AccessImgExtract

HOWTO extract embedded images from an access database

Background

I was to extract a couple of hundred images embedded inside an access database. The images was OLE inserted, we have to extract the image from the blob.

After searching the net after tools that were capable to extract images I found some script that used sendkey to get the OLE responsible application to save the images. I didn't have the applications.

Windowsplatform and access database..

One solution AccessImgExtract.exe

(1) access-database-filename

Get the access-database filename, (*.mdb)
Only tested with the .mdb format, probably will not work on .accdb format

(2) tablename inside the mdb-database

Used to open the table inside the access database

(3) database column, field to store the blob/active-x image

This is used to access the right field

(4) field with a counter or descriptive name for the image file

Must be an uniqe name because the files wont be overwritten (=runtime error)
The file extension is selected by looking inside the blob and figuring out what kind of file it is.
(.pdf | .office | .dib | .jpg | .png | .psd | .cpt | .wmf | .tif | .gif | .psp | .bmp)
If it can't figure out the file-type it will use the extension .dmp
the .office file-type is used for all MS-office files, rename it after extraction

(5) If you wish to filter the output, use a field to filter on and only matched rows in the access table will be processed.

(6) Directory to store the output files

Don't forget the trailing backslash

(7) Dump content of BLOB to [file].dmp

Don't look inside the blob trying to figure out what kind of it is, you can rename it after the extraction.

(8) Go...

Start the extraction

From database to image-files

1. Place the access database on the machine with access installed (need DAO to access access)
2. Extract bmp, jpg, gif, psd, psp, cpt, png, wmf, tif images with the tool. (also extract pdf and .office files)
3. For other formats, drop me a line.

Filter

You can use a column in the database to filter on. Set the field you wish to filter on. The filter value will be used as follows:

• if the field is an integer, filter value is expected in the form low-high, example 100-200
• if the field is a string, filter value is part of the field values, *value*

Command Line

Usage: AccessImgExtract.exe [options] [mdb-filename]
where options include:

-t, --table=[table]	tablename inside database, (2)
-fi, --field-image=[field]	database column, field to store the blob/active-x image, (3)
-fn1=[field]	field with a counter or descriptive name for the image file, (4)
-fn2=[field]	filename can be made from 2 fields "field1 + field2"
-d, --dir=[directory]	directory to store the image files, (5)
-ff, --field-filter=[field]	field to filter on, default all
-fv, --filter-value=[value]	se filter section
-fd, --filter-dir	use filter field as sub-directory

Example: AccessImgExtract -t=table -fi=images -fn=id -d=c:\temp\output c:\temp\file.mdb

• Default values are those saved when not using command line.
• Will only run if mdb-file exists

Download and go

• get AccessImgExtract v0.18   AccessImgExtract.zip
  
• Extract the AccessImgExtract.exe (1 file) place it whereever and run...
   

Versions

2016-jul-21, version 0.18

small tweaks, tested in windows 10

2015-dec-14, version 0.14

priority for compound files moved to below raster images

2015-jul-31, version 0.13

some more filetypes: dwg, wmf(ver 3.1), jp2, crw, img

2011-okt-27, version 0.12

Small changes, Windows 7 etc

2009-okt-21, version 0.10

Swapped order for the blob identification. pdf first (can include jpg etc)

2008-okt-05, version 0.9.8

Command Line interface

2008-jul-08, version 0.9.7

Fix for some dib's, buggfix for psp and bmp(v3-header).

2008-maj-22, version 0.8.5

Minor fix to use field as folder name.

2008-maj-15, version 0.7

Fix for pdf,office files. New filter function.

2008-apr-08, version 0.6

Fix for GIF files

2008-feb-18, version 0.5

Fix for PSD files

2006-mar-10, version 0.4

Implement CPT7FILE, CorelPhotoPaint.Image.8, images

More info

if you like we can help you with extracting the files, or do it yourself with the above tool.
More info/questions from: Subject: AccessImgExtract