Using images
Displaying Images
Catalyst currently supports inserting images into proposals from web URLs only. The editor supports images from both traditional web servers and decentralized storage solutions.
Adding Images to Your Documents
To add an image:
Place your cursor where you want the image to appear
Click the image icon in the toolbar
Enter the complete web address of the image you want to add
Click "Insert" to add the image
Note: Make sure your URL directly links to an image file (e.g., ending with .jpg, .png, .webp, etc.) otherwise the image may not appear in your proposal
Optimizing Images for Catalyst App
For the best experience when adding images to your documents, it's helpful to prepare them in advance by:
Compressing images to reduce file size (aim for under 1MB)
Using WebP format when possible for better compression
Keeping dimensions reasonable (max width 1200px recommended)
Using descriptive filenames
Handling URLs without file extensions
Some image services (like Unsplash or Pexels) provide URLs that don't end with traditional file extensions (.png, etc.) but still serve valid images. These URLs may not be recognized by Catalyst initially but there is a solution.
Solution: Add a filename parameter
If you're using an image URL without a file extension, try adding
?filename=image.jpgto the end of the URL. If the URL already contains a question mark (?), add the filename parameter with an ampersand (&) instead
Example:
// https://example.com/image?width=800&height=600&filename=image.jpgFree Image Resource
Looking for high-quality stock images that work smoothly with Catalyst? We’ve tested a few free services, and these are great options:
Unsplash – Offers excellent, high-resolution images from professional photographers. Just note: if the image URL doesn’t include a file extension (like .jpg), you may need to add [?filename=image.jpg] to the end.
Pexels – Another strong choice with very good image quality, plus the bonus of free video content. Similar to Unsplash, you might need to tweak the URL by adding [?filename=image.jpg] in some cases.
Free-Images.com – A simpler site with decent-quality images and a very straightforward interface. It works out of the box with direct URLs.
For more details on handling links without file extensions, check out the Handling URLs without file extensions section.
Image License Information
When using free stock images with Catalyst, it's important to understand the license terms. Here's a quick overview of the image rights for some of the top free services: Unsplash
Images on Unsplash are covered by the Unsplash License.
You can use them freely for both commercial and personal projects. Modifying images is totally fine and attribution isn’t required.
Pexels
Pexels images come with their own Pexels License.
Like Unsplash, you’re free to use them commercially or personally, and modifications are allowed. No attribution is needed.
Free-Images.com
This site uses the CC0 License, which means images are in the public domain.
You can use them however you like, commercially, personally, modified, or redistributed, with no restrictions at all. It’s as open as it gets.
Best Practices for Using Free Stock Images
Always double-check the license of the specific image you’re using.
Even if attribution isn’t required, it’s good etiquette to credit the photographer when you can.
Choose images that are relevant and elevate your content, especially in proposals or public-facing materials.
Avoid overused or overly generic stock images to keep your work feeling fresh and unique.
Troubleshooting
If your images aren't displaying correctly:
Check that the image URL is correct
Verify the image exists by viewing the image URL in a browser
Ensure the URL points directly to an image file (not a webpage containing an image)
Try using a different image hosting service from the recommended list
For decentralized storage, try using a different gateway
If your images appear and then disappear:
Ensure your content is properly pinned on decentralized storage
Check if the hosting service has usage limitations
Try re-uploading the image to a different service
Contact the Catalyst support team for assistance
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