Artwork: Difference between revisions

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{{Artwork_Contents}}{{mininav|[[General topics]]}}
{{Artwork_Contents}}
 
{{mininav|[[Music_library|Music Library]] {{l2|[[Video_library|Video Library]]}} |[[HOW-TO:Create_Music_Library|Create Music Library]] {{l2|[[HOW-TO:Create_Video_Library|Create Video Library]]}}}}


<section begin="intro" />The use of artwork takes pride of place in Kodi. The artwork will transform your mundane media player into a showpiece to be proud of, especially when teamed up with your favourite skin. Kodi  will allow you to display Movie Posters, Fanart, Album Covers, Actor and Artist images to name a few. Install the Kodi slideshow add-on, and you will have a constant display of video or music fanart to brighten your entertainment room.<section end="intro" />
<section begin="intro" />The use of artwork takes pride of place in Kodi. The artwork will transform your mundane media player into a showpiece to be proud of, especially when teamed up with your favourite skin. Kodi  will allow you to display Movie Posters, Fanart, Album Covers, Actor and Artist images to name a few. Install the Kodi slideshow add-on, and you will have a constant display of video or music fanart to brighten your entertainment room.<section end="intro" />
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'''Be aware that artwork is skin dependent. Not all artwork types are used in all skins.'''
'''Be aware that artwork is skin dependent. Not all artwork types are used in all skins.'''


= Flexible artwork types =
<gallery mode="packed" widths=350px heights=200px>
File:Artwork-PosterView01.jpg
File:Artwork-FanartView01.jpg
File:Artwork-Banner01.jpg
File:Artwork-PosterView02.jpg
File:Artwork-MusicArtist01.jpg
File:Artwork-ClearLogo02.jpg
</gallery>
{{Kodi}}'s support for artwork types to represent media items is very flexible: Any number of artwork can be added to a media item with free-form names that have only a few rules.
To view all art types that are already assigned in your Kodi library for any particular media type, use Kodi's built-in [[Artwork#Kodi- Choose Art| Choose Art]] dialog on nearly any item in the library (movie, TV show, episode, so on), and the list of artwork types shown on this window are assigned to at least one media item of the same type.
== Naming rules ==
* artwork names must be
** only alphanumeric characters
** lowercase letters
** keep them short - 20 characters is a bit long, though not forbidden
* Named by convention so that skins and JSON-RPC consumers can find and use them reliably
* Some common types of artwork are "fanart", "clearlogo", "landscape", "banner", and "poster"
== Artwork whitelist ==
Starting with Kodi 18, there is a whitelist configuration for artwork types to be added automatically. This whitelist applies to all artwork added automatically by Kodi, either when scanning in local files or scraping from online sources. This allows you to share one media file library with a full artwork selection and configure individual Kodi clients separately based on processing power, skin selection, or client-local storage space (the local artwork cache takes up the most space of all Kodi running data). It is currently configured with advancedsettings.xml '''[[Advancedsettings.xml#Extra artwork| for the video library]]''' and  '''[[Advancedsettings.xml#Extra artwork 2| for the music library]]'''.


= Obtaining Artwork =
= Obtaining Artwork =
[[File:Artwork-PosterView01.jpg|500px|right]]
[[File:Artwork-FanartView01.jpg|500px|right]]
Movie, TV Show and Music artwork can be obtained using a variety of methods. The most common method is via the Kodi scraper.
Movie, TV Show and Music artwork can be obtained using a variety of methods. The most common method is via the Kodi scraper.


== Scrapers ==
== Scrapers ==
A scraper is a Kodi core function which, in combination with the relevant metadata API add-on, will preform an automatic online search for movie, tv show and music information and then retrieve all relevant metadata and artwork and import it into the Kodi Library. The default sources for information are:  
A scraper is a Kodi core function which, in combination with the relevant metadata API add-on, will preform an automatic online search for movie, tv show and music information and then retrieve all relevant metadata and artwork and import the data into the Kodi Library and the artwork into the [[Artwork#Cache|cache]]. The default sources for information are:  


Movies- [https://www.themoviedb.org/ The MovieDB]<br />
Movies- [https://www.themoviedb.org/ The MovieDB]<br />
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Music- [http://www.theaudiodb.com/ The AudioDB]<br />
Music- [http://www.theaudiodb.com/ The AudioDB]<br />
<br />
<br />
There are many other sources, but most are specialist listings for foreign language movies, or Disney movies, for example.
There are many other scraper information sources, but most are specialist listings for foreign language movies or Disney movies, for example.
 
