5 Easy Steps to Mass Add PNGs in Anki

In the realm of knowledge acquisition, Anki reigns supreme as a powerful spaced repetition software. Its ability to foster efficient memorization has made it an indispensable tool for students and professionals alike. However, manually adding individual PNG images to your Anki decks can be a tedious and time-consuming process that can hinder your learning progress. The solution lies in mass adding PNGs, a convenient and efficient technique that can streamline your workflow and accelerate your learning journey. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of mass adding PNGs in Anki, empowering you to harness its full potential and unlock the secrets of expedited knowledge acquisition.

The technique of mass adding PNGs in Anki leverages the software’s built-in media manager, which provides a centralized repository for all your images and other multimedia files. By utilizing the media manager, you can import multiple PNG files simultaneously, eliminating the need for repetitive manual insertions. This streamlined approach not only saves you valuable time but also ensures consistency in image quality and formatting, ensuring that your Anki decks maintain a professional and cohesive appearance. Moreover, mass adding PNGs enables you to organize and categorize your images effortlessly, making it easier to retrieve and review specific content when needed.

To embark on the journey of mass adding PNGs in Anki, simply navigate to the media manager tab within the software. From there, you can select the “Import” option and choose the desired PNG files from your computer’s file system. Once the import process is complete, your PNGs will be readily available for use in your Anki decks. By leveraging the media manager’s intuitive interface, you can drag and drop images onto your cards, creating visually engaging and memorable learning experiences. Additionally, Anki allows you to customize image settings, such as scaling and positioning, ensuring that your PNGs are optimally displayed for maximum impact and clarity.

Prepare PNGs for Anking

Organize PNGs

Begin by creating a comprehensive directory system for your PNGs. Categorize them into subfolders based on topic, concept, or deck. This organization simplifies the process of selecting and adding PNGs to your Anki decks.

Optimize Image Dimensions

Ensure that your PNGs are sized appropriately for Anki. The optimal image dimensions for Anki desktop and mobile are 1200×630 pixels. Resizing larger images or cropping smaller images to fit this format improves readability and reduces file sizes.

Convert PNGs to Black and White

To enhance clarity and reduce distractions, convert your PNGs to black and white. This eliminates unnecessary colors and emphasizes the key elements of the image. You can use online image converters or built-in software features to achieve this.

Remove Backgrounds

Cluttered backgrounds can hinder learning. Consider removing the backgrounds of your PNGs to isolate the essential information. This process, known as “masking,” can be done using image editing software like GIMP or Photoshop.

Add Tags

In Anki, tags play a crucial role in categorizing and organizing notes. Assign relevant tags to your PNGs to facilitate easy retrieval and association with specific topics or concepts.

Verify File Naming

To ensure effortless recognition within Anki, ensure that your PNG files are named descriptively. Consider using a consistent naming convention that includes keywords, tags, or brief descriptions.

Import PNGs as New Notes

To incorporate PNGs as new notes in Anki, follow these detailed steps:

1. Locate and Select the PNG Files

Begin by identifying the PNG files you want to import. Select the desired images and gather them in a convenient location for easy access.

2. Import PNGs into Anki

Open Anki and Create a New Deck: Launch Anki and establish a fresh deck to accommodate your PNG imports. This deck will serve as the container for your imported notes.
Navigate to the File Menu: Click on the “File” option within Anki’s main menu. From the drop-down list, select “Import…” to initiate the import process.
Select Image Files: Within the import interface, click on the “Files…” button. This will prompt you to browse and select the PNG files you wish to import into your newly created deck.
Specify Import Settings: Customize the import process by configuring various settings. Choose the appropriate note type, add relevant tags, and determine the desired field mapping to ensure that the imported content is organized and structured to your liking.
Execute the Import: Once you have specified the desired settings, click on the “Import” button to initiate the import process. Anki will now begin importing the selected PNG files as individual notes into the specified deck.
Review Imported Notes: After the import is complete, navigate to the newly created deck to examine the imported notes. Ensure that the images are successfully embedded and that the notes are structured as intended. Make any necessary adjustments or modifications to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of your study material.

