imageAsBase64

Implementations allowing to convert/use regular image as base64 content

Into

It it started with me wanting to paste an clipboard-stored image as base64 content in markdown documents, so I started to develop an extension for vs code that will allow to do it..

I later realized that it should not be an application-specific feature, like, in this case - VS code feature.. but a system-wide functionality.

We have means of making this functionality in either an AutoHotkey or Powershell or other tool/language of our choice.

Current implementations

1. Powershell global keyboard hook

The script is listening for key-presses. In default implementaion - once pause key press is detected - the script will try to extract the raw image from the clipboard, and, if the image is found - it will set the value of the clipboard to base64 string and execute CTRL+V command to paste the contents into currently active window.

The value will contain a valid markdown image format.

Edit the source code for it to suit your needs.

Referencd in: github

Known problems

• if you assign a hook to F1 button, then some programs could mess up with the script. For example Chrome will corrupt the automation script.
• we cannot unfortunatelly use GetAsyncKeyState method. Windows Defender flags the powershell script as a trojan and removes the file.
• to exit the script you have to press CTRL+C plus any additional button
• after the image is pasted - clipboard's content will be the latest content set by the script (not much of an issue, but a feature)