The Video scraping process is reliant on your local directory and file names being named in accordance with the title listed at the scraper site. To ensure correct naming, simply visit the website, search for your title, and copy the title from the site and paste into your directory/filename.  


The entire scraping process is reliant on your local directory and file names being named in accordance with the title listed at the scraper site. To ensure correct naming, simply visit the website, search for your title, and copy the title from the site and paste into your directory/filename.  
The Music scraping process is reliant on correct file naming and music tags.


Kodi will then match the video or music and download all relevant metadata and artwork. It is important to note that if you already have correctly named artwork in the video and music folder, then Kodi will scrape the local artwork and ignore the online source. Metadata will still be downloaded though.
Kodi will then match the video or music and download all relevant metadata and artwork. It is important to note that if you already have correctly named artwork in the video and music folder, then Kodi will scrape the local artwork and ignore the online source. Metadata will still be downloaded though.


If you subsequently locate artwork that is preferable, it is possible to replace the Kodi selected artwork. Enter the Information page of the video and select ''Choose Art'', then navigate to, and select, your preferred artwork.
If you subsequently locate artwork that is preferable, it is possible to replace the Kodi selected artwork. Refer to [[Artwork#Kodi-_Choose_Art|paragraph 2.1]] below.
; {{see also|Naming video files}}
; {{see also|Add-on:The Movie Database}}
; {{see also|Add-on:The TVDB}}
; {{see also|Add-on:Universal Album Scraper}}
; {{see also|Add-on:Universal Artist Scraper}}


; {{see also|How_To_use_Scrapers}}
== Media Managers ==
; {{see also|Naming_video_files}}
There is a range of software that can create nfo files and download artwork and save them to the correct location and correct naming. They perform the same process and function as the Kodi Scraping operation does natively, but they do not add any entries into the Kodi library. Instead they create what is known as '''[[NFO_files|NFO files]]'''. This file holds all the metadata for that particular movie, tv show or music. The software will also download associated artwork from the scraper site. Kodi can then read this file and scrape it into the library along with the artwork.
; {{see also|Add-on:The_MovieDB}}
; {{see also|Add-on:The_TVDB}}
; {{see also|Add-on:Universal_Album_Scraper}}
; {{see also|Add-on:Universal_Artist_Scraper}}


Although these programs are quick and easy to use, they are more suited for use where a movie or tv show is not listed at the scraper site. You are then able to create the metadata from scratch. You would normally use this for, say, home movies, sporting events or other items that are not listed at the scraper site.


== Manual Search & Save ==
It is always best to use Kodi for the normal mainstream scrapes and the Media Managers for the non-listed movie, tv show and music scrapes.
There are three methods to manually search and save your artwork.
; {{see also|NFO_files}}


=== Web Search ===
== Web Search ==
Using an online search engine can help you discover individual artworks, or additional sites where artwork is hosted. When downloading, check that the resolution is of an acceptable standard. Also pay respect to any copyright notices that are attached to the artwork.
Using an online search engine can help you discover individual artworks, or additional sites where artwork is hosted. When downloading, check that the resolution is of an acceptable standard. Also pay respect to any copyright notices that are attached to the artwork.


Once downloaded, they must be named and saved correctly for the artwork to be visible to Kodi.
Once downloaded, they must be named and saved correctly for the artwork to be visible to Kodi.
=== Kodi- Choose Art ===
From within Kodi, you have the ability to manually change the artwork at any time by following these directions.
To change music artwork- ''see [[Music_artwork]]''
#Highlight the Movie, TV Show, Season or Episode whose artwork you want to change.
#Call up the ''Information'' page,
#Select ''Choose Art''.
#From within this page, you will be given the option to select which type of artwork you would like to change.
#Once selected, you will then be provided with a list of available artworks at the scraper site, or you can navigate to a local or network location as shown in the following images.
<gallery widths=450px heights=250px>
File:Artwork-ChooseArt03.jpg|Choose Art on the Movie Information Page
File:Artwork-ChooseArt01.jpg|Select which type of artwork to change
File:Artwork-ChooseArt02.jpg|List of available remote artworks from the scraper site, as well as the ability to ''Browse'' local and network sources
</gallery>
=== Media Managers ===
There is a range of software that can create nfo files and download artwork and save them to the correct location and correct naming. They perform the same process and function as Kodi does natively, but they do not add any entries into the Kodi library. Instead they create what is known as a '''nfo''' file. This file holds all the metadata for that particular movie, tv show or music. The software will also download associated artwork from the scraper site. Kodi can then read this file and scrape it into the library the next time an ''Update Library'' is performed.
Although these programs are quick and easy to use, they are more suited for use where a movie or tv show is not listed at the scraper site. You are then able to create the metadata from scratch. You would normally use this for, say, home movies, sporting events or other items that are not listed at the scraper site.
It is always best to use Kodi for the normal mainstream scrapes and the Media Managers for the non-listed movie, tv show and music scrapes.
; {{see also|nfo}}


== Create Your Own ==
== Create Your Own ==
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*The MovieDB- The go to movie scraper site for Kodi. In addition to metadata, they also hold a large repository of artwork that are created and uploaded to the site by people just like you. Read their easy to understand artwork creation guide.
*The MovieDB- The go to movie scraper site for Kodi. In addition to metadata, they also hold a large repository of artwork that are created and uploaded to the site by people just like you. Read their easy to understand artwork creation guide.
:; ''see : [https://www.themoviedb.org/documentation/editing/images<nowiki>themoviedb- Image Creation Guide</nowiki>]''
:; ''see : [https://www.themoviedb.org/documentation/editing/images<nowiki>themoviedb- Image Creation Guide</nowiki>]''
*The TVDB- The go to TV Show scraper site for Kodi. In addition to metadata, they also hold a large repository of artwork devoted to TV Shows. Read their easy to understand artwork creation guide.
:; ''see : [http://www.thetvdb.com/wiki/index.php/Category:Images<nowiki>theTVDB- Image Creation Guide</nowiki>]''
*IMDB- A comprehensive listing of ensuring artwork is appropriate and suitable.
*IMDB- A comprehensive listing of ensuring artwork is appropriate and suitable.
:; ''see : [https://contribute.imdb.com/updates/guide/images<nowiki>IMDB- Image Submission Guide</nowiki>]''
:; ''see : [https://contribute.imdb.com/updates/guide/images<nowiki>IMDB- Image Submission Guide</nowiki>]''
*TheAudioDB- The go to scraper site for all things music. They hold metadata on Artists, Albums and Songs with a large collection of music artwork.
:; ''see : [http://theaudiodb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1<nowiki>TheAudioDB- Image Creation Guide</nowiki>]''


= Importing-Scanning Artwork =
{{anchor|Importing-Scraping Artwork}}


This section does not apply to the Kodi scraper or any other add-on scraping process. It only applies to artwork you have manually sourced and saved.


= Managing Artwork =
'''When performing an Update Library or Scrape, Kodi will always use Local Artwork first if it exists. If there is no local artwork, Kodi will obtain the artwork from online sources.'''
There are a number of ways to maintain and improve Kodi's handling of the artwork.  


'''It is important to note that once a movie, tv show, artist or album has been scraped into the library, Kodi will ignore them on subsequent scans.''' If you have made changes to either artwork and/or metadata (in the form of a nfo file), you must instruct Kodi to update using one of the following methods...
#If the Library has not yet been created, or the source has not yet been added
#*Ensure your artwork is named and saved correctly. Add the [[Media sources]] to Kodi and allow to update. Artwork will be cached
#This Movie/TV Show/Album/Artist is new and has not been added to the library yet
#*An Update Library will scrape and cache the artwork, or
#*For Videos, navigate Videos>Files, navigate to the item and call up the Information page. This will start an automatic scrape for that single item
#*For Music, navigate Music>Files, locate and highlight the new artist or album. From the context menu select ''Scan item to library''
#I added new artwork for Movie/TV Show/Album/Artist already in the library
#*For videos follow instructions for ''Kodi- Choose Art'' below
#*For music follow instructions in [[Music_artwork]]
#I added new artwork for a lot of Movies/TV Shows/Music already in the library
#*Update each Movie/TV Show/Music manually using instructions in the previous option, or
#*Remove the Source and clean library. Re-add the source and allow the Update Library
:'''''See also: [[Updating_or_removing_videos|Update Video Library]]'''''


== Cache ==
== "Available" artwork ==
Kodi maintains a local '''texture''' cache for all artwork  downloaded via the scrape process. During this caching process, artwork size is modified to default sizes. This allows faster access and loading times, especially noticeable on low powered equipment. These default sizes can be modified in the ''advancedsettings.xml''- Refer section 2.3


When Kodi performs an online scrape to download the metadata of your videos or music, it also downloads the associated artwork. The URL link to the original online artwork location is stored in the video or music databases. The downloaded artwork is then saved in the Cache located in ''\userdata\thumbnails '' directory. An entry in the ''texturesxx.db'' is recorded that connects each image to the appropriate video or music library entry.
Scrapers and NFO files can include multiple images for a single type of artwork. The first image will be assigned to the media item for skins and other interfaces to access for display, and the full list will be saved for the "Choose art" dialog, where you can select a new image for any art type.


If you have stored local artwork with your video or music file, Kodi will scrape these as described above. Once scraped, these original local images are no longer accessed by Kodi. Note that Extrafanart and Extrathumbs are a skin function, and these are not cached, but accessed directly by the skin.  
== Kodi- Choose Art ==
; {{see also|Artwork/Cache}}
From within Kodi, you have the ability to manually change the artwork at any time by following these directions.  


#Highlight the media item whose artwork you want to change.
#Call up the ''Information'' page, (Image 1)
#* For seasons and movie sets the "Choose Art" option is in the [[Context menu]].
#Select ''Choose Art''. (Image 1)
#From within this page, you will be given the option to select which type of artwork you would like to change. (Image 2)
#* This dialog is filled with artwork already assigned to similar media items in the library. If your type of artwork is not listed, then use the '''Add art''' button. An onscreen keyboard will be displayed. Enter the new type of artwork and select '''Ok'''.
#* Examples of artwork type are those listed in the following pages- eg clearlogo, clearart, banner etc...
#Once selected, you will then be provided with a list of available artwork at the scraper site, or you can navigate to a local or network location. (Image 3)
#Once you select the desired image, it will replace the existing image. You will be returned to the screen displayed in Image 2
#If you do not intend to change any other artwork types, simply Esc or Back out of the screen


== Recovering Disk Space ==
<gallery widths=350px heights=200px>
After years of use, it is expected that your system will gather some clutter- that being either orphaned artwork files or corrupted artwork which will not display.  
File:Artwork-ChooseArt03.jpg|Image 1- Choose Art on the Information Page
There are two methods available to maintain a healthy cache and database:
File:Artwork-ChooseArt01.jpg|Image 2- Select which type of artwork to change
; {{see also|HOW-TO:Reduce_disk_space_usage}}
File:Artwork-ChooseArt02.jpg|Image 3- List of available remote artworks from the scraper site, as well as the ability to ''Browse'' local and network sources
File:Artwork-ChooseArt04.jpg|Image 4- Using the Refresh Method
</gallery>
An alternative method:
#Choose ''Refresh'' as seen in Image 1.
#You will then be asked ''Locally stored information found. Ignore and refresh from Internet?'' (Image 4)
#*To scrape local artwork and metadata - Select '''No''' note- If you have no local nfo file, Kodi will scrape metadata from the online scraper site
#*To scrape online artwork and metadata - Select '''Yes'''


=== Texture Cache Maintenance ===
= Artwork details for media sections =
{{#lst:Texture_Cache_Maintenance_utility|intro}}
; {{see also|Texture_Cache_Maintenance_utility}}


=== Delete textures13.db ===
<gallery mode="packed" widths=350px heights=200px>
One sure way to repair any caching problems is to delete the ''textures13.db'' database.
File:Skin.rapier fullscreen music.jpg
You will need to perform the following for a clean start with respect to Artwork
File:Artwork-MusicBanner01.jpg
*Delete ''texturesxx.db'' located in the ''\userdata\database\'' folder.  
File:Artwork-FanartView02.jpg
*Delete the Thumbnails directory located at ''\userdata\Thumbnails\'' which stores all the cached images,
File:Rapier new tvshows.jpg
Be aware that this should be a last resort procedure. Deleting this database file will remove all cache entries and links, requiring your artwork be re-scraped.
File:Artwork-Animated01.gif
File:Artwork-musiclandscape-EstuaryATF.jpg
</gallery>


== Movie Artwork ==
{{#lst:Movie_artwork|intro}}
{{see|Movie artwork}}


== TV Show Artwork ==
{{#lst:TV-Show_artwork|intro}}
{{see|TV-Show artwork}}


== Advanced Settings ==
== Music Artwork ==
There are a number of ''advancedsettings.xml'' tags which can be used to modify the handling and caching of artwork. This is especially useful for those who have low powered equipment and minimal storage. These settings should not be implemented unless you are experiencing problems displaying the artwork such as slow loading images or lagging GUI navigation.
{{#lst:Music_artwork|intro}}
An easily understandable explanation of the effects of some of these settings can be located in the [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=315806&pid=2599318#pid2599318 forum here.]
{{see|Music artwork}}
; {{see also|Advancedsettings.xml#Library_artwork}}


== Music Videos Artwork ==
{{#lst:Music_Video_artwork|intro}}
{{see|Music Video artwork}}


== Live TV Artwork ==
{{#lst:Live_TV_Artwork|intro}}
{{see|Live TV Artwork}}


== Import/Export ==
== Pictures Artwork ==
{{#lst:import-export_library|intro}}
There is no user definable artwork for the Pictures section of Kodi.<br />
; {{see also|Import-Export_library}}
:'''''See: [[Pictures]]


All images added to Pictures are cached as follows:
#Embedded EXIF previews are scanned and cached. If none available then
#Preview images are created and cached
:'''''See: [[Artwork#Cache|Artwork Cache]]'''''<br />


To add an image to the folder icon:
:'''''See: [[Movie_artwork#Source Folder Artwork|Folder Image]]'''''


== Add-ons ==
= Add-ons to display artwork =
The following add-ons allow you to display your movie, tv show and music artwork
The following add-ons allow you to display your movie, TV show and music artwork.


=== Screensavers ===
=== Screensavers ===


Want to do more with all that wonderful fanart? Install the Kodi screensaver. Just like a screensaver on computers from yesteryear, the Kodi screensaver will produce a slideshow of your Movie and TV Show fanart, or set it to display your Music Fanart. Don't like either of those? Then setup a directory with your own pictures and it can produce a screensaver from your selection of photos.
Want to do more with all that wonderful fanart? Install this Kodi screensaver. Just like a screensaver on computers from yesteryear, the Kodi screensaver will produce a slideshow of your Movie and TV Show fanart, or set it to display your Music Fanart. Don't like either of those? Then setup a directory with your own pictures and it can produce a screensaver from your selection of photos.
; {{see also|Add-on:Picture_Slideshow_Screensaver}}
; {{see also|Add-on:Picture Slideshow Screensaver}}


= Managing Artwork =
There are a number of ways to maintain and improve Kodi's handling of the artwork.


== Cache ==
{{#lst:Artwork/Cache|intro}}
; {{see also|Artwork/Cache}}


== Recovering Disk Space ==
After years of use, it is expected that your system will gather some clutter- that being either orphaned artwork files or corrupted artwork which will not display.
; {{see also|HOW-TO:Reduce disk space usage}}
; {{see also|Artwork/Cache}}


=== Texture Cache Maintenance ===
{{#lst:Texture_Cache_Maintenance_utility|intro}}
; {{see also|Texture Cache Maintenance utility}}


[[File:Artwork-FanartView02.jpg|500px|right]]
== Import/Export ==
[[File:Artwork-ListView01.jpg|500px|right]]
{{#lst:import-export_library|intro}}
; {{see also|Import-export library}}


= Movie Artwork =
= Troubleshooting =
{{#lst:Movie_artwork|intro}}
There are certain scenarios where attempting to replace existing artwork with new artwork, '''you may experience {{kodi}} refusing to load the new artwork'''. This occurs when replacing one artwork with another artwork having the same name. eg replacing ''poster.jpg'' with a new ''poster.jpg''.
{{see|Movie_artwork}}


Rest assured that the new image has been accepted, but due to the same filename, {{kodi}} may take upto 24 hrs to check the image hash, realise the image is different and clear out the cached image and replace it with the new one. This is intended behaviour. Further reading available in the following link


= TV Show Artwork =
; {{see also|Artwork/Cache}}
{{#lst:TV-Show_artwork|intro}}
{{see|TV-Show_artwork}}


= Animated artwork - experimental =


= Music Artwork =
Kodi has basic support for displaying animated artwork, and two artwork types have a decent collection of animated options: posters and fanart for movies. The most comprehensive support for animated artwork is Skin Helper Service, which has taken to naming these as "animatedposter" and "animatedfanart".
{{#lst:Music_artwork|intro}}
{{see|Music_artwork}}
 


New animated movie posters (and textless posters / keyart which could be named "animatedkeyart") are often posted to [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=215727 this forum thread].


= Music Videos Artwork =
== Limitations of animated artwork ==
This wiki covers the artwork found in the Music Videos section of Kodi


Kodi's support for displaying animated artwork is basic, and does have some limitations.


Number one is a hard limit on the number of pixels in a single animated artwork. The size of animated artwork is limited to roughly 12 frames of 1920x1080. This limit is defined as fully decoded pixels. The trend for animated posters is for smaller images with more frames (a recent "animatedposter" is 500x713 with 60 frames). Kodi will discard any remaining frames after it has reached this limit, which will probably hitch unpleasantly, so obeying this limit is important.
* Technically this limit is 11 frames but Kodi will decode full frames until it has decoded MORE than this, so the calculation is
** 1920 × 1080 = 2,073,600 * 11 =
*** 22,809,600 pixels '''plus''' one more frame


= TV Artwork =
Number two is that Kodi doesn't save animated artwork to the texture cache and will not play them (only displaying the first frame) unless they are stored on a client-local file system.
There is no user definable artwork for the TV section of Kodi


= Accessing with skins and JSON-RPC =
{{#lst:Artwork/Accessing with skins and JSON-RPC|intro}}
; {{see also|Artwork/Accessing with skins and JSON-RPC}}


{{Top}}


= Pictures Artwork =
{{updated|18}}
There is no user definable artwork for the Pictures section of Kodi
[[Category:FAQ]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Karellen]]
[[Category:Video library]]
[[Category:Music library]]
[[Category:Advanced topics]]
[[Category:First time user]]
[[Category:Quick Start Guide]]

Revision as of 20:35, 17 February 2019

Artwork contents

Artwork Main Page



See also:


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Home icon grey.png   ▶ Music Library
▶ Video Library
▶ Create Music Library
▶ Create Video Library
▶ Artwork

The use of artwork takes pride of place in Kodi. The artwork will transform your mundane media player into a showpiece to be proud of, especially when teamed up with your favourite skin. Kodi will allow you to display Movie Posters, Fanart, Album Covers, Actor and Artist images to name a few. Install the Kodi slideshow add-on, and you will have a constant display of video or music fanart to brighten your entertainment room.

As the topic covering artwork is comprehensive, it has been broken down into smaller and more manageable pages for ease of reading. Choose the subject that interests you to obtain further information. Information common to all categories is located on this page. Specific category details are located on linked pages.

Be aware that artwork is skin dependent. Not all artwork types are used in all skins.

Flexible artwork types

Kodi's support for artwork types to represent media items is very flexible: Any number of artwork can be added to a media item with free-form names that have only a few rules.

To view all art types that are already assigned in your Kodi library for any particular media type, use Kodi's built-in Choose Art dialog on nearly any item in the library (movie, TV show, episode, so on), and the list of artwork types shown on this window are assigned to at least one media item of the same type.

Naming rules

  • artwork names must be
    • only alphanumeric characters
    • lowercase letters
    • keep them short - 20 characters is a bit long, though not forbidden
  • Named by convention so that skins and JSON-RPC consumers can find and use them reliably
  • Some common types of artwork are "fanart", "clearlogo", "landscape", "banner", and "poster"

Artwork whitelist

Starting with Kodi 18, there is a whitelist configuration for artwork types to be added automatically. This whitelist applies to all artwork added automatically by Kodi, either when scanning in local files or scraping from online sources. This allows you to share one media file library with a full artwork selection and configure individual Kodi clients separately based on processing power, skin selection, or client-local storage space (the local artwork cache takes up the most space of all Kodi running data). It is currently configured with advancedsettings.xml for the video library and for the music library.

Obtaining Artwork

Movie, TV Show and Music artwork can be obtained using a variety of methods. The most common method is via the Kodi scraper.

Scrapers

A scraper is a Kodi core function which, in combination with the relevant metadata API add-on, will preform an automatic online search for movie, tv show and music information and then retrieve all relevant metadata and artwork and import the data into the Kodi Library and the artwork into the cache. The default sources for information are:

Movies- The MovieDB
TV Shows- The TVDB
Music- The AudioDB

There are many other scraper information sources, but most are specialist listings for foreign language movies or Disney movies, for example.

The Video scraping process is reliant on your local directory and file names being named in accordance with the title listed at the scraper site. To ensure correct naming, simply visit the website, search for your title, and copy the title from the site and paste into your directory/filename.

The Music scraping process is reliant on correct file naming and music tags.

Kodi will then match the video or music and download all relevant metadata and artwork. It is important to note that if you already have correctly named artwork in the video and music folder, then Kodi will scrape the local artwork and ignore the online source. Metadata will still be downloaded though.

If you subsequently locate artwork that is preferable, it is possible to replace the Kodi selected artwork. Refer to paragraph 2.1 below.

Media Managers

There is a range of software that can create nfo files and download artwork and save them to the correct location and correct naming. They perform the same process and function as the Kodi Scraping operation does natively, but they do not add any entries into the Kodi library. Instead they create what is known as NFO files. This file holds all the metadata for that particular movie, tv show or music. The software will also download associated artwork from the scraper site. Kodi can then read this file and scrape it into the library along with the artwork.

Although these programs are quick and easy to use, they are more suited for use where a movie or tv show is not listed at the scraper site. You are then able to create the metadata from scratch. You would normally use this for, say, home movies, sporting events or other items that are not listed at the scraper site.

It is always best to use Kodi for the normal mainstream scrapes and the Media Managers for the non-listed movie, tv show and music scrapes.

Web Search

Using an online search engine can help you discover individual artworks, or additional sites where artwork is hosted. When downloading, check that the resolution is of an acceptable standard. Also pay respect to any copyright notices that are attached to the artwork.

Once downloaded, they must be named and saved correctly for the artwork to be visible to Kodi.

Create Your Own

So you are not happy with the artwork the scraper downloaded? And you just can't find that perfect artwork by manually searching the internet. Then, you will just have to create your own. For those who are artistically minded and can easily navigate around image editing software, then you should be able to easily create your very own user-defined artwork on your computer. Only your imagination is the limit, but be mindful that the artwork needs to remain true to the movie or tv show it represents.

If you are unsure where to start, the following links may prove useful. Especially if you plan to share your masterpieces. If this is the case, it is best to stick to the posted guidelines.

  • Fanart.TV- The premier repository for all things artwork. They have an in-depth guide for artwork requirements
see : Fanart.tv- Image Creation Guide
  • The MovieDB- The go to movie scraper site for Kodi. In addition to metadata, they also hold a large repository of artwork that are created and uploaded to the site by people just like you. Read their easy to understand artwork creation guide.
see : themoviedb- Image Creation Guide
  • The TVDB- The go to TV Show scraper site for Kodi. In addition to metadata, they also hold a large repository of artwork devoted to TV Shows. Read their easy to understand artwork creation guide.
see : theTVDB- Image Creation Guide
  • IMDB- A comprehensive listing of ensuring artwork is appropriate and suitable.
see : IMDB- Image Submission Guide
  • TheAudioDB- The go to scraper site for all things music. They hold metadata on Artists, Albums and Songs with a large collection of music artwork.
see : TheAudioDB- Image Creation Guide

Importing-Scanning Artwork

This section does not apply to the Kodi scraper or any other add-on scraping process. It only applies to artwork you have manually sourced and saved.

When performing an Update Library or Scrape, Kodi will always use Local Artwork first if it exists. If there is no local artwork, Kodi will obtain the artwork from online sources.

It is important to note that once a movie, tv show, artist or album has been scraped into the library, Kodi will ignore them on subsequent scans. If you have made changes to either artwork and/or metadata (in the form of a nfo file), you must instruct Kodi to update using one of the following methods...

  1. If the Library has not yet been created, or the source has not yet been added
    • Ensure your artwork is named and saved correctly. Add the Media sources to Kodi and allow to update. Artwork will be cached
  2. This Movie/TV Show/Album/Artist is new and has not been added to the library yet
    • An Update Library will scrape and cache the artwork, or
    • For Videos, navigate Videos>Files, navigate to the item and call up the Information page. This will start an automatic scrape for that single item
    • For Music, navigate Music>Files, locate and highlight the new artist or album. From the context menu select Scan item to library
  3. I added new artwork for Movie/TV Show/Album/Artist already in the library
    • For videos follow instructions for Kodi- Choose Art below
    • For music follow instructions in Music_artwork
  4. I added new artwork for a lot of Movies/TV Shows/Music already in the library
    • Update each Movie/TV Show/Music manually using instructions in the previous option, or
    • Remove the Source and clean library. Re-add the source and allow the Update Library
See also: Update Video Library

"Available" artwork

Scrapers and NFO files can include multiple images for a single type of artwork. The first image will be assigned to the media item for skins and other interfaces to access for display, and the full list will be saved for the "Choose art" dialog, where you can select a new image for any art type.

Kodi- Choose Art

From within Kodi, you have the ability to manually change the artwork at any time by following these directions.

  1. Highlight the media item whose artwork you want to change.
  2. Call up the Information page, (Image 1)
    • For seasons and movie sets the "Choose Art" option is in the Context menu.
  3. Select Choose Art. (Image 1)
  4. From within this page, you will be given the option to select which type of artwork you would like to change. (Image 2)
    • This dialog is filled with artwork already assigned to similar media items in the library. If your type of artwork is not listed, then use the Add art button. An onscreen keyboard will be displayed. Enter the new type of artwork and select Ok.
    • Examples of artwork type are those listed in the following pages- eg clearlogo, clearart, banner etc...
  5. Once selected, you will then be provided with a list of available artwork at the scraper site, or you can navigate to a local or network location. (Image 3)
  6. Once you select the desired image, it will replace the existing image. You will be returned to the screen displayed in Image 2
  7. If you do not intend to change any other artwork types, simply Esc or Back out of the screen

An alternative method:

  1. Choose Refresh as seen in Image 1.
  2. You will then be asked Locally stored information found. Ignore and refresh from Internet? (Image 4)
    • To scrape local artwork and metadata - Select No note- If you have no local nfo file, Kodi will scrape metadata from the online scraper site
    • To scrape online artwork and metadata - Select Yes

Artwork details for media sections

Movie Artwork

This page details information specific to the movie library.

See: Movie artwork

TV Show Artwork

This page details information specific to TV Shows. For Seasons and Episodes, see linked pages.

See: TV-Show artwork

Music Artwork

See: Music artwork

Music Videos Artwork

This page details information specific to artwork for music videos used in the Music Video library.

See: Music Video artwork

Live TV Artwork

Kodi provides the ability to insert the Logo of your TV Stations which then becomes visible in the program guide, on-screen displays and all channel listings, making it easy to distinguish each channel.

See: Live TV Artwork

Pictures Artwork

There is no user definable artwork for the Pictures section of Kodi.

See: Pictures

All images added to Pictures are cached as follows:

  1. Embedded EXIF previews are scanned and cached. If none available then
  2. Preview images are created and cached
See: Artwork Cache

To add an image to the folder icon:

See: Folder Image

Add-ons to display artwork

The following add-ons allow you to display your movie, TV show and music artwork.

Screensavers

Want to do more with all that wonderful fanart? Install this Kodi screensaver. Just like a screensaver on computers from yesteryear, the Kodi screensaver will produce a slideshow of your Movie and TV Show fanart, or set it to display your Music Fanart. Don't like either of those? Then setup a directory with your own pictures and it can produce a screensaver from your selection of photos.

Managing Artwork

There are a number of ways to maintain and improve Kodi's handling of the artwork.

Cache

Kodi maintains a texture cache on local device storage for all artwork displayed in the GUI, whether from an online source or the local file system. These textures are optimized and stored locally for faster loading.

When media is added to the library, Kodi initially only has a URL or path to the artwork. The artwork itself is downloaded (if from an online source) and then cached.

Recovering Disk Space

After years of use, it is expected that your system will gather some clutter- that being either orphaned artwork files or corrupted artwork which will not display.

Texture Cache Maintenance

Texture Cache Maintenance utility is a python script created by MillhouseVH, that can do a number of artwork related maintenance on the Kodi library. The script can be used to pre-generate thumbnails, clean up old thumbnail files, find corrupted files, and much more. The script can work on any OS that can run Python 2.6 or higher.

Import/Export

Kodi has the option to Export and Import the library databases. These options may be used for a number of reasons including the following more popular ones:

  • Perform database backup and recovery
  • Reorganization of data or eliminate database fragmentation (export, clean/remove database, re-import)
  • Move data between Kodi databases on different platforms (eg Widows to Linux)

Troubleshooting

There are certain scenarios where attempting to replace existing artwork with new artwork, you may experience Kodi refusing to load the new artwork. This occurs when replacing one artwork with another artwork having the same name. eg replacing poster.jpg with a new poster.jpg.

Rest assured that the new image has been accepted, but due to the same filename, Kodi may take upto 24 hrs to check the image hash, realise the image is different and clear out the cached image and replace it with the new one. This is intended behaviour. Further reading available in the following link

Animated artwork - experimental

Kodi has basic support for displaying animated artwork, and two artwork types have a decent collection of animated options: posters and fanart for movies. The most comprehensive support for animated artwork is Skin Helper Service, which has taken to naming these as "animatedposter" and "animatedfanart".

New animated movie posters (and textless posters / keyart which could be named "animatedkeyart") are often posted to this forum thread.

Limitations of animated artwork

Kodi's support for displaying animated artwork is basic, and does have some limitations.

Number one is a hard limit on the number of pixels in a single animated artwork. The size of animated artwork is limited to roughly 12 frames of 1920x1080. This limit is defined as fully decoded pixels. The trend for animated posters is for smaller images with more frames (a recent "animatedposter" is 500x713 with 60 frames). Kodi will discard any remaining frames after it has reached this limit, which will probably hitch unpleasantly, so obeying this limit is important.

  • Technically this limit is 11 frames but Kodi will decode full frames until it has decoded MORE than this, so the calculation is
    • 1920 × 1080 = 2,073,600 * 11 =
      • 22,809,600 pixels plus one more frame

Number two is that Kodi doesn't save animated artwork to the texture cache and will not play them (only displaying the first frame) unless they are stored on a client-local file system.

Accessing with skins and JSON-RPC

The primary usage of artwork is to be displayed, and to that end, they can be accessed by name in skins and over JSON-RPC.

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