Set Image Path for Anki to Reference

Anki is a powerful flashcard software that allows you to add images to your cards. However, if you have a lot of images, it can be tedious to add them one by one. The following steps will show you how to mass add PNGs to Anki.

1. Create a folder for your PNGs

The first step is to create a folder for your PNGs. This folder should be located in a convenient place on your computer. Once you have created the folder, you need to add all of your PNGs to it.

2. Open Anki and create a new deck

Once you have added all of your PNGs to the folder, you need to open Anki and create a new deck. To do this, click on the “Decks” button in the top menu bar and then click on the “New Deck” button.

3. Set the image path for Anki to reference

The next step is to set the image path for Anki to reference. To do this, click on the “Tools” button in the top menu bar and then click on the “Preferences” button. In the “Preferences” dialog box, click on the “Media” tab and then click on the “Browse” button next to the “Image Folder” field. Navigate to the folder that you created for your PNGs and then click on the “Select Folder” button.

Once you have set the image path, Anki will be able to reference the images in your folder. You can now add the images to your cards by clicking on the “Image” button in the toolbar.

Mass Annotate Images

Anki’s image annotation tools provide a convenient way to add notes and highlights directly to your images. To mass annotate images, follow these steps:

1. Select Images

In the Anki browser, select the cards containing the images you want to annotate. Alternatively, you can drag and drop images directly into the Anki window.

2. Open Image Annotator

Go to the “Tools” menu and select “Image Annotator.” This will open a separate window where you can view and annotate the selected images.

3. Annotate Images

Use the annotation tools provided in the window to add notes, highlights, arrows, and other annotations to the images. You can also create custom annotations by drawing on the image.

4. Save Annotations

Once you’re finished annotating, click “Save Annotations.” Anki will automatically update the note fields of the selected cards with the annotations you made. You can also choose to export the annotated images as separate files.

Annotation Tool	Description
Note	Add a text note to the image.
Highlight	Highlight a specific area of the image.
Arrow	Draw an arrow to point out a specific feature.
Custom Drawing	Draw any shape or line on the image.
Text Box	Add a text box with additional information.

Import Images as Close Notes

This method involves converting images to notes with the image hidden initially. It allows you to reveal the image by clicking a shortcut or button:

1. Open the Anki Import Media Dialog

Click “Tools” > “Import Image” or press “Ctrl” + “I”.

2. Select the PNG Image Files

Choose the PNG image files you want to import.

3. Import As Close Note Type

Select “Close” from the “Note Type” dropdown menu.

4. Configure Reverse Card (Optional)

If you want images to appear on the back of the cards, select “Image” from the “Front Template” dropdown menu for the reverse card.

5. Customize the Cloze Deletion Template

To determine how images will be hidden and revealed, edit the Cloze Deletion Template as follows:

Enclose the image filename in double square brackets: [[image.png]]
Add a shortcut or button after the double square brackets, such as “[Show]” or “Button: show”
If you want the image to disappear automatically after a certain time, add a timer: “Button: show(2000)”
To ensure the image displays correctly, use the HTML syntax “<img src="{{image.png}}">”

Example Cloze Deletion Template	Result
[[image.png]][Show]	Image hidden initially. Click “Show” to reveal
Button: show([[image.png]])	Image hidden initially. Click the “Show” button to reveal
<img src="{{image.png}}"> Button: show(2000)	Image displays immediately and disappears after 2 seconds

Create a Single-Field Note To Store Images

This method is straightforward and a good option if you don’t need any complex formatting or organization of your images. It involves creating a note template with a single field and importing all your PNGs into that field.

To do this:

Create a new note template by clicking on the “Add” button in the “Templates” sidebar. Give it a name, such as “Image Bank”.
Under “Fields”, add a single field. You can name it anything, such as “Image”.
Click on “Save”.
Select the template you just created in the “Templates” sidebar.
Click on the “Import Image” button in the toolbar.
Select the PNG files you want to import and click “Open”.

Your PNGs will be imported into the single field of the note. You can now add additional information to the note, such as tags or notes, as needed.

Here are some additional tips for mass adding PNGs using this method:

Tip	Description
Use subdirectories to organize your images.	This will help you keep track of your images and make it easier to find the ones you need.
Use a naming convention for your image files.	This will help you identify the contents of the image file quickly.
Use Anki’s image occlusion feature to create flashcards from your images.	This can be a great way to test your knowledge of the images and their contents.

