IntroductionLast updated: 19 January 2026

JCOGS Image Pro is an advanced yet easy-to-use image processing add-on for ExpressionEngine 6 and 7 with PHP 8.2+: built using EE's latest add-on architecture, it delivers exceptional performance while providing comprehensive image manipulation capabilities that extend far beyond ExpressionEngine's built-in image processing services.

Core Capabilities

Image Pro offers three categories of image manipulation:

Format Conversion
Convert between image formats on-the-fly (e.g., JPG to WebP). Supported formats depend on your server's GD2 library—typically including GIF, PNG, JPG, BMP, WBMP, XBM, and WebP. Additionally supports reading HEIC format images.
Resizing & Cropping
Precise image sizing with aspect ratio control. Generate multiple versions of the same image for responsive HTML <img> tags with srcset support. Combine scale and crop operations in a single tag.
Effects & Filters
Apply extensive visual effects including horizontal/vertical reflection, rotation, and sophisticated filters (grayscale, blur, color manipulation, etc.). Chain multiple manipulations sequentially within one operation.

Advanced Features for Developers

Image Pro provides powerful tools designed specifically for ExpressionEngine developers:

Named Connection System
Configure multiple named connections to different storage locations—including local filesystems and cloud services (AWS S3, etc.). Switch between storage locations in templates using the connection parameter. Store source images and processed cache in different locations as needed.
Enhanced Cache Management
Sophisticated caching system with developer-friendly Control Panel interface. Monitor cache performance, manage storage, and configure cache behavior with granular control. Database-backed cache logging ensures reliable tracking.
Preset System
Define complex image processing configurations once and reuse them throughout your templates. Presets streamline development and ensure consistency across your site.
Named Attribute System
Simplifies the complex 'positional' syntax used by CE Image and JCOGS Image for complex parameters such as crop or watermark, (optionally) using instead human-readable named attributes. Makes template code more maintainable and self-documenting.
Modern HTML Support
Automatically generate <img> tags with lazy-loading, responsive image definitions via srcset, and other HTML5 features. Pass-through and consolidate arbitrary HTML attributes (classes, data attributes, etc.) directly in Image Pro tags.
Browser-Aware Format Selection
Automatically detects browser image format support and adjusts output accordingly. Deliver modern formats like WebP to capable browsers while maintaining compatibility with older clients.
Flexible Fallback System
Define fallback images per-tag or globally. Use local images, remote URLs, or solid colour placeholders when source images are unavailable.
Batch Processing
Process all the images within a block of content with consistent transformations: ideal for standardising user-uploaded content in blog posts, galleries, and more.
Enhanced Validation
Comprehensive parameter validation with clear error messages helps catch configuration issues during development.
Extensibility
Architecture designed to support future companion add-ons for specialized functionality.

Compatibility & Migration

JCOGS Image: Image Pro is fully tag-compatible with JCOGS Image. In most cases, you can upgrade templates simply by replacing exp:jcogs_img with exp:jcogs_img_pro.
The Pro version extends Image's functionality with new parameters, enhanced developer features, and improved performance while maintaining full backward compatibility.
Note: JCOGS Image will remain available for sites running older environments (EE5 or PHP < 8.2) but will no longer be actively supported.

CE Image Migration: Image Pro offers a straightforward migration path from the CE Image add-on. In most cases, you can upgrade templates simply by replacing exp:ce_img with exp:jcogs_img_pro.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

To use JCOGS Image Pro you will need:

A web server running PHP version 8.2 or later
The GD or GD2 library installed in your PHP installation
The allow_url_fopen directive enabled (required for license validation and remote image retrieval)
An ExpressionEngine 6 or 7 installation with a valid base_path configuration setting

Image Pro will alert you if requirements are not met:

The Control Panel displays warning messages for unmet requirements
When debugging is enabled, diagnostic messages appear in template output

Usage Notes

Using Image Pro on servers configured with open_basedir

Open_basedir is a PHP security feature that limits file access to specified directories. Image Pro is fully compatible with open_basedir configurations and respects these security boundaries.

Usage Notes

Named Connections and Storage Flexibility

Unlike the legacy Image add-on (which supports one storage adapter at a time), Image Pro allows you to configure multiple named connections to different storage locations. You can store source images on one connection, processed cache on another, and switch between connections using the connection parameter in your templates. See Named Connections documentation for details.

Usage Notes

Preset System for Reusable Configurations

Image Pro introduces a preset system that allows you to define complex parameter configurations once and reuse them throughout your templates. This promotes consistency and reduces code duplication. Presets are configured through the Control Panel and referenced using the preset parameter. See Presets documentation for configuration details.

Usage Notes

Pro-Exclusive Parameters

Image Pro includes several new parameters not available in the legacy version, including preset, fetchpriority (for performance optimisation), face_detection_quality (for advanced face detection), and others. These parameters extend Image's capabilities while maintaining full backward compatibility. See Parameter Reference for complete details.

Usage Notes

Using Image Pro with EE Coilpack

Image Pro is compatible with EE Coilpack, allowing you to use Image Pro tags within modern templating environments such as Twig and Blade. When using the bulk tag with Coilpack, improved operation is achieved by adding the tagdata: text parameter to the function call.

Installation

Copy the jcogs_img_pro folder to your system/user/addons folder and then install from the ExpressionEngine Control Panel Add-ons page.

Updating

To update the add-on, copy the updated jcogs_img_pro folder to your system/user/addons folder, replacing the existing folder, and then update the add-on from the ExpressionEngine Control Panel Add-ons page.

Usage Notes

Migrating from JCOGS Image:

When installing Image Pro on a site that already has JCOGS Image installed, Image Pro automatically creates copies of your existing connections and configures separate processed image cache directories. This ensures both add-ons can coexist without conflicts during migration, allowing you to test and transition at your own pace.

Usage Notes

Third-Party Caching:

Image Pro may clear both its own image cache and the EE Template cache during updates to ensure correct image display. If you use third-party caching tools (such as Speedy or Rocket) or external caching systems (LiteSpeed, Varnish, etc.), you should manually clear those caches after updating to prevent unpredictable output.