedback: Clear error messages and recovery options

Example: Upload Monitoring

messageRepository.createImageMessage(subChannelId, attachment)
    .doOnNext { progress ->
        // Update UI with upload progress
        updateProgressBar(progress.percentage)
    }
    .doOnComplete {
        // Upload completed successfully
        showSuccessMessage()
    }
    .doOnError { error ->
        // Handle upload failure
        showRetryOption(error)
    }
    .subscribe()

Caption & Text Features

Rich text support for image descriptionsCaption Capabilities

Rich Text: Support for formatting, emojis, and special characters
Length Limits: Generous character limits for detailed descriptions
Multilingual: Full Unicode support for international content
Mentions: User and role mentions within captions

Text vs Caption

Text Field: Primary message content, searchable and indexable
Caption Field: Image-specific description, display-optimized
Combined Usage: Both fields can be used simultaneously
Platform Differences: Some platforms merge text and caption

Best Practices

Descriptive Captions: Provide context and description for images
Accessibility: Use captions for screen reader compatibility
SEO Optimization: Include relevant keywords for searchability
Consistent Style: Maintain consistent caption formatting

Example: Rich Caption

const imageMessage = {
  subChannelId: 'channel-123',
  dataType: MessageContentType.IMAGE,
  fileId: uploadedFileId,
  caption: '🎉 Team milestone achieved! Our Q4 goals are complete. Special thanks to @sarah and @mike for their outstanding contributions. #teamwork #success',
  tags: ['milestone', 'team', 'achievement'],
  metadata: {
    achievement_type: 'quarterly_goal',
    team_members: ['sarah', 'mike'],
    quarter: 'Q4_2024'
  }
};

Performance Optimization

Efficient image handling and deliveryUpload Optimization

Compression: Automatic image compression to reduce upload time
Progressive Upload: Chunked upload for large images
Background Processing: Upload continues even if app is backgrounded
Retry Logic: Smart retry mechanisms for failed uploads

Memory Management

Efficient Loading: Load images on-demand to conserve memory
Cache Management: Intelligent caching for frequently viewed images
Thumbnail Usage: Use thumbnails for list views and previews
Memory Cleanup: Automatic cleanup of unused image data

Network Efficiency

Adaptive Quality: Adjust image quality based on network conditions
Batch Operations: Group multiple image operations when possible
CDN Integration: Leverage content delivery networks for fast access
Offline Support: Cache images for offline viewing

UI Performance

Lazy Loading: Load images as they come into view
Placeholder Images: Show placeholders while images load
Smooth Animations: Optimize transitions and loading animations
Error States: Graceful handling of failed image loads

Example: Optimized Loading

class ImageMessageWidget extends StatelessWidget {
  final AmityMessage message;
  
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return FutureBuilder<ImageProvider>(
      future: loadImageOptimized(message.data['fileUrl']),
      builder: (context, snapshot) {
        if (snapshot.hasData) {
          return Image(image: snapshot.data!);
        } else if (snapshot.hasError) {
          return ErrorImageWidget();
        } else {
          return CircularProgressIndicator();
        }
      },
    );
  }
}

File Messages

Document sharing Send files, documents, and attachments

Video Messages

Video content Share video clips and recordings

Image Handling Guide

Technical details Deep dive into image processing and optimization

Implementation Strategy: Start with basic image messaging using platform-specific patterns (unified upload for mobile, two-step for web), then add features like captions, metadata, and threading. Always implement proper progress feedback and error handling for optimal user experience.

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Getting Started

Fundamentals

Social

Chat

Video

Support

Image Messaging Overview

Automatic Upload

Rich Features

Platform Implementation

Required Parameters

Optional Parameters

Implementation Examples

Image Message Features

File Messages

Video Messages

Image Handling Guide

Powered by

Getting Started

Fundamentals

Social

Chat

Video

Support

​Image Messaging Overview

Automatic Upload

Rich Features

​Platform Implementation

​Required Parameters

​Optional Parameters

​Implementation Examples

​Image Message Features

​Related Features

File Messages

Video Messages

Image Handling Guide

Image Messaging Overview

Platform Implementation

Required Parameters

Optional Parameters

Implementation Examples

Image Message Features

Related Features