Utilize an Anki Add-On for Mass Import

To efficiently add a large number of PNGs to Anki, consider utilizing an add-on specifically designed for this task. One highly recommended add-on is “Bulk Image Importer.” Here’s how to use it:

7. Bulk Image Importer Add-On

Step 1: Install the Add-On

Go to the “Tools” menu in Anki.
Select “Manage Add-Ons.”
Search for “Bulk Image Importer” and click “Download & Install.”

Step 2: Organize Your PNGs

Create a folder on your computer containing all the PNGs you wish to import.
Ensure the PNGs are named appropriately for easy identification within Anki.

Step 3: Use the Add-On

Select the deck you wish to add the images to.
Go to the “Tools” menu.
Select “Bulk Image Importer.”
Browse to the folder containing the PNGs.
Click “Import Images.”

Step 4: Preview and Make Adjustments

The add-on will display a preview of the imported images.
Make any necessary adjustments to the image order or metadata (e.g., tags).

Step 5: Save the Changes

Once satisfied with the preview, click “Save.”
The images will be added to the selected deck.

Convert PNGs to Other Formats

PNGs are a popular image format but are not the best for use in Anki due to their large file size. If you have a large number of PNGs that you want to add to Anki, you should convert them to a more suitable format such as JPEG, WebP, or HEIC.

There are many different ways to convert PNGs to other formats. You can use a free online converter, a desktop program, or a script.

Online Converters

There are many free online converters that you can use to convert PNGs to other formats. Some popular options include:

To use these converters, simply upload your PNG file and select the desired output format. The converter will then convert your file and provide you with a download link.

Desktop Programs

There are also a number of desktop programs that you can use to convert PNGs to other formats. Some popular options include:

These programs offer more features and control than online converters, but they can be more difficult to use.

Scripts

If you have a large number of PNGs to convert, you can use a script to automate the process. There are many scripts available online that can be used to convert PNGs to other formats.

One popular script is the ImageMagick convert script. This script can be used to convert PNGs to any other image format supported by ImageMagick.

To use the script, simply download it and run it from the command line. You can then specify the input and output files, as well as the desired output format.

convert input.png output.jpg

The script will then convert the input PNG file to the specified output format and save it to the specified output file.

Automated Workflow with a Script

Creating a script is the most efficient method to automatically add multiple PNGs to Anki. This approach streamlines the process, especially when dealing with a large number of images.

Prerequisites

Install Python on your computer.
Install Pillow library for image manipulation.
Familiarity with Python coding.

Steps

Organize your PNG files in a specific folder.
Create a new Python script file.
Import the necessary Python modules.
Define a function to read the PNG files.
Create a loop to iterate through the PNG files.
For each PNG file, convert it to a binary format.
Create a new Anki card.
Add the PNG binary data to the card’s front field.
Add appropriate text or tags to the card’s back field.
Save the card to the Anki deck.

Example Code

Code	Description
`import os import anki import Image`	Import necessary Python modules.
`def read_pngs(folder): for file in os.listdir(folder): yield Image.open(file)`	Define a function to iterate through the PNG files in a specific folder.
`for img in read_pngs('png_folder'): buf = io.BytesIO() img.save(buf, 'PNG')`	Convert each PNG file to a binary format.
`card = anki.Card(front=anki.BasicFront(image=buf.getvalue()), back=anki.BasicBack(text='Back field text'))`	Create a new Anki card with the PNG binary data on the front and desired text on the back.
`deck = anki.Deck(id='your_deck_id') deck.addCard(card)`	Add the card to the specified Anki deck.

How To Mass Add PNGs In Anki

Anki is a powerful spaced repetition software that can be used to learn and memorize anything. One of the most common uses of Anki is to learn languages. PNGs are a type of image file that can be used to create cards in Anki.

There are two ways to mass add PNGs to Anki. The first way is to use the Anki add-on called "Image Importer." This add-on allows you to import PNGs from a folder into Anki.

The second way to mass add PNGs to Anki is to use the Anki command line. This method is more advanced, but it allows you to import PNGs from a variety of